In the grand chessboard of customer relationship management (CRM), Salesforce is the game-changing queen. With its power to seamlessly integrate marketing, sales, commerce, service, and IT teams, Salesforce has revolutionized the CRM landscape. Its robust suite of interconnected apps, offered through the Customer 360 platform, has made it a global frontrunner, transforming businesses one move at a time.
However, the successful implementation of Salesforce often necessitates a reliable partner. This raises the question: are Salesforce Platinum Partners or another type of partners the most suitable for your business?
This comprehensive guide dives deep into the world of Salesforce Platinum and Silver Partners to aid you in making an informed decision.
Decoding Salesforce Partnerships
Salesforce partnerships, especially with Salesforce Platinum Partners, are a vital foundation for businesses aiming to weave Salesforce into their operational fabric.
A study conducted by IDC in 2021 revealed that Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, along with its ecosystem of partners, is projected to create 9.3 million new jobs and generate $1.6 trillion in new business revenues worldwide by 2026. This compelling statistic underscores the significance of selecting the right partner, a decision that can shape your business’s growth and success trajectory.
Salesforce recognizes two primary types of partners: System Integrators (SI) and Independent Software Vendors (ISV). SIs are service maestros that manage Salesforce’s development, coding, configuration, user training, and integration with pre-existing systems. They are the architects who can help you understand your business better and tailor Salesforce to your unique needs.
On the other hand, ISVs are product companies that layer their services atop the Salesforce CRM, creating packaged applications that provide functionalities and updates more aligned with your business.
Salesforce Platinum Partners: The Powerhouses of Salesforce Implementation
Salesforce Platinum Partners are typically multi-locational and cater to larger mid-market to enterprise-level solutions. They boast an efficient operational structure with a substantial number of highly skilled staff. Salesforce states that Platinum Partners have demonstrated a “commitment to customer success with a substantial practice.”
Therefore, these partners can be ideal for businesses requiring comprehensive Salesforce solutions and long-term support. They are the ‘big boys’ of the market, handling complex and business-transforming Salesforce projects.
Salesforce Silver Partners: The Agile Salesforce Enablers
Salesforce Silver Partners represent the first tier above Registered Partners. They accumulate ‘points’ through certifications, projects, customer satisfaction scores, and other factors.
Silver Partners primarily cater to small to medium-sized businesses but can serve larger markets occasionally. They can be an excellent fit for businesses just initiating their journey with Salesforce or with specific, smaller-scale needs. Their agile approach makes them attractive to many SMBs and customers from the mid-market.
Platinum vs Silver Partners: Deciphering the Salesforce Titans
Choosing between Salesforce Silver and Salesforce Platinum Partners involves a strategic decision that hinges on your business’s size, specific needs, and long-term objectives with Salesforce.
To help you navigate this decision, let’s delve deeper into the key differences and unique strengths each partner brings to the table:
Comparing Platinum and Silver Partners
Key Insights from Salesforce Partner Value Study
The study by IDC in 2021 (discussed earlier) provides compelling insights that underscore the importance of choosing the right partner:
- Salesforce’s partner ecosystem is expected to make $6.19 for every $1 Salesforce makes by 2026.
- The use of Salesforce and its ecosystem’s cloud services will generate $308 billion in the customer base this year and more than double that in 2026, at $724 billion.
These statistics highlight the immense value that both Platinum and Silver Partners can bring to your business, enhancing your Salesforce experience, driving faster results, and contributing to significant economic growth.
Understanding the Salesforce Partner Tiering System
The Salesforce Partner Tiering System offers additional insights to aid your decision-making process. Here’s a brief overview:
- Registered Partners: Entry-level partners offering agile Salesforce implementation services, particularly suitable for small businesses.
- Silver Partners: Accumulate ‘points’ through certifications, projects, customer satisfaction scores, etc. They cater primarily to small to medium-sized businesses.
- Gold Partners: Medium-sized consultancies with a niche focus, attractive for many SMBs and mid-market customers due to their agile approach.
- Platinum Partners: Multi-locational partners delivering larger mid-market to enterprise-level solutions with a substantial number of highly skilled staff.
- Global Strategic Partners: The market leaders handling Salesforce implementation and configuration for massive enterprise customers, working on complex and business-transforming projects.
Factors to Consider While Choosing the Ideal Salesforce Partner
Choosing the right Salesforce partner is pivotal to shaping your business’s Salesforce journey. Here are some key considerations:
Identify Your Needs
Understand your goals, challenges, and the support you’ll need with Salesforce. This clarity will guide your choice of partner.
Match with Partner Services
Align your needs with the services offered by different partners. Platinum Partners are ideal for larger businesses with comprehensive needs, while Silver Partners are great for smaller businesses requiring agile solutions.
Consider Long-term Support
Salesforce implementation is a long-term commitment. Choose a partner who can provide ongoing support as your business grows and evolves.
Focus on Your Unique Objectives
Every business is unique. The right partner should cater to your specific needs and help you achieve your Salesforce objectives.
The right Salesforce partner understands your business, shares your vision, and has the expertise to help you achieve your Salesforce goals.
Your Next Step with Cloudiate
As you contemplate your Salesforce journey, consider partnering with a team that lives and breathes Salesforce solutions—Cloudiate.
With a deep understanding of the Salesforce ecosystem, including the roles of Salesforce Platinum Partners, Cloudiate is passionate about delivering ‘real’ and ‘workable’ solutions. We help businesses delight their customers by building apps, rebuilding legacy information systems, and offering cross-domain expertise.
Whether you’re an Excel-based business looking to transition to the Salesforce platform or a business already on Salesforce aiming to reach the next level, Cloudiate has the technical expertise to guide you. Our proficiency spans sales, support, marketing, community, commerce, app, quote to cash, cross-cloud, integration, and service clouds.
Cloudiate works exclusively on the Salesforce platform across various domains, including manufacturing, non-profit, insurance, fintech, and billing management. We also provide Salesforce training and support, integrating existing Salesforce systems with third-party software.
Take the next step in your Salesforce journey with Cloudiate. To learn more about how we can help you achieve your Salesforce goals, visit us today!