This week's app of the week is the Cloud Demo Center Plugin from CloudShare.   This solution allows you to launch a customized demo or proof of concept of a software solution or appliance right from your leads in Salesforce CRM.  Instead of copying large files or shipping physical machines, CloudShare allows you to replicate your IT environments online.  Additionally, demos can be easily configured for the specific prospect or customer scenario, for example, by role or industry.

In addition to giving people instant access to your complex demo environments on demand, you can also supplement presentations with additional collateral or customization guides.  Finally, the solution delivers sophisticated permissions so you can easily enable your channel partners to make use of the service as well.  To view the full demo, click here.   Check it out today!

Welcome back from the Thanksgiving holiday!   This week's app of the week is Cloud Conversion for eCommerce.   Another Force.com 40 semi-finalist, this app allows online retailers to integrate their online support operations with the Service Cloud.   Specifically, a retailer using eBay or Amazon can use the Cloud Conversion solution to direct all pre and post sale questions and all eCommerce related emails generated on the site to flow directly into Salesforce CRM.   These questions will appear as cases in salesforce.com which can then be answered with solutions from the retailer's knowledgebase and pushed back to the eCommerce site using the appropriate APIs. 

 

Regardless of the eCommerce provider, Cloud Conversion for eCommerce can also be used to create cases for processes like product returns by leveraging Force.com Sites.

To see the full product demo, click here.

For this week's App of the Week post, we wanted to highlight all of those apps that were mentioned by customers during AppExchange presentations at Dreamforce.   Some of the solutions below are free, some are fee based.  Some are brand new and some have been on the site since near inception.  ALL are worth a test drive! 

The month's Voice of the Customer post comes from Pete Fife.   Pete has worked at 3 different companies as a salesforce.com administrator since 2003 and is the leader of the Silicon Valley User Group.  

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I went to Cal Poly SLO and majored in MIS, Management Information Systems.  Although I was unaware at the time, this prepared me for my role of salesforce.com administrator at 3 different companies since 2003.  I've created certification/training applications, migrated support departments onto the Service Cloud and automated opportunities to orders in Oracle since 2007.  I also hold 3 certifications and I'm the longest standing user group leader.

Today, I'd like to talk about AppExchane evolution vs. expansion.  Why is the AppExchange such an important part of the Force.com platform?  Why does it play a vital part of our success managing salesforce.com at your company?  I'm certain if you've been doing this as long as I have you'll agree the AppExchange is something you've turned to (or should be turning to) when looking for a solution.

Overall the AppExchange hasn't evolved very much since inception.  When I say 'evolve', I mean the core function of what the site delivers hasn't changed.  It is a place where I can find applications to extend our instance of Salesforce or our use of the Force.com platform.  The latest evolution included the addition of service listings from an array of consultants, which was brilliant.  Just the other day I was asked if I knew anybody that could do a Salesforce to Salesforce migration.  Two names came to mind right away and without thinking I rattled them off.  However, I had to follow up with a second email and say "Oh hey, you should also take a look at the services listed on the AppExchange!" 

The evolution of the marketplace itself continues at a slower pace than the expansion of its inventory as I believe it should.  The first year when the AppExchange came out, it was pretty easy to keep track of the new applications.  However, now with over 1000 listings, it can be overwhelming (in a good way).   When Marc launched the AppExchange, I remember the phrase "long tail effect".  To me, this meant that there would be a large number of highly specialized applications and a smaller amount of more generally adopted solutions.  If this was the goal for the makeup of applications when they launched the site, I think Salesforce has hit the mark.   The listings on the site have now expanded to virtually every niche vertical there is.  And you know what?  I think that's awesome!   Businesses look at their bottom line and we all know if you're selling software, you aim for the majority.  Just look at the Apple vs. the PC world.  However, Salesforce has changed the game with their platform and guess who is the supporting actress?  The AppExchange.

Imagine the iPhone with no App Store.  No centralized location where hundreds and thousands of people can go and find those applications that fit their lifestyle.  You can't!   That's because if there was no App Store, the iPhone wouldn't be as successful.   The success of the Force.com platform is based on the AppExchange so don't ignore it, or you may find yourself behind your competition. 

