Salesforce’s D2C and B2B Commerce Cloud continues to evolve, empowering businesses with cutting-edge e-commerce capabilities. The latest release of Salesforce Commerce Cloud brings forth a host of new features and enhancements, designed to elevate the e-commerce experience for businesses and customers. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the key features and improvements introduced in the latest release, highlighting the advancements that are set to shape the future of e-commerce.

Key Features and Enhancements

The latest Winter ‘25 release of Salesforce D2C Commerce Cloud introduces a range of new features and enhancements, catering to various aspects of e-commerce operations. From user interface improvements to advanced integration capabilities, the release is poised to transform the way businesses engage with their customers and manage their online storefronts.

Enhanced User Experience

One of the focal points of the latest release is the enhancement of the user experience. With a revamped user interface, streamlined navigation, and updated design elements, the release aims to provide a more intuitive and engaging experience for both administrators and end-users.

Integration Capabilities

In an increasingly interconnected digital landscape, the latest release emphasizes enhanced integration capabilities. New APIs, improved interoperability with other Salesforce products, and third-party systems enable businesses to create a seamless and unified e-commerce ecosystem, facilitating efficient data exchange and operational agility.

Security and Compliance

Security and compliance are paramount in e-commerce, and the latest release addresses these concerns with advanced security features and compliance updates. From data encryption to enhanced access controls, businesses can ensure a secure and compliant e-commerce environment, fostering trust and confidence among their customers.

Developer-Centric Enhancements

For developers, the latest release offers a suite of new tools and resources. Expanded customization options, improved development frameworks, and enhanced extensibility empower developers to innovate and tailor e-commerce solutions to meet the unique needs of businesses and customers.

Customer Impact and Benefits

The latest release is poised to have a profound impact on businesses and end-users. The introduction of new features and enhancements translates to an enriched customer experience, improved operational efficiency, and the ability to adapt to evolving market demands, ultimately driving business growth and customer satisfaction.

Upgrade Process and Considerations

Existing Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud users are encouraged to explore the upgrade process and considerations for migrating to the latest release. With careful planning and adherence to best practices, businesses can seamlessly transition to the latest release, unlocking new opportunities and staying ahead in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

The latest release of D2C / B2B Salesforce Commerce Cloud represents a significant leap forward in e-commerce innovation. By embracing the new features and enhancements, businesses can position themselves at the forefront of e-commerce excellence, delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving sustainable growth in the digital marketplace.

With the upcoming end of support for Cloudcraze by Salesforce, many businesses are faced with the challenge of remigrating to a more sustainable platform. CloudStreet understands the complexities and potential setbacks associated with this transition and offers tailored solutions to help businesses effectively manage and realize more benefits from their Salesforce optimization goals.

End of Life for Cloudcraze

The discontinuation of support for Cloudcraze by Salesforce has left businesses vulnerable to security risks and limited upgrade options, impacting customer experiences. CloudStreet recognizes the urgency and importance of addressing this issue and is committed to assisting businesses in navigating the transition to Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud built on the core lightning framework.

Consultative Approach to Migration

At CloudStreet, we believe in a consultative approach to technology challenges. Our team collaborates closely with businesses to understand their unique needs and develop a comprehensive roadmap for migrating off Cloudcraze while mitigating risks and managing costs effectively.

Framework for Seamless Transition

CloudStreet’s approach to helping businesses remigrate off Cloudcraze involves a structured framework that encompasses the following key phases

• Discovery – Understanding business use cases, journeys, architecture, and integrations needed to transition from Cloudcraze to the next platform.

• Implementation – Delivering user stories, system/integration diagrams, and project plans to lay the foundation for the migration process.

• Stabilization – Mobilization for the development phase, including tools selection and team organization, to ensure delivery readiness.

Seamless Transition Deliverables

Throughout the migration process, CloudStreet provides businesses with a range of deliverables, including working system development using an agile, sprint-based approach, a coordinated go-live plan, and a dedicated team focused on production support.

Salesforce Optimization Solutions In addition to assisting businesses with the remigration process, CloudStreet offers comprehensive Salesforce optimization solutions to help businesses manage and realize more benefits from their sales, marketing, and other digital transformation goals. Our proprietary plugins and transition frameworks are designed to reduce costs and accelerate the time to launch, seamlessly integrating with Salesforce Lightning.

CloudStreet is dedicated to empowering businesses to navigate the transition from Cloudcraze to Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud Lightning with confidence and efficiency. Our consultative approach, structured framework, and comprehensive deliverables ensure that businesses can manage the migration process effectively while optimizing their Salesforce solutions for long-term success.

According to one recent study, approximately 35% of all global companies use artificial intelligence in some capacity as of 2023 – a trend that shows absolutely no signs of slowing down anytime soon. All told, the global AI market is anticipated to reach an enormous $1.85 trillion in size by as soon as 2030.

In a relatively short amount of time, things have already reached a point where it seems like new companies touting some “innovative AI product or service” are cropping up daily. It’s already difficult for even established companies to stand out in a crowded field – to say nothing of how significant the challenge is when everyone is focused on essentially the same topic, as is true with AI.

Salesforce in particular is focusing its attention on using artificial intelligence to improve things for both B2B buyers and sellers everywhere. It did this by way of the Salesforce Commerce Cloud platform – a powerful suite that aims to help B2B enterprises everywhere get more efficient, increase revenue, and more by leveraging the full might of AI and big data to their advantage.

Breaking Down the AI Pillars of Salesforce Commerce Cloud

All told, Salesforce Commerce Cloud is made up of five distinct applications that are built on a solid foundation of artificial intelligence. The first of these takes the form of the Einstein Copilot for B2B buyers. This allows ecommerce stores to let their buyers use plain-language prompts and photos to learn more about new products, to get personalized recommendations, and more. Essentially, it’s a conversational AI assistant that gives buyers the ability to have more direct, nuanced conversations than they could on virtually any other digital channel.

Another one of the applications that make up the Salesforce Commerce Cloud involves AI-driven goal-setting and recommendation. This is geared towards sellers, allowing them to set their own unique growth targets and goals based on a larger strategy. Once in place, sellers can get AI-powered recommendations that are generated via the Salesforce Data Cloud. Salesforce will use your own data to not only tell you what is possible, but how to go about accomplishing it in the most effective way possible.

Salesforce Commerce Cloud now also offers generative SEO metadata optimization as well. The Einstein AI platform will provide sellers with search engine optimization recommendations so that they can make sure their product titles, descriptions, and other text-based elements are always built with sites like Google in mind. When you consider that the vast majority of all online interactions between a business and its customers still begin with a search engine, it’s easy to see why this is one step that you don’t want to overlook. SEO optimization is nothing if not time-consuming, however, which is a major pain point that Salesforce’s Einstein AI platform wants to address.

Thanks to Commerce Cloud it is now also possible to leverage enterprise scale carts and split segments. Buyers can now add up to 2,000 different line items in a single online shopping cart, supporting the types of large-volume transactions that would have been impossible even as recently as a few years ago. But more than just a minor convenience, enterprise scale carts let buyers split single orders into multiple delivery addresses on an as-needed basis. They can even change shipping speeds for different components of the order based on whatever their current distribution needs are.

Finally, Salesforce Commerce Cloud now offers native merchant services. Processes like integrated shipping, tax, and even checkout are all brought together under one roof. This makes it easier for sellers to get their commerce stores up and running, while also allowing them to focus more of their attention on creating better experiences for customers. Historically, getting these critical integrations working with outside applications has been equal parts frustrating and time-consuming. Now, Salesforce has eliminated a major obstacle.

Ultimately, these five features are merely a beginning for what Salesforce Commerce Cloud will eventually offer. They also serve as further examples of the interesting, forward-thinking, and ultimately secure applications that AI has in many facets of business.

The AI Era: Harnessing Automation to Your Advantage

This all comes during a time when B2B ecommerce sales in particular continue to defy expectations. According to one recent study, the sector saw a 17% year-over-year growth in 2023 alone.

Salesforce itself continues to enjoy tremendous success – this despite the fact that it seems like new competitors are cropping up daily, particularly in the AI space. In February 2024, Salesforce indicated that it had experienced an 11% year-over-year growth itself, hitting 34.8 billion in revenue. Of the many factors that contributed to this rise, Salesforce representatives indicated that their ongoing investment in the development of artificial intelligence and related solutions played a big role in it.

CLOUDSTREET is an example of an organization that has implemented B2B stores for a wide range of different clients using Commerce Cloud functionality. This includes those manufacturers not only in the general industrial field, but also in IT services, and consumer goods as well. CLOUDSTREET offers two distinct Accelerator packages for clients to choose from, both of which help with getting a store online so that selling can begin just as quickly. All told, they’re viable ways to increase sales from existing buyers while also embracing the convenience of having your own custom portal.

In the end, it’s important to acknowledge that the conversation surrounding artificial intelligence is only going to ramp up as time goes on. As the technology becomes more powerful and more ubiquitous, it is going to have an indelible impact on virtually every industry you can name. Ecommerce is certainly no exception. The events of the last few years have already changed the way people shop online forever – now, artificial intelligence seems poised to take those gains to the next level.

To their credit, Salesforce seems to be attempting to cut through the noise to help B2B ecommerce organizations unlock not just the potential of artificial intelligence, but the reality of it. In terms of Commerce Cloud, the generative SEO metadata optimization alone can return literally hours of productivity back to an entrepreneur. But when you also consider native merchant services and AI-driven goal-setting and recommendations, you’re quickly looking at an opportunity that is far too important to pass up.

But Commerce Cloud is also a perfect example of an AI tool that isn’t just by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Einstein Copilot and features like enterprise scale carts also create better experiences for B2B shoppers, which in and of itself is the most important advantage of all.

Find Out What 2700 Industry Leaders Have to Say About the State of Commerce

For years, Salesforce has developed a reputation for being a leading provider of the tools that small businesses in particular need to attract and retain new customers. The company’s revenue hit an enormous $31.35 billion in 2023, so it’s safe to say that it is making good on that promise. It’s also why, when a company like Salesforce offers its own insight into where commerce currently stands and where it might be headed, people tend to take notice.

That’s precisely what the recently released State of Commerce Report is all about. It’s the product of direct communication with more than 2,700 industry leaders, who themselves analyzed data from over 1.5 billion buyers around the world. It’s especially relevant to businesses looking to carve out a new level of success for themselves in the era of AI and the highlights alone are more than worth a closer look.

