How to Clean Up Duplicate Records
Duplicate data = messy reporting.
Fix it with Duplicate Rules and Matching Rules!
Setup → Duplicate Rules → New Rule (e.g., Leads) → Choose Action (Block or Alert)
Clean data = confident decisions.
Struggling with siloed data in spreadsheets?
XL Connector and G Connector are products which can enhance user productivity by providing a user-friendly data manipulation solution.
They allow users to transfer data in Salesforce (or other CRMs and databases) directly from Excel or Google Sheets.
Read our new article to find out more! Read more
Curious about how developers minimise API calls and securely manage access tokens? In Salesforce, caching plays a pivotal role, enhancing Org security while empowering architects to craft efficient systems.
What is Platform Cache in Salesforce? Platform Cache is a memory layer that store’s Salesforce session and org data for later access.
“Platform Cache” is just like a RAM for your app. With Platform Cache, your applications can run faster because they store reusable data in memory.
“Platform Cache” is used to to store Static Data, complex computations and Frequently used dataType of Platform Cache1)
Org Cache :- Org wide data for anyone in the org2)
Session Cache :- Data for a specific user stored up to 8 hours
The Summer ’24 update brings us a new automation app, meaning that Flow is now accessible outside of Setup!
Users with the correct permissions can access their flows, any errors and other community-based links all from one view!Read more here!
For the early adopters, digital leaders, and curious innovators who’ve had their eye on Agentforce but felt a little stuck on how to get started, Salesforce has just dropped some news that might clear the runway for takeoff.
Agentforce is Salesforce’s platform for building AI-powered digital agents – think of them as tireless, always-on teammates who can help with everything from customer service to sales follow-ups to employee onboarding. These agents are trained to handle specific tasks across your org, surfacing information, solving problems, and even triggering actions automatically.
They’re not chatbots. They’re digital coworkers – and the next evolution of how we get work done.
But despite the excitement, there’s been one recurring speed bump: pricing.
Enter Flex Credits!
Previously, Agentforce’s pricing was based on conversations, which worked well for some use cases but didn’t fit all. With the new Flex Credits model, Salesforce aimed to create something much more flexible, scalable, and digestible for teams looking to explore, test, and expand their digital workforce strategy. “Flex Credits ensure you only pay for the exact actions Agentforce performs – whether that’s updating customer records, automating complex workflows, or resolving cases.” (Salesforce, 2025).
Here’s what we know:
This change allows users to start small, experiment with different agent use cases, and scale what works – without overcommitting upfront.
The Flex Agreement
Notably with this announcement, Salesforce is also introducing a Flex Agreement, which allows you to reallocate budget between user licenses and AI ‘labour’. If your headcount shifts or your priorities change, you can adapt your investment accordingly.
Essentially: if you’re running a dynamic business (and who isn’t these days?), this model works with you – only consuming credits when there are genuine, measurable business outcomes and allowing interchangability between credits and licenses. A truly future-proof offering.
How will this new pricing model help?
Agentforce is powerful – but like any new tech, getting started can feel daunting. These pricing updates make it much easier to:
And for those already dabbling in Agentforce? This is your chance to go further, faster, with a pricing structure that truly supports growth.
Why is this a change for the better?
Why were people hesitant to invest? The old Agentforce pricing model, which was based on cost-per-conversation (e.g. $2 per conversation), understandably created hesitation for several key reasons:
1. Unpredictable Costs
Problem: Conversations are dynamic and variable. Some are short, others spiral into long interactions with multiple steps.
Impact: It was hard for businesses to accurately forecast spend, especially if adoption scaled quickly or agents were used in more complex ways.
2. Lack of Cost-to-Value Clarity
Problem: One “conversation” might result in a small task (like updating a field), while another might resolve a full support case – yet both cost the same.
Impact: This misalignment made it hard to justify ROI, especially when trying to scale use across various functions.
3. Discouraged Experimentation
Problem: With each conversation carrying a flat fee, businesses were reluctant to test or iterate on new use cases for fear of racking up unpredictable charges.
Impact: It slowed innovation, especially in departments outside of customer support where value might be more indirect or exploratory.
4. Not Tailored for Non-Conversational Agents
Problem: Many AI agents now go beyond conversation – automating workflows, updating data, or triaging requests behind the scenes.
Impact: A “conversation-based” price model didn’t fit these kinds of automations, leading to misalignment with modern use cases.
5. Perceived as Too ‘One-Size-Fits-All’
Problem: Businesses come in all shapes and sizes, and their AI strategies are equally diverse.
Impact: The previous model lacked flexibility for teams who wanted to scale at different paces, try niche use cases, or optimise per department.
The initial model was rigid and difficult to forecast, making it a challenge for prospects to take the first step confidently.
The new Flex Credits model removes those blockers by:
Want to Learn More? Come See Us at Agentforce World Tour London!
If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and see what Agentforce can really do, join us at the Agentforce World Tour on 11 June at London’s ExCeL Centre.
Whether you’re just curious or already building agents, our team at Performa – Agentforce specialists since the pilot – will be on hand to guide you through real-world demos, best practices, and how to get started (or get better).
🎟️ Book your Agentforce consultation
🧑💻 Get hands-on experience
📈 See how you can achieve real business outcomes with AI-powered agents
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re thinking about where Agentforce could fit into your business – or wondering if you’re AI-ready at all – let’s talk.
Book a call with us today and take the first step toward building your digital workforce.
Learn More:
References:Salesforce (2025) Salesforce Introduces New Flexible Agentforce Pricing to Accelerate the Digital Labor Revolution. Available [online] here.
The event formerly known as the Salesforce World Tour is stepping into a bold new chapter – rebranded and reimagined as the Agentforce World Tour. As AI reshapes every industry and customer expectation, Salesforce is leading the way with a renewed focus on how AI Agents and CRM can work hand-in-hand to drive smarter, faster, and more human business.
So what does that mean for you? Whether you’re a seasoned Salesforce customer, a curious tech leader, or an innovation-hungry startup, this year’s Agentforce World Tour promises more than just flashy product demos. It’s a glimpse into the future of customer engagement, where intelligent automation, real-time data, and AI-powered collaboration converge to unlock next-level success.
The rebrand to “Agentforce” isn’t just a marketing play – it signals a deep shift in how Salesforce views the future of work. This year’s event will place AI Agents, the digital workforce, at the core of the conversation.
From GPT and Einstein to the fast-evolving Agentforce ecosystem, we’ll for sure see some demonstrations of how digital employees are transforming every function, from sales and service to operations and marketing.
Expect to see sessions showcasing how:
You’ll hear real customer stories, see agents in action, and understand exactly how AI agents are trained, deployed, and measured – and why this is not just automation 2.0, but something far more transformational.
Since the announcement that Salesforce Data Cloud is now free for Enterprise and Unlimited users, businesses have been eager to understand how to take advantage of real-time, harmonised data. Agentforce World Tour will likely dive deep into Data Cloud use cases – showing how it forms the foundation for AI and customer engagement.
We imagine that Salesforce will cover the importance of feeding high-quality, live data into your AI agents and analytics tools, and using Data Cloud to activate marketing, personalise sales, and boost service outcomes.
If you’ve been sitting on disconnected data sources, this is your chance to ask the experts how it can all come together – securely, scalably, and in real time.
With great power comes great… potential for data breaches. This year’s event is doubling down on the “Trust” pillar that Salesforce has always championed. Expect powerful sessions on how to govern AI responsibly, ensuring human-in-the-loop controls for mission-critical tasks and understanding how Salesforce is building ethical guardrails into AI development.
In a landscape where “move fast and break things” no longer flies, Salesforce is positioning Agentforce as a platform where businesses can scale responsibly, with transparency and security front and centre.
World Tours have always been a showcase for what’s coming next – and we’re sure 2025 will be no different. We are excited to learn more about how Agentforce and Salesforce AI will be working with existing tools like Tableau, Slack and MuleSoft. Salesforce has also hinted that we will be getting more industry-specific content exploring the capabilities of digital employees in different contexts and departments.
Now that Agentforce has begun progressing through the ‘Early Adopter’ stage, we are expecting more real-life customer success stories in even more industries to be featured at this pinnacle event.
Beyond the tech, World Tour remains one of the best places to connect with your people – whether they’re fellow admins, architects, CMOs, or developers. With global stops across London, New York, Sydney, Paris, Tokyo, and beyond, the event creates spaces where innovation meets community. Look forward to:
Agentforce World Tour is ideal for:
This year’s Agentforce World Tour isn’t just another rebranded conference – it’s a declaration that the age of the digital employee is here, and businesses that embrace AI + CRM will be the ones leading the pack.
From smarter workflows to unified data, personalised experiences to responsible automation – the future is intelligent, interconnected, and incredibly exciting.
So dust off your Trailblazer hoodie, bring your curiosity, and get ready to meet your new AI teammates. Oh, and don’t forget to come and say hi to us in the Partner Campground!
If you’re familiar with traditional tiering models like Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, you may find Salesforce’s partner tier system a bit more puzzling. Salesforce uses a data-driven, point-based scorecard system to determine a partner’s status, or ‘tier’, and this is made up of multiple factors.
We are excited to share that we have recently achieved Summit status (yay!) – the equivalent of platinum for those new to the mountaineering theme. But what does that mean, and why should it matter to customers?
Salesforce evaluates partners based on a score in the Salesforce Partner Community hub, a structured system that takes multiple factors into account. These scores determine a partner’s tier status, which ranges from Base (Bronze), Ridge (Silver), Crest (Gold), and Summit (Platinum) – with Summit being the pinnacle of the partner hierarchy.
The Partner Trailblazer Score consists of several key performance indicators:
Each of these areas contributes to the overall score, with partners needing to meet high benchmarks to advance in tiers. The tier-ranking categories are as follows:
Base (Bronze): 0-249 Points
Ridge (Silver): 250-499 Points
Crest (Gold): 500-749 Points
Summit (Platinum): 750-1000 Points
For those familiar with traditional tiering models, ‘Summit’ status might not immediately resonate. However, this designation means recognising a partner’s excellence in the delivery of Salesforce services, customer success, and technical expertise.
Here’s why ‘Summit’ status matters when choosing a Salesforce partner:
AppExchange Score and Real Customer Testimonials – Look out for customer testimonials to get a feel for the partner’s working style and to hear some real-world success stories. We also advise reaching out to a current client of your chosen partner, if you can, when you’e making the buying decision to get some unbiased feedback.
External Credentials – Salesforce credentials are important and can be a great indicator as to whether a partner aligns with your goals. However, there are other non-Salesforce certifications and accreditations, such as Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and even sustainability certifications that may be important to your business and it’s security requirements.
‘Does Size Matter?’
You may think that Summit partners must be of a certain size to achieve the ultimate ranking, but actually, the way that Salesforce has structured the point system allows for smaller or ‘boutique’ partners to gain top-tier status. Of course, working with large partners with big reputations has its advantages – but if you’re looking for the attentive, flexible and collaborative support of a smaller partner, and perhaps a more affordable pricing model, then you will certainly be able to find ones with the Summit accolade.
While traditional tiering systems rely heavily on sales volume and revenue, Salesforce’s Partner Score prioritises customer success, innovation, and overall business impact. Our achievement of Summit status is a huge milestone for us, and a testament to our team’s commitment to delivering the best Salesforce solutions for our clients.
If you’re looking for a trusted Salesforce partner to guide your digital transformation, get in touch with us today to understand how we can help you unlock the full potential of Salesforce for your business.
“If setting up an AI agent with Agentforce is as simple as Salesforce advertises – why don’t we just handle this internally?” It’s a valid question, and many companies might succeed in doing so. Setting up an Agent does require a skillset that can certainly be developed by leveraging learning platforms such as Salesforce Trailhead. Businesses must first workshop and define Agent roles; use cases that will deliver the best ROI, such as handling customer cases. They must then configure the technology with best practice prompts that ensure these AI assistants perform the exact action they were employed to execute.
What isn’t always emphasised is the depth of preparation, expertise, and testing required to truly unlock Agentforce’s full potential. Let’s break it down:
Agentforce is only as good as the data it works with. This is because AI models learn patterns from data; if the data is incomplete, outdated, or biased, the AI will inherit and amplify these issues. Diverse and representative datasets are critical to ensuring fairness and broad applicability. Additionally, well-labelled and structured data enhances model training, while irrelevant or noisy data can downgrade performance.
Essentially: poor data in, poor results out. To set up an effective AI agent, you need:
This preparation step is critical, yet often underestimated, and it’s something that experienced partners are well-equipped to help with.
Implementing Agentforce isn’t just about flipping the ‘Activate’ switch; it requires rigorous testing to ensure it performs seamlessly. This involves:
Partners like us bring tried-and-true testing methodologies, ensuring nothing is left to chance.
Prompt engineering is at the core of Agentforce’s success, but it is, in many ways, a specialised skill. A good AI prompt is clear, specific, and concise, providing enough context for the AI to understand the task. It should outline the desired outcome, tone, or style, and avoid ambiguity or overly broad requests. Including examples or constraints helps guide the AI’s response. For instance, instead of asking, “Write something about technology,” a better prompt would be, “Write a 100-word summary on the benefits of renewable energy in technology.” Additionally, specifying the audience or purpose (e.g., professional, casual) ensures the output is relevant. A well-crafted prompt aligns expectations with the AI’s capabilities, leading to more accurate and useful responses. Prompt writing in an Agentforce context entails:
Having done this for multiple implementations, we’ve learned what works (and what doesn’t) through experience, saving you the steep learning curve.
