Attending Dreamforce 2024 provided Rootstock with significant opportunities to engage with manufacturers, revel in the power of AI, and strengthen our relationships within the Salesforce ecosystem.

“The seamless platform connection between Rootstock ERP and Salesforce products presents a tremendous opportunity for manufacturers. By eliminating the complexities of integrating disparate systems, customers can focus on agility, efficiency, and cost savings—key factors for success in today’s ongoing volatile market,” said Raj Badarinath, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at Rootstock.

While Dreamforce highlighted cutting-edge technological advancements, it also underscored the crucial role of human connection in driving success. Rootstock embraced this theme, hosting several events designed to foster our community.

Winery Event: A Taste of Napa Valley

Before Dreamforce kicked off, Rootstock hosted an unforgettable experience at the stunning Artesa Winery in Napa Valley. We collaborated with our partner, ComplianceQuest, to invite select guests. At the event, we enjoyed a gourmet lunch and curated chocolates—all paired with wines from Artesa’s collection.

Afterward, attendees took in breathtaking views and modern architecture while on a tour of the winery. “Having in-person opportunities to mix and mingle is crucial to deepening our relationships with both customers and partners. These face-to-face interactions build more trust than any Zoom call could,” said Jonathan Skelding, SVP of Global Alliances at Rootstock.

Speakeasy Night: Where Partnerships and AI Converge

Another highlight at Dreamforce was our Speakeasy Night. “This was a cool event,” said Bill Winans, Senior Director of Global Alliances at Rootstock. “Held at the iconic Bourbon & Branch in San Francisco, the speakeasy added just the right ambiance. Attendees needed a secret password to get in, making it exclusive and memorable.”

“We kicked the evening off with an executive roundtable on ‘Revolutionizing Manufacturing in the Shadow of AI,’ hosted by Rootstock in partnership with Salesforce and Uptima. It featured our own Raj Badarinath, along with Tony Kratovil, VP, Manufacturing Products and Solutions at Salesforce, and Adam Menzies, CEO of Uptima,” added Winans.

The roundtable provided valuable insights into the future of manufacturing, exploring how manufacturers on the Salesforce Platform can build resilience and drive growth by uniting customer and operational data.

“AI definitely dominated the conversation,” said Winans. “Overall, the event was well-attended, drawing customers, prospects, and various manufacturing professionals. Other partners were also involved—including Avalara and Propel—further solidifying our collaborative efforts across the Salesforce ecosystem.”

Excitement in the Exhibit Hall

Rootstock’s booth, which was located near the AI theater, was a hub of activity. One of the main attractions was our unique giveaway—a glass with a personalized engraving. “People lined up for the chance to take home such a unique keepsake, which added to a constant flow of visitors,” said Winans.

“In addition, since we were strategically located between Propel and Nagarro, there was a lot of bi-directional traffic,” noted Winans. “Our proximity allowed us to collaborate with one another, providing examples of how our customers have used our joint solutions and services to achieve their desired business objectives.”

“Our partners introduced us to new leads. These prospects came by the booth, received a demo of Rootstock, and came to better understand the value of our ERP on the Salesforce Platform. We’ve already arranged to meet with these companies, post-event, to see how we can help meet their needs.”

The Japanese market was also well represented with nearly 800 attendees coming from Japan. “Salesforce Japan’s ISV team ran a booth tour, bringing large groups over to learn about our regional ERP initiatives and partners in that area, like Nagarro. These interactions generated significant interest, underscoring our global reach,” said Winans.

Manufacturing Trends

One of the major announcements at Dreamforce was the introduction of AgentForce, as well as results from Salesforce’s “Trends in Manufacturing” survey.

“Salesforce is redefining AI for manufacturers in a very practical way,” said Badarinath. “The next generation of AI, centered around intelligent agents, will take over tasks traditionally done by humans. These AI agents can dramatically improve the customer and agent experience, with senior agents focusing on escalations while 80% of the work can be handled seamlessly by AI agents. Salesforce is in a great position to lead this transformation in AI.”

Many manufacturers recognize they can’t continue with business as usual if they want to remain successful. There is a growing trend to transform their operations with increased tech investments—Salesforce’s manufacturing survey showed that 95% are considering AI adoption to help drive that change.

Building on Dreamforce Success

Dreamforce 2024 was not just about showcasing technology—it was also about reinforcing our partnerships, exploring new opportunities, and embracing the future of AI in manufacturing.

“Looking ahead, we’re focused on building upon the momentum we generated at Dreamforce. We’ll continue to foster strong relationships with key partners like Alto, Praxis, Deloitte, and Nagarro to help drive future growth,” said Skelding. “These partnerships are critical to our success—not only for pipeline development but also for delivering value to our customers.”

As we continue to tout Rootstock’s seamless connectivity with Salesforce products and to collaborate with our SI and ISV network, the future looks bright for our customers and partners alike. Stay tuned as we continue to share more insights and innovations from the Rootstock ecosystem.