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Salesforce Readies New Tools, Smarter AppExchange
Salesforce is piloting new low-code tools to help with building apps.
Lynn Haber
September 13, 2018
3 Min Read
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Salesforce is out to make it easier for businesses to modernize their applications with the introduction of two new low-code tools and a more intelligent AppExchange.
Salesforce ISV and consultant partners will be able to learn more about the new Lightning Object Creator and Lightning Flow Builder tools, currently in pilot, at the upcoming Dreamforce conference, Sept. 25-28. AppExchange users will be able to experience smarter recommendations and find Lightning Flow Actions, partner-built, drag-and-drop solutions in AppExchange.
“Now, it’s easier than ever for our customers to buy or build their way to digital transformation,” Hugh Minson, director of platform product marketing at Salesforce, told us.
Hugh Minson
Hugh Minson
Here’s more information on the new tools:
Lightning Object Creator is a new platform service that allows anyone to turn a spreadsheet into an app without having to write a line of code. For example, salespeople at a car dealership once had to enter customer information from paper test-drive forms into spreadsheets — an error-prone, labor-intensive process. Those teams can now drag and drop spreadsheets into the Object Creator, review data fields for accuracy – such as car makes and models – and publish a digital form, available on the desktop or mobile device. In Salesforce, users can analyze the data or add it to existing records with support for search, notes or files within Salesforce.
Lightning Flow Builder allows business users to automate complex business processes using the drag-and-drop functionality of the tool. Based on the Lightning Design System, the Lightning Flow Builder is efficient and easy to use, with simplified toolboxes that seamlessly find workflow elements connected to customer records, the company said.
In addition, new Lightning Flow Actions, which are pre-built, reusable components for industries and specific use cases, add powerful new layers to automated business processes, including the ability to accept credit-card payments or to add a video player. Administrators also have the option to use Einstein Next Best Action to recommend flows, leveraging the power of rules-based and predictive models to provide sales, service and marketing agents with intelligent, contextual recommendations for customers.
On the buy side, Salesforce’s AppExchange comes into play, which is why the vendor is adding intelligence to drive smarter recommendations. A smarter AppExchange means that customers will see solution suggestions based on their location, install history, profile data and more. The recommendations are also informed by the profile of other customers who have searched for similar solutions.
“Basically, we’re using all the rich data that we have in Salesforce and our CRM, and all the data that we have from 12 years of the AppExchange in order to make really intelligent recommendations for our customers,” Heather Conklin, vice president of product management, AppExchange, at Salesforce, told Channel Futures. “You can think of Lightning Flow Actions as a new opportunity for our partners. [They] are one piece that you can bring into Lightning Flow Builder — they’re ways you can connect to third-party systems.”
Heather Conklin
Heather Conklin
Now customers can buy them on the AppExchange.
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