I used the Salesforce Platform as a CRM, or for customer relationship management.
Sales Director at Bornlogic
Gives a wider view of your customers, enables you to manage opportunities more easily, and provides good technical support
Pros and Cons
- "What I like about the Salesforce Platform, in particular, its enterprise edition is that apart from its many features, you can have a wider view of the customers, a 360-degree view. I also enjoy managing opportunities in the Salesforce Platform a lot because it's easier and gives you a wider view, compared to HubSpot."
- "What could be improved in the Salesforce Platform is the price. The platform is too expensive. The implementation time for the platform is also longer than expected, so that's another area for improvement."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
What I like about the Salesforce Platform, in particular, its enterprise edition is that apart from its many features, you can have a wider view of the customers, a 360-degree view. I also enjoy managing opportunities in the Salesforce Platform a lot because it's easier and gives you a wider view, compared to HubSpot.
What needs improvement?
What could be improved in the Salesforce Platform is the price. The platform is too expensive. The implementation time for the platform is also longer than expected, so that's another area for improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I used the Salesforce Platform for nine years, and the last time I used it was about twelve months ago. I'm currently using HubSpot, and it's a platform I've used for a year.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The Salesforce Platform is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The Salesforce Platform is a scalable solution.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support for the Salesforce Platform is pretty good.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up the Salesforce Platform requires a consulting partner who will implement the solution. If I compare the setup of HubSpot with how you set up the Salesforce Platform, HubSpot is easier to set up.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing for the Salesforce Platform is too expensive.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I used the Salesforce Platform in my previous company, then in my current company, I've been using HubSpot, and I prefer Salesforce over HubSpot because the Salesforce Platform gives you more control. It's easier to manage opportunities with the Salesforce Platform, even if you have a holding company with multiple companies, especially in the enterprise version as it gives you a more economic group view.
What other advice do I have?
I have experience with the enterprise edition of the Salesforce Platform. I also have experience with HubSpot.
I'm not aware of which version of the Salesforce Platform I used because I'm just a user, not a developer.
The advice I'd give to people who want to implement the Salesforce Platform is to look deeply and very carefully at the cost of implementation because it could be very high sometimes. On the other hand, the platform brings tremendous value proposition.
There's no additional feature I'd like added to the Salesforce Platform because at the moment it has all features that are important to me and the company. For example, it has the Marketing Cloud which helps align marketing and sales pretty easily and more globally. Salesforce has also acquired a lot of other platforms to make different processes easier, for example, it acquired Tableau, Slack, and other companies, so now the company has a larger portfolio than other CRMs. I firmly believe that Salesforce has a tremendous portfolio for enterprise companies, but for medium and small companies, I do not recommend the Salesforce Platform because it's too expensive.
My rating for the Salesforce Platform is nine out of ten.
My company has no partnership with Salesforce.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Solutions Architect at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
Comes with workflow capabilities and pricing is cheap
Pros and Cons
- "The tool's most valuable feature is the CRM. Salesforce Platform comes with out-of-the-box capabilities."
- "Salesforce Platform operates as a cloud system, and within our organization, numerous internal systems handle data processing. While real-time data retrieval is feasible through services, achieving real-time communication poses some challenges."
What is most valuable?
The tool's most valuable feature is the CRM. Salesforce Platform comes with out-of-the-box capabilities.
What needs improvement?
Salesforce Platform operates as a cloud system, and within our organization, numerous internal systems handle data processing. While real-time data retrieval is feasible through services, achieving real-time communication poses some challenges.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We haven't experienced any issues with stability.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't contacted the support yet.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have used Pega CRM before Salesforce Platform. They have different capabilities except for the workflow. Salesforce platform leads in sales automation.
How was the initial setup?
Big organizations can take three months to complete deployment, but smaller ones can complete it earlier. You would need 20-30 resources for deployment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Salesforce is cheap.
What other advice do I have?
I rate the product an eight out of ten. Salesforce Platform does offer workflow capabilities, but challenges arise when dealing with real-time data integration, particularly for large organizations, especially in the financial sector.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Sales Development Representative at a university with 5,001-10,000 employees
The workhorse of CRMs with great report building and excellent integration capabilities
Pros and Cons
- "I love the report building that is available."
- "The management of Salesforce could be quite a task. Old and unusable contacts can add up over time. If I could wave a magic wand, it would be to initiate a self-cleaning feature."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution as a classic contact database like report building and things of that nature.
What is most valuable?
Salesforce is really the workhorse of CRMs at this point. I compare every CRM experience to Salesforce since it's really just the standard at this point.
I love the report building that is available.
The integration capabilities are great. Salesforce is great, however, it couldn't be what it is if it didn't integrate with every other cool tool that's out there. I'd say the integrations are probably my favorite part.
It's stable and reliable.
The solution can scale.
What needs improvement?
I'd like some sort of automated cleaning functionality. The management of Salesforce could be quite a task. Old and unusable contacts can add up over time. If I could wave a magic wand, it would be to initiate a self-cleaning feature.
For how long have I used the solution?
I started using the solution four or five years ago.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I've never had any issues with stability. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution seems perfectly scalable. However, it becomes increasingly more difficult to maintain and stay clean.
I use it at a pretty large organization.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I've also used ZenDesk at one point. However, it doesn't have the same functionality.
How was the initial setup?
I'm not sure about the initial setup. I've never done an implementation from scratch.
What other advice do I have?
I'd rate the solution a nine out of ten. I've been pleased with the solution overall.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Technical Consultant at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Intuitive, quite easy to learn, and stores all kinds of relevant sales information
Pros and Cons
- "It's an easy platform for salespeople to quickly and efficiently be able to track an opportunity."
- "Simplification is something it needs. Every time you get the engineers involved, they make things a little too complicated. It might be more beneficial to simplify everything for quick and easy reference."
What is our primary use case?
CRM tool
How has it helped my organization?
I find that the SalesForce solution can be used to capture everything you're doing during the course of the workday. I'm not a senior executive. I'm the guy in the trenches. I find management is trying to develop a portal to log all the information possible, so that, if I ever left, that they would be able to recreate my funnel and have all the contact information and the customer information and try to better understand the dynamics of the decision making within any of the corporations that I've identified as potential customers.
What is most valuable?
What I really like about Salesforce is that it's very intuitive. It's an easy platform for salespeople to quickly and efficiently be able to track an opportunity and develop custom reports for management.
At times, companies that have embraced the Salesforce engineering model, have been able to gather resources necessary to facilitate quotes. It'll be able to store all my information, as far as notes from calls, meetings, and tracking the progress of a particular project.
What needs improvement?
There's always room for improvement. Simplification is something it needs for sales. Every time you get the engineers involved, they make things a little too complicated. It might be more beneficial to simplify everything for quick and easy reference.
The solution should offer a Salesforce version for individuals. You have a number of people that have independent agencies and other independent workers that are out there that want to be able to track what they're doing and be able to put that into some sort of a schedule that coordinates with their calendar and everything else. When I look at Salesforce and I open Salesforce, it's unique to me as an individual. I've used Salesforce with many different companies. Sometimes you can see the visibility of other accounts, and things of that nature. These platforms can be problematic as you have people that are always looking at your stuff and then trying to work their way around you.
With Salesforce, I do feel that I'm doing a lot of repetitive tasks. We're constantly, re-putting in the same thing over and over and over. And that's something that Salesforce should figure out. They need to remove redundancies, as salespeople want to move on to the next deal. Salespeople want to talk and track the initial and primary points of contact. They want to put in a quick note and move on to the next opportunity.
For a salesperson, sometimes, you should be able to categorize your opportunities in the vertical markets that can be beneficial as well. I know it makes it a little more complex, however, that way you could see everything at a glance. You could look up which vertical, for example, you are more successful in. You should be able to split those out and dissect everything a bit better.
That way, when you're running your campaigns, you could actually have some consistency. For example, as a salesperson, you could say "today I'm going to call logistics companies" or "today I'm going to call finance companies".
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been in technical sales for about 30 years now and have used Salesforce for almost 20 years now.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The company I work for right now has 400 people.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I actually worked with GoldMine CRM, one of the first CRM tools that were out there. They worked on my internet services and voice services for many years before selling GoldMine to Vendata.
What I liked about their tool, which is something that Salesforce doesn't do, is they actually had a version for individuals as opposed to companies. That way, I would be able to track everything I was doing, too, and coordinate, and be able to save that information without setting up all the alarms that come with downloading something.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I haven't had to buy Salesforce, however, I have heard it's $1500 a user.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I've used Goldmine Software, SEIBEL, Oracle, and Symantec Compass.
What other advice do I have?
The company I work for has a partnership with Salesforce.
The product version is the latest and up-to-date. It's all handled through the company I work for.
I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten. Nothing is perfect, however, Salesforce is a good CRM tool.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Account Manager at Red Hat
Offers cloud based, enhanced sales management, and effective opportunity tracking
Pros and Cons
- "Salesforce offers control over the opportunities to see where we are and gives me high-level dashboards on each opportunity stage."
- "Salesforce could improve by adding more capabilities to the dashboard, such as additional fields for more filters and more control over what I would like to see."
- "Sometimes it would be a little bit slow, however, it's manageable."
What is our primary use case?
I primarily use Salesforce for tracking opportunities, sales activities, and providing high-level dashboards on each opportunity stage.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution provides good control on opportunities, allowing me to see our progress and next steps clearly. This organization improves our ability to manage sales-related activities effectively.
What is most valuable?
Salesforce offers control over the opportunities to see where we are and gives me high-level dashboards on each opportunity stage. It also allows for streamlined tracking of sales activities.
What needs improvement?
Salesforce could improve by adding more capabilities to the dashboard, such as additional fields for more filters and more control over what I would like to see. More options for the dashboard would be beneficial.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used Salesforce Platform for about 11 months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Sometimes it would be a little bit slow, however, it's manageable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable enough.
How are customer service and support?
I cannot rate technical support. I did not open any case with them.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have not used previous solutions within this context.
How was the initial setup?
There is no initial setup needed as it is a cloud-based solution.
