AI is now foundational to how businesses operate. The fastest path from experimentation to measurable value starts with executive alignment, clean data, and a CRM backbone designed for agents.
Across every executive conversation we have today, the theme is the same. How do we accelerate AI adoption, realize its value, and manage risk with trust at the center. Buyers are moving from proofs of concept to measurable outcomes, and leaders feel pressure on two fronts, move faster, and show impact.  In our webinar featuring Forrester as a guest alongside Salesforce, the advice was consistent. Start now, start small, and build a foundation that connects AI initiatives to clear business outcomes.   

The Market Moment  

AI is no longer a trend. It is becoming foundational to front office operations, from sales to service to marketing. Forrester’s perspective is that three of the top five CRM operations priorities are now AI related, because AI helps create personal, high value experiences while lifting productivity and decision making in the flow of work. Organizations see gains in cycle time, content relevance, brand reputation, and customer outcomes when AI is coupled with trusted data.   

Yet many teams still struggle to connect AI technology strategy to business strategy. The common blockers are familiar. Data privacy and security concerns, uncertainty about trusting AI outputs, gaps in AI governance, and limited access to the right skills inside the organization. Without a roadmap tied to outcomes, efforts stall and confidence fades.   

“If you haven’t started, you need to start now. Start small with one targeted project, learn, continuously improve, and bring your people along.” 
— Kate Leggett, Vice President, Principal Analyst, Forrester Guest  

Why Programs  Stall  

We hear three consistent challenges from leaders across industries.  

• Technical debt and legacy CRM. Old systems and fragmented processes slow experimentation and scale.   

• Siloed and low-quality data. Insights are trapped in scattered sources. The right context is missing, and trust suffers.   

• Process habits. Teams try to automate yesterday’s steps instead of asking whether AI can redesign the work entirely.   

There is also a measurement gap. Only about half of organizations have benchmarks to assess AI performance, fewer than half have KPIs to decide whether to keep a feature, and roughly a third can link AI directly to profit and loss. That missing operational discipline is a core reason many AI projects disappoint.   

Build the Backbone for Agents  

Perficient’s point of view is simple. Do not just modernize CRM. Create an agentic ready CRM backbone that unifies Salesforce CRM, Data 360, and Agentforce to fuel agentic experiences across the enterprise. Put clean, accurate, actionable data at the center, and make iterative releases your default operating rhythm.   

Salesforce’s customer zero experience shows what happens when you do. Sales velocity improved by about 36 percent with agents preparing briefings and eliminating repetitive work. Win rates lifted by roughly 11 percent as agents surfaced context and long-term memory at the right moment. Service agents now handle about 85 percent of inbound inquiries, which enabled a meaningful annualized cost takeout that was redeployed into higher value roles. Those gains start with a backbone designed for agents and the right trust controls in place.   

“Be an agent boss. Set a big vision, pull it in tight to start, then scale as you learn.” 
— Kaylin Voss, Executive Vice President, Agentforce and Data Cloud, Salesforce  

Executive Alignment, Measured Weekly  

Successful programs are not departmental mandates. They are board and CEO level initiatives that bring business and IT together, including your CISO. Establish top to bottom governance, agree on a weekly readout cadence, and develop a simple scorecard that connects input metrics, like coverage and cycle time, to outcome metrics, like win rate, average deal size, cost reallocation, and CSAT. If the executive communication cadence slips, momentum will not follow. Keep the drumbeat and iterate.   

Start Now, Start Small  

Choose one targeted use case that matters for revenue or experience. Land the agent where people already work, such as Slack. Give it trusted data and clear context by role and function. Put humans in the loop and coach the agent with rapid releases. This creates the flywheel for the next use case and prevents agent sprawl by keeping a learning architecture underneath your experiments.   

And do not go it alone. Most organizations rely on vendors and partners to supply best practices, methodologies, and the hands-on support required to move from pilot to production with trust.   

Your Next Steps  

• Watch the on-demand conversation, then establish one clear goal for your organization.  

• Book an Agentic Readiness Workshop to map the backbone, governance cadence, and a first use case tied to outcomes.  

