Wondering whether or not you can write off an Apple Watch as a business expense?
Salesforce has already made the wrist-worn device central to its wearables strategy. It was one of the first companies ready with apps on the launch date.
Now, close to 20 companies affiliated with the cloud software giant (CRM)—including InsideSales, Sage, and ServiceMax—are offering additional justification. The new offerings address a range of processes. One helps sales representatives quickly gauge where they are against quota. Another alerts the wearer to especially important phone calls. Think of it as a smarter form of caller ID.
What do these apps have in common? A focus on helping employees steal back five minutes here and there throughout the workday, said Lindsey Irvine, head of the Salesforce Wear initiative. “How do you bring processes that can be complex to life on a smart watch in a way that makes them actionable and immediate?” She asked.
Another big focus, improving customer interactions. That dovetails with Salesforce research from April suggesting many companies view wearable technologies as integral for being more responsive. “[These devices] can give you the right intelligence and predictive information you need, at the time you need it,” Irvine told Coins2Day at the time.
Here are five apps she talked up during a conversation Monday. All of them integrate with the Salesforce system, to retrieve data that might be useful to someone on the go.
BetterWorks for Apple Watch (BetterWorks) – Offers key performance indicators that help sales team stay focused on meeting goals.
ContactWorld (NewVoiceMedia) – Alerts the wearer to incoming VIP phone calls, based on the value of an account to the company or the individual. (The company’s backers include Salesforce Ventures.)
FieldExpert (Click Software) – Coordinates schedules for field service teams; including the ability to add follow-on visits, if required.
TaskRay (Bracket Labs) – Maintains a list of “to-do’s,” which can be added using the Dictation feature.
Vlocity Wear (Vlocity) – Highlights information and notes that could be relevant for incoming customer service. (The company’s latest round of $42.8 million in April was led by Salesforce Ventures.)
Here are other Salesforce partners offering up new apps: Alpine Metrics, Apttus, CloudSense, Fairsail, Financial Force, Footprints, Heywire, InsideSales, Point of Reference, Proximity Insights, Remedyforce, Sage, ServiceMax, Skedulo, and Team Spirit.
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