What about the implementation team?
This task is managed by the IT team, not by me personally.
What other advice do I have?
I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: Nov 17, 2024
Flag as inappropriateData Manager at a performing arts with 11-50 employees
Efficient data storage and satisfactory support with room for better connectivity integration
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable aspect is that all data is stored in one place, making it easy to find what is needed and to report on it."
- "There is a considerable effort required to load the data, involving processes like XML connections."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Salesforce Platform to store our data and for communication with our international partners. At the moment, we just have a data warehouse, which is Salesforce. So everything we have at the moment is stored within Salesforce. We are trying to create a data warehouse.
How has it helped my organization?
Salesforce has brought about improvements by storing all the data in one place, making it easy to find what is needed and to report on what is necessary. It provides seamless communication with international partners.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable aspect is that all data is stored in one place, making it easy to find what is needed and to report on it. The team uses it for reporting and for connecting to various parts of the organization.
What needs improvement?
As for improvements, connections could be enhanced. There is a considerable effort required to load the data, involving processes like XML connections. This area could see better integration to avoid headaches.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been with the company for nine months, and they had been using Salesforce for about two years prior to my joining.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Salesforce has been quite stable for our use.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I find Salesforce to be scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Customer service is satisfactory. We have communicated with the team a few times, and they are quick to respond and able to satisfy our queries. If I were to rate them, I would give them an eight. We had to call up in the first place, but they are responsive and assess our needs quickly.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
What other advice do I have?
I'd rate the solution seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: Oct 29, 2024
Flag as inappropriateSalesforce Developer at Shrum Tech
Efficient app building using frameworks and pre-built components with rapid development
Pros and Cons
- "Salesforce Platform is effective as it provides frameworks and pre-built components."
What is our primary use case?
We build many client applications on top of the CRM and the client portals and community experiences. Generally, we create custom solutions on Salesforce Platform.
How has it helped my organization?
Salesforce Platform has allowed us to build applications without starting from scratch. We utilize templates and pre-built features, customizing them as necessary. This approach saves time and reduces the complexity of gathering requirements.
What is most valuable?
Salesforce Platform is effective as it provides frameworks and pre-built components. We can choose existing templates and customize them with code or declarative features, making it easier to get started quickly without requiring extensive planning.
The automation capabilities, especially low-code features, are good for rapid development, maintenance, and deployment.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the Salesforce Platform for about a year since I joined as a junior developer. It’s a very robust platform suitable for many implementations.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of Salesforce Platform is very good. It is a well-maintained software, and updates are released quickly to address any issues.
How are customer service and support?
We have contacted their support team many times due to specific issues. Their response time is great, and their support is punctual and functional. They provide excellent service and support.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I started using the Salesforce Platform when I joined last year.
What other advice do I have?
Being a Salesforce developer, I would definitely recommend Salesforce Platform. It is very effective if you do not want to start from scratch and useful for those strong in marketing.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: Oct 2, 2024
Flag as inappropriateSenior Consultant and Analyst - Product Engineering Services at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
Has a user-friendly and intuitive interface and is easy to sale and navigate
Pros and Cons
- "The presentation is clear and easy to comprehend."
- "This platform is indeed on the expensive side."
What is our primary use case?
There are various modules available, and not all of them are fully utilized or engaged extensively. Some modules serve internal purposes, such as tracking employee efforts and utilization. This relates to our customer support services. When you input something, you need to adhere to your specified timelines.
What is most valuable?
I find the user interface to be excellently crafted. It's user-friendly, and intuitive, with a minimalistic design, making it straightforward to navigate. The presentation is clear and easy to comprehend. Overall, it's quite satisfactory.
What needs improvement?
Companies prioritize quality execution and user convenience over pricing concerns. Their primary focus is on the platform's effectiveness and the positive impact it can make, as well as the time-saving benefits it offers. It's essentially a blend of both factors, striking a balance between quality and cost.
This platform is indeed on the expensive side. One notable aspect is that it offers a comprehensive range of fields and even allows for customization, enabling users to tailor it to their specific tasks and requirements. This flexibility extends to creating customized labels and columns in the backend, making it a highly adaptable and tailored tool. Overall, I haven't encountered any significant challenges.
Pricing could potentially be a deciding factor, but I believe it's unlikely to be a major concern for the company behind this widely used CRM platform. Despite the higher pricing, it remains the most popular CRM tool globally due to its extensive features and capabilities.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Salesforce Platform for the past year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It offers high scalability and is easier to scale and navigate.
How was the initial setup?
I am not a part of the internal team. They are mainly responsible for the deployment.
What other advice do I have?
From a pricing perspective, I believe it's safe to say that this platform ranks as the top choice globally. It offers an incredibly user-friendly experience and provides efficient storage solutions, albeit at a relatively higher cost. Nevertheless, it's also the most widely adopted platform worldwide, owing to its comprehensive set of features and capabilities that cater to organizations of all sizes, particularly larger IT firms. Whether it's big IT companies or any other industry, this platform stands out as a CRM tool for internal purposes, mainly due to its cost-effectiveness.
I would rate it a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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