In this digital transformation age where innovation has become a business must-have, technology like Salesforce has now become the go-to for streamlining operations and enhancing customer relationships.
But let’s get real: Salesforce implementation isn’t merely about plugging in a new platform or flipping a switch. Rather, the focus needs to be on creating a customized solution that meets the unique business requirements. And, that’s where a Salesforce integration partner gains relevance. They bring a lot to the table—strategy, technical knowledge, proven experience, and success stories—and ensure the rollout process is seamless, transforming operations and setting the stage for future success.
Curious how they manage to do it? What are the specific moves partners focus on to ensure flawless pre and post-rollout? Keep reading this article to dive into the five go-to moves that top-rated Salesforce implementation partners leverage.
- In-Depth Discovery: Understanding the Customer Inside Out
First thing first – detailed discovery. Discovery isn’t just a fancy term for a meeting. For Salesforce implementation partners, it’s a mandatory first step to dive deep into the nitty-gritty of a customer’s business.
The scope goes beyond just merely deep diving into the technical requirements. The focus is on understanding the customer’s business model, their targets, their pain points, and also their corporate culture. Don’t be surprised because a solution that brings desired results for a particular company may not work for another if there is a gap in the full picture.
Studies have found that 91.5% of projects exceed the budget, miss the schedule expectations, or both. Alarmingly, only a mere 1% get completed on time, meet the budget expectations, and attain the goals as well. This chaos can be avoided with the help of a premier Salesforce integration partner who is aware of the customer’s expectations before they get onboarded.
What this means for businesses: During solution implementation, the discovery phase is non-negotiable and mistakenly getting it wrong will crumble all the preceding stages.
- Strategic Customization: Designing a Tailored Rollout Plan
After the discovery phase gets wrapped up, get into the strategy mode. And by strategy mode, we mean customization approach. Because no two businesses are the same regardless of operating in the same industry, hence the implementation method and approach shouldn’t be a mirror image. Top-rated Salesforce integration partners know this and design a tailored plan that aligns perfectly with the customer’s specific requirements.
Phase-wise deployment is integral for this strategy. Instead of everything implementing at one go, which is risky and overwhelming, the Salesforce implementation partners leverage the phase-wise deployment tactic. This enables them to manage the most important aspects first to ensure that the client is able to find value early on. Study found that 27.9% of businesses leverage the phased implementation by module approach. This was followed by big bang and hybrid methods, where each used 20.8%.
This proves reducing risk is important but future-proofing matters as well. A robust rollout strategy shouldn’t be centered around today’s problems but be focussed on tomorrow. Scalability, flexibility, and the ability to evolve with the business is a critical must-have.
What this means for businesses: The one-size-fits-all approach isn’t meant for Salesforce implementation. Ensure that the chosen Salesforce integration partner is designing a unique and custom strategy that meets all your business requirements.
- Change Management: Ensuring the Whole Team is Aligned & On Board
A tailored Salesforce solution can fail to bring the desired results if the stakeholders who will be using it fail to be aligned with it. Change management isn’t just a concept; it’s an important component for driving the success of any implementation.
The top-rated Salesforce integration partners are aware that change isn’t easy to navigate – especially when it comes to technology – which is why they design a roadmap and blueprint for the same. With effective change management, a project is about seven times more likely to meet its objectives compared to a project lacking a change management plan.
With effective change management, your project is about seven times more likely to meet the objectives as compared to a project with poor or no change management plans.
Change management can be resource-driven who can get everyone aligned and on board, ensuring that the complete process is seamless and without any interruptions.
What this means for businesses: Change management isn’t an option. Ensure your Salesforce integration partner has a strategy and execution roadmap in place to manage change as they design and implement the solution.
- Rigorous & Meticulous Testing: Guaranteeing a Bug-Free Execution
Testing is where theories face real-world challenges. It is the phase where all the planning and designing are put to test – literally. And, there’s no room for shortcuts here. The Salesforce integration partner offers testing as part of their implementation package. Salesforce testing includes comprehensive testing of the Salesforce deployments to ensure that they work without interruption and meet the customer’s expectations completely.
The focus is on the comprehensive, end-to-end testing that covers all aspects of the deployment. This includes unit testing, system testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT). This is important because if you want Salesforce deployment to be successful, skimping Salesforce testing is a no-no.
Read our blog to get a detailed insight into the key advantages of Salesforce testing, the levels of testing, and more.
What this means for businesses: Ensure your Salesforce implementation partner offers detailed testing at every stage of the implementation as that is the only way to ensure that your system works as expected.
- Continuous Optimization & Ongoing Support: Being There When It Matters the Most
Consistent optimization and continuous support can be the last move but definitely a must have. The reason? Many businesses believe that once the solution is up and running, the job is done. But when you choose to work with a Salesforce implementation partner, they drive long-term success with consistent improvement and support.
And, the support can be training sessions to align employees, regular check-ins to identify and resolve issues, or in the form of advanced support services as the process and system evolves.
According to reports, 68% of the customers are more inclined to use the products post training, and 56% use more features as compared to their untrained counterparts.
What this means for businesses: Select a Salesforce implementation partner with comprehensive capabilities to support post-rollout. An excellent partner can truly transform the business end-to-end.
Now the million-dollar question. With these key competencies of a top-rated Salesforce implementation partner are clear, is there a go-to partner businesses can rely on?
Forsys is a stand out choice. With 200+ successful engagements, Forsys is a top-tier Salesforce integration partner globally recognized for building, deploying, and leading transformative solutions. Powered by its global delivery team and custom solutions, they are a strategic partner businesses across sectors depend on to achieve a real impact.
Whether it’s streamlining or fine-tuning the quote-to-cash processes, ensuring seamless data transition and integration, or tailoring industry-specific solutions, Forsys has a wide gamut of offerings. Their end-to-end solutioning and services, right from assessments to custom designing and managed services support, ensure that businesses get the best of Salesforce solutions.
Our competencies span across:
Sales Cloud | Revenue Cloud | Service Cloud | Community Cloud | Tableau | MuleSoft
Conclusion: Setting the Stage for Seamless Success
Salesforce solution deployment isn’t easy. It demands detailed planning, strategy-driven execution, and continuous support to achieve success. But with the right Salesforce consultant, seamless implementation and continuous improvement is guaranteed.
So, if Salesforce solutioning is in your sight, remember – your success hinges on the implementation partner you choose and the key expertise they deliver.