About this Series  

This post is the first in our three-part series on moving from POC to outcomes, then measuring what matters, then scaling with people at the center. Subscribe to get the next article in your inbox.  

Part 1 of our Salesforce Outcomes Playbook made the case for measurable value and orchestrated workflows. In this next post, we move from strategy to execution and show how to put Agentforce to work on a real business KPI.

Perficient is recognized in Forrester’s Salesforce Consulting Services Landscape, Q4 2025 for our North America focus and industry depth in Financial Services, Healthcare, and Manufacturing. We bring proven capabilities across Agentforce, Data 360 (Data Cloud), and Industry Clouds to help clients turn trusted data and well designed workflows into outcomes you can verify.

Forrester asked each provider included in the Landscape to select the top business scenarios for which clients select them and from there determined which are the extended business scenarios that highlight differentiation among the providers. Perficient is shown in the report for having selected Agentforce, Data 360 (Data Cloud), and Industry Clouds as top reasons clients work with us out of those extended business scenarios. Our proven capabilities across Agentforce, Data 360 (Data Cloud), and Industry Clouds to help clients achieve measurable outcomes from their Salesforce investments.

Here, we walk through a practical operating model to launch one production agent, govern by design, and measure lift with real users. The goal is confidence without complexity: a visible improvement in a specific KPI and a repeatable pattern you can scale as results compound.

What Success Looks Like

• Build: A visible lift in one KPI, such as reduced time to resolution in Service or improved conversion in Sales.

• Govern: Role‑based access with data minimization, accuracy checks, and audit trails in place.

• Measure: Observability that traces agent decisions and reports performance, adoption, and error rates.

• Scale: A prioritized backlog and a scale plan that extends the win without unnecessary build.

The Operating Model: Build, Govern, Measure

1) Build one agent for one KPI

Choose a single use case with a business‑visible metric. Ship a working slice and measure against an agreed baseline. Examples:

• Agent‑assisted case triage that reduces average handle time in Service

• Quote‑to‑order agent in Agentforce Revenue Management (formerly Revenue Cloud) that shrinks cycle time and errors

• Renewal‑risk agent that flags at‑risk accounts and improves retention

• Field service parts availability agent that improves first‑time fix rate

Ground the agent in trustworthy data. Unify records, events, and identities so decisions are consistent and auditable. Use Data 360 foundations to give agents clean context across teams and channels.

2) Govern by Design

Put guardrails in at the start. Define who can access what, how accuracy is checked, and where audit trails are stored.

• Role‑based access and data minimization

• Accuracy checks and human‑in‑the‑loop for high‑impact actions

• Prompt and policy versioning with change tracking

• Audit trails that capture inputs, decisions, and outcomes

• Backout controls with pause and rollback procedures

Governance belongs inside your delivery lifecycle, not as an afterthought.

3) Measure and iterate

Use observability to trace decisions, monitor performance, and tune safely.

• Baseline the KPI before launch and track lift after launch

• Monitor adoption, satisfaction, and error rates

• Identify drift, hallucination, or policy violations quickly

• Iterate prompts, policies, and integrations based on data

Expand capabilities only once the first KPI moves. This keeps momentum high, risk low, and aligns investment to tangible results.

Why This Matters

Most teams already believe in AI. The question is how to make it work here, safely and repeatably. Salesforce continues to expand what you can do with AI, data, and integration. When foundations are solid, those capabilities turn into outcomes you can measure. Agentforce gives you practical building blocks for trusted AI at scale. You get observability to understand how agents perform, governance controls to protect data and accuracy, and low code configuration so business and IT can move together faster.

“Enterprises often underestimate the need for structured enablement, adoption planning, and sustained evolution….” – The Salesforce Consulting Services Landscape, Q4 2025

Partners help translate powerful platform features into everyday outcomes. That is how you reduce risk and accelerate value.

Orchestrate The Workflow, Not Just the Feature

Real value shows up when workflows span systems. Map the end‑to‑end process across Salesforce and adjacent platforms. Eliminate the handoffs that slow customers down. Use reference architectures and integration patterns so the process is portable and resilient. Agentforce is most effective when agents can act across the flow rather than bolt onto a single step.

