Salesforce implementations: DIY or use a Partner?

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Do you want a custom-built or off-the-shelf solution?

There are more UK-based Salesforce partners around than you’ll have ever guessed.

Salesforce is a highly sought after CRM platform and as it continues to grow in capabilities, more businesses are finding themselves needing help with getting started. 

Given that it’s one of the biggest investments you’ll likely ever make for your business, it’s understandable that you want to implement it right.

The risks of implementing Salesforce without professional help

According to McKinsey, the average large-scale IT project runs 45% over budget costs, 7% over time and yet still delivers 56% less value than expected. We understand that self implementations appear cheaper on the surface and you’d expect to have a greater sense of control, however, going off experience and evidence, there are more significant issues that can arise when you DIY. Read on to learn why this is the case.

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Salesforce Implementations DIY use a partner

Time is money - and money is time

One of the biggest things you risk wasting in your efforts to self-implement is time.

Even if you currently employ a Salesforce expert and rely on them to manage the implementation, this isn’t to say that they know how to navigate all the potential issues. What if they spend hours on the project just to realise later they’re not properly equipped, leaving you with no choice but to appoint a partner, who might then charge even more to untangle the mistakes already made. This would also be a huge drain on your employee’s working time, given that their other responsibilities will be cast aside.

Limited support could become an issue

Unless you already have a large Salesforce support team, relying on one or two employees to direct everyone else around Salesforce carries the risk of you being left perplexed without them. Implementation partners on the other hand can guarantee you constant trustworthy support, which becomes invaluable in the time of a technological crisis.

Our tips for a successful Salesforce implementation

1. Know exactly what you want out of the solution in advance

 If you’ve got a plan in place identifying why your business needs a CRM system, this part should be obvious. 

2. Engage an implementation partner, like Sandyx, as early in the process as possible

We can bring our experience to bear and help identify elements of the process you may not have considered and guide you along the way.

3. Train users and encourage adoption across the company

Before allowing the new software to go live, you must ensure your staff are appropriately trained – otherwise you’re left with beautiful software and a team who’re completely alien to it. At Sandyx, we offer training to all the necessary staff to help familiarise them with Salesforce as best as we can.

4. Test the solution and review your project weekly

If you’ve spent heaps of money on new software, naturally you’ll want to see it in action as soon as possible – but this involves rigorous testing first. Communication is one of our priorities at Sandyx – we believe the best implementations involve a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with our clients.

Salesforce Implementations DIY use a partner

The benefits of an implementation partner

Implementation partners know Salesforce inside and out – and they can identify how it will open up new opportunities for your business. This kind of expertise will ensure you see the greatest return on your investment for years, making every penny you spent on the implementation worthwhile. 

We have seen this first-hand, especially in the project work we completed for Hermes which we believe helped to drive them forward in terms of innovation and organisation.

A Salesforce partner will have invaluable knowledge that not only assures you a smooth implementation from the go-live date, but it will also encourage best practises amongst staff whilst they get familiar with the new software.

Finding the right Salesforce partner

Whenever a client approaches us with an implementation project, we hold a lengthy consultation with them to pinpoint precisely what they are looking to achieve. 

Sometimes this means implementing Salesforce orgs exactly as they are, sometimes this means customising orgs to the point where they hardly resemble Salesforce – it all depends on the client and their goals.

 If you have any questions whatsoever about your existing CRM system or Salesforce org, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

CRM in the healthcare Sector

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Think CRM methodology is only applicable to large companies and sales teams? Think again. 

CRM favoured by industries everywhere

It’s no secret that CRM systems can radically transform the way businesses operate, but they don’t just revolve around sales and marketing functions – nor do they have to be used by companies with a strong B2C focus. 

From banks and building societies to utility firms and absolutely everything in-between, CRM has a use in every sector.

The growing prevalence of CRM systems in healthcare

CRM refers to Customer Relationship Management, an effective approach used by businesses to nurture long-lasting and consistent relationships with their clients. Often this means using a Cloud-based CRM system. 

CRM systems are also used by medical professionals who want an extensive and accurate record of their patients, as data is pulled in from various sources and merged together to create one Cloud based 360-view of a customer.

CRM in the healthcare sector

The NHS looks to new technology

Pressure on the NHS is greater than ever before and time and resources are being spread far too thin, causing the healthcare sector to be particularly observant of new tech developments to help them work in a more unified way.

Innovative technology is helping make the healthcare sector more advanced by the second as the demand for a quick, accurate and well-organised service grows. This is what patients want too – Salesforce reported that 70% of patients would rather receive flexible virtual care instead of going to a practice.

Improving the standard of IT in the NHS

Do you remember the chaos caused by the WannaCry attack in 2017?

Hackers exploited the outdated version of Windows installed across the NHS, it comes as no surprise that they’re looking to bolster every aspect of their digital presence and implement more modern and secure practices.

How are CRM systems used in healthcare?

Whether it’s the ability to schedule appointments from a mobile or track patient/doctor interactions, healthcare CRM systems can streamline and automate a lot of processes. Salesforce in particular now offer a range of solutions designed to improve the experience of patients and give them the tailored healthcare service we have all come to expect. The digitalisation of medical records has led to a significantly faster process with less error-making, as well as personalised marketing efforts to engage a wider audience – including potential patients who otherwise wouldn’t have known where to look for help.  Less common but equally important uses of healthcare CRM include the ability to remind patients to take their medication daily, organisation-wide access to medical device data in real-time and predictive analytic tools.  Sandyx carried out some work for Insight Healthcare, a not-for-profit mental health organisation, which involved developing a bespoke appointment management system through the Salesforce platform.

Signs that your medical practice has a CRM system

It’s probable that your GP practice uses a CRM system, where data belonging to you and many other patients is safely stored, but how would you ever know? 

CRM in the healthcare sector

If you answered yes to the above, then you’re a part of amass of data stored in a CRM system used by the surgery.

What is the Salesforce Health Cloud?

The Health Cloud was launched by Salesforce in 2015, with its main purpose being to combine EMRs (electronic medical records) with a one-on-one patient management system. Recently, the Health Cloud underwent adaptation to be able to incorporate data from insurance companies, creating a full 360 degree view of patients to better understand the help they require. Masses of data from medical devices, such as pacemakers and infusion pumps, will be connected to the Health Cloud so that professionals can accurately monitor the condition of their patients. 

In 2016, the full value of CRM in the healthcare industry was reported to total around £5 billion, with predictions that this figure will soar to £13 billion by 2025. 

Contact Sandyx for more information

 If you have any questions whatsoever about your existing CRM system or Salesforce org, please do not hesitate to contact us today.