Is your business getting ready to adopt Salesforce?
As one of the most powerful business solutions available, Salesforce is a good fit for almost any business. However, with so many customization options, implementing the platform on your own can be a daunting project.
A Salesforce implementation consulting partner takes the stress off of you so you can focus less on learning the platform’s intricacies and more on running your business.
What is a Salesforce Implementation Partner?
Salesforce partners are consultants dedicated to helping businesses successfully implement SaaS solutions. They are often business transformation firms with experience designing and integrating technology solutions. A good Salesforce consultant uses the platform themselves, has proven experience implementing Salesforce for many of their clients and has a solid team of certified experts. Â
As a Salesforce implementation partner, to provide the most value for our clients 5P Consulting looks at your existing systems, deep-dives with your team to understand what you need Salesforce to do, and then determines how to customize the best solution or we’ll make recommendations based on our experience.
5 Reasons You Should Work With a Salesforce Partner
It might be tempting to try to save money by configuring a Salesforce solution yourself. However, this could end up costing you more in the long run. For example, if you design a solution with too many features, you could be paying for features you’ll never use.
Hiring a Salesforce implementation consulting partner streamlines the process of designing, building, and implementing a custom Salesforce solution. You’ll know your solution is the right fit and implemented correctly, saving you time and money.
When you work with an experienced Salesforce consulting team, you get the benefit of:
1. Program Knowledge
It takes years to gain expert-level knowledge of Salesforce. The platform has almost endless options and features to completely customize your configuration. There are tools available to help new users learn about the program, but these resources are no match for an experienced and certified Salesforce professional. Hiring a Salesforce consultant gives you access to the experience you need to get the right solution the first time around.
Most implementation partners have years of experience working with Salesforce, and many use Salesforce for their organization. This means your implementation team works with Salesforce almost every day, and they can put this expert knowledge to work when creating and implementing your solution. You get an expert-level implementation without spending your valuable time learning the ins and outs of the program.
2. Customized Solutions
When it comes to software as a service (SaaS) tools and solutions, one size does not fit all. One of the biggest benefits of Salesforce is the ability to customize your solution to your exact needs. Customizing it yourself, however, is a daunting task. With so many options and features, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. A Salesforce implementation partner utilizes a skilled Salesforce Architect and reduces the stress of Salesforce configuration by recommending the features that will work best for your business.
Your implementation team does this by analyzing your existing processes and technology tools. Instead of trying to recreate your current systems, they’ll look for ways to improve your processes. As an objective third party, implementation partners can often see which processes need to be streamlined when migrating to Salesforce. You’re not just getting new software — you’re getting completely updated processes for a more efficient business.Â
3. Future Scalability
Businesses change over time. Whether you’re seeing large growth or want to explore a new market, the tools you need today are probably not the same ones you’ll need in the future. Salesforce regularly updates its features and offerings, and working with a Salesforce partner makes it easy to keep up with the necessary changes and ensures your tech stays relevant.
Implementation partners know their work usually isn’t finished when a solution is introduced. They’ll help you anticipate future needs and provide the tools you need to meet them. With the help of an implementation team like 5P, you can scale your Salesforce solution so you’re not wasting time or resources on outdated and inefficient processes.
4. Reduced Employee Downtime
A lot of business leaders dread introducing a new program, process, or solution due to employee downtime. Employees can’t get things done if they’re waiting for new software to install and can’t access important data or files. Likewise, some organizations try to save money on their implementation by having existing employees learn, customize, and install a Salesforce solution. If employees are busy learning how to configure the SaaS platform, they aren’t working on their usual projects.
Your employees are most efficient when focusing on what they know best — their daily tasks and ongoing projects. With an implementation partner, you can reduce or eliminate employee downtime when introducing your custom Salesforce solution. Let your Salesforce consulting partner handle designing and configuring your solution for the fastest implementation with the lowest amount of downtime.
Your implementation team also serves as a resource after your new system is introduced. They can provide access to resources and training materials for your employees. This makes it easier for employees to transition to your new Salesforce system.
5. Correct Implementation
All too often companies try to implement Salesforce without the help of an experienced professional to save money. Unfortunately, many of these companies wind up spending more to fix problems created in the initial implementation. The cost to fix an incorrect implementation is likely more expensive than a simple installation. A poorly implemented solution also costs you time, as you won’t be able to put your solution to work while it’s being repaired.
Working with an experienced business transformation company removes the risk of a poorly executed installation. At companies like 5P, we’ve helped numerous businesses just like yours create and implement Salesforce solutions. We know what pitfalls to avoid and how to make the process as smooth and quick as possible.
You also get the benefit of quality control and assurance from technology professionals. Before introducing your solution to your organization, we check for errors and make any necessary changes.
How to Find a Salesforce Implementation Partner
Working with a Salesforce Partner can make setting up and running your Salesforce solution easier, but how do you pick the one that is best for your business? There are so many Salesforce consultants, but not all of them will offer the services you need or have the experience you want.
Use these tips to help you pick the right Salesforce consultant for your business:
- Choose Between Remote or Local Consultants: As a cloud-based platform, Salesforce makes it easy for consultants to work on your projects remotely. However, your business might benefit from working with a local consultant who can visit you in the office.
- Look for Experience in Your Industry: Many industries have unique needs and standards. You should look for a consultant with experience in your industry. If a consultant has helped someone in your industry, they’ll have a better idea of the challenges you may face when implementing a Salesforce solution.
- Connect with an Advisor: Part of the benefit of hiring a Salesforce consultant is the recommendations and advice they provide. Try to avoid consultants who simply do as they’re told. You want someone to work as your partner and advisor rather than as an employee.
- Find Certified Experts: Salesforce uses a certification system to differentiate experienced consultants. Look for a consulting firm with at least one Salesforce Certified Expert to work on your project.
No matter the size of your business, whether small or large, Salesforce has everything you need.
We Know Salesforce
Get the most out of Salesforce by working with an experienced digital transformation firm like 5P. We offer a range of Salesforce implementation services and have an experienced team that has successfully completed many implementation projects for our clients. Start by reaching out to us today.
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Originally published July 23, 2021.