The Relationship Between Digital Channels and Increasing Sales

It’s no secret that commerce as a concept has been on the rise for decades. For as popular as it already was, activity across the sector positively exploded with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, when brick-and-mortar retailers were closed indefinitely, people turned to the Internet to meet even their most basic needs. That boost has only continued and is expected to do so moving forward.

The State of Commerce Report indicated that both B2C and B2B organizations expect the “bulk” of their revenue to come from commerce and various digital channels in the future. Just two years ago, commerce made up 31% of the average company’s sales. Right now, that number is an impressive 42%. Over the course of the next two years, those digital channels are expected to make up about 54% of the average company’s revenue – a powerful trend that shows absolutely no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

The Era of AI in Commerce is Upon Us

You can barely turn on the television or open the newspaper these days without seeing a story about the impact of artificial intelligence on our daily lives. Right now, a lot of the attention is focused on AI-powered automation. There are just as many people worried that computer systems are poised to replace human jobs as they are those looking forward to the opportunity to free up their valuable attention to be used on other matters.

But in the world of commerce, AI is a topic of much discussion for different reasons. The way that it can help organizations automate the data collection and analysis process alone is worthy of attention. The types of insights that it used to take literally weeks or even months to collect are now available in near real-time. This leads to better and more informed decision-making across the board – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Indeed, many commerce professionals currently rank AI as one of their top strategic priorities. Having said that, implementation is still considered by many to be a “work in progress.” As per the State of Commerce Report, just 3% of organizations say that they have “no intention to use” AI for whatever reason. 20% are still in the evaluation stage in that they’re aware of AI and its potential, but are still trying to determine if it makes sense for them.

The most exciting number is that 48% of companies say that they’re currently at least experimenting with AI. Part of the beauty of this technology is that there is no “one size fits all” approach to deployment. It’s inherently flexible, meaning it can be a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Many are currently in the midst of finding that out.

29% of those who responded to the survey said that they have fully implemented AI – at least as far as their current definition is concerned. With attention on artificial intelligence only getting stronger, you can expect this number to climb quickly in the not-too-distant future.

The Popularity (and Power) of Mobile Payments

Another prominent trend taking shape over the last several years has to do with mobile wallet payments. Rather than carrying around large, cumbersome wallets and purses filled with multiple credit and debit cards, consumers can get rid of it all in favor of using the device they already have with them wherever they go.

According to another recent study, the worldwide value of digital wallet transactions was $7.5 trillion in 2022 alone. The global mobile payment market itself was valued at $53.5 billion.

As per the State of Commerce Report, as consumers increasingly embrace this technology, many companies are doing the same. Right now, about 64% of companies currently support Apple Pay, for example. This is notable, because it’s one of the more popular forms of mobile payments there is. That puts it ahead of loyalty cards, gift cards, and certainly cryptocurrencies.

70% of businesses also support PayPal as a form of payment. That service itself has its own mobile payment platform.

When taken together, these statistics show that mobile payments are only going to get more popular as time goes on. The technology is already there to act as a foundation. Companies like Apple are building mobile payments into the operating systems on their hardware, and literally billions of people own iPhones alone. As buyers of all types begin to investigate things like mobile payments to see the real benefits they bring with them, those people will begin to demand it as a part of their everyday lives. Businesses will have no choice but to adopt and support that. Thankfully, things are trending in that direction and the process has proven to be a lot more straightforward than some may have assumed it would be.

Building a Better Customer Journey

At CLOUDSTREET, we’ve seen a lot of these trends play out first-hand through our work with various channels. We’ve implemented B2B stores for a wide range of different manufacturers, for example. This includes those operating not only in the industrial space, but also in IT services, consumer goods, and more.

In the end, it’s clear through reports like these that the world of commerce is changing rapidly. But regardless of the shape that evolution takes, one core idea remains the same: commerce is and always will be embedded across the customer journey.

By organically connecting commerce to sales, service, and even marketing, you create a more robust, personal, and ultimately satisfying experience for buyers. That in and of itself may be the most important trend of all.

If you’d like to find out about even more highlights from the recent State of Commerce Report, or if you’d like to talk to someone about your organization’s own needs in a bit more detail, please contact the CLOUDSTREET team today.

In the competitive landscape of business-to-business (B2B) markets, achieving sustainable growth requires more than just incremental improvements. Successful B2B winners understand the power of the multiplier effect. It’s all about how small, strategic actions can set off a chain reaction, leading to substantial growth spurts in business. 

Understanding the Multiplier Effect 

The multiplier effect in B2B growth refers to the compounding impact of strategic decisions and actions. Kicking the multiplier effect into gear means spotting those golden chances that could pay off later. Patience is key. You won’t hit gold overnight but keep at it because they tend to pick up speed fast once things start rolling. 

Each step isn’t just an isolated play; they feed off one another, stacking benefits that can skyrocket a company’s scale and scope before they know what hit them! B2B leaders who spot the ties between different parts of their business can tap into growth spots that aren’t obvious. By seeing the big picture, they turn every aspect of their operation into a chance to impact.

Leveraging Digital Transformation 

Carefully embracing digital transformation is critical to unlocking the multiplier effect in B2B growth. If your business starts to use data analytics, automation, and AI, you’re stepping into a game-changer territory. Leveraging these digital tools can significantly sharpen your decision-making skills. They let you easily sift through data, spot trends quickly, and make informed choices faster. 