It's hard to believe that Dreamforce '09 is already over!    If you were unable to make it in person or just want a refresher on all-things AppExchange at the conference, here is the full-recap:

AppExchange Test Drive Zone & Campground Pod

The AppExchange was hard to miss on the expo show floor.  Not only were over 170 of our partners represented but we also featured a Tesla Roadster, the world's first 100% electric high-performance vehicle!  

The AppExchange product team and several customer success managers delivered live demos and helped attendees narrow down their app searches.  Two key items to check out:  our new service listings and category overview pages! 

Customer Hero Presentation:  Can't Miss Free Apps on the AppExchange

Did you know there are over 300 free applications on the AppExchange?  On the afternoon of day 1, Mark Lappin of Bakbone Software delivered a presentation on free AppExchange apps he has found helpful in his role as a director of support applications.   Mark is also a co-leader of the San Diego user group and encouraged the audience to bounce new app ideas off their own local user groups.  Here is the list of apps he discussed: 

OrgView by Dreamfactory
Inline Account Hierarchy by Force.com Labs
Data Loader from Informatica
Surveys by Timba Software
Salesforce for Twitter

Customer Hero Presentation:  Increasing Speed to Value with the AppExchange

Before everyone headed over to the Black Crowes concert, Jeff Grosse of Blue Cross Blue Shield gave a presentation on some of his favorite apps from the site.   Jeff is an AppExchange All-Star and writes the popular blog CRMFYI.   His one piece of advice on how to keep up to date with new apps:  set a recurring monthly event in your calendar to go to the site and check out new listings!   Here is the list of apps he discussed:

Salesforce International Mapping Using Google Maps
Sales Clarity
Conga Composer
Apttus Contract & Proposal Management
YouCalc CRM Analytics
Cloud Converter from Model Metrics

DAY 2

Partner Session: Optimizing Your AppExchange Listing

Despite the 7:30am start time on Thursday,  four partner panelists lead a lively discussion on how AppExchange partners can make their listings top-notch.   Many thanks to David Dahlberg (Model Metrics), Gretchen DeKnikker (Genius.com), Pelin Wood Thorogood (InsideView) and Tien Tzou (Zuora) for their participation!

Customer Session:  How Salesforce Uses Sites to Build Its Own Sites

Also on Thursday, Ryan Ellis, Senior Product Manager for the AppExchange, gave a great overview of how the site was rebuilt using Force.com Sites.   Together with Ed Park and John Mountjoy, Ryan highlighted the advantages of using this technology and also some items to think about when building out your own site.  As with all of these sessions, we will provide links to the recordings once they are available!  

AppExchange All-Star Reception

In appreciation for their contributions to the site, we hosted a VIP reception for our AppExchange All-Stars.   Here's a few shots of some All-Stars and the partner team in action.   Thanks again for all of your efforts!

DAY 3

Customer Panel--There's An App for That!  Boosting Sales Success with the AppExchange

On Friday morning, we hosted a customer panel focused around AppExchange apps that can specifically help sales execs.   Here is the list of apps that were featured.   I encourage you to check them out!

Mass Update Contact Addresses
Google International Mapping
Salesforce for Twitter
Genius.com
Salesforce Mobile
Pipeline Accelerator by Cloud9
Project & Issue Management
Account News Feed
ZoomInfo
Silverpop

Special thanks to our amazing panelists:  Jeff Grosse (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota), Jim Malloy (Miyachi Unitek), John McGuigan (Fiberlink), and Brian Vass (Sant Corporation).

With so many great solutions featured at Dreamforce 2009 this week, we can't just pick one!.  We'll be back next week with a full recap of the conference + a list of new apps to take for a spin.

If you are attending the show, stop by the AppExchange pod in the campground and say hello.  We'd love to meet you!

This week's app of the week is the Thunderbird Mail Connector.   This solution was developed by a customer and allows you to add selected inbound or outbound Thunderbird emails to a contact's activities in Salesforce CRM.   Additionally, you can associate an email with the appropriate account, opportunity, asset, campaign or case.

While there hasn't been a lot of customer feedback on the solution yet as it is brand new, this was one of the most highly requested apps on IdeaExchange:

Check out the listing and see what you think!    Also, you can get more detailed information on the developer's website. 

This week's app of the week is Visual Relationship Mapping 2.0 from Business Endurance Solutions.

Visual Relationship Mapping allows you to easily create a visual representation of how your contacts and accounts are related to each other within Salesforce CRM:   

 
You can show many to many relationships between leads, contacts, and accounts.  You can also rate the strength of these relationships and show multiple degrees of separation.

Additionally, the solution allows your users or employees to identify any connection they have with these records.  On the top of any Lead, Contact, or Account appears a button that says "I Know You".  Users can click on this and specify how they know the person or account (eg. If they were an ex-employee of an account).

With 2009 coming to a close, it's time to start tallying review scores for our 2nd annual Customers' Choice Awards.   Last year was a tight race and we ended up with a great group of solutions that spanned 15 categories.

Like the Best of '08 awards, this year's awards are category-based and will be given to the apps that receive the highest combination of:

1.  # of User Reviews Posted in 2009

2.  Average Star Rating for User Reviews Posted in 2009

In other words: the more good reviews, the better!   Help us pick the Best Apps of '09 by posting your reviews today.  Your feedback will not only help us narrow down the winners, it will also enable other AppExchange users to find the killer apps that can transform their business.

Dreamforce is right around the corner and the AppExchange team couldn't be more excited. 

Want to learn more about the site and get ideas for new apps and services you can bring back to the office?  Make sure to check out all of these elements and events at the conference!

1.  Meet the AppExchange Team in the Campground

 

Visit the salesforce.com campground in the middle of the expo hall to meet the AppExchange Product Management team.  Learn how to use our amazing new site features (like Service Listings) and talk to us about what you'd like to see more of on the site.  Additionally, we'll have Customer Success Managers at the ready to help you navigate listings and provide advice on key apps for your business. 

2. Choose from over 25 AppExchange Sessions

This year we have over 20 AppExchange partners delivering breakout presentations.  Watch live demos from their product teams and hear real-world feedback from customers during these informative sessions.   Below is the list of partner presenters broken out by category.   Click on the links to learn more about their apps or sign up for their sessions here.

Accounting:  CODA
Collaboration Tools:  iLinc
Compensation Management:  Callidus, Xactly
Contract Management:  Apttus, DocuSign
Customer Service & Support: inContact, LiveOps
Email Marketing:  Eloqua, Marketo, Silverpop 
Forecasting:  Right90
Integration:  Cast Iron, CRM Fusion, Informatica
Sales Intelligence:  InsideView
Service Providers: Appirio, BlueWolf, EDL, Fujitsu          

Additionally, the AppExchange Product Team will be hosting a sales panel session on Friday morning, 11/20, at 9:00 AM  entitled "There's an App for That:  How Sales Execs Boost Sales with The AppExchange."  Here, you'll gain valuable feedback from experienced sales execs about how they have used AppExchange apps to make their reps more successful.  We'll also be raffling off some great prizes (including an Amazon Kindle) so sign up today!                                              

3. Hear from AppExchange Power Users in the Customer Hero Theater
We are very excited to have two amazing customers speak about their use of the AppExchange in the customer hero theater.  Make sure to catch their sessions:

Session:   Can't-Miss Free Apps from the AppExchange
Presenter:  Mark Lappin, Worldwide Applications Manager, Bakbone Software
When: Wednesday, November 18th, 1:30 PM

Session:  Increasing Speed to Value with the AppExchange
Presenter: Jeff Grosse, Senior Project Manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
When:  Wednesday, November 18th, 6:00 PM

4. Watch Demos and Learn about other Solutions from 170+ Partners in the Cloud Expo
In addition to the AppExchange partners who will be delivering breakout sessions, there are over 170 additional partners in the Cloud Expo.  Make the rounds and find new apps that can help extend your use of Salesforce CRM and the Force.com platform!

For the full list of expo partners, click here.