Every business wants to deliver the best customer experience with the most robust products on the market. Hence Salesforce remains the world’s number one customer relationship management tool and is currently valued at over $219 billion USD.
Though the Salesforce software-as-a-service (SaaS) is widely regarded for its power, features, and scalability development input matters. And — just as importantly — businesses should have a thorough understanding of what a Salesforce certified developer brings to configuration.
Now let’s get started unpacking these key points as the race for businesses to achieve digital transformation is urgent. What’s more, there’s no time like the present for businesses to start using Salesforce, deliver personalized services, and tactically grow.
To begin with, let’s unpack: the Salesforce CRM, products available, and how businesses use this range of SaaS.
Firstly, we’ll review what Salesforce is and why it’s so valuable for businesses. In a word, Salesforce is most valuable because it’s comprehensive. Whether it’s technological features or scope of integration, this SaaS is best in class.
Designed for easy, fast, and high-quality user-experience (UX) and user-interface (UI) for all users for specific businesses. For example, Salesforce is used by staff for business activities and external stakeholders like customers for business apps. All products are customizable so businesses can configure their Salesforce products to their needs. Hence developers can provide specialist insights into maximizing the SaaS while configuring all Salesforce functionalities precisely to the business.
All features are cohesive so users can swiftly navigate to each area and there is seamless transition to each component. For example, a customer service team member can access a customer’s profile then review order information without accessing other programs. Because everything is in the one place this makes tasks, projects, and operations faster, simpler, and less laborious.
Every Salesforce product will incorporate the latest technology — or at least this is their company objective. For example, all products are designed to be scaled as new features emerge and as businesses grow and diversify. When businesses need new SaaS features or are interested in cutting-edge technologies, like AI, they can add these on.
All Salesforce products are cloud-based so businesses don’t need to worry about changing their infrastructure to host new systems. In reality, businesses can hit the ground running with Salesforce in a matter of days. Not only does this allow field users including customers and mobile staff but also it facilitates remote and hybrid teams.
Although these are desirable characteristics, it’s important to remember that this list is by no means exhaustive. Furthermore, as per Forbes, “As customer demands keep getting more specific and businesses keep diversifying, it is practically impossible for an organization to provide personalized services to its customers without using a CRM platform.”
All in all, these products support key business activities with the hero Salesforce CRM as the engine. When businesses integrate products and introduce add-ons, such as AI technology like Salesforce Einstein GPT, their system’s intelligence scales. Therefore businesses gain functionality while being able to retain existing third-party systems, like Google G Suite, and improve productivity. Ultimately developers aren’t essential to use Salesforce though developer input and contributions are extensive as we’ll analyze in this article.
Now that we have this Salesforce overview, it’s time to evaluate the role of a Salesforce certified developer in configuration.
Until now, almost everyone needed to work with developers to use technical software. For instance, this meant buying software products off the shelf that were purpose-built or hiring IT professionals for projects. Presently though, as our world becomes almost completely digitized in work, life, and most modern communities, there are new options.
Though the global developer market continues to grow there’s ongoing challenges of being unable to meet supply demand. As a result of both a digital world and technology development there are evolving, decentralized options. On the one hand, there are citizen developers and growing opportunities to DIY through online videos and development forums. On the other hand, there’s low-code/no-code products available for low-budget businesses or those without internal IT.
We’re seeing a democratization in development and this is positive for countless technical, economic, collaborative, and innovative reasons. However expertise and certification has a crucial role in many contexts and for software/SaaS development this remains absolutely true.
There are numerous reasons to opt for and invest in specialist IT professionals and one case for that is Salesforce. Emphatically, “Salesforce certification is an official stamp of approval validating your skills as a Salesforce professional.” For this reason, businesses can expect extensive benefits to working with a Salesforce certified developer team. At this point, their knowledge of the platform and applied experience actually helps businesses gain more from their SaaS investment.
So Salesforce certification is undeniably valuable. CRS Info Solutions explain, “Salesforce certification has become one of the most in-demand professional qualifications in the business world.” But what exactly is a qualification in this SaaS and what certifications are important?
There’s an extensive number of Salesforce certifications that developers can gain a qualification in — around 40 certificates available that fall under roughly seven main categories of certification
This certification equips developers to code and build no-code applications for Salesforce with customizations, configurations, and product resolutions.
These certifications are highly in-demand for all organizations using Salesforce as they can assist with identifying and resolving issues. Administrators also work with stakeholders to establish and define needs then maximize solutions using Salesforce.
This certification enables executive-level strategic advisors who have domain expertise. Specifically they communicate technical and business solutions to stakeholders within a delivery framework.
With this certification, consultants work across the Salesforce development ecosystem to collaborate with stakeholders. Then they can evaluate needs, implement customizations, and support stakeholders to maximize SaaS value.
