OmniStudio powers the tailored, industry-specific solutions that operate within the newly created section of the Salesforce platform known as Salesforce Industries. Initially developed by Vlocity, an independent company acquired by Salesforce in 2020, OmniStudio was instrumental in bringing the concept of Industry Cloud to the Salesforce CRM ecosystem. Founded in 2014, Vlocity quickly gained traction and was recognized on the Forbes Cloud 100 list for three consecutive yearsโ2017, 2018, and 2019.
Currently, Salesforce Industries serves 15 different sectors, a significant increase from the six it catered to just before Vlocity's acquisition. Since then, an additional nine industries have been integrated, utilizing the OmniStudio tools while both reusing existing and creating new industry-specific components. The list of all 15 sectors are -
While each industry shares certain business processes, the OmniStudio platform, in conjunction with the Industries Data Model, provides versatile tools and components that are adaptable across various sectors. This capability significantly reduces the time and effort required for development, benefitting both new and existing Salesforce Industries customers. Independent research indicates that using OmniStudio tools can enhance productivity by more than double compared to custom development efforts.
Salesforce Industries and custom Salesforce development each offer unique advantages to businesses seeking to enhance their CRM capabilities. Where Salesforce Industries focuses on delivering pre-packaged solutions tailored to specific sectors, custom development offers the flexibility to build highly customized applications from the ground up. The right choice depends on a company's specific needs, goals, and available resources.
Imagine a mid-sized retail company looking to implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to enhance its sales, customer service, and marketing efforts.
Salesforce Industries Solution:
By opting for a Salesforce Industries solution, the retail company can leverage a pre-built retail-focused platform. This approach quickly equips them with essential features such as point-of-sale integration, inventory management, and personalized customer engagement tools. The implementation is swift, allowing the company to immediately benefit from streamlined processes and tailored retail functionalities without the need for extensive infrastructural changes. This option is cost-effective and aligns with industry best practices while ensuring a faster return on investment.
Custom Development Solution:
On the other hand, the retail company could invest in a custom-built CRM solution. This would give them the flexibility to tailor every aspect of the CRM to their specific business model and processes, such as bespoke loyalty programs or unique data analytics dashboards that track customer preferences in detail. Custom development would allow the company to create a differentiated user experience directly aligned with their brand identity. However, this route would require a longer development timeline, more intensive resource investment, and potentially higher costs due to the complexity and customization involved.
In summary, while Salesforce Industries provides a quick and efficient solution with industry-specific features ready out of the box, a custom solution offers unparalleled flexibility and brand specificity at the cost of additional time and financial investment. The choice between these two options largely depends on the unique needs, budget constraints, and long-term strategic goals of the retail company.
Deciding between Salesforce Industry cloud (formally known as Vlocity) and custom Salesforce development involves assessing the nature of the business, industry requirements, and how much customization is needed. Small to medium enterprises might find value in industry-specific solutions, while larger enterprises with complex needs might lean toward bespoke custom development to achieve their goals.
Both Salesforce Industries and custom development have their strengths. The key to leveraging either approach lies in understanding the company's objectives, existing infrastructure, and the level of customization required. By making an informed decision, businesses can optimize their CRM strategy and foster a more efficient and productive environment.