The Summer of 2024 can perhaps more appropriately be called the Summer of Data Cloud for those of us within the Salesforce ecosystem. With Salesforce’s Summer 2024 Release Notes for Manufacturing Cloud, all eyes are actually on Data Cloud and how it can augment and enhance the already-robust features and functionalities of Manufacturing Cloud.

Within the Summer 2024 release notes, Salesforce touts using Data Cloud functionalities to streamline, analyze, and leverage asset, customer, sales, and service data comprehensively. Among its callouts are the simplification of supplier recovery procedures for defective parts, the orchestration of targeted product service campaigns for faulty assets, and the ability to proactively estimate field service costs prior to work order creation. 

Data Cloud Features for Manufacturing Cloud 

Integrate Asset and Operator Performance Telematics Data 

Aggregate telematics data on asset operations, operator behavior, and faults from diverse systems into Data Cloud using predefined data models. Utilize near real-time asset telematics data to monitor metrics like temperature, pressure, location, and asset health effectively. 

Streamline Data Sharing Between Manufacturing Cloud and Data Cloud

Utilize the predefined data streams from the Manufacturing data kit to transmit Manufacturing Cloud data to Data Cloud for analysis, segmentation, and process optimization, empowering sales and service teams with actionable insights. 

Drive Informed Decision-Making with Calculated Insights on Assets and Customer Revenue  

Leverage predefined calculated insights from the Manufacturing data kit to derive segments and actionable metrics on asset revenue, customer revenue, and cases. Empower sales and service managers with insights into asset lifetime revenue distribution (sales vs service), and optimize service operations by analyzing total, open, and closed cases per customer and per asset. 

Warranty Supplier Recovery 

Establish Supplier Cost Recovery Contract Terms

Utilize contracts to foster collaboration with suppliers and define recovery terms, including prices for causal parts, return requirements, and repair/replacement terms. Automatically derive claimed amounts from contract terms for supplier recovery claims. 

Streamline Supplier Recovery Claim Creation and Editing

Effortlessly generate supplier recovery claims for warranty-covered causal parts with a single click. Track detailed information and expenses on the Summary tab of each claim, enabling updates to claimed amounts and quantities before submission or during negotiations with suppliers. 

Efficiently Manage Supplier Recovery Claims via Experience Cloud

Enable supplier claim adjudicators to review and process recovery claims conveniently through the Experience Cloud site. Facilitate approval or rejection of claims, with direct access to contract and product details for informed decisions. 

Product Service Campaign 

Streamline Management of Large-Scale Asset Recalls, Services, and Upgrades

Efficiently plan and execute product service campaigns to address issues across numerous products or services promptly. Define campaign details such as impacted products, priority, duration, status, and type, while tracking each asset involved. Generate work orders and return orders to manage services for affected products effectively. 

Simplify Asset Identification and Segmentation in Product Service Campaigns 

Easily compile lists of assets for recall, audit, repair, or upgrade by creating actionable lists within product service campaigns. Specify filter conditions or utilize Data Cloud segments to group assets for inclusion in actionable lists. Seamlessly add items from actionable lists to campaigns with a single click, and customize list details, priorities, and assignments for targeted service initiatives. 

Estimate Field Service Work and Quote Costs to Customers Easily 

Enhance efficiency in work order management and boost productivity by assisting service agents and field technicians in generating onsite service cost estimates through a user-friendly guided flow. This intuitive process enables them to create comprehensive quotes detailing service costs, facilitating seamless work order creation upon customer approval. 

• Where:  This change applies to Lightning Experience in Enterprise, Unlimited, and Developer editions with Manufacturing Cloud. 
• Who:  Users must have the Work Order Estimation permission set. 
• How:  Launch the work order estimation process from an account, an asset, or an existing work order. Define the work to be done on the quote by providing the details, review the quote summary, and then generate a quote. After the customer approves the quote, work orders are generated. 

Associate Any Sales Agreement with a Contract 

Now, key account managers have the capability to link sales agreements with contracts, regardless of the actuals calculation mode being set to “Manually using API upload” or “Automatically from direct orders.” Previously, this association was limited to sales agreements with the mode set to “Automatically from orders through contracts.” This enhancement allows for better tracking of agreed-upon terms for product sales over time, irrespective of how the actuals of the sales agreements are updated. 

• Where:  This change applies to Lightning Experience in Enterprise, Unlimited, and Developer editions with Manufacturing Cloud. 
• Who:  This feature is available to users with the Manufacturing Sales Agreements Psl permission set. 
• How:  On a contract record, specify a sales agreement with the “Manually using API upload actuals calculation” or “Automatically from direct orders” mode. 

New and Enhanced Common Features for Industries 

Additionally, Manufacturing Cloud includes features that are available across clouds and products in Industries:

Action Launcher

Enhance Customer Service Responsiveness with Effortless Aura Component Launching  

Empower contact center agents to swiftly access and deploy Aura components via Action Launcher, making these components readily available with just a simple search and click. 

Enhance Clarity with the Updated Standard Deployment Feature

The Out-of-the-Box Deployment feature has been renamed Standard Deployment, ensuring improved clarity without altering functionality. This change aligns the feature’s name more closely with its intended purpose. 

Expand Action Launcher Capabilities with Aura Component Integration

Include Aura components in Action Launcher deployments with the updated object. 

Business Rules Engine 

Streamline Subexpression Management in Expression Sets  

Effortlessly incorporate new logic into expression set versions by easily replacing or deleting subexpressions without the need to manually adjust referencing steps. Automatically reuse replaced subexpression variables and address errors in subsequent steps efficiently. 

Efficiently Map Subexpression Variables to Expression Set Resources

Maximize flexibility and enhance the meaningfulness of expression set versions by seamlessly mapping subexpression input and output variables to local resources within the expression set version. 

Simplify Rule Processing with Boolean Data Types

Improve rule processing simplicity by integrating Boolean data type constants into expression set versions, streamlining decision-making processes. 

Facilitate Large Expression Set Troubleshooting  

Enhance troubleshooting of large expression sets by utilizing increased default length explainability messages, providing users with more detailed explanations for specific results returned in expression set version steps. 

Effortlessly Modify Decision Tables in Expression Sets

Modify referenced decision tables in expression set versions with ease, synchronizing changes such as column additions, deletions, or data type modifications in the decision table columns with the expression set builder efficiently. 

Expedite Decision Table Creation with Templates

Save time and streamline decision table creation by leveraging industry-specific templates, enabling quick decision table setup based on specific business requirements, directly within your Salesforce org. 

Enhance Decision Table Logic with Advanced Operators

Augment text comparison capabilities within decision tables by leveraging Does Not Match and Contains operators, providing more robust querying options for retrieving desired outputs based on input cell values. 

Pilot Feature: Support for Large Decision Table Rows

Increase decision table row capacity by selecting the “Has more than one million rows” option, allowing decision tables to support up to 2,000,000 rows, catering to scenarios requiring extensive decision table datasets. 

Context Service 

Streamline Context Definition Mapping with Automated Standard Object Mapping 

Experience an enhanced mapping process by automatically mapping Salesforce objects, eliminating the need for manual selection and providing a more intuitive user experience. 

Simplify Input Mapping Generation for Context Definitions

Effortlessly generate input mappings without the need for manual node and attribute selection, allowing for streamlined mapping creation and improved efficiency. 

Enhance Mapping Flexibility with Context Mapping Intent

Utilize a variety of mapping operations, including Association, Hydration, Persistence, and Translation, to support diverse mapping types and operations, catering to different mapping intents and scenarios. 

Utilize Context Definitions as Mapping Data Sources

Expand mapping capabilities by mapping context definitions to other definitions, enabling the retrieval of data from multiple sources within the context service, enhancing data integration and accessibility. 

Criteria-Based Search and Filter 

Elevate Search Functionality on Experience Cloud Sites

Empower users to efficiently search and filter data on Experience Cloud Sites, enabling them to initiate actions directly from search results. Customize search criteria, result filters, and display to align with specific business needs, while applying cohesive themes for a seamless user experience. 

Enhance Search Results Visualization with Interactive Maps

Optimize user navigation by displaying search results alongside interactive maps, allowing users to locate resources based on geographical proximity. Map markers provide key details about search results, enhancing user engagement and decision-making. 

Facilitate Search Result Navigation with Sorting Options

Improve user search experiences by enabling sorting options for search result cards, enhancing accessibility and usability. Users can select sorting criteria and refine search results based on up to three fields, enhancing navigation and information retrieval efficiency. 

Copy and Report on Search Results

Enable users to save and share search result details effortlessly by introducing Copy Records and Create Report search actions. Users can utilize selected search result data to generate reports or copy information, facilitating collaboration and information sharing directly from search results 

Data Processing Engine 

Streamline Data Integration with CSV File Upload 

Efficiently incorporate large volumes of CSV file data into your definitions using the Data Cloud runtime. Simply upload the CSV file as a data source node, configure fields, and monitor workflow services for any failed records post-definition execution. 

