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5 Myths about Salesforce

Posted on January 12, 2017 by John McKenzie

As Salesforce partners, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. This week, Prolocity is debunking 5 myths about Salesforce.

Myth 1: Salesforce is only for tracking Sales

It’s no secret that Salesforce started as a Customer Relationship Manager for Sales staff. However, since its inception in 1999, Salesforce has evolved to a comprehensive platform that can manage any aspect of a business.

Myth 2: Salesforce can’t support the needs of my industry

A common misconception is that Salesforce is only good for Sales or Service Industries. However, this simply isn’t the case. Salesforce has expanded offerings to include focused industries such as: Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Retail, Manufacturing, Communications, Media, Government, Automotive, Higher Education, and Nonprofit.

Myth 3: My business process is too unique for Salesforce

Its an understatement to say that no two businesses are ran the exact same way. Salesforce recognized the need for an adaptability early on and created a completely customizable platform. Taking it a step further, Salesforce created the AppExchange which lets you search for apps to further customize the platform to your needs.

Myth 4: You have to know a lot about technology to use Salesforce

When Salesforce started, one of the main goals was to let customers/users be able to edit their system. They recognized the skill needed to run most business software and decided to create something new. What used to take years to learn can now be learned in months.

Myth 5: It will require a lot of money to get started using Salesforce

Unlike other products, Salesforce targets all business sizes and is made to be scalable. They have several editions of the platform that start at only $25.00/per user/per month.

Prolocity’s cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, implementation, training, and optimization services to ensure that businesses are getting the most out of the technology. Their solutions leverage the world’s #1 cloud platform, Salesforce, to deliver best-in-class solutions and accelerate success! Prolocity Cloud Solutions serves the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area locally and also provides Salesforce implementation and Salesforce training services nationally through the use of cloud technology.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

EMERGING 30 – Prolocity Recognized for Stellar Growth

Posted on October 28, 2016 by John McKenzie

For the second year in a row, Prolocity Cloud Solutions was recognized by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as one of the region’s fastest growing businesses. To qualify for this recognition, companies must have achieved at least $250,000 in revenue, been in business for four years, and have an average annual growth of 15% or more over the past three years. This year’s designees were recognized at the Northern Kentucky Chamber’s Emerging 30 Celebration Presented by Strauss Troy on October 20th. The NKY Chamber of Commerce reserves this prestigious award to those they feel are reaching new heights and are contributing to a vibrant community.

Reaching New Heights

Since receiving the Emerging 30 award last year, Prolocity Cloud Solutions has looked for even more ways to reach new heights. By focusing on enhancing the customer experience, Prolocity has widened their reach and found new ways to make Salesforce even more attainable for businesses. The average business notes 3 main hurdles for implementing Salesforce: training, time, and money. As Salesforce partners, Prolocity recognized these issues and provides achievable solutions. Prolocity offers virtual training tailored to client needs, a QuickStart program that can be implemented within 2 weeks, and a financing option to make the process even more affordable.

Contributing to a Vibrant Community

Prolocity Cloud Solutions also recognizes the importance of technology on the community. As the technology field is ever changing, so is the education to prepare the business leaders of tomorrow. Prolocity recognizes this and actively engages with several local organizations to help re-build education programs in the technology field. Additionally, Prolocity has launched an internship program to help college seniors and recent graduates gain on-the-job training.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

If you had to summarize Salesforce in just one word, what would it be?

Posted on October 21, 2016 by John McKenzie

As Salesforce partners, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. This week, Prolocity asked their staff what word they would use to summarize Salesforce. The responses were overwhelmingly positive and highlight the benefits of Salesforce.

If you had to summarize Salesforce in just one word, what would it be? I asked several colleagues this question. While they had trouble narrowing it down to just one word, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Here are a few highlights of the descriptions used.

Game-Changing

Game-changing – the word that came up most when I asked colleagues to summarize Salesforce. Even Salesforce competitors can’t argue with this one. Thinking back to 1998, the year before Salesforce was founded, it was the era of floppy disks and memory sticks. Businesses had to rely on local networks and needed dedicated IT staff for troubleshooting. While this was an ok to run a business, it could have been better. Salesforce recognized this and decided to change the game. They removed the need for local networks by creating a platform that can be run wherever internet is available. Salesforce also changed the game for IT staff. Instead of spending time getting a network up-and-running again or managing downtimes, IT staff can focus on improving their business’ technology. Businesses can reduce interruption thanks to Salesforce.

Scalable

Another word that came up a lot when I asked colleagues to summarize Salesforce was scalable. This one comes as no shock. Before Salesforce, entrepreneurs had to estimate their growth capacity as an upfront cost. Servers and software had to be purchased to meet the current and future business needs. If for some reason a business grew faster than anticipated, they would have to upgrade their system for an additional cost. Salesforce recognized this as a problem and wanted to create something more scalable. The current platform allows business’ to run everything in one place whether they have 1 or 1,000 employees. This allows companies the ability to startup with minimal costs and allow them to focus funds elsewhere. The Salesforce company is built for growth itself; they have a sophisticated monitoring system that allows them to anticipate growth and add expansions as needed

Innovative

The last word that my colleagues used to summarize Salesforce was innovative. This is another word that would be hard to argue. Salesforce is constantly changing and making improvements to better themselves and the business world. They innovate internally by filling gaps such as the women’s equal pay movement. Externally, they innovate by improving the platform and services they offer. Salesforce innovation efforts have caught the attention of others as they have been named one of the Most Innovative Companies by Forbes 6 years in a row.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Improve Your Brain Power on National Train Your Brain Day

Posted on October 13, 2016 by John McKenzie

As Salesforce partners, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. This week, Prolocity is focusing on improving your brain power for National Train Your Brain Day.

Today is National Train your Brain Day. Here are a few ways you can use Salesforce to help you improve your brain power.

1. Connect with Colleagues

Several studies indicate that social connections such as catching up with friends and colleagues can reduce the chances of developing dementia. Salesforce makes it easy to stay connected with Salesforce Chatter. Chatter provides a live feed and groups that allow employees to socialize and stay up-to-date no matter where they are located.

2. Consider a New Interface

If you haven’t heard, Salesforce redesigned its classic user interface to bring us a faster, more attractive version–Salesforce Lightning. If you haven’t made the switch yet, today is the day to test drive the new interface. Salesforce Lightning aims to provide a seamless experience and integrates with apps for easy customization.

3. Learn Something New

Salesforce hosts a Demo Jam every month on the third Thursday. This series not only teaches you about new applications you could be using–but gives you a chance to win a gift card just for participating.

Prolocity’s cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, implementation, training, and optimization services to ensure that businesses are getting the most out of the technology. Their solutions leverage the world’s #1 cloud platform, Salesforce, to deliver best-in-class solutions and accelerate success! Prolocity Cloud Solutions serves the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area locally and also provides Salesforce implementation and Salesforce training services nationally through the use of cloud technology.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Are you lacking these 3 key Salesforce features?

Posted on September 9, 2016 by John McKenzie

As cloud computing consultants, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. This week, Prolocity is focusing to focus on 3 key Salesforce features your business should be using. The abilities of Salesforce are notably impressive, but if you aren’t using these 3 key Salesforce features, you could be missing out on useful capabilities of the platform.

Key 1: Web-to-Lead

The first key Salesforce feature you should be using is Web-to-Lead. Web-to-lead allows a lead to be created from a form submitted through a company web page. Imagine the following scenario: A visitor submits an inquiry through the Contact Us page that generates an email to your company. Whomever received the email uploads the lead into Salesforce. While this isn’t a bad process, it certainly isn’t scalable. Web-to-lead introduces a better way. By using web-to-lead, extra functionality is added that can automatically create a lead in Salesforce once a form is submitted. Additionally, web-to-lead can also redirect the visitor to another web page with a “Thank you” or “Next Steps” message. This functionality not only improves process flow, but can improve the customer experience.

