Types of Salesforce Partnership Levels With Comparison

Salesforce

5 MIN READ

November 21, 2024

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Salesforce, the world’s #1 CRM, is a widely adopted global platform that dominates the CRM software market with a share of around 23.8%. Implementing Salesforce has manifold benefits: improved customer relationships, streamlined sales processes, centralized customer data, enhanced collaboration, improved analytics, and mobile accessibility. As a result, this CRM platform has wide adoption rates. 

However, many organizations and enterprises fail to maximize their Salesforce capabilities. The primary reason is the lack of expertise in Salesforce products and services. This is when businesses seek assistance from a reliable Salesforce Consulting Partner. These partners are highly experienced in implementing Salesforce solutions that enable companies to focus on growth rather than technology management.

But how do you know which Salesforce Partner best suits your business? This blog will discuss all Salesforce partnership levels to help companies transform their sales game. 

What Is A Salesforce Partner?

A Salesforce partner is a consulting firm that implements various Salesforce services. In other words, it is a company authorized by Salesforce to implement projects and develop custom solutions. It comprises industry-specific Salesforce experts who offer professional guidance and actionable solutions across diverse Salesforce products. AppExchange, a Salesforce marketplace, lists all Salesforce partners worldwide so potential customers can easily find them. Each consulting partner gets a Partnership logo and status ranking showcasing their Salesforce expertise level.

Types Of Salesforce Partner Program Levels 

The Salesforce Partner Program includes different partnership levels to support specific business needs. Below, we’ll explore the primary partnership levels of 2024:

  • Salesforce Consulting Partners 

These partners specialize in implementing Salesforce solutions and integrating Salesforce products within businesses. They customize the Salesforce implementation roadmap to meet client-specific needs. So, Consulting Partners are ideal for companies aiming to optimize their Salesforce setup and improve customer engagement.

  • AppExchange Independent Software Vendors (ISVs)

ISV partners are one of the popular Salesforce partnership levels. They build third-party applications for Salesforce AppExchange, a marketplace for Salesforce-compatible apps. ISV partners bring innovative tools to solve specific challenges for businesses needing customized applications.

  • Managed Service Provider (MSP) Partners

MSP partners offer ongoing management and support services to optimize and keep the existing Salesforce ecosystem up to date. Businesses requiring continual support for their Salesforce solutions benefit from an MSP partnership, which covers routine maintenance checks.

Exploring Salesforce Partner Program Tiers

Earlier, Salesforce partners were recognized with status rankings – Registered, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Global Strategic. In 2021, the status ranking changed to four tiers. Each consulting partner is positioned to one of the four tiers based on earned points. 

  • Base Partners (Registered) (up to 249 points)

Entry-level tier for new consulting partners among salesforce partnership levels. Base partners have foundational resources, essential training, and the support needed to start building their Salesforce practice. Suitable for smaller businesses just starting with Salesforce.

  • Ridge Partners (Gold) (over 500 points)

These partners receive additional benefits, including advanced training and resources, and demonstrate consistent performance and commitment to customer success. Ridge partners are great for mid-sized businesses looking for trusted Salesforce integration and support.

  • Crest Partners (Silver) (over 750 points)

Recognized for proven success in delivering customer value, Crest partners gain access to specialized training and exclusive programs. Their extensive experience makes them ideal for businesses needing advanced Salesforce solutions and industry-specific expertise.

  • Summit Partners (Platinum) (over 1000 points)

As top-tier leaders among all salesforce partner program levels, Summit partners offer an unparalleled level of Salesforce expertise. They are trusted by high-profile clients and play a vital role in strategic Salesforce deployments. Summit partners are best suited for enterprises requiring high-level, large-scale Salesforce solutions.

Core Benefits of Working with a Salesforce Consulting & ISV Partner

Do you own a company? Want to stay ahead of the competition? Want to gain insights into customers’ preferences and behavior to create tailored solutions? Seeking to boost the productivity of your Sales team? If ‘Yes’ answers all these questions, choosing a partner from salesforce partnership levels is the ultimate solution. 

So, if you plan to purchase Salesforce or have it implemented and want to exploit it to its fullest potential, you must consider working with a Salesforce Consulting and ISV partner

Salesforce-Platinum-Partner-Top-6-Benefits

Here are some noteworthy benefits of working with a Salesforce Consulting Partner: 

  • Salesforce Expertise and Experience 

Both Consulting and ISV Partners are selected based on the Partner Value Score, an algorithm-based scoring system that evaluates their existing certifications and customer satisfaction scores.

Consulting Partners brings a team of Salesforce-certified professionals skilled in implementing industry-specific solutions. They offer tailored guidance and best practices that support organizational growth. ISV Partners provide industry-specific pre-built solutions that address common challenges in your sector. Their apps on AppExchange can reduce customization time with rapid deployments.

  • Strategic Guidance and Industry-Specific Insights 

Working with a Salesforce Summit Partner, be it a Consulting or ISV partner, gives you access to invaluable industry insights and strategic guidance. Consulting Partners use their in-depth industry knowledge to uncover growth opportunities and identify customer engagement strategies. ISV Partners leverage their product expertise to align applications with your business needs and maximize app functionality.

  • Revenue Growth Opportunities With Co-BraWhat are the levels of partner status in Salesforce?nding 

Salesforce partners offer strong marketing and co-branding support. They help promote your business through joint marketing campaigns. Partners showcase your success stories on Salesforce platforms. You gain visibility at Salesforce events and webinars. This exposure boosts your brand’s credibility and reach. Co-branding with Salesforce enhances your brand’s reputation. It attracts more potential customers to your offerings.

  • Efficient Implementation & Flexible Customization Options 

Regarding Salesforce implementation, you can entirely rely on your Salesforce Partner. They help you implement proven and streamlined processes for successful implementation. Plus, they offer complete support in every implementation stage, from planning to data migration and training. Their solid expertise significantly reduces deployment time and unlocks new growth opportunities for your business. 

  • Access Latest Salesforce Features & Innovations  

Summit-level Consulting and ISV Partners are granted early access to the latest Salesforce updates and features. Consulting Partners help you implement new features into your Salesforce environment to ensure your organization stays ahead of industry trends. ISV Partners continually innovates application features and ensures compatibility with the latest Salesforce releases. This gives you a competitive edge by quickly adapting to new trends and capabilities in your industry.

  • Technical Support With Maintenance Services 

Implementing Salesforce alone is not enough. Salesforce Consulting Partners offers ongoing support to keep your Salesforce environment performing optimally and ensure scalability over time. ISV Partners also provide regular updates and support for the applications they develop and publish on AppExchange. Thus, they help your business stay on top of feature enhancements, compatibility changes, and security updates. 

Salesforce Platinum Partner

Ksolves – Your Go-to Salesforce Consulting Partner 

Now you know all Salesforce partner program levels and tiers, it’s time to select the right Salesforce partner type.

Ksolves is proud to be a certified Salesforce Summit Consulting Partner, ISV Partner, and PDO expert. We offer top-tier Salesforce Consulting Services that ensure tremendous growth for your business. Being a Salesforce Summit (Platinum) Partner, Ksolves has a proven record and 12+ years of industry expertise in resolving diverse business challenges and issues, such as inconsistent customer service, performance bottlenecks, inefficiencies in converting leads, and many more. 

Our Salesforce consulting services focus on implementation, migration, and optimization. We have a team of experienced, highly skilled, and certified Salesforce professionals who are experts in various Salesforce products, including Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Community Cloud, Salesforce CPQ, Agentforce, and many others. 

Whether you are from the healthcare, logistics, finance, education, manufacturing, telecom, media, or IT industry vertical, Ksolves is here to help you. Make it your expert partner! 

Final Thoughts

Remember, your Salesforce Partner is not just a service provider, they are your ally in driving innovation and enhancing customer experiences. So, picking the right Partner is pivotal to unlocking the full potential of your CRM journey.  

Working with a Salesforce Summit (Platinum) Partner is a wise investment for any company seeking to get endless opportunities for business growth. With extensive knowledge and several years of experience, Salesforce Platinum Partners like Ksolves assist businesses in smoother Salesforce implementation and offer strategic advice and guidance to make informed decisions.

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ksolves Team
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the levels of partner status in Salesforce?

Salesforce partner status has four levels – Base, Ridge, Crest, and Summit. Each represents a different level of expertise and benefits. Higher-level partners like Crest and Summit offer the highest level of support and demonstrate consistent success and deep experience in Salesforce implementations.

What’s the difference between a Salesforce ISV Partner and a Consulting Partner?

The Independent Software Vendor Partner focuses on developing custom Salesforce AppExchange apps and solutions that enhance Salesforce’s functionality. In contrast, a Salesforce Consulting Partner provides expert guidance for planning the Salesforce implementation roadmap with end-to-end customization services.

What criteria should I look for in a Salesforce Summit Partner?

You must look for your partner’s Salesforce expertise and confirm whether they have a proven track record of success. You must also confirm whether they thoroughly understand the latest Salesforce services and product offerings.