Enhance Flexibility in Data Manipulation with All Map Fields

Enjoy expanded capabilities in data filtering and joining nodes, now supporting all Map Field data types in Data Cloud runtime definitions. This aligns the Data Cloud runtime functionality with that of the CRMA runtime in Data Processing Engine. 

Extend Writeback Node Support in Data Cloud 

Maximize data management flexibility by creating up to five writeback object nodes per definition with the Data Cloud runtime. This enhancement harmonizes the Data Cloud runtime functionality with that of the CRMA runtime in Data Processing Engine. 

Drive Intelligent Data Processing with Formula Nodes

Leverage formula nodes within Data Cloud runtime definitions to enhance data processing capabilities. Create and store multiple formulas, empowering advanced data manipulation and analysis in line with the CRMA runtime functionality in Data Processing Engine. 

List Builder for Data Cloud Segment 

Optimize Outreach Effectiveness with Record Suppression 

Efficiently manage irrelevant records within a Data Cloud segment by suppressing them, thereby updating the associated actionable list. Suppressed records transition to inactive status, ensuring contact center agents focus on relevant prospects, enhancing customer conversion rates. Utilize the updated actionable list for targeted outreach and improved engagement. 

Timeline 

Accelerate Customer Insight Delivery to Contact Center Agents (CCAs) Using Data Graph

Efficiently configure Timeline with data graphs to expedite the loading of engagement events from data model objects (DMOs), including the Unified Individual DMO. The consolidated event list empowers CCAs to swiftly retrieve information, grasp historical context, and engage with customers and prospects effectively. 

Deliver Tailored Customer Support with Timeline Summaries

Enhance the Timeline feature by configuring summaries of events for contact center agents (CCAs). These succinct summaries offer CCAs a rapid overview of past events, facilitating personalized customer support and informed interactions. 

Need help making sense of Manufacturing Cloud, or optimizing any facet of your Salesforce landscape? You know where to find TruSummit Solutions.  

The post Salesforce Summer ’24 Release Highlights: Manufacturing Cloud appeared first on TruSummit Solutions.

With a multitude of advantages for manufacturers of all types, Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud continues to gain traction in the industry. With Salesforce’s Spring ’24 Release, there are several impactful enhancements to Manufacturing Cloud that we’ve read the notes on and distilled here so that you don’t have to:

Sales Agreement Data Management Enhancements

Increase your data management efficiency and boost productivity through the improved usability, accessibility, and performance features of the enhanced view for sales agreements. Easily monitor and compare product metrics across different schedules with minimal scrolling, reducing the risk of data entry errors. Navigate through sales agreement cells faster, enabling easy value edits using your keyboard. 

• Minimize the risk of data entry errors by keeping the Product Name, Metric, and Total columns frozen as you navigate through different schedules in the agreement. Maintaining visibility of these columns during scrolling prevents the loss of context regarding products and metrics.
• Streamline the identification of metrics for each product by merging cells containing product names.
• Utilize keyboard commands for efficient execution of key actions, including cell editing, saving changes, and redoing modifications swiftly.

This change applies to Lightning Experience in Enterprise, Unlimited, and Developer editions with Manufacturing Cloud and is available to users with the Manufacturing Sales Agreements PSL. For additional info, see Salesforce Help.

Inventory Visibility Foundations

Enhance the traceability of your product and part inventory while strategizing for seamless inventory transfers and requests. Capture detailed insights into the entire inventory journey, spanning from stocks at diverse locations to transfers, returns, and shipments. Revolutionize your inventory monitoring and management practices by customizing an intuitive inventory search experience. 

Inventory Management Objects

Efficiently oversee your inventory stock and movements with the newly introduced inventory management objects. Effectively manage serialized products and monitor product locations across manufacturing plants, distributors, and suppliers. Keep track of product demand, transfers, and details related to replenishment, adjustments, consumption, or transfers. Record information about returned, rejected, and repaired inventory units, and monitor the status of shipped or in-transit products. Stay informed about required and consumed products to fulfill work orders. 

This change applies to Lightning Experience in Enterprise, Unlimited, and Developer editions with Manufacturing Cloud and is available to users with the Criteria-Based Search and Filter PSL. For additional info, see Salesforce Help.

Criteria-Based Search and Filter Feature

Enhance the traceability and control of your product and part inventory with the Criteria-Based Search and Filter feature. Provide inventory managers, customer service representatives, and service technicians with nearly real-time visibility into inventory stock across different locations, facilitating improved inventory transfer planning. Establish the search framework by configuring an object with searchable inventory data, defining search criteria, and configuring the types of actions users can take on the search results. 