Key 2: Email Integration

The second key Salesforce feature you should be using is Email Integration. Email integration can be synced to Salesforce from Gmail or Microsoft Outlook. Synchronization between Salesforce and email removes the need to flip-flop between two screens and saves time. Time spent looking up, copying, and pasting the contact is eliminated by sending emails straight from Salesforce. Another bonus with this key Salesforce feature is that branded email templates can be built and used from Salesforce.

Key 3: File Sync and Share

The third key Salesforce feature you should be using is File Sync and Share. File sync and share allows users to share and collaborate on files in real time on any device. Users can be notified when a new version is uploaded, maintain sharing settings, and use drag-and-drop technology with this key Salesforce feature. Not only does this improve efficiency, it can also improve the time it takes to find files. File sync and share puts all files in one location and uses filters to drill down and find the file you are looking for.

Prolocity’s cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, implementation, training, and optimization services to ensure that businesses are getting the most out of the technology. Their solutions leverage the world’s #1 cloud platform, Salesforce, to deliver best-in-class solutions and accelerate success! Prolocity Cloud Solutions serves the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area locally and also provides Salesforce implementation and Salesforce training services nationally through the use of cloud technology.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Increase Your Data Quality & Work Faster With GridBuddy

Posted on March 3, 2016 by John McKenzie

As cloud computing consultants, Prolocity is always looking for ways to enhance customer experience. One of the ways Prolocity accomplishes this is through the use of apps. Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting apps Prolocity either uses internally or has implemented for actual customers.

The app in the spotlight this week is the Salesforce native app GridBuddy. GridBuddy allows users to get the most from their Salesforce data by bringing all relevant information into one workspace. Available on the Salesforce AppExchange, GridBuddy increases productivity, provides higher user adoption, and improves Salesforce data quality.

Increase Productivity

The first way GridBuddy allows users to get the most from Salesforce is through increased productivity. GridBuddy enables users to create views that display relevant data in one workspace. This allows users to better utilize Salesforce as all the information they use is front and center. GridBuddy provides multi-object filters that can easily narrow data down to the exact records needed. All GridBuddy grids and views are fully customizable so you can edit or create views in no time. With GridBuddy, users no longer have to click around Salesforce to access or update the information they need. They can now spend more time actually doing their job.

Higher User Adoption

The next way GridBuddy allows users to get the most from Salesforce is through higher user adoption. GridBuddy provides a data view similar to spreadsheets. Since users are used to spreadsheets, the familiar look and feel provides users a tool that takes minimal training to learn. With this ease-of-use, users are more likely to switch over, support, and adapt to a Salesforce implementation. The only change they will likely notice is that it is even easier to use the #1 Customer Relationship Manager after adding GridBuddy. If you are looking for a way to get a better ROI through higher user adoption, GridBuddy is the solution.

Improve Salesforce Data Quality

The last way GridBuddy allows users to get the most from Salesforce is through improved Salesforce data quality. GridBuddy allows users to act on multiple records at once. Similar to editing a spreadsheet, GridBuddy lets you create and edit records on a singular or batch basis. By allowing for mass data updates across many fields and objects, your data can be cleaner faster. Users no longer have to update information in several places or open records one-at-a-time. GridBuddy provides the ability to update once and be done. Think of everything you can do with better quality data.

Prolocity’s cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, implementation, training, and optimization services to ensure that businesses are getting the most out of the technology. Their solutions leverage the world’s #1 cloud platform, Salesforce, to deliver best-in-class solutions and accelerate success! Prolocity Cloud Solutions serves the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area locally and also provides Salesforce implementation and Salesforce training services nationally through the use of cloud technology.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

The Salesforce AppExchange Celebrates a Decade of Innovation

Posted on February 4, 2016 by John McKenzie

The Salesforce AppExchange turns 10 years old this year. What once started as a vision to allow customers and developers to create and sell apps has blossomed into a one-stop shop for companies to find everything they need to run their businesses. Salesforce built a destination for extending the Salesforce platform and the use of cloud apps into almost every department of an organization. It isn’t hard to see why the Salesforce AppExchange is the #1 business app marketplace; it is easy to navigate, easy to use, and has a high standard of security.

