Salesforce is a great product; nobody’s going to argue otherwise. With its innovative app exchange service, addons and plugins it only becomes more impressive with time. Therefore, it should be no surprisethat Salesforce is the most popular CRM suite available. It not only has functionality and power but it brings some new ways of thinking to the table.
Having said that, sometimes users need that extra edge when it comes to actually understanding how to use the software, Salesforce included. I’m not talking about added power or features but rather a way to make our interactions faster and more efficient.
Thankfully, there are a number of Salesforce automation tools (SFA tools) from a number of developers that make this possible.
Salesforce automation tools can bring a lot to the table. They enable tasks that normally take an hour or two, to be completed in a few minutes. There are tools that can automate logistics and metrics.Ther are tools that can handle analytics and statistics. It’s pretty impossible to describe in a nutshell the many things that are possible with SFA tools, so why don’t I show you a few examples of these tools, and let them speak for themselves?
Tool #1 – ExactTarget
Sometimes you need a system that can sit on top of CRM records; a tool that can nurture contacts, leads and responses in a visual way – and in real time.
While the data and basic interface on Salesforce allows someone to do this, it’s much easier with ExactTarget.This program integrates with Salesforce and is available in their app exchange. ExactTarget offers a drag and drop UI, step by step wizards, automated campaigns and behavioral remarketing. It also offers customized, specialized report template generators for you to use within Salesforce.
Tool #2 – Inside Mobile
Mobile systems are now being used to handle everything from purchases to lead management. Salesforce can be enhanced with mobile automation tools that handle coupons, IVR, QR Code input and generation and Bluetooth interfacing. Mobile front ends are also used for record storage and retrieval.
Inside Mobile is the application of choice for this; with an intuitive UI and field and record automation, they can make input synchronize with records and leads quite effectively. I recommend this for medium sized companies and enterprise companies.
Tool #3 – Do
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the Salesforce apps written by the Salesforce people themselves, and Do is probably the most impressive one. Your CRM staff is probably big, and if this is the case, tasks are delegated to multiple individuals. These tasks all combine to reach end goals and optimize management routines. Without some kind of integrated task handling system, this is a tall order to manage.
Do is designed to, well, do just that; Offer shared task lists, organized projects, note taking, contact tracking, deal closing, reminders, group creation and much more. Do Offers iOS and Android compatibility, which helps bring more mobile functionality to Salesforce.
There are many Salesforce automation tools out there, and I’ve barely even scratched the surface. I have listed the top 3 SFA tools that exemplify the power of Salesforce. Check them out and let me know if you have recommendations for others.