In the fast-paced world of B2B, embracing digital advancements isn’t just a time-saver; it’s like having an ace up your sleeve that customizes client experiences with uncanny precision—a total game-changer for staying ahead. Harnessing this tech suite catapults your company’s operational capacity, stripping away the excess and propelling growth with finesse—because, let’s face it, streamlining for peak performance is just smart business. 

Building Strong Team Alliances

If you want your B2B venture to thrive—not just survive—you need these strategic alliances more than ever. Building a strong network often means teaming up with other businesses and suppliers that complement your own. These strategic partnerships can be game-changers, offering a solid base for mutual growth and success. They’re all about synergy – finding the right fit where each partner’s strengths amplify the others. When companies join forces, they’re set to navigate uncharted territories much more effectively. It’s not just pooling resources; it’s also aligning goals and vision for future-proof stability in today’s fast-paced market environments. By embracing collaboration fully, businesses don’t just grow—they thrive by sparking fresh thinking at every turn. These steps are all about boosting growth for everyone involved. 

Prioritizing Customer-Centricity

When businesses truly listen to what their customers want and go above and beyond to meet those needs, they’re not only winning repeat business but are also laying down a foundation for trust. This kind of dedication does wonders for your reputation, too—it’s like fueling a fire that keeps burning bright as more people catch wind of how awesome your service is. 

When customers can’t stop talking about their experience, others trust the brand more and keep returning for more of what wowed them the first time. Getting those thumbs-ups from patrons is like striking oil in your backyard. It sets off this chain reaction where one good thing leads to another, and suddenly, you’re the name in the industry.

Wrapping Up

Imagine stepping up your game so much that you’re not just running the race but setting the pace for everyone else. That happens when you play your cards right with this multiplier effect. It’s all about being smart and putting those who buy from you at the heart of every decision.

In the dynamic world of e-commerce, the game-changer is not just about getting online; it’s about doing it fast and efficiently. Enter CloudStreet, the powerhouse that leverages Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Einstein GPT to elevate your online store’s game. Let’s unpack the punch that CloudStreet’s twin Accelerator kits pack, easily propelling your e-commerce to digital stardom. Let’s dive into how CloudStreet is the path to boosting sales and creating a shopping experience that customers will love.

In the fast-paced e-commerce scene, CloudStreet stands out by swiftly and skillfully harnessing Salesforce Commerce Cloud, turning your online shop into a powerhouse with stellar sales and an unbeatable customer experience. As the architect behind your online shopping space, you’re orchestrating every click and scroll to resonate with shoppers.

At the core of CloudStreet’s competitive thrust in online retail is its savvy use of Salesforce Commerce Cloud, which is flipping the script on traditional e-commerce strategies for businesses. Eighty-one percent of consumers create a plan to reassess their budget over the next 12 months. We’re seeing a trend where folks are willing to spend more for experiences that feel tailor-made for them. Retailers who overlook focusing on increased personalization will find their business at risk. Businesses need to step up their game by boosting how well they work – think smart, act fast.

Leveraging Commerce Cloud’s robust suite and intuitive layout, your e-commerce platform gains a steadfast base that smooths out the shopping journey and ensures customers are hooked enough to return. CloudStreet doesn’t just put these features into play; they master the art, making your brand pop in a sea of online shops.

Increase Sales with Custom Portals

One of CloudStreet’s standout features is the creation of custom portals, adding a layer of convenience and personalization for your customers. At CloudStreet, we go beyond just drawing eyes to your brand; we keep your loyal shoppers hooked with a shopping experience that’s both effortlessly smooth and impressively refined.

Accelerate Your Success with CloudStreet’s Packages

CloudStreet doesn’t just get you online; it gets you online at warp speed. CloudStreet’s QuickLaunch and TurboBoost Accelerator packages are the secret sauce for businesses itching to hit the ground running and stand out in the bustling e-commerce marketplace. QuickLaunch and TurboBoost aren’t just about getting your store off the ground; they’re designed to create a buzz, captivate your ideal audience, and shine in the competitive e-commerce spotlight.

Our Business to Business (B2B) Commerce Cloud buyer portal is affordable and quick to implement. The CloudStreet’s Accelerator packages save you time and money and provide an easy means for a short-term return on investment. In no time, you can enable your customers to take buying matters into their own hands, increasing your revenue and bottom line.

Why Consider Quick Start Accelerators?

Upon access to Accelerator, it’s immediately ready to use. Our package has all the tools you need to set up, customize, and link everything together quickly and without fuss. Even better, you receive a fixed price. You won’t have to worry about pricey add-ins. Get your business in the market in weeks, not months. With the ease of this application, you can focus on scaling business growth. We’ve got your back with continuous help, keeping things smooth with regular upkeep, the latest features, timely fixes, and those small but key improvements.

What Else Does Commerce Cloud Have to Offer?

You will have everything your partners need with a Salesforce Business to Business B2B Commerce Cloud for Lightning storefront. It also makes it a breeze for distributors and wholesalers to stock up again, keeping their operations running smoothly. Storefronts have all the features buyers expect from an online portal. Cloudstreet can accelerate it for you in just weeks. You may be surprised at how quickly you’ll be able to launch. Grow your business faster than ever with a digital B2B storefront. You will be able to get to market faster and be more innovative.

CloudStreet is your go-to for cranking up the sales on your online storefront, making it a snap to scale and connect in the digital B2B marketplace. Your business will be able to maximize your online growth with easy-to-use commerce features tailored to B2B customers. Some additional tools that can help include simple, self-service contract pricing. With these tools, you’ll smoothly navigate the twists and turns of B2B sales, making complex deals look simple. With CloudStreet, your sales crew can land new customers and orders faster, cutting down on the expenses for each transaction.

These packages are your ticket to drawing in more clients and ramping up engagement effectively. You will find that your B2B commerce interactions become seamless while making them more relevant and connected. You can configure your B2B storefront to meet the industry-specific needs of varied market verticals. When you tailor the business to your specific industries, you can connect electronically with the increasing interest from manufacturers going digital. By revamping the reordering system, you’re handing customers a no-sweat way to snag what they need. You can offer customers subscription ordering, making purchasing much easier. In addition to subscription orders, you can dive into extra software and services that streamline your operations.

Einstein GPT: The AI Wizard in Your Sales Arsenal

Can you imagine having an AI wizard that understands your customers better than you do? That is exactly what Einstein GPT can do for you. CloudStreet amps up your online store by weaving in Einstein GPT so you can dish out spot-on recommendations and smart predictions that amp up the whole shopping vibe for your customers.

Leverage Einstein GPT’s sharp AI insights with CloudStreet to elevate your sales game, creating a customer experience that’s not just smart but genuinely connects and keeps them coming back. At CloudStreet, we’re not just jumping on the AI bandwagon but leveraging its full power to boost our sales figures. Einstein GPT, with its natural language processing capabilities, understands customer preferences, predicts trends, and recommends products with an uncanny accuracy that sets your business apart in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

Seamless Integration for Maximum Impact

What sets CloudStreet apart is its commitment to seamless integration. With CloudStreet, your leap into digital doesn’t just mix things up; it propels your business forward with finesse. Whether incorporating Commerce Cloud or embedding the prowess of Einstein GPT, CloudStreet ensures that your existing business operations smoothly evolve into a digital powerhouse. CloudStreet has got your back in giving your sales strategies a serious power-up, ensuring the shift is all gain and no pain.

CloudStreet is the unsung hero in e-commerce, quietly driving your venture to new heights with smart tech at its helm. With Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Einstein GPT at its core, CloudStreet doesn’t just implement technology; it crafts an experience. Your path to online success is fast-tracked and redefined. If you’re aiming to stay afloat and lead the pack, CloudStreet is your ace in revolutionizing how you sell.

Commerce insiders with their fingers on the pulse of the B2B space have identified several emerging trends as we head into the new year. Those trends will shape the industry’s landscape through the first half of the year with some likely holding strong all the way through the entirety of 2024. This is your look at the top B2B trends coming to the forefront as we turn the calendar to a new year and business financial quarter.

A Transition to B2B E-commerce is no Longer Optional

B2B specialists are quick to point out that businesses are recognizing the necessity of a strong e-commerce capability. The sector’s merchants are recognizing that e-commerce is a necessity and responding accordingly. Those who have not already expanded their digital commerce will likely end up lagging behind.

A Push Beyond Merely Selling

The B2B commerce industry is transitioning to a new era in which merely selling online does not suffice. Modern B2B buyers are educated and demanding. Businesses that fail to serve up highly polished and fully personalized web-based experiences will find it difficult to compete. The moral of the story is that market troughs are inevitable, meaning merely hunkering down makes it difficult to survive.

Some companies lack the infrastructure necessary to endure ensuing downturns. Moreover, insufficient infrastructure prevents companies from capitalizing on opportunities that will undoubtedly arise in the months and years ahead. Those who strategically invest their resources will drive sales through the new year and beyond.

B2B Self-service is on the Rise and here to Stay

Portals for self-service have gained prominence for B2B sellers. A recent B2B Commerce Growth Strategy Survey states just under one-third of respondents obtain in excess of 50% of revenue from digital channels of the self-service variety. This statistic is an indication that leaders acknowledge customers anticipate web-based experiences that are consumer-grade quality. Moreover, B2B participants also seek expansive tools that empower them to monitor orders and manage accounts.

Order Process Automation is Increasingly More Common

The automation of business processes is scorching hot as we transition to the new year. A third of B2B businesses note automation and streamlining are important e-commerce strategies. Such automation is important for industry progress as a considerable amount of e-commerce is driven by processes.

Automation is being implemented for the following aspects of B2B and more:

• Distribution
• Inventory
• Marketing
• Sales

B2B commerce professionals willing to take a macro view will find they are better able to determine the best approach for optimization and the integration of e-commerce tools into the overarching systems and tech. Industry automation even extends all the way to self-service tools. As an example, chatbots provide rapid fire answers to customer inquiries. These tools reduce the length of sales cycle, hike customer retention and provide B2B companies with extensive access to valuable buyer data. Those who make use of this data to maximize the revenue pipeline along with leads make the best use of their limited budget and resources.

As an example, some of those in the B2B industry are going to the extent of synchronizing self-service tools to guarantee data interoperability. It is now possible to note subtleties such as buyer desires as expressed in conversations with chatbots powered by artificial intelligence. The industry’s best update those buyer preferences in the CRM tool for a better user experience.

