Salesforce Managed vs. Professional Services: Which One is Right for Your Business?

Salesforce provides a range of services to help organizations optimize their CRM capabilities. When it comes to leveraging the power of Salesforce, organizations often navigate a complex landscape of services. Two key terms frequently arise in this context Managed Services and Professional Services. While both aim to enhance the value derived from Salesforce, they serve distinct purposes and cater to different organizational needs.   

So, let's understand services, their differences, expected ROI, and considerations to help you decide which is right for your business. 

What Is Salesforce Managed Services? 

Salesforce Managed Services is a long-term engagement model where a dedicated team or partner takes care of the ongoing maintenance, support, enhancements, and monitoring of your Salesforce platform. These services ensure that your CRM evolves with your business, minimizing downtime and improving efficiency through continuous support. 

It's a comprehensive package of ongoing support and maintenance provided by a third-party vendor for a Salesforce implementation. 

Core Offerings of Managed Services 

• System Monitoring and Issue Resolution: Identifying and fixing technical issues proactively. 

• Ongoing Enhancements: Implementing small improvements based on evolving business needs. 

• User Support and Training: Providing help-desk support for users to resolve day-to-day challenges. 

• Release Management: Ensuring smooth upgrades by preparing the system for Salesforce’s seasonal releases. 

• Data Quality Maintenance: Regular audits and clean-up to maintain high data integrity. 

• Performance Optimization: Monitoring and optimizing the performance of the Salesforce environment. 

Example of Managed Services in Action

A nonprofit organization uses Salesforce to manage donor relationships. Over time, new features and integrations are needed to improve their campaigns. With managed services, the nonprofit receives ongoing support to implement enhancements, ensure smooth operations, and upgrade the system when Salesforce rolls out updates. 

Also, check out this - Leverage Nonprofit trends with Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud 

What Is Salesforce Professional Services? 

Salesforce Professional Services involve short-term, project-based engagements aimed at solving specific business challenges or implementing new solutions. These services are ideal when an organization needs to deploy Salesforce quickly or undergo significant transformations, such as a CRM migration, new implementation, or major integration. 

Core Offerings of Professional Services

• Initial Implementation: Setting up Salesforce from scratch to fit the organization’s needs. 

• Complex Integrations: Connecting Salesforce with ERP systems or marketing automation platforms. 

• Data Migration: Moving data from legacy systems to Salesforce. 

• Custom Development: Building tailored features using Apex or Lightning Web Components (LWC). 

• Change Management: Ensuring smooth adoption through stakeholder alignment and user training. 

• Training: Offering training programs to help users maximize the value of Salesforce. 

Example of Professional Services in Action 

A healthcare company needs to integrate Salesforce with an existing electronic health record (EHR) system to streamline patient data management. The company hired Salesforce Professional Services for a one-time project to complete the integration within three months. 

Key Differences Between Managed and Professional Services 

While both Managed and Professional Services contribute to the success of a Salesforce implementation, they differ significantly in their scope, focus, and level of involvement 

Factor	Managed Services	Professional Services
Duration	Ongoing, long-term engagement	Short-term, project-based engagement
Focus	Maintenance, support, and optimization	Implementation, transformation, and complex projects
Scope	Continuous improvements and monitoring	Defined scope with specific deliverables
Resource Involvement	Dedicated team for ongoing support	Specialized experts for project-specific tasks
Flexibility	Adaptive to evolving business needs	Limited to project scope and timeline
Examples	User support, release management, system audits	Data migration, complex integrations, custom development

 Both services cater to distinct needs. Managed Services ensure that your Salesforce system runs smoothly over time, while Professional Services help businesses complete specific projects or implementations. 

Also, check out - How do I Choose a Salesforce Implementation Partner? 

What is the ROI of Salesforce Managed and Professional Services? 

Evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of these services helps businesses understand the value they can expect. 

ROI of Managed Services 

• Reduced Downtime: Continuous monitoring and quick resolution of issues prevent disruptions. 

• Long-Term Savings: Proactive system maintenance reduces the need for costly emergency fixes. 

• Better User Adoption: Ongoing training and support help employees make the most of the platform. 

• Improved Data Quality: Regular data audits ensure accurate reporting and forecasting. 

Example: 

A retail company using Managed Services avoids costly disruptions during peak shopping seasons by ensuring their Salesforce system is always optimized and up-to-date. 

ROI of Professional Services 

• Faster Time to Market: Rapid implementations accelerate business processes and outcomes. 

• High-Quality Deliverables: Experienced consultants ensure the project is delivered accurately and efficiently. 

• Enhanced Business Processes: Professional Services improve operational efficiency with tailored solutions. 

Example: 

A finance company integrates Salesforce with an ERP system, enabling faster financial reporting and increasing efficiency by 30%. 

Be sure to explore this blog - Salesforce + LinkedIn Sales Navigator - Maximizing Sales Efficiency 

How to Decide Which Service is Right for Your Business? 

Both Salesforce Managed and Professional Services offer distinct advantages, but selecting the right one depends on your organization’s current needs, goals, and resources. 

Consider Managed Services If: 

• You need ongoing support for maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting. 

• Your business has limited in-house Salesforce expertise and requires continuous user support. 

• You want to ensure your Salesforce system evolves with your business over time. 

Example: 

A manufacturing company using Salesforce to manage production schedules opts for Managed Services to keep the system updated with new automation features and troubleshoot any operational issues. 

Consider Professional Services If: 

• You are implementing Salesforce for the first time or migrating from a legacy CRM. 

• You need specialized help with complex projects, such as ERP integration or building custom applications. 

• Your goal is to complete a project within a specific timeframe. 

Example: 

A university hires Professional Services to integrate Salesforce Education Cloud with its student management system before the start of a new academic year. 

Don't forget to read this blog - Major Benefits of Hiring a Salesforce Consultant 

Which Service to Choose and When? 

The right time to choose between Managed and Professional Services depends on the lifecycle stage of your Salesforce platform: 

• Initial Implementation Stage: Professional Services are essential to set up Salesforce and customize it according to your business processes. 

• Post-Implementation Stage: Managed Services ensure the smooth operation of Salesforce after it has been deployed. 

• Ongoing Enhancements: As your business grows, Managed Services allow you to continuously optimize your Salesforce platform. 

• New Business Initiatives: If you launch a new product or enter a new market, you may need Professional Services to build specific functionalities or integrations. 

Pro Tip: Some businesses use a hybrid approach—hiring Professional Services for major projects and transitioning to Managed Services for ongoing support after project completion. 

Conclusion 

Choosing between Salesforce Managed Services and Professional Services depends on your organization’s needs and objectives. Managed Services are ideal for long-term support, maintenance, and continuous improvements, while Professional Services are best suited for one-time implementations, integrations, and major transformations. 

Both service models offer significant ROI by improving efficiency, reducing downtime, and ensuring your Salesforce platform supports your business goals effectively. 

Not sure which service is right for your business? Opt for Salesforce consultation and let our experts help you achieve the best value from your Salesforce investment.