Ready to translate strategy into a working Agentforce use case that moves a KPI?

Book an Agentforce workshop. We will help you choose one KPI, define data sources, set guardrails and observability, and stand up a working slice you can scale.

Forrester does not endorse any company, product, brand, or service included in its research publications and does not advise any person to select the products or services of any company or brand based on the ratings included in such publications. Information is based on the best available resources. Opinions reflect judgment at the time and are subject to change. For more information, read about Forrester’s objectivity  here .

Perficient is proud to be included in the IDC ServiceScape: U.S. Midmarket Salesforce Implementation Services 2025–2026 (Doc# US54222726, January 2026). Led by Jason Bremner, Research Vice President, IT Consulting and Systems Integration Services at IDC, this IDC ServiceScape provides buyers with a structured view of Salesforce services capabilities across the industry.

Why we believe this matters for Salesforce leaders

Organizations are asking for measurable outcomes on Salesforce, not bigger projects. The questions have shifted:

• How do we modernize without disrupting what works

• How do we orchestrate workflows across Salesforce and adjacent platforms for end-to-end impact

• How do we adopt AI with confidence so accuracy, access, and auditability are protected

• How do we fund what works based on KPI movement rather than effort

How we help on Salesforce

• Sales Cloud and Revenue Cloud  – Opportunity to quote, quote to order, renewals, and pricing accuracy

• Service Cloud and Field Service – Case triage, knowledge curation, parts availability, and first time fix

• Data Cloud – Unified customer profiles, identity resolution, and event driven context

• Agentforce – One agent, one KPI patterns with governance and observability by design

• Integration – Reusable API patterns for portable, resilient end to end workflows

• Org consolidation and tech debt cleanup – License alignment, reduction of unsupported customizations, native first design

“Our clients ask for clarity, speed, and confidence. We align to a single KPI, orchestrate the workflow, and build in governance so value is visible and repeatable.”
Hunter Austin, Managing Director, Perficient Salesforce Practice

Getting started

• Request a Salesforce AI session – We will assess your current org, identify quick wins, and outline an incremental plan aligned to your outcomes.

• Explore Perficient’s Salesforce services – Perficient is a trusted Salesforce partner helping enterprises lead AI-powered transformation. We specialize in CRM, data, and personalization—using real-time intelligence to deliver relevant experiences with Agentforce, Data 360, and Agentforce Marketing.

• Learn about Perficient and Swantide’s New AI-First Partnership – Combining Perficient’s AI-first delivery methodologies with Swantide’s AI platform, the partnership dramatically improves time to value and level of effort for Salesforce customers.

OmniStudio Expression Set Action is a powerful feature in Salesforce Industries. It lets you make changes and make decisions based on rules in guided processes, like OmniScripts and Integration Procedures. Instead of writing rules in many places, you can define your business rules once in an Expression Set and use them wherever you need them. This improves consistency, reduces errors, and simplifies maintenance.

What Is an Expression Set Action?

An Expression Set Action acts as a bridge between:

What Can Expression Sets Do?

Expression Sets are Designed to Handle:

• Calculating shipping or delivery charges.
• Determining customer eligibility.
• Applying discounts or fees.
• Computing taxes or surcharges

Because Expression Sets work with JSON, they are lightweight, fast, and ideal for complex rule processing.

Creating an Expression Set – Step by Step

Step 1: Navigate to Expression Sets

Building Logic Using Expression Set Builder

After saving, open the Expression Set Builder, which provides a visual canvas for designing logic.

Step 3: Define Variables (Resource Manager)

Variables represent the data your Expression Set uses and produces.

Example Variables:

Step 5: Add Calculations

Using Expression Set Action in an OmniScript

If you believe great Salesforce architecture is built through collaboration, curiosity, and real world problem solving, Architect Dreamin’ is your kind of event.

Taking place January 21–22, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona, Architect Dreamin’ brings together solution architects, system architects, senior consultants, and senior developers for two days of deep technical exploration and peer-led learning. And this year, two of Perficient’s own experts, Allie Vaughan, Technical Director AI & Data 360, and Anu Pandey, Technical Director AI & Data 360, are helping lead the conