Gartner defines B2B marketing automation platforms (B2B MAPs) as software applications that support demand generation processes at scale. B2B MAPs help marketers capture and qualify leads and accounts, orchestrate marketing-driven engagement across the full customer journey, and use analytics to optimize and measure performance. B2B MAPs enable marketers to automate a wide range of activities intended to drive new customer acquisition, retention and growth. To support the pursuit of new commercial opportunities (from current or prospective customers), marketers use B2B MAPs to generate, prioritize, and manage leads and buying teams across the revenue life cycle. This includes the distribution of marketing-generated and qualified leads to sales teams for further pursuit.
Gartner defines the CRM customer engagement center (CEC) as a cohesive set of software built around core case management tools, dedicated to providing customer service and support by engaging with customers, and intelligently orchestrating the processes, data, systems, and resources of an organization.
Gartner defines cloud human capital management (HCM) suites for regional and/or sub-1,000+ employee enterprises as cloud application suites that deliver functionality for attracting, developing, engaging, retaining and managing employees. Cloud HCM suites for regional and/or sub-1,000 employee enterprises are designed to support transactions and/or analytical processing for more than one of the following use cases within a single integrated solution: Manage organization and employee historical data, life cycle processes and transactional employee/manager self-service; Attract and retain talent through sourcing, applicant tracking, onboarding, performance management and learning; Manage organizational structure through creating, planning and limiting employee positions. Maintain a record of workforce data through assigned positions; Manage the operational deployment of salaried and hourly workers to capture time worked and absences; Deliver tools to help employers manage country-specific compliance with legislation and agreements pertaining to data residency and labor laws.
Sales force automation (SFA) platforms are AI-enhanced tools that streamline sales tasks, helping teams manage buyer interactions across various channels. By using AI, these platforms optimize sales activities with advanced analytics and actionable insights, improving contact, pipeline and opportunity management. AI features like machine learning and natural language processing enable platforms to predict customer needs, personalize strategies and guide sellers through complex processes. AI-driven tools aid in forecasting and decision making, allowing teams to anticipate market trends and customer behaviors. SFA platforms enhance the user experience for sellers, ensuring scalability and facilitating seamless buyer-seller interactions and shared customer experiences, and providing leaders with visibility. SFA is a foundational sales platform implemented to automate and augment an organization’s core sales processes while utilizing AI and advanced analytics. It enhances the seller’s ability to engage with customers on all interaction touchpoints and devices. It not only optimizes sales-relevant tasks but also provides actionable next best actions for improved sales contact, pipeline and opportunity management.
Social marketing management (SMM) tools equip organizations with the ability to orchestrate and manage a wide range of social communication efforts across various marketing teams and social platforms within a single tool. These software solutions help marketing leaders monitor, collect and analyze social data; develop, publish and promote content; identify and engage with their audience; and track the performance and impact of these communications.