Written By:
Andy Carlson | Marketing Cloud Architect
Understanding Data Cloud
Here is the long and short of it, Data Cloud is a comprehensive customer data platform designed to help businesses create a unified customer identity across multiple apps and data sources. By consolidating data from disparate platforms such as Salesforce Orgs, e-commerce systems, and marketing automation tools, Data Cloud empowers companies to gain a customer 360 view, allowing them to make well-informed, data-driven decisions and complementary strategic actions.
Key Considerations
Before dropping any amount of money on Salesforce Data Cloud, consider a few essential factors:
- Multiple Data Sources: The ROI of Data Cloud increases with the number of data sources you integrate, so take a good long look at where all your data streams are because this is a key factor in determining whether or not to make this investment. If your business operates across various platforms and you want to harmonize a unified view of customer profiles and data, eliminate connectors and silos, and leverage a single dashboard for reporting and analytics, Data Cloud is an ideal solution.
- Actionable Insights: Data Cloud proves invaluable when businesses have clear use cases for acting on unified customer data. Whether it’s refining audience segmentation, enhancing data quality for Business Intelligence (BI) analysis, or augmenting data in other systems, Data Cloud offers robust capabilities to drive meaningful outcomes.
- Is the Bang Worth the Buck: While Data Cloud offers unparalleled functionalities like identity resolution, real-time data analysis, and robust workflow automation, it comes with a reciprocal price tag. With entry-level licensing starting at $10,000 per month, businesses need to allocate a substantial budget (at least $120,000 annually) and check their couch cushions to leverage its full potential. That being said, when compared to developing a custom solution, it is often the more cost-effective time and dollar investment.
- Simple Salesforce Product: If your business already uses Salesforce products like Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Financial Services Cloud, Pardot or Marketing Cloud, Data Cloud seamlessly integrates with other Salesforce applications, enabling advanced audience segmentation and engagement data.
- Enlist Experts: Implementing Data Cloud requires a solid understanding of data concepts and technical expertise and while businesses can enlist the help of consultants, it behooves them to have an internal team familiar with the organization’s data model, metadata, and governance. With all the power that comes with the product, having a team in-house to handle the responsibility is massive, and cheaper than bringing on outside assistance.
- Alignment with Salesforce Platform: Data Cloud serves as a foundational component of the Salesforce platform, aligning with the company’s vision for delivering exceptional customer experiences. Businesses that value innovation and trust in Salesforce may find Data Cloud indispensable for consolidating crm data, enhancing data ingestion, and achieving their goals.
Unlocking the Potential
Data Cloud offers businesses a plethora of opportunities to unlock the true potential of their data warehouse. From personalized marketing communication to targeted promotional strategies, Data Cloud empowers companies to stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape.
All in all, Data Cloud presents a compelling customer data platform solution for businesses seeking to harness the power of their data. By carefully considering the aforementioned factors, companies can determine if Data Cloud aligns with their objectives and budgetary constraints.
As a registered Salesforce Consulting Partner, The CRM Firm is knowledgeable and eager to assist Salesforce customers in leveraging Data Cloud to drive success through calculated insights spanning all touchpoints in the customer relationship journey.
