Tag: Salesforce

  • Pip Tip #5 – Automation made easy

    Pip Tip #5 – Automation made easy

    Automation Made Easy

    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!

    Read more

  • Agentforce Pricing Gets Flexible: Salesforce Makes AI Adoption Easier for Trailblazers

    Agentforce Pricing Gets Flexible: Salesforce Makes AI Adoption Easier for Trailblazers

    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:

    • Pay-per-action: You only use credits when an agent takes a real action (like resolving a support case or updating a record).
    • A ‘pack’ of 100,000 credits will be priced at $500
    • 20 credits = 1 action (therefore $0.10 per action)
    • No usage surprises: Clear tracking through your Salesforce Digital Wallet lets you forecast and manage AI spend with confidence.
    • Available now: Already live and available – with Enterprise Edition customers and above having access to 100,000 flex credits with Salesforce Foundations!

    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:

    • Pilot agents for niche use cases
    • Manage tech budgets encompassing AI
    • Expand success stories across departments
    • Tie investment directly to tangible business outcomes
    • Test, learn, and optimise before scaling
    • Align AI strategy to evolving priorities

    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:

    • Tying cost directly to specific actions
    • Offering full transparency and control
    • Enabling experimentation without financial risk
    • Scaling smoothly with business growth

    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.

  • What to Expect from This Year’s World Tour

    What to Expect from This Year’s World Tour

    New Name. New Era. Same Vision for Customer Success.

    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.

    A New Frontier

    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:

    • AI SDR agents are qualifying leads 24/7.
    • Digital Service Reps are resolving cases with empathy and intelligence.
    • AI Assistants are surfacing real-time insights from complex data.
    • And how human and technological collaboration is raising the bar for productivity.

    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.

    The Power of Data Cloud

    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.

    Trust and Ethics in the Age of AI

    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.

    Product Announcements & New Capabilities

    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.

    A Global Celebration of Trailblazers

    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:

    • Insightful customer panels
    • Trailblazer networking opportunities
    • Success story showcases
    • A chance to talk to experts and explore ISV solutions in the partner campground
    • Hands-on zones to explore Agentforce
    • Pop-up consultations and guidance from partners
    • And, of course – the signature Salesforce energy we all know and love

    Who Should Attend?

    Agentforce World Tour is ideal for:

    • Sales & Marketing leaders looking to boost pipeline and personalise outreach
    • Customer Service teams eager to resolve faster and improve satisfaction
    • Data & IT professionals building smarter architecture for the future
    • C-suite leaders exploring where to invest for the greatest impact and advantage
    • Startups and SMEs wanting to scale without growing head count
    • And Trailblazers at every stage of the Salesforce journey, especially newcomers wanting to find out what the ecosystem is all about!

    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!

    Register (for free) here for World Tour, London, 11/06/25.

    Register here for TDX, London, 11-12/06/2025.

  • Understanding the Salesforce Partner Tiers: What Do They Mean and Why Do They Matter?

    Understanding the Salesforce Partner Tiers: What Do They Mean and Why Do They Matter?

    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?

    How the Salesforce Partner Tier System Works

    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.

    What Influences a Partner’s Score?

    The Partner Trailblazer Score consists of several key performance indicators:

    1. Customer Success – Measures a partner’s customer satisfaction, retention, and successful project completions.
    2. Innovation – Evaluates technical expertise, certifications and growth.
    3. Growth – Assesses a partner’s commitment to collaboration with Salesforce and its ecosystem.
    4. Impact – Considers how partners incorporate diversity and inclusion practices into their organisations and measures thought leadership published, sustainable event management, sustainability and net zero commitment.
    5. Bonus (Pledge 1%) – Awards partners an extra sum of points if they contribute to the Pledge 1% scheme (where at least 1% of profit and resources are allocated to support not-for-profit organisations).

    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

    Performa IT Salesforce Partner Summit

    Why This Matters to Clients

    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:

    • Proven Track Record: Certifications, successful projects, and deep understanding of Salesforce solutions ensure high-quality implementations and sustained success.
    • Customer-Centric Approach: Strong customer success metrics reflect a partner’s commitment to delivering value and positive business outcomes.
    • Access to Exclusive Salesforce Resources: Summit partners often receive priority access to updates on new Salesforce technologies and subsequent events, ensuring that our clients get the latest, most advanced solutions available.
    • Stronger Salesforce Relationship: Elevated partnership status allows partners to collaborate directly with Salesforce teams, giving our clients access to enhanced support and strategic insights.
    • Corporate Social Responsibility: Summit partners are scored on their commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Sustainability and Giving Back, all of which are important indicators of a quality organisation.

    Why It’s Not Everything When Choosing a Salesforce Partner

    Although partner ranking is a great way to sift through the array of Salesforce partners available, you should also consider the following:

    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.

    Fit for Your Business – A partner’s approach and expertise in certain Salesforce products (like, say, if you work with a specific industry cloud for example) can sometimes be more important than their tier level.

    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.

    Flexibility and Cost Considerations – If you are in need of a fast turnaround, you will need to check with your partner that they have the capacity and resources to complete your project to your deadlines. And, of course, many summit partners are larger or blue-chip organisations that come with a pricetag. And this begs the question:

    ‘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.

    Final Thoughts

    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 Agentforce Is So Easy to Use, Then Why Do I Need a Partner?”

    “If Agentforce Is So Easy to Use, Then Why Do I Need a Partner?”

    “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:

    The Need for Data Readiness

    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:

    • Clean, accurate, and relevant data: This means removing duplicates, filling gaps, and ensuring the data aligns with your goals.
    • A robust knowledge base: For example, Salesforce recommends having at least 100 knowledge articles to provide a solid foundation for a service agent. Knowledge articles are pieces of content within the Salesforce Knowledge product that provide information to help users, customers, or employees solve problems, learn about products, or answer common questions. Without this, your AI’s responses may fall short of customer expectations.

    This preparation step is critical, yet often underestimated, and it’s something that experienced partners are well-equipped to help with.

    The Depth of the Testing Process

    Implementing Agentforce isn’t just about flipping the ‘Activate’ switch; it requires rigorous testing to ensure it performs seamlessly. This involves:

    • Time investment: Dedicated hours are needed to configure, test, and refine your AI agent. Don’t underestimate this phase of deployment, and always include it in your roadmap.
    • Staff involvement: Engaging your team in the testing process is crucial. They know the business and customers best, and their feedback is invaluable. By involving them early, you also build excitement amongst your team and show how Agentforce can eliminate tedious, manual tasks from their workload.

    Partners like us bring tried-and-true testing methodologies, ensuring nothing is left to chance.

    In-House Skill for Prompt Engineering

    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:

    • Topic and Instruction Prompts: Carefully crafted to set consistent guardrails, ensuring repeatable, reliable outputs that perform the exact tasks you are expecting of the agent.
    • Prompt Templates: These can span over 100 lines, designed for detailed, comprehensive results.

    Having done this for multiple implementations, we’ve learned what works (and what doesn’t) through experience, saving you the steep learning curve.

    Leverage Your Existing Automation Tools

    Agentforce works best when integrated into your existing Salesforce ecosystem. This means:

    • Using existing automation tools like Flow and APEX: These are essential for creating complex new actions that pull from real-time data, use complex logic, and ensure that your business has a future-proof architecture.
    • Maximising your automation catalogue: Leveraging what you already have in place streamlines the implementation process.

    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:

    • We’ve made the mistakes, so you don’t have to.
    • We’ve done the testing and trialling.

    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.

  • We Are a Salesforce Summit Partner: What It Means and How We Got Here

    We Are a Salesforce Summit Partner: What It Means and How We Got Here

    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.

    What Is a Salesforce Summit Partner?

    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.

    How We Achieved Summit Partner Status

    Reaching this milestone required dedication, expertise, and a strong alignment with Salesforce’s mission. Here are the key factors that contributed to our success:

    1. Commitment to the Salesforce Partnership

    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.

    2. Deep Expertise in Salesforce Products and Solutions

    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.

    3. Achieving Salesforce Certifications

    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.

    4. Revenue Contribution and Business Growth

    As a trusted Salesforce partner, we have successfully driven revenue through innovative Salesforce implementations, helping businesses scale and optimize their operations.

    5. Active Engagement in the Salesforce Ecosystem

    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.

    What This Means for Our Clients

    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!

  • What is Salesforce Foundations?

    What is Salesforce Foundations?

    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:

    • 10,000 Data Cloud Segmentation and Activation credits, which you can use to create and execute data segments for targeted campaigns or analysis.
    • 200,000 Einstein Requests, approximately enough to power 1,000 Service Agent conversations, enabling AI-driven customer interactions.

    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.

  • Optimising LWC Development Workflow using Salesforce Plugins

    Optimising LWC Development Workflow using Salesforce Plugins

    Enhancing the workflow for Lightning Web Components (LWC) in Salesforce is crucial for efficient and high-quality application development. Two essential tools that greatly facilitate this process are the Salesforce Scanner and the LWC Local Development plugin. Salesforce Scanner is dedicated to ensuring code quality and adherence to best practices, while the LWC Local Development plugin focuses on streamlining the development and testing phases. Below, we explore the distinct contributions of each tool to an optimised LWC workflow.

    Salesforce Scanner: Ensuring Code Quality and Security

    Salesforce Scanner is a sophisticated code analysis tool designed to elevate the quality of your LWC code. It is integral to maintaining high standards in your development process.

    • Code Quality Enhancement:
      • Scans LWC code for potential issues like security vulnerabilities and performance bottlenecks.
      • Ensures developers adhere to coding standards and best practices.
    • Proactive Issue Resolution:
      • Enables early detection and resolution of problems, leading to more robust and secure applications.
      • Addresses issues during development rather than post-deployment, saving time.
    • Detailed Insights and Improvement Suggestions:
      • Provides specific feedback, helping developers enhance their coding skills and adopt effective best practices.

    LWC Local Development Plugin: Streamlining Development and Testing

    The LWC Local Development Plugin accelerates the development cycle of LWC components, offering a more efficient approach to build, test, and debug.

    • Speeding Up Development Cycle:
      • Allows local building, testing, and debugging of LWC components, bypassing frequent deployments.
      • Reduces time spent on deployment and testing, facilitating quicker iterations.
    • Real-Time Feedback Loop:
      • Provides immediate feedback on changes, aiding in rapid development.
      • Assists in early issue identification and resolution, improving development quality.

    Combined Advantages

    Integrating Salesforce Scanner and the LWC Local Development plugin into your workflow results in:

    • Enhanced code quality and security.
    • Faster development and testing cycles.
    • Improved efficiency, reliability, and quality in Salesforce LWC application development.

    Employing these tools in tandem not only improves your LWC development workflow but also significantly elevates the success and quality of your Salesforce projects.

    For more information or Salesforce support, give us a call on 0117 230 2390 or email hello@performa-it.co.uk.

  • Salesforce and Consumer Duty

    Salesforce and Consumer Duty

    On the 31st of July, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is introducing a new Consumer Duty that will affect organisations in the financial services industry across the UK. This new obligation is intended to bolster standards of consumer protection specifically for retail patrons of financial services.

    The FCA has noted the following additional regulatory requirements:

    • “A new Consumer Principle that requires firms to act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers.
    • Cross-cutting rules providing greater clarity on our expectations under the new Principle and helping firms interpret the four outcomes (see below).
    • Rules relating to the four outcomes we want to see under the Consumer Duty. These represent key elements of the firm-consumer relationship which are instrumental in helping to drive good outcomes for customers.

    These outcomes relate to:

    • products and services
    • price and value
    • consumer understanding
    • consumer support

    Our rules require firms to consider the needs, characteristics and objectives of their customers – including those with characteristics of vulnerability – and how they behave, at every stage of the customer journey. As well as acting to deliver good customer outcomes, firms will need to understand and evidence whether those outcomes are being met.

    Who this affects   

    This policy and guidance is likely to interest:   

    • regulated firms, including those in the e-money and payments sector
    • consumer organisations and individual consumers
    • industry groups/trade bodies
    • policy makers and regulatory bodies
    • industry experts and commentators
    • academics and think tanks

    Next steps  

    The rules and guidance we are introducing come into force on a phased basis:

    • for new and existing products or services that are open to sale or renewal the rules come into force on 31 July 2023
    • for closed products or services, the rules come into force on 31 July 2024”

    Salesforce has helpfully summarised the intentions of this new Duty: “to prevent misleading information from being given to consumers; ensure products and services are fit for purpose; ensure fees and charges are suitable, and to make it simpler to switch products/providers.”

    Essentially, this new regulation sets out to ensure that financial services firms make delivering good outcomes and protecting their retail customers a core priority.

    With the best tools and insights to work compliantly all on one platform, users of Salesforce will know that this system gives any organisation the power to protect their customers best interests and monitor regulatory compliance. See some of our favourite examples of this nifty functionality below:

    • Create consumer duty score cards summarising customer data.
    • Benefit from feedback & awareness that is built into the business process to help identify areas for improvement.
    • Learn from pre-built vulnerability and data dashboards and lifecycle maps.
    • Leverage Tableau to understand compliance from top down – use AI to identify key focus areas.
    • Employ all the data & tools required by the FCA to monitor positive outcomes for clients straight from your Salesforce system.