Agentforce works best when integrated into your existing Salesforce ecosystem. This means:
These skills are vital, especially during the initial setup phase. A partner’s expertise ensures these elements are seamlessly incorporated.
While Agentforce has levelled the playing field for businesses, the time it takes to figure out how best to use the technology could leave you trailing competitors. Partners like us have already put in the work:
The promise of Agentforce is incredible, but our expertise helps you unlock its potential faster and with fewer headaches. We believe that there is certainly an early mover advantage here, so why not take the next step and take advantage of one of our complimentary Salesforce AI readiness workshops, where you can explore and develop your use cases for Agentforce, or even Salesforce’s excellent standard Einstein AI features.
To book your initial consultation, visit www.performa-it.co.uk/agentforce/.
Agentforce is powerful, but with the right partner, you can truly transform your team’s capabilities. Let’s make it happen together.
At Performa IT, we are proud that we have achieved the prestigious status of a Salesforce Summit Partner. This recognition places us among the elite in the Salesforce Partner Program, demonstrating our expertise, commitment, and success within the Salesforce ecosystem.
A Salesforce Summit Partner represents the highest level of partnership in the Salesforce Partner Program. Formerly known as Platinum Partner, this status is awarded to companies that have consistently showcased excellence in implementing Salesforce solutions, driving customer success, and contributing to the growth of the Salesforce ecosystem.
Reaching this milestone required dedication, expertise, and a strong alignment with Salesforce’s mission. Here are the key factors that contributed to our success:
Our journey to Summit Partner status started with a firm commitment to Salesforce. We have consistently aligned our goals with Salesforce’s vision, ensuring that we provide top-tier solutions to our clients.
With a team of certified professionals, we have developed a deep understanding of Salesforce’s comprehensive suite of products. From Sales Cloud and Service Cloud to Marketing Cloud and industry-specific solutions, we specialize in delivering tailored Salesforce implementations.
Certifications are a crucial component of the Salesforce Partner Program. Our team has acquired numerous Salesforce certifications, showcasing their proficiency in various Salesforce technologies and their ability to deliver high-quality solutions.
As a trusted Salesforce partner, we have successfully driven revenue through innovative Salesforce implementations, helping businesses scale and optimize their operations.
Beyond implementation, we actively contribute to the Salesforce ecosystem by participating in events, sharing knowledge, and staying updated with the latest Salesforce innovations. This ongoing engagement has been instrumental in achieving and maintaining our Summit Partner status.
As a Salesforce Summit Partner, we bring unparalleled expertise, cutting-edge solutions, and a proven track record of success. Our clients can trust us to deliver transformative Salesforce solutions that drive efficiency, innovation, and business growth.
We are excited to continue this journey and help businesses unlock the full potential of Salesforce. Whether you’re looking to implement Salesforce for the first time or optimise your existing setup, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Want to learn more? Get in touch with us today and discover how we can help your business thrive with Salesforce!
Salesforce Foundations is a free upgrade for all Salesforce customers, designed to unify the essential elements of the platform and provide businesses with a solid starting point for success. Acting as the bedrock of the Salesforce ecosystem, it includes Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Commerce Cloud and Data Cloud – plus the fundamental tools to create your own autonomous AI Agent with Agentforce. These tools empower businesses to streamline operations, improve decision-making, and prepare for future innovations like AI. Let’s explore why access to Salesforce Foundations is a game-changer for businesses of all sizes.
Sales and Service Clouds
At the heart of Salesforce Foundations are the Sales and Service Clouds – two essential tools that form the foundation of any successful business. Sales Cloud enables businesses to manage their sales pipelines effectively, providing insights to close deals faster and more efficiently. Meanwhile, Service Cloud ensures that customer service teams can deliver outstanding support, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
These two clouds together allow businesses to handle customer interactions from prospecting to post-sale support, all within one unified system. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, having these tools ensures that your operations are streamlined, your teams are aligned, and your customers are happy.
Marketing and Commerce
Salesforce Foundations includes credits to help you unlock the potential of Marketing Cloud for your business. These credits allow you to explore tools for crafting personalised, data-driven campaigns and engaging with your customers across multiple channels. Combining features such as Email Journey Builder and Audience Segmentation with Sales and Service Cloud enables businesses to create tailored, cross-channel experiences and test effective marketing strategies with minimal upfront investment.
