Some people harbor the misconception that Salesforce is a management system limited to storing data. However, one of the important advantages of Salesforce is its ability to empower its users with its AI analytical insights that make the data a powerful tool.

With the help of its intuitive systems, it’s easy to strategically manage large amounts of data, identify and focus on potential clients as well as ensure a smooth sales cycle resulting in customer satisfaction and positive word of mouth reviews.  

As an application development platform, Salesforce shines through in its ability to ease the process of development and deployment of custom business applications. The system is geared towards simplifying the configuration process and allows users to customize it to meet their specific needs. Users have free rein in adjusting the CRM design to meet each specific need. Faster lead identification and automation of internal sales processes have also led to a robust growth rate for everyone involved.

However, the decision to invest in a CRM cannot be taken lightly and should be backed by sound research of all the available options. To help you get a head start on your research, our team has done the homework and jotted down key comparison points to help you understand if Salesforce is the right choice for your organization.

Customization

Salesforce eases the process of customization for users from a wide range of industries and business processes. A vast array of report widgets allows for performance analysis from different perspectives.

Cloud – based

Cloud hosting has been a boon for every business. Work can be saved and carried with you where- ever you are. And coordinating with team members irrespective of location, allows for rapid turnaround times and increased efficiency.

Compatibility

The Salesforce CRM systems are supported on all major browsers like Internet Explorer, Chrome, Opera etc. This is a definite advantage for remote workers where technological differences will not affect productivity. With its additional features like Chatter, it’s easy to collaborate team efforts. The functionalities are designed to mimic ease of use as in current social media applications thus making it easy for users to accept and use them. It also offers quick access from the dashboard for functionalities like current news, status updates, share links, and upload files.

Installation

With Salesforce you can be up and running in just a few days. With no need for installation of software or procurement of special hardware, there is no time lost in getting your system set up. Cloud access enables real-time data access, increases business efficiency and minimizes response time.

Simple to Use

The navigation bar is conveniently placed right at the top with different tabs for like Home, Accounts, Contacts, Leads, Opportunities, Campaigns, Forecasts Files, etc. This helps reduce the time needed to train employees.

Automation

With automation of multiple processes, Salesforce empowers managers to utilize their free time to analyze their processes and improve it for higher efficiency.

Efficient management

Tracking of activities completed as well as planning of future tasks is simplified. It’s also easier to share updates thus ensuring everyone is on the same page.

What you need to factor in

Cost involved

For small businesses, cost if the most intimidating factor of Salesforce. Users need to keep in mind additional expenses that would be needed for customization as per specific needs.

Complexity

Salesforce can be overwhelming for small companies that don’t rely on a large sales or marketing teams as it is primarily designed to deal with complex operations that need to sift through large amounts of data.

Interface transformations

Salesforce is constantly updating its program to meet with users ever evolving needs. Sometimes these changes could lead to changes in dashboard placements that could disrupt ease of use till users get accustomed to the new changes.

Reporting

Salesforce has amazing reporting functionalities however it requires a deeper understanding of the right criteria to select in order to get the results you are looking for.

Technical support

A common complaint heard is the difficulty in getting in touch with technical support team to get your queries solved. Most organizations prefer to work with third-party companies that take care of their Salesforce support requests.

Conclusion

To sum it all, here are certain scenarios where Salesforce works its magic best:

- Enterprise solutions

- Industries geared towards customer interaction (e.g Banking, Insurance, Government etc.)

- Cloud based applications

- Mobile apps support Field Service Management

- Low-code and no software installation

All being said, the one point that comes to the fore is that one needs to understand what they hope to achieve by using Salesforce. Having the primary goal in mind allows the user to customize and focus on the key features that will help them meet their goals. With its ability to deliver results, ease of use and intuitive analytical skills it is not hard to see why Salesforce is ranked #1 CRM solution you can rely on.