    Read more about Salesforce and Consumer Duty at Salesforce.com.

    If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, give us a call on 0117 230 2390 or email us at hello@performa-it.co.uk.

    PS22/9: A new Consumer Duty: FCA, July 27 2022 https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/policy-statements/ps22-9-new-consumer-duty

  • Salesforce Reports 101

    Salesforce Reports 101

    Questions such as “How do I build a Salesforce Report” and “How do you share a report in Salesforce?” are currently some of the most asked Salesforce queries on search engines, so we have written a handy step-by-step guide to help users do just that!

    How to Build a Salesforce Report

    Navigate to the Reports Tab:

    • Log in to your Salesforce account.
    • Go to the “Reports” tab.

    Click on “New Report”:

    • On the Reports tab, click the “New Report” button.

    Select a Report Type:

    • Choose a report type that best fits your reporting needs. Report types determine which objects and fields are available for your report.
    • Select the primary object for your report, such as “Opportunities,” “Contacts,” or “Accounts.”

    Choose a Template (Optional):

    • Some report types may offer templates. You can choose a template to get started quickly or select “Tabular” for a blank report.

    Add Fields:

    • Drag and drop fields from the left pane to the preview pane to add them to your report. Fields represent the data you want to include in your report.
    • You can add and arrange fields as needed, and you can include fields from related objects if the report type allows it.

    Apply Filters (Optional):

    • Click on the “Filters” tab to apply filters to your report data. Filters allow you to narrow down the data based on specific criteria.
    • Add filters such as date ranges, record types, or custom criteria.

    Set Sorting (Optional):

    • Navigate to the “Sort” tab if you want to specify the order in which your records appear in the report. You can sort by one or more fields.

    Preview the Report:

    • Click on the “Run” button to preview your report. This allows you to see how the data is presented based on the selected fields, filters, and sorting.

    Save the Report:

    • If you are satisfied with the report, click the “Save” button.
    • Enter a name for your report, choose a folder to save it in, and add a description if needed. We recommend using systemised naming and detailed descriptions to make it easier for yourself and other users when searching for a report.

    Run and Customise the Report:

    • After saving the report, you can run it anytime by clicking on its name from the Reports tab.
    • Use the report toolbar to customise the report, change filters, or adjust the date range.

    Schedule and Subscribe (Optional):

    • If you want to receive the report on a regular basis, you can schedule it or subscribe to it. Click on the “Schedule” or “Subscribe” button to set up these options.

    You can continue to modify and customise the report based on your evolving reporting needs. Note that the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your Salesforce instance and the version you are using.

    How to Share a Report in Salesforce

    Run the Report:

    • Navigate to the “Reports” tab in Salesforce.
    • Locate and run the report you want to share.

    Open the Report:

    • After running the report, click on the report name to open it.

    Click on “Show”:

    • In the report view, locate the “Show” drop-down menu. It is usually located near the top-right corner of the report.

    Select “Show Details”:

    • Choose “Show Details” from the drop-down menu. This step is necessary to access the report’s details and sharing settings.

    Click on “Run Page” or “Run Report”:

    • Once you are in the detailed view, click on “Run Page” or “Run Report” to access the report’s properties.

    Access Report Properties:

    • Look for the “Properties” link, often located near the top-right corner of the page, and click on it to access the report’s properties.

    Modify Sharing Settings:

    • Scroll down to the “Sharing Settings” section on the report properties page.
    • Click on the “Edit” button to modify the sharing settings.

    Adjust Sharing Settings:

    • In the sharing settings, you can choose the level of access (Read-Only or Read/Write) for different groups or individual users.
    • Use the “Add” button to add new users or groups to the sharing settings.

    Save Changes:

    • After adjusting the sharing settings, click “Save” to apply the changes.

    Notify Users (Optional):

    • If needed, you can notify users about the shared report by sending them an email. Check the “Notify Shared Users” option if you want to send notifications.

    That’s it! The report can now be shared with the specified users or groups according to the configured sharing settings. Keep in mind that you need appropriate permissions to modify sharing settings for a report. If you don’t have the necessary permissions, contact your Salesforce administrator.

    For more help with Salesforce reports or other queries, give us a call on 0117 230 2390 or email hello@performa-it.co.uk.