Myth #1: Managed Services Fully Replace In-House Teams

When your internal Salesforce team learns you’re considering a Salesforce Managed Services provider, they might worry about their role becoming obsolete. However, the reality is that working with managed services can actually enhance the performance of your current Salesforce team, providing them with additional support and expertise.

Managed services are meant to be one of many sources of Salesforce support. The truth is that managed services are very effective when brought in to enhance your current team. They provide a way to fill expertise gaps and help brainstorm solutions to Salesforce problems.

Myth #2: Managed Services Only Provide One-Size-Fits-All Solutions

One of the myths that cause business owners and managers to hold off on exploring Salesforce-managed services is the fear that the service only provides a one-size-fits-all approach

Enlisting the aid of Salesforce Managed Services means you’ll enjoy fully customized options that enhance various aspects of your business. Our customizable program can be used to assist with:

• Maintenance
• Optimization
• Strategy
• Development
• Project Management
• Training and Documentation

Myth #3: Managed Services are All About Salesforce Administration

Maintaining a Salesforce environment is more than administration.

Proper upkeep demands a deep understanding of system architecture, data reporting, integration with other business applications, and continuous optimization to align with evolving business needs. Furthermore, strategic planning and development are essential to ensure that Salesforce adapts to changing market conditions and business goals. These tasks often require a multidisciplinary approach involving developers, data analysts, and IT strategists, making it clear that relying solely on an admin would be insufficient for maintaining and leveraging the full potential of the Salesforce platform.

Salesforce Managed Services can provide services beyond administration:

• Implementation
• Strategic planning
• Training services
• Optimization

Myth #4: Managed Services Contracts are Long-Term

Contrary to popular belief, Salesforce Managed Services do not necessarily require long-term contracts. Certain providers require 1- or 3-year commitments; however, boutique service providers like Penrod wanted to give companies more choice and flexibility.

One significant advantage of opting for a month-to-month Salesforce Managed Service contract is the flexibility it offers. Unlike long-term contracts, a month-to-month arrangement allows businesses to adapt their service needs as requirements evolve.

Additionally, they can ensure that managed services are right for their business – or that they selected the right partner – with limited financial risk.

Myth #5: Response Times are Slow 

Some claim that getting a swift response from a Salesforce-managed service provider is impossible. While it’s true that some providers are either overtaxed or simply slow to respond, that’s not the industry standard.

Services like Penrod are supported by engagement managers, project managers, and delivery processes that make them feel like an extension of your existing team. Communication with them is a Slack, email, or phone call away.

Myth #6: Managed Services Partners Don’t Understand the Business of Healthcare

Sure, general-purpose Salesforce managed services seek to provide a one-size-fits-all offering. As a result, they may not understand the nuances of specific industries like healthcare.

Managed services partners like Penrod understand something crucial. Each industry has different goals, and they need to use Salesforce differently. This understanding, coupled with industry-specific expertise, means that they are not only Salesforce experts, but experts in using Salesforce to solve a specific industry’s challenges.

Penrod works exclusively in Healthcare and Life Sciences, focusing on hospitals, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical businesses, and more. By working in these businesses daily, Penrod has gained an unrivaled use case and knowledge library to get healthcare clients up and running with Salesforce faster – and more productively – than ever.

Myth #7: Managed Providers are a Security Risk.

While it’s true that outsourced business partners can introduce security risks, these risks can be mitigated with the right partner.

Reputable managed service providers prioritize security and implement comprehensive strategies to mitigate these risks. This includes adhering to industry-standard security practices, undergoing regular security audits, ensuring data encryption, and maintaining compliance with relevant regulations. By choosing a trusted, certified partner who demonstrates a commitment to security, businesses can mitigate the potential risks associated with outsourcing while enjoying the benefits that Salesforce-managed services bring.

In Penrod’s case, not only have we set ourselves up with standard security protection, but we are also diligent about making sure we’re HIPAA compliant and follow our client’s security protocols to ensure that all healthcare data is secure.

Myth #8: Managed Services are for Failing Projects

Many companies believe that Salesforce-managed services are a last resort for fixing failed implementations. While managed services can be used for this purpose, we never recommend them that way. Managed services often improve good projects with ongoing maintenance, routine upgrades, and user enablement.

Conclusion

Contrary to common misconceptions, Salesforce Managed Services are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They are a customizable approach designed to align with unique business requirements. These services extend beyond basic administration, encompassing implementation, strategic planning, and optimization. The flexibility of non-long-term contracts, the assurance of swift response times, and the dedicated industry expertise, as seen with Penrod’s focus on healthcare, make managed services a valuable asset to any Salesforce team.

By dispelling the misconceptions and considering the numerous benefits, businesses can better leverage Salesforce Managed Services to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation.