System Overview

The primary intended purpose of the Salesforce CRM system is to help companies expand their business by systematically managing their customer resources. In addition, it would also allow companies to modify their business models and help them to achieve a high-level of business performance.  “Software as a service (SaaS) refers to software that is made available by a third party online...Firms using SaaS products can dramatically lower several costs associated with the care and feeding of their information systems, including software licenses, server hardware, system maintenance, and IT staff. ...The most iconic SaaS firm is Salesforce.com, an enterprise customer relationship management (CRM) provider. This “un-software” company even sports a logo featuring the word “software” crossed out, Ghostbusters-style.”  Gallaugher, J. (n.d.). The Software Cloud: Why Buy When You Can Rent? In Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing Technology (Vol. 2). Flat World Education.

“Salesforce has been quite aggressive with its push to mobile in fiscal 2015, particularly with the Salesforce1 platform that was launched in November 2013. The new Salesforce1 offering is engineered to connect various apps and a multitude of devices across on a single platform and greatly increases mobility for sales representatives. The platform has been built on an API first philosophy and includes added tools for developers to create and deploy enterprise-level applications across mobile devices.The rapid shift towards mobile and tablet devices from employees at the workplace bode well with Salesforce’s bet on the mobile CRM platform.”  Salesforce Launches New Offering To Strengthen Mobile CRM Push. (2014, September 4). Retrieved September 16, 2014.

SalesForce Logo (SalesFroce.com)

The main feature of this system is that it runs on the cloud. Users can access it anywhere and anytime; all they would need is the website browser or the mobile device to access. The sales cloud of Salesforce is an instant connection to user’s leads, contacts, accounts, and critical business information. Salesforce lets companies who purchase their software to share customer related data and information such as sales leads and other information; for example job openings. The new tools also have an update function to keep data in sync across companies.” Kanaracus, C. (2007, December 5). Salesforce Lets Customers Share Data With Each Other. Retrieved September 21, 2014.

They help track every movement of user’s customers or partners. In addition, the user has a clear idea of their tasks, meetings, presentations and are able to find many details and data of their clients. This enables the company to build a deeper relationship with customers.

Salesforce is useful because the customer resource management is primarily about managing the relationship with the customers, and this system facilitates users with their company to achieve the organizational goals by obtaining and maintaining customers, helping them learn about customer’s behavior and develop stronger, lasting relationship which would benefit organization including non-profits. "Connect enables nonprofits of all sizes to now manage their fundraising, event management, volunteer management and more—all in one place, from any web-enabled device. Nonprofit organizations no longer have to build these modules themselves or rely on disconnected third party solutions; with NGO Connect they can now benefit from the sector's emerging best practices and accelerate their ability to manage their greatest asset—a lifetime relationship with their constituents." Salesforce.com Foundation Expands Salesforce1 for Nonprofits with Launch of NGO Connect. (n.d.). -- SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --. Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/salesforcecom-foundation-expands-salesforce1-for-nonprofits-with-launch-of-ngo-connect-275340541.html

Photo: CIO-Today.com

“Salesforce.com officially rolled out a new and improved version of its enterprise chat product ..., a tool it calls Community Cloud. And it wants to take on, or at least mimic, LinkedIn with the new product. Community Cloud is like a custom, private version of LinkedIn for businesses, it says. It lets companies connect with customers, employees, and partners to chat, share files, and so on. It also [links] them to apps, news, and other things that people need to do their jobs and help customers.” Bort, J. (2014, August 28). Salesforce.com Wants To Be The New LinkedIn. Retrieved September 16, 2014. http://www.businessinsider.com/salesforcecom-the-new-linkedin-2014-8#ixzz3DUpuoNxg

Image: Ashish Agarwal - Independent Salesforce.com Architect, Consultant & Trainer 2014

Salesforce.com would be beneficial for the future success of IVK for a number of different reasons. The first reason being that Salesforce.com is the largest provider of customer relationship management software. In addition, companies of all sizes, including IVK can utilize these innovative services through mobile, social or cloud technology. If IVK can use this cutting edge software, they will better manage their customers while at the same time build and maintain strong relationships with their clientele. Given the fact that IVK provides financial services, the customers are key to their success in this industry. In the long run, IVK can potentially increase their bottom line, market share, stock prices and achieve their overall organizational goals.