How:

1. Create a searchable object to consolidate inventory data that’s spread across multiple objects and fields.
2. Keep the data in the searchable object updated using a Data Processing Engine definition or any other data transfer mechanisms.
3. Create a search criteria configuration to select the fields to be queried for searches, the fields to be shown in the search results, and the fields to sort, group, and aggregate results by.
4. Set up the list of actions that the users can take on the search results.
5. Add the Criteria-Based Search and Filter component to the relevant page. 

This change applies to Lightning Experience in Enterprise, Unlimited, and Developer editions with Manufacturing Cloud and is available to users with the Criteria-Based Search and Filter PSL. For additional info, see Salesforce Help.

Quickly Import Production Forecasts from CSV Files

Suppliers can easily import program and variant forecast data from manufacturers and external research sources, facilitating the generation of component production forecasts. Suppliers’ program managers can effortlessly upload a CSV file containing forecast data, choose the target object, and seamlessly map the object’s fields with the CSV column headers. Through a few simple clicks, they can insert, update, or upsert extensive datasets while ensuring data validation. 

This change applies to Lightning Experience in Enterprise, Unlimited, and Developer editions with Manufacturing Cloud. For more information, see Salesforce Help.

New and Enhanced Common Features for Industries

Some features that are available across other various clouds and products in Industries are now accessible with Manufacturing Cloud. Use these features to extend and customize Manufacturing Cloud for your business needs. 

• Action Launcher: Quickly resolve customer requests by launching button or link-based actions and the service processes associated with them.  Additionally, admins can now customize the title shown on the Action Launcher component. 
  
• Actionable Segmentation: Utilize predefined DPE definitions for easy creation of actionable list definitions. Simplify the process for list creators by setting the filter input format for relevant dataset columns as Multi-Select Picklist, enabling easy filtering of dataset records for inclusion in actionable lists. Enhance efficiency further by allowing list creators to utilize filter templates, saving time and effort in the filtering process. 
  
• Batch Management: Select records from big objects to run batch jobs in Batch Management.
  
• Business Rules Engine: Develop scalable and extensible business processes, such as warranty claim adjudication, utilizing the Business Rules Engine. Integrate executable expression set templates into flows for seamless execution. Construct precise rules incorporating operators and functions that account for null values. Simplify and streamline lookups with the enhanced decision tables. Provide users with more targeted and nuanced explanations for expression set version step results using the advancements in Decision Explainer. 

• Context Service: Streamline the retrieval and utilization of data in your warranty claim adjudication processes through the use of Context Service. Customize context definitions to align with your business needs by extending the standard definitions provided with Manufacturing Cloud. Effortlessly synchronize the custom definitions to upgrade the standard definition components integrated into the extended custom definitions.

• Data Processing Engine (DPE): Enhance the efficiency of your forecast calculations with the DPE. Benefit from increased flexibility in your definitions within Data Cloud, offering a broader range of object types for selection in data source and writeback nodes. Opt for Data Cloud Data Spaces within your definition. Quickly troubleshoot issues with reference nodes by restoring previous field selections in your data source. Easily upload CSV file data and perform writebacks to your Salesforce org.

• List Builder for Data Cloud Segment: List creators are required to choose a data space before selecting a data segment. The actionable list preview displays the default columns of the associated object. An email notification is triggered and sent to the list creator upon reaching 50,000 member records in an actionable list. 

• Timeline: Gain an interactive and chronological perspective of customer and asset activities through the utilization of Timeline. Configure Timeline to display engagement events from a designated data space in Data Cloud, providing a comprehensive view of interactions over time. 

NEW Manufacturing Cloud Videos 

• Effectively oversee your manufacturing programs. This resource instructs program managers on utilizing Program-Based Business in Manufacturing Cloud to gain visibility into manufacturing programs, handle program forecasts, and strategize for business opportunities: Manage Your Manufacturing Programs (vidyard.com) 

• Explore the essential concepts of Program-Based Business.  This instructional guide demonstrates how administrators can effectively configure and implement this feature: Set Up Program-Based Business in Manufacturing Cloud (vidyard.com) 

In summary, the Spring ’24 release allows for users of Manufacturing Cloud to efficiently analyze metrics across various schedules within sales agreements, simplifying data management. Enhanced control over inventory stock and movement is facilitated through the incorporation of new inventory management objects. A customized search experience can be established for effective inventory management and planning. Lastly, streamlining the import of program and variant forecasts from CSV files enables the efficient generation of component production forecasts.   

Need help making sense of Manufacturing Cloud, or optimizing any facet of your Salesforce landscape? You know where to find TruSummit Solutions.  

The post Salesforce Spring ’24 Release: Manufacturing Cloud Highlights appeared first on TruSummit Solutions.