If you’re a Salesforce user, you most probably have heard of ‘Managed Services’. Simply put, it includes employing a team to manage your Salesforce org day-to-day. Managed Services for Salesforce enable an organization to benefit from a highly qualified team of Salesforce consultants who serve as an extension of the internal team. This is different from a Salesforce implementation partner, who is usually hired at the time of initial implementation.
Whereas a consulting partner is concerned with designing, implementing, and turning over a solution to your team, a Managed Services partner provides regular management, user support, and proactive enhancements for your Salesforce environment. A Salesforce Managed Services Provider involves a seasoned team of experts who negate the requirement for an in-house dedicated team and work without constant monitoring or guidance. These professionals help boost your Salesforce investments and address your CRM needs in real-time. You move beyond routine maintenance to explore new ways to leverage your Salesforce platform for greater efficiency. This ensures that your CRM meets your business needs and is prepared for future transformations.
The Move from Maintenance to Innovation
Earlier, organizations allocated substantial internal resources to manage their Salesforce systems, focusing on data management, system updates, troubleshooting, etc. While important, these activities often drained time and resources away from much-needed initiatives. With Salesforce Managed Services taking on routine maintenance, organizations can free up internal teams to focus on innovation and value-added activities.
The Importance of Salesforce Managed Services for Companies
There are multiple reasons for a business to choose Salesforce Managed Services to support their Salesforce implementation. Let’s understand the important factors here:
Cost-Effective Solution
Managed Services require you to only pay for the services you need. Thus, you get rid of the financial burden linked with salaries, benefits, and training expenses connected with maintaining a dedicated team. Also, Managed Services often involve teams that are fully or partially situated outside the US. This offers organizations a mix of offshore, onshore, and nearshore support. This global distribution helps companies take advantage of cost-efficient solutions and get access to a pool of expertise.
Proactive Approach to User Administration
An important difference between Managed Services for Salesforce and conventional support partners is how closely a Managed Services partner integrates with your team. Unlike traditional support, Managed Services partners don't just wait for incoming requests from your users; they proactively engage and collaborate to improve your Salesforce org. A Salesforce Managed Services provider deeply integrates into your daily business operations and oversees continuous delivery. They offer user training, develop a detailed roadmap to plan projects and improvements, and ensure that application strategy aligns with business objectives.
Implementation of New Features
Your Managed Services partner serves as your key subject matter expert and Salesforce support. They monitor your Salesforce org and conduct regular evaluations to identify areas for improvement. To ensure your organization uses the new Salesforce features effectively, Managed Services partners stay updated with the recent innovations and releases in Salesforce. They create roadmaps that are aligned with your business goals, assess user feedback, and use industry best practices. This helps them recommend and implement new features and functionalities that boost growth and productivity.
Scalability
Salesforce Managed Services offer high scalability and flexibility through continuous management of the platform and cost-effective access to Salesforce experts for fast deployment. They enable companies to reallocate resources in accordance with real-time requirements to make optimal use of Salesforce. Regular platform optimization also enables companies to remain flexible and adaptive to changes, deriving maximum benefits from their Salesforce investment.
Market Trends and Growth
The need for Managed Services, including those tailored to Salesforce, has been increasing. The size of the global managed services market was $270 billion in 2023, and it is expected to rise from $297.20 billion in 2024 to $878.71 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 14.5% during the forecast period. This development reflects the greater appreciation of the value that Managed Services add to organizations looking to streamline their IT operations and dedicate themselves to core business activities.
Case in Point: Salesforce's AI Integration
Salesforce's dedication to innovation is also seen in the infusion of AI into its platform. The launch of 'Agentforce, an AI-powered platform to build virtual representatives, illustrates the way Managed Services can be used to bring advanced technologies into operation and maximize them. Up till December 2024, Salesforce had closed more than 1,000 paid deals for Agentforce. This depicts the fast adoption and potential of AI in improving customer interactions and operational efficiency.
Overcoming Challenges
Transitioning to Managed Services for Salesforce requires careful consideration. Organizations may face challenges in selecting the right Salesforce Managed Services Provider (MSP), managing change in the organization, and ensuring data security and compliance. To mitigate these challenges, you should conduct due diligence when selecting a provider, establish clear communication channels, and define measurable objectives and KPIs.
Selecting the Right MSP
Choosing the right MSP is critical to the success of Salesforce Managed Services. Organizations should check out potential providers in terms of expertise, credibility, and understanding of specific business needs. Reference, case studies, and testimonials help evaluate the MSP's capability and reliability.
Managing Change
Transitioning to Managed Services requires changes in workflows and processes. Strategies for change management must be effectively implemented to assure seamless adoption with the least resistance from employees. Communication, training sessions, and stakeholder engagement can aid in a successful transition process and help employees understand the advantages of Managed Services.
Ensuring Data Security and Compliance
Security and compliance of data are important when outsourcing management of Salesforce. Organizations have to make sure MSPs follow strict security measures and conform to applicable regulations. Frequent audits, security audits, and reporting can ensure trust and keep sensitive information secure.
Conclusion
Transitioning from maintenance to innovation is necessary for the success of organizations. Managed Services for Salesforce offload repetitive tasks, deliver expert support, and allow companies to concentrate on high-impact projects. As demand for Managed Services grows, organizations adopting this technology will optimize their Salesforce investment, fostering continued growth and innovation.
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