3 Ways Autonomous Things (AuT) Will Impact Salesforce Organizations

Salesforce has strived to stay at the forefront of technology since its launch in 1999. From being one of the earliest SaaS applications to API adoption, Salesforce has embraced new technologies to further organizations' work with the platform.

For instance, Einstein has brought AI to nearly every business - something that, for many, would be years out of reach. So, it's not too much of a stretch to start considering how Autonomous Things (AuT) will impact organizations using the platform.

Gartner has tapped AuT as one of the 12 top technologies of the future. Even Salesforce themselves have talked about the future importance of autonomous vehicles. Given the flexibility of autonomous things, how useful they have already been during the last few years, and their importance in future operations, now is the time to start considering where Salesforce and AuT might play a role in your business’s future.

What are Autonomous Things?

You can't plan for integrating AuT into your business if you don't first know what it is. AuT are physical and software systems that can work and act independently without human intervention. They can dynamically make decisions in real-time, including optimization of operations and even defense.

The first thing to come to mind when discussing autonomous things is, of course, self-driving cars. These have gotten the most attention, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. Self-driving vehicles can handle any number of tasks, including delivering purchases and even performing work in controlled environments, like construction sites.

Drones are another AuT that could be used for delivery and other tasks. We think of drones as being used for photography and even military applications, but as an AuT, drones will take on new roles and usefulness.

Robots are another device that can take on AuT. They have been used successfully during the pandemic, delivering medicine, enforcing quarantine rules, and even providing help with clinical care.

AuT Applications with SFDC

These are just a few examples of how you can combine Salesforce with AuT technologies to expand your business.

Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Robotics have been used in manufacturing and warehouses for some time, but autonomous robots will take their service to the next level. For instance, businesses could massively increase warehouse usage, with drones opening the potential for higher stacking of goods. Working in concert, a host of robots could "swarm" an order, pulling it together with more speed and orchestration than is possible now.

Similarly, AuT devices can communicate with edge computing and IoT devices to streamline manufacturing processes. A robot could review performance data and maintenance logs to identify equipment needing tuning or repair before a breakdown, take the machine offline at the optimum time based on workflow, and even perform the maintenance.

Combined with Salesforce, these devices would have an end-to-end system to work within. Sales added to the platform could trigger the activities needed for the order - whether that's the start of the manufacturing process or picking the order. Customer information, including preferences, could feed customized information to the devices as they complete tasks. Salesforce becomes the connective tissue for orchestration between the business functions and the AuT devices, as it has for warehouse automation.

Product Delivery

Product delivery, as noted, is an ideal scenario for the use of Autonomous Things. Drones and self-driving vehicles can be used, and AuT devices could even be combined - imagine a self-driving truck filled with smaller container robots holding groceries. As the truck stops at each destination, the right robot disembarks, brings the delivery to the door, and returns to the vehicle.

Integrating these services with Salesforce amps up both the customer service and marketing opportunities. The combination of delivery data, order information, and so on can be used to time coupons and marketing messages. Beyond that, data around who, when, and where AuT devices are used most can steer promotional activities into the areas where companies would prefer to use these devices.

For example, using Salesforce to analyze response to marketing messages and sales data in an urban setting could frame the conversation with rural customers, where self-driving vehicles and deliveries make sense, save money, and might even open up new markets.

Field Services

AuT has a vast opportunity to within field services. Delivering equipment, performing a variety of tasks, and even entering hazardous areas where humans might be injured are just a few of the places where autonomous things can help.

Here, too, Salesforce can integrate with field services and work with AuT. Drones might be used to survey an area where a repair or installation is requested to determine safety or even do an initial analysis of the repair itself. From there, the device could message dispatch indicating if the job requires a field services agent or if an AuT device can handle the job. Communicating with Salesforce, the customer is notified how the service call is being addressed - who (or what) they should be expecting to arrive, and when.

Survey results, sent via Salesforce to the customer, can then be used with the devices to help them learn and improve their responses.

Conclusion

The use of Autonomous Things isn't on the horizon - it's already here. Thanks to Salesforce's continued commitment to new and flexible technologies, and its grounding in things like AI and integration development, it's the perfect platform to support the business side of AuT adoption and expanded implementation. Given the challenges that companies are facing, between staffing shortages and continuing health concerns, AuT may be the path to optimizing your business and creating greater competitive differentiation.

At Six Consulting, we stay on top of the top technology trends impacting how you use Salesforce. AuT is just one of those. If you're looking to understand better how Salesforce can expand your business or need an experienced partner to help you design and implement your Salesforce platform, we'd love to talk with you.