Easy to Navigate

Salesforce created the AppExchange navigation to be simple. Whether you are looking for something specific or want to browse the 2,900+ apps, finding what you need is uncomplicated and painless. The AppExchange features filters for platform type, price, editions, ratings, and languages. Additionally, the left pane allows filtering by collections, categories, and industries. If you aren’t sure what you want but would like to browse, the AppExchange has you covered. The left pane includes links to the most popular, new, and free apps available. A search bar is also available at the top of every page in case you decide to redirect your search after you’ve started.

Easy to Use

The Salesforce AppExchange makes finding the right app for your business easier than ever. All of the relevant information for an app is available simply by clicking on the app. Each app has a listing that includes the rating, pricing, and release date. Additionally, the listings include tabs to select the overview, app details, app reviews, and the provider. If you decide the app is right for you, there is a Get it Now button that launches the installation process. If you decide the app isn’t right for you and want to keep browsing, there are similar apps listed at the bottom of the listing that customers installed. Any app can be previewed by hovering over it for a brief description prior to clicking on the listing.

High Standard of Security

Salesforce puts an emphasis on excellence by requiring a high standard of security for the AppExchange. Every app on the AppExchange and must go through a 6-8 week review process. The review process includes a two-part assessment of quantitative and qualitative requirements. The quantitative assessment is a question and answer round to review the policies and procedures required for the app to become available on the exchange. The qualitative assessment is a series of tests on the network and applications of the app. Not only do apps have to meet precise criteria, they also have to successfully pass periodic security reviews after the app is released to the market.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Find Highly Qualified Leads, Faster, With Data.com

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Matt Farano

With Data.com, businesses can quickly find highly qualified leads, faster. We all know that one of the most critical success factors in a business is lead generation/qualification. In many cases, it can be the key differentiator that a business needs to gain a competitive advantage.

Recently we decided to improve some of our own internal processes and procedures. At the top of the list, we needed to streamline our lead generation & qualification processes. Since we are a Salesforce partner, the choice was obvious. We may be a bit biased, but we believe that Data.com is the best tool on the market for prospecting and targeting new accounts. Data.com allows you to find decision makers faster and access accurate and complete B2B contacts and company profiles. Here are a few of the things that Prolocity has experienced, since moving to Data.com

Fresh, Accurate Leads.

One of the top reasons for CRM failure…yep you guessed it, bad data. Salesforce combines the power of Dunn & Bradstreet’s accurate account data with Jigsaw’s robust functionality & contact information, so you can feel confident that you are working with the most accurate data out there.

Real-time Clean.

Data.com can deliver insight right into your Salesforce workflow. One of the most powerful features of Data.com is the Clean feature. At the top of your lead, account, & contact records in Salesforce, there is a “Clean” button that will check your record for any missing or updated data. Automated data cleansing empowers our reps to sell faster and sell smarter, with the most up-to-date information available.

Accelerated Sales Activity.

Working with data you can trust means less time running around looking for what you need and less chance for human error. Data.com helps your sales team to improve productivity & increase win rates. Now you can spend more time selling, and less time searching for your next opportunity.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

3 Million Downloads in the Salesforce AppExchange

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Matt Farano

I am sure you have heard of the iTunes App Store, but have you heard of the Salesforce AppExchange? Today, the Salesforce AppExchange hit 3 Million Downloads, according to a blog post on Medium.com. What’s really impressive…that number only represents the amount of downloads, not the individual users across a company.

The Salesforce AppExchange is the world’s leading business app marketplace, and houses more than 2,700 pre-integrated apps that extend the power of Salesforce. Everything from Marketing, Sales, Service, ERP, HR, Payroll, Accounting, and just about every other function you can imagine, exists in the AppExchange. The most beautiful thing about the Salesforce AppExchange (in my humble opinion), is that you no longer have to try and fit every single business requirement that you have into a single out-of-the-box solution. Salesforce is the heart…and the AppExchange serves as your other vital organs.

In the old world of business software, if you had a unique functionality requirement that was not inherent to the core solution, it usually meant a huge increase in cost, time, and long-term maintenance. With the advent of App Stores, the game was changed forever. With powerful APIs and mobile-ready tools, the Salesforce1 Platform lets you easily build apps that you can sell and market on the AppExchange. By piggy-backing the world’s #1 cloud computing company, you can rest assured that these apps are flexible, reliable, and secure. Salesforce takes care of all the heavy lifting, so you can focus on solving business problems.

To give you a real-world example, I will reference a project that we recently completed for one of our customers. This particular customer had multiple departments, all working in silos with very poor internal communication & organizational efficiency. To make matters worse, they were highly dependent on Excel spreadsheets and error-prone manual processes. When we got engaged with the customer, they had already made the wise decision of implementing Salesforce, but quickly realized that their needs extended beyond the core functionality that Salesforce had to offer. To give you a point of reference, I would estimate that Salesforce alone was only going to meet about 70% of their needs. After completing a business process review session (what we coin a “Discovery“), we determined that 4 AppExchange applications were needed to bridge the gap with their total solution. This included functionality such as: high-volume document storage, proposal generation, electronic signature, & project management. In the end, the customer received a taylor-fit solution to meet their unique needs that has set the stage for long-term growth and scalability.

Prolocity is a national Salesforce Partner providing cloud advisory, implementation, and support services to businesses and non-profits. Our cloud consultants deliver strategy, design, development, implementation, training, and optimization services. www.prolocity.com

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011

Salesforce AppExchange Apps Make Business A Snap

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Brenda Harmon

Run your business with the snap of your fingers using powerful apps from the Salesforce AppExchange. Today business is around the clock, on the road, and in the cloud. Businesses are using apps to make work easier every day. If your company uses the world’s leading cloud based CRM platform, Salesforce, check out the Salesforce AppExchange. The apps in the marketplace are pre-integrated with Salesforce and updates are done automatically and hassle free. Some of the apps in the Salesforce AppExchange can be instantly accessed from mobile devices including wearable devices such as the Apple Watch.

A few apps I have had the pleasure of working with are MailChimp and TinderBox.

MailChimp is a wonderful app to easily create visually enticing emails (and plain text too if need be). It works seamlessly with Salesforce so you can create email lists by lead type, lead status, industry, etc., and track how many emails were opened, forwarded, bounced, and unsubscribed. It helps you target your emails using advanced analytics with plenty of reporting options. Know what time of day most emails were opened and the open rates for that campaign, as well as if they clicked on any links you might have included in the email. I am only grazing the surface of what this app can do for your business. For more information click here…MailChimp.

TinderBox is another app I have been working closely with. It’s a handy app for generating electronic proposals, online presentations, and creating documents. You can create templates to resource when you need to generate a proposal quickly, or you can create one on the fly. Since it integrates so well with Salesforce it can merge fields directly into the proposal such as the contact name, account name, account logo, and the opportunity dollar value to name a few. Once this is created a link to the proposal can be shared. This allows the decision maker to view, ask a question, and hopefully accept the proposal. It even has electronic signature functionality. For more information check out the app here…TinderBox

Apps are transforming the way we do business by making your work life easier and in a snap. Find all the apps you need on the Salesforce AppExchange or get answers from us at Prolocity. Prolocity provides cloud advisory technology services to businesses and nonprofits. Find us on the AppExchange here…Prolocity.

Salesforce Consultants Cincinnati

Ohio

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
407 Vine Street, Suite 219
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Salesforce Consultants Kentucky

Kentucky

Prolocity Technology Solutions, LLC
50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 414
Covington, Kentucky 41011