Combine all this with the foundational tools of Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and you can take B2C and B2B experiences to new heights, delivering seamless and personalised buying journeys. Commerce Cloud slots in to your powerful suite of tools, helping organisations develop online catalogues and storefronts to establish a strong digital presence.
APIs and Integration Tools
A modern business rarely operates in isolation, and Salesforce Foundations addresses this reality by offering strong API support. This enables seamless integration between Salesforce and your existing systems. Whether it’s syncing data from your ERP, marketing platforms, or third-party applications, Salesforce’s robust APIs make it possible.
For businesses looking to take integrations to the next level, combining Foundations with MuleSoft is highly recommended. MuleSoft allows for deeper connections between systems, helping businesses create a perfectly aligned tech stack that maximises efficiency and functionality. By ensuring your tools work together, you can eliminate silos and build a truly interconnected operation.
Data Cloud
Once your operations are running smoothly and your systems are integrated, the next step is leveraging data effectively. This is where Salesforce’s Data Cloud comes in. It acts as a unifying layer, collecting and consolidating data from across your business into a single, actionable view.
With this comprehensive view, you can make informed decisions using real-time data rather than relying on outdated or incomplete information. For example, you can identify customer trends, monitor performance metrics, and respond quickly to emerging challenges. Data Cloud ensures that every department in your organisation has access to the insights they need to succeed, aligning your entire team around a shared understanding of the business. This ‘layer’ forms the basis for creating AI agents and leveraging Salesforce’s Einstein AI suite.
Preparing for AI Implementation
One of the most exciting aspects of Salesforce Foundations is how it positions businesses to adopt artificial intelligence (AI). While your budget may not currently allow for full-scale AI deployment, Foundations sets the stage by providing a secure, connected, and governed ecosystem, and provides the means to create the leading standard of autonomous AI agent with Salesforce’s groundbreaking new technology, Agentforce.
At the heart of AI’s success is data – and Salesforce Foundations ensures you have a clean, unified pool of data ready to power AI applications. Whether it’s automating repetitive tasks, generating customer insights, or predicting trends, AI thrives on quality data. With Foundations, your business will be prepared to embrace AI when the time is right, staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
If you’re struggling to keep up with rivals already leveraging AI or advanced Salesforce tools, this free upgrade helps level the playing field. Foundations gives you the essential tools and integrations needed to remain competitive – without requiring additional investment. Salesforce Foundations includes a generous allocation of credits for Data Cloud and Agenforce to help you get started with basic use cases. Here’s what’s included:
These credits are designed to cover initial use cases, giving you the flexibility to explore and implement foundational functionality without additional cost.
The Salesforce AppExchange
Salesforce Foundations also includes access to the Salesforce AppExchange, an extensive library of free and paid third-party partner apps and integrations designed to enhance your platform. Whether you need specialised tools for project management, analytics, or customer engagement, the AppExchange has you covered.
However, while the AppExchange is a fantastic resource for quick solutions, it’s important to approach app selection strategically. Consulting with a Salesforce partner can help ensure that the tools you choose integrate seamlessly with your existing setup and support your long-term goals. In many cases, custom-developed solutions may provide the most value, tailoring functionality specifically to your business needs.
Every business is looking to save costs while maximising growth, and Salesforce Foundations delivers on both fronts. By providing essential tools for free, it reduces the financial barriers to leveraging Salesforce’s ecosystem. Its capabilities – such as streamlined operations, better data utilisation, and access to powerful integrations – enable businesses to drive growth without incurring unnecessary expenses.
Whether you’re just starting your Salesforce journey or looking to optimise an existing setup, this upgrade ensures you’re equipped to succeed now and in the future. Salesforce Foundations is more than just a free upgrade – it’s a launchpad for growth, efficiency, and innovation. This package provides the core components needed to run and grow a business. By building a strong foundation, it prepares you to adopt AI and other advanced technologies, ensuring you stay ahead in a competitive landscape. Don’t miss the opportunity to leverage Salesforce Foundations and take your business to the next level. There is nothing to lose by taking advantage of the power of Salesforce – for free!
If you want to learn how to strategically leverage Salesforce Foundations to add value to your business, contact us today! You can also book a complimentary Agentforce Readiness Call if you are ready to take the next step in your AI journey.
Please note that availability varies by region. Reach out to your Salesforce Account Executive for more details.