These implementation experts are able to design, build, and implement custom applications using Salesforce. This draws upon existing skills and knowledge to deliver robust custom solutions.
This certification focuses on UX Design enabling developers to improve the quality of the product experience. Many qualified developers report this qualification as being complementary to Administrator and App Builder certifications.
The marketing certification qualifies professionals with the ability to create targeted marketing for connecting with customers. While not a strictly development-related qualification, consultants and specialists in this category that includes Pardot Expert, helps leverage technology.
For businesses looking to find and hire an expert Salesforce certified developer company documented qualifications are crucial. Altogether this demonstrates their ability to handle and deliver complex projects with both development and platform nous. Markedly this adheres to both the needs of the business stakeholders and the Salesforce standards and guidelines.
Another key point in this explainer on certification is programming. Chiefly platform expertise also requires skilled deployment of program languages. As can be seen from earlier in this section, it’s not easy to gain Salesforce qualifications and certification is rigorous.
Therefore when businesses are deciding if it’s worth investing with a Salesforce certified developer company the answer is yes. Specifically, as explained in Indeed’s 101 on Salesforce certifications, this proves credentials and demonstrates that developers control of programming languages. “These certifications demonstrate the developer understands the system’s fundamentals, such as Apex, Visualforce, basic data modelling and management and also uses them efficiently.”
Obviously Salesforce certification is both an invaluable qualification for developers to have and a desirable credential when hiring developer services. Even so, there’s another component to a company value proposition and that’s being a Salesforce Partner.
Similarly to a certified developer, the Salesforce Partner ecosystem contributes to how a development company offers end-to-end solutions. When they are Salesforce partners, a company will be able to offer a seamless development process that maximizes SaaS investments. In that case the development process incorporates strategic guidance and management consulting designed around Salesforce solutions.
What do they contribute? A certified developer brings deep expertise of Salesforce’s product suite, configuring for businesses, and experience consulting on and developing solutions.
How does this affect the Salesforce solution? This certification enables developers to deliver more powerful, dynamic, and comprehensive product integrations. Due to knowledge, expertise, and in-depth training they are more skilled than a developer without certification.
What do they contribute? A Salesforce Partner is part of the business ecosystem of companies that maintain an official relationship with the SaaS brand. Then they are permitted to add features and scale Salesforce products whereas non-ecosystem partners cannot.
How does this affect the Salesforce solution? In effect, this leads to Salesforce Partners being able to offer a Salesforce product that is exclusive. Subsequently, businesses must start their Salesforce SaaS with a Salesforce Partner in order to access these Partner-only features. Moreover this means they are always using an entirely custom-configured platform and new features can be added as soon as they’re released to market.
Despite explaining above how these two value propositions affect the Salesforce solution, clarification is important.
Unquestionably the fact is that both Salesforce certification and Salesforce Partner status is important to have in a developer company.
In light of the value-add of the following, both of these offerings have a place for:
Above all then, businesses should look for both of these when they’re in the process of finding and hiring a company. Otherwise there is likely a declining quality to the SaaS development in terms of access to features and Salesforce expertise.
Without a doubt a Salesforce certified developer is an invaluable part of the development process. Notwithstanding the points covered in the previous sections, businesses should still have a checklist approach to finding Salesforce developers. Thus the following recommendations are designed to help businesses as they research and prepare to hire a Salesforce development company.
Understandably this experience is part of successfully achieving Salesforce certification. Nonetheless businesses should look at the prospective developer team’s previous clients and examples of wide-reaching and specialized work. Likewise it’s worth seeing if any competitors or market leaders in the relevant industry are past clients.
Tying in with experience is expertise and this is proven through the company’s Salesforce consultation process. For the same reason, Salesforce certified consultants from a developer team will collaboratively assist with evaluating business needs. When this is completed with the development team then businesses can see how they use the range of certification strengths. Given that businesses can then ask the developer team how they apply their expertise to the Salesforce development process.
Due to the Salesforce product suite being so comprehensive, an established developer company is likely to offer extensive services. For instance, the Salesforce Development Service is complemented by the Salesforce Integration service. Following this, businesses can expect to benefit from scaling new features and enhancing existing features within the Salesforce platform.
In addition to the key Salesforce services outlined above are further auxiliary services that result in robust, lasting software products. Generally services like maintenance, roadmap strategy design, beta testing and quality assurance, and app development all complement Salesforce development. Regardless of if businesses need these services or not, the range of options demonstrate the developer team’s expertise and experience.
Further to auxiliary services is specific development practices and checking if they’re offered. Most of all, end-to-end full-stack development is an indicator that the company has a skilled developer team. Because this development encompasses essential skills that can develop client and server software the company can likely deliver sophisticated solutions.
In the current market customization in business assets is essential for maximizing product capabilities. Whether to target customers or meet the unique needs of the business, customized platforms can solve problems and achieve goals. When developers can customize Salesforce platforms then businesses have a highly powerful, best-in-class product that’s scalable.
Developers that can manage end-to-end solutions are ensuring that their clients are well taken care of. Instead of a patchy experience, end-to-end approaches demonstrate that development will be a thorough, well-managed undertaking. Most important for businesses starting with Salesforce is that the product is configured expertly then deployed and maintained. In view of this, an end-to-end solution configured by a Salesforce certified developer team is the best approach.
Straightaway flexible solutions show that a company is visionary and committed to cutting-edge technology. Thereafter businesses can expect inclusive, considered development for businesses of all sizes and from all industries. In particular, developer flexibility in the development process is a sign of deft, nimble, open-minded, and dynamically skilled specialists.
In this business era there are more risks than ever as organizations navigate cybersecurity, rapid digitization, and productivity challenges. Undoubtedly the risk management skills of an experienced developer team is beneficial for practicality and peace of mind. Previously evaluating risks might have been a separate service however a certified team will consider this as part of consultation. Afterwards businesses can work with developers to scale their Salesforce products, adhere to a roadmap strategy, and respond to cyberthreats.
Lastly every leading Salesforce development company will be dedicated to thoroughly engaging with all areas of integration. Regardless of Salesforce product, look for developers that will concentrate on integration of Salesforce products and third-party product integration. In due time Salesforce partner ecosystem and certified integration specialists will be able to integrate additional features. Then businesses can continually gain beneficial features, new technology, and improved productivity.
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Finally, we’ll review three case studies of high-level business solutions that were enabled through Salesforce certified development. Overall these examples demonstrate the scope of solution delivery and how internationally-renowned business names solved problems through expert configurations.
A leader in facilitating B2C digital transformation, Belkin needed a robust SaaS solution for their business operations. When they brought in a custom integration of Salesforce products their team communications, collaboration, and improved event visibility. Not only did this streamline their communications but also it brought their global team more closely together.
Heritage car company Aston Martin brings unique luxury products to market and they aspired to deliver an unforgettable digital experience. Consequently they turned to Salesforce for B2C engagement and for internal stakeholder engagement with their dealer representatives. When they brought all business data into one place with customized Salesforce Sales Cloud then analyzed customer and business insights. Accordingly then they unlocked new insights about how their dealerships work, customer conversions, and lost conversions, too. Thus they gained more centralized customer insights, custom orders, and in turn their team now uses Salesforce Mobile App, too.
National carrier Japan Airlines chose to make Salesforce the fulcrum of their customer and staff service technology system. Accordingly they reinvigorated their brand through a dedicated technology campaign of uniting all stakeholders in their brand and encouraging connections. Both internal and external communications are powered through giving customers and employees a voice on social channels: Facebook and Chatter. Since introducing these systems, JAL has revitalized their brand and expanded their services that they attribute to the “indispensable platform”.
In conclusion finding a quality company and deriving the most value is a foundational objective for all businesses investing in SaaS. Equally, software solutions should make a major impact and a CRM like Salesforce is designed to facilitate exceptional customer experiences.
Evidently working with professionals for any software development is going to deliver value to businesses and their customers. In summary, platform expertise means developers will view the product as a solution. Furthermore they will approach development in terms of maximizing the SaaS and as a strategic move for the businesses’ goals.
SaaS platforms such as Salesforce are a subscription product that businesses invest in without having to host on their servers. For instance, Salesforce is an annual investment and costs vary for add-ons depending on user traffic. Because a Salesforce certified developer is experienced and has completed specialist product training their knowledge is exceptionally comprehensive. Depending on their certification, they will be able to identify and resolve issues or design integrated solutions. Consequently this maximizes platform functionalities in ways that an uncertified developer cannot.
A Salesforce certified developer team will use the process that the company prefers and has a proven track record with. When businesses are looking for a certified development team they should look for a range of Salesforce certifications. These include:
These certifications and end-to-end full-stack development indicate a comprehensive process that delivers robust, scalable Salesforce platforms.
Both a Salesforce certified developer and a software development company that is a Salesforce Partner are valuable attributes in development. Despite this, a Salesforce certified developer will not be a Salesforce Partner though they may work for a Partner company. In fact, a Salesforce Partner is a development company or agency that has a strategic Salesforce partnership. Specifically then they have a proven record of delivering high-quality Salesforce solutions to clients.
Businesses can work with a Salesforce certified developer through researching and meeting with established software development companies. Overall a software company with a Salesforce certified developer team will be transparent about their talents’ qualifications. Furthermore their skill and experience maintains a development process that thoroughly assesses the business before advising solutions or commencing projects. To begin with, businesses should meet with a development team and undertake a Salesforce consultation. Starting with a Salesforce consultation with an experienced company is invaluable when evaluating product requirements and needs.