An Emphasis on the Buyer

The buyer experience is center stage as we transition to ’24. B2B industry professionals are sweating the small stuff of the experience in recognition of the market’s natural competitive forces and also in acknowledgment of buyers’ idiosyncratic desires. The bottom line is loyal customers are essential for growth, meaning B2B sellers are ushering in a new buyer-focused approach to e-commerce including customer relationship management software (CRM) as Salesforce.

The buyer is now considered to be the primary driver of growth. The most successful enrich B2B buyer interactions with every aspect of the business ranging from products to people and more. Moreover, the buyer experience is being personalized in accordance with subtle details distinct to individual buyers such as nuanced goals and needs. The most successful sellers use e-commerce to bring customized value offerings to buyers, carefully altering all subtleties to reflect customer desires.

The Success of Marketplaces will Continue

Marketplaces have emerged as the B2B industry’s most rapidly growing channel for e-commerce sales. Aggregate sales on B2B marketplaces are more than doubling on a year-over-year basis. The pace will likely continue through the new year and potentially beyond. The trend is clear: marketplaces are expanding significantly faster than the industry’s aggregate e-commerce sales.

Selling to businesses through marketplaces catalyzes sales yet it also mandates e-commerce infrastructure that can withstand the marketplace’s demands. The popularity of marketplace models is especially noteworthy as several B2B companies were reticent to work with such models, suspecting both channel issues and a meaningful reduction in margins.

Concerns have waned with the progression of time. Though some industry veterans will highlight the fact that marketplaces haven’t generated the desired results for every business or brand, the prevailing theme is that they spur considerable growth.

A Growing Emphasis on Infrastructure

B2B firm leaders are now recognizing that rapid growth has the potential to cause unexpected and unintended problems, some of which have the potential to hamper the business. Creating highly flexible IT systems that prove resilient and scalable are vitally important for growth. In particular, firms are implementing specialized e-commerce tools to improve flexibility with the use of business applications for seamless functionality.

The optimal tools also provide B2B companies with the flexibility necessary to alter buyer-facing factors without altering the infrastructure on the backend. Such “headless” architecture is API-driven to minimize potential lag, ensuring fast-loading amidst an influx of traffic. The end result is timely service that keeps prospects in the fold and also encourages current buyers to remain loyal. The top B2B firm leaders are now stressing the importance of ensuring all APIs are updated at the proper frequency then meshed back together to prevent performance issues.

CloudStreet B2B Accelerator Packages

CloudStreet is proud to provide two Accelerator packages revered throughout the industry. Our tools help companies get their stores online for prompt selling. The CloudStreet Accelerator packages make it easy to implement self-service with an ecommerce store in mere weeks or months.

Reach out to us today to find out more about how CloudStreet will accelerate your sales through buyer empowerment.

Salesforce, a provider of customer relationship, marketing, and sales solutions, has added artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to its Sales Cloud platform. The new AI tools will lessen the number of hours sales team members must spend on manual tasks, thus increasing the time available for sales-oriented tasks. 

Salesforce has been researching and building its AI capabilities for years, first launching AI tools in 2016. This most recent addition of generative AI to the Sales Cloud platform continues the company’s longtime implementation of AI across its many solutions. Generative AI uses models and algorithms to produce a wide variety of content to help sales teams function better. 

The Importance of Generative AI

Generative AI is critical to helping organizations reach their sales goals, Salesforce says. Its recent State of Sales report showed that sales representatives spend more than 70 percent of their time on administrative and other non-sales tasks. Because reps lose so much time with these tasks, only 28 percent believe they’ll meet their quotas.

The company says the innovations connect data in real-time to support sellers throughout the sales journey. “This means that sales teams can shift their attention from processes to connecting with people, giving them more time to focus on what they do best, selling,” said Ketan Karkhanis, executive vice president and general manager of Sales Cloud.

Salesforce provides solutions for various industries, including education, consumer goods, media, financial services, automotive, healthcare, and nonprofits. The company also offers a variety of customer operations, services, and sales solutions for manufacturers. Its partner Cloudstreet has implemented several B2B stores for manufacturers in the industrial, IT services, and consumer goods sectors, for example.

Salesforce had previously implemented some AI tools within Sales Cloud. The new generative AI tools further enhance the platform and can transform sales teams, Salesforce says. Salesforce also added AI capabilities to its Service Cloud applications earlier this year. Before that, Salesforce added AI to Commerce Cloud and Marketing Cloud.

The New AI Tools

The Sales Cloud software encompasses a full suite of sales team tools. Many of the new features are available in the Sales Cloud Unlimited Edition+. Highlights of the innovations include Einstein Copilot, automated call summaries and sales e-mails, enhanced prospecting tools, process intelligence tools, and an extension for the Google Chrome browser.

Einstein Copilot

The just-launched Einstein Copilot for Sales uses AI technology to automate prospect research and the updating of customer relationship information. It will also help sales representatives leverage external and internal customer data to prepare more efficiently for meetings with current and potential clients. Users can access the tool from anywhere, including mobile phones, according to Salesforce.

Sales E-Mail

The new Sales E-mail tool uses AI to generate personalized e-mails from CRM data automatically. The tool can automatically produce e-mails that can be used as introductions, follow-up notes, or meeting invitations. The e-mails also reflect the company’s tone and style.

Call Summaries

Another AI tool, Quickly, extracts vital data and summarizes sales calls. It identifies customer sentiments and the next steps to help keep the sales cycle moving forward. The tool also allows for editing and sharing with colleagues via Slack or e-mail. 

Prospecting Tools

A new Automated Prospecting tool facilitates the creation of prospect lists. The tool, powered by Salesforce Data Cloud, pulls from internal and external data. It creates lists based on specific metrics such as buyer intent signals and customer/product fit. The tool can help sales teams prioritize their time, spending the most time with the best prospects. Automated Prospecting is not currently available in Sales Cloud Unlimited Edition+. Instead, customers can access it via a pilot program. 

Process Intelligence

The Process Intelligence feature in Sales Cloud will allow the sales operations staff to develop better performance indicators (KPIs), such as attrition metrics. The better KPIs will improve sales team productivity, Salesforce says. 

Chrome Extension

The new tools also include a Sales Cloud Everywhere extension for Google Chrome browsers. The extension improves the efficiency of Internet research by matching data on websites with additional company data already in Salesforce and automatically adding new companies to account lists, Salesforce says. It allows users to customize their workspace layouts to see the data that is most helpful to them. It also automates data updates and allows reps to access to-do lists and other information within Google Chrome. It can also automatically generate and send e-mails from Chrome. 

The Customer Company

Salesforce was a pioneering Software as a Service (SaaS) company. It began in 1999 when its four founders created a cloud-based CRM system. The following year, the company created its 1-1-1 philanthropy model. The model commits 1 percent of the company’s equity, technology, and staff time to improving education, equality, and the environment. By 2022, the 1-1-1 model had provided $240 million in grants, 3.5 million hours of community service, and product donations for more than 39,000 nonprofits and educational institutions.

The company began to branch out into other sales team solutions in the mid-2000s and earned fastest-growing company honors from both Forbes and Fortune. It launched Service Cloud in 2009 and became a Fortune 500 company in 2015. It has undertaken several acquisitions to grow its product base. For example, it acquired the ecommerce platform Demandware and introduced Commerce Cloud in 2016. It acquired Slack in 2021.

The company also has consistently ranked as one of the top companies to work for. It achieved Net Zero across its entire value chain in 2021. 

CloudStreet

CloudStreet was founded in 2016 in Houston. It is a registered Salesforce partner and participates in the 1-1-1 model. Its partners, Mark Lum and “Chitiz” Agarwal, have more than 30 years of combined experience with Salesforce solutions.

Salesforce has been focusing on its services for specific industries and its Winter 24 release for manufacturing is no exception. It has included automation for warranty claim adjudication processes and more support for social impact measurement and contract lifecycles.

Overall, Salesforce’s Winter 24 release for manufacturers has several changes that benefit B2B manufacturing sales, service, IT, and marketing teams. Salesforce can be an excellent tool for manufacturers and can benefit many aspects of operations: information security, customer service, territory-based B2B sales, and more. We’re covering the top features below:

Leads Added to Territory Assignment

Prior releases of Salesforce for manufacturers only allowed the categories of Accounts and Opportunities to be assigned on a territory basis. In the Winter 24 release, admins can assign territories to Leads.

Assigning territories to leads enables you to measure territory potential by lead volume. There’s no longer any need to establish complicated lead sharing rules.

This new feature will also make it easier to track marketing ROI and assign sales reps more easily based on your existing or planned territory system. Adding leads to territory assignment will also help to plan targeted email campaigns, and monitor lead-to-conversion performance by territory.

Broadcast Settings: Incident Management And Service Improvements

Salesforce’s Winter 24 release now supports sharing of incident updates with customers at scale. Some of the advantages of this update include:

• Notifying customers of incidents proactively using email list functions.
• Informing leadership, stakeholders, agents, and others of incidents in a timely, accurate manner.
• Setting up site banners on broadcast sites quickly and easily.
• Controlling access to broadcast communications by user.
• Managing incident contact lists to comply with contractual and government or agency requirements.

The release also supports assigning and responding to customer contacts on your help center sites. Overall, the upgraded incident management feature will let you put data related to incidents, easily broadcast messages to the desired audiences, and automate email templates for incident responses and rapid communication.

Administrators Have Enhanced Cloud Site Security

The Winter 24 release of Salesforce for manufacturing has enhanced health check settings that can support administrators in their quest for improved site security. These improvements strengthen the overall security health check and portal health check. Within the checks, admins will find they have options to create compliant security settings in many areas of operations.

Critically, the enhanced health check settings now include the ability of administrators to assign a specific number of objects that guest users have the ability to read and edit. This release gives you more control over CRUD (create, read, update, delete) records and offers you increased security over guest users and their abilities.

It’s recommended that admins run a security health check following the Winter 24 release. The enhanced settings and controls will make the process simpler and more effective.

Dynamic Form Upgrades On Hundreds Of LWC-Enabled Objects

You enhance your page performance and create dynamic, flexible pages for your users that show them the data they need when they need it. Prior releases only supported Dynamic Forms on custom objects and a few standard objects. The Winter 24 release now supports hundreds of LWC-enabled standard objects.

You’ll be able to determine if the Dynamic Form upgrade is supported by opening a record page in App Builder. If it shows you that Dynamic Forms is supported, you’re good to go. If not, the page won’t show the Dynamic Form upgrade option.

It’s recommended that you move your page layouts to Dynamic Forms to support both security and efficient page creation. This is one area where CLOUDSTREET services can assist, helping to eliminate any conflicts due to security and permissions as you continue to develop your pages and processes.

Reactive Screen Flows Now GA

The Summer 23 release included a Beta version of reactive screen flows, and now it’s generally available (GA). You can configure standard screen components or custom Lightning Web Components to react to changes on the same screen instead of having to place the reaction on the next screen.

To enable this function for API versions 57.0 and 58.0, you can select “Enable Reactive Components For Screen Flows” for these APIs in the Process Automation Settings Page.

This feature will allow you to help your users to dynamically select radio buttons based on dynamic components. They can also run price comparisons based on dynamic components. The flexibility and power of this new feature is a real game changer and will upgrade user experiences and workflows.

Tracking User Engagement By Using Google Analytics 4 (LWR)

Google’s move away from Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4 has had benefits for site integration, particularly in no-code environments. Salesforce’s Winter 24 release makes it easier for marketing teams to track activity on customer and partner portals.

The complexity of this feature means that you will likely need to work with developers. For example, a Salesforce implementation partner like CLOUDSTREET can help to leverage the powerful new capabilities resulting from the change to Google Analytics 4 and integrating it with your pages.

Manufacturers Can Optimize Their Salesforce Cloud Tech

CLOUDSTREET Services can help you to customize your Salesforce technology and make the most of the Winter 24 release and other upgrades that Salesforce releases. Winter 24 release contains a number of new features that can support B2B manufacturing admins, marketing pros, and IT support and security functions.

To say that a lot has happened in the last year in the world of technology is something of an understatement. The initial public release of ChatGPT only happened a year ago in November 2022 – kicking off an explosion of popularity for artificial intelligence and a race for AI superiority across industries.

This same level of advancement is absolutely being seen in the world of B2B commerce, particularly since the Salesforce winter release is upon us yet again. The Winter ’24 release includes a number of features that are designed to empower product innovations using not only artificial intelligence but also big data, CRM tools, and more.

A Bold Step Forward for Salesforce

The Salesforce Winter ’24 release offers a number of exciting features that are significant for both B2B and D2C users. The Commerce Cloud has been updated in ways that people have been asking about for a long time.

Customers can now add up to 2,000 line items to a cart at any one time, for example. Product fields can also now show “Frequently Purchased” items to customers, information that dynamically changes in real-time thanks to Einstein Generative AI. Not only does this offer a unique way to personalize the shopping experience, but it’s also a great way to automatically embrace cross-sell and up-sell opportunities as well.

AI is making its presence known all across the Salesforce Winter ’24 release. Businesses can now begin selling faster than ever with automated org setup. This helps to streamline the store creation experience, saving a dramatic amount of time that can then be used on more important matters.

This release has also seen some changes to the Salesforce payments process, all of which helps to create a better experience for your own customers. In addition to direct debit techniques like ACH and BACS, organizations can also accept payments through PayPal and Venmo. The “Pay Now” page is now more configurable than it has ever been, offering users a way to access different payment records, share those records with relevant parties, and more.

Salesforce Order Management has also seen some major upgrades, particularly in terms of the “Order on Behalf Of” experience. Products can now be searched by name, key search terms, and more – as opposed to just SKUs and product IDs as it was in the past. Products can now be easily reserved during the ordering process, all to help reduce the chances of getting “out-of-stock” errors that hinder the overall experience.

Innovation Has Never Been Easier

Of course, Salesforce was updated in more ways than just via the Commerce Cloud. One of the biggest has to do with the Salesforce Scheduler. It’s now easier than ever to manage customers who pay a visit to a physical business location for in-person appointments. Actionable lists can be used to send out appointment reminders and a number of enhancements have been made to the “Shifts” feature within the Scheduler itself.

Einstein Search has also seen some positive adjustments. Searchable standard and custom objects can now be easily configured, allowing you to further customize Salesforce to meet your business’ needs. CLOUDSTREET is dedicated to providing cutting edge B2B technology and solutions to manufacturers in virtually every industry, including industrial, IT services, consumer goods, and more. Based on that, we understand exactly how important the need for further customization with a tool like Salesforce always is.

It’s also now possible to get specific answers from a knowledge resource by way of the Einstein Search Answers feature.

In an overarching sense, one of the most important adjustments to the Winter ’24 release has to do with modifications to Salesforce data pipelines. Staged data is now being used instead of datasets as it was in the past, which can dramatically decrease data processing time in most situations. Salesforce is now also compatible with not only the Google GA4 event-based property framework, but with Google Analytics 4 as well.

Finally, the Salesforce B2B Commerce Winter 24 release includes a bevvy of general enhancements that are intended to make the Lightning Experience even better. These include but are not limited to things like:

• Tools have been made available to help prepare for upcoming changes to the way Setup pages will be hosted on a new domain in a future release.
• Multifactor authentication (MFA) has been further enhanced and enforcement is now a permanent part of the direct login process.
• Many non-text UI elements have been improved in terms of buttons, checkboxes, and overall color contrast.
• The News, automated account fields, and automated account logo features are all being retired as of the Winter ’24 release.

To find out more information about the Salesforce B2B Commerce Winter ’24 release, head over to Salesforce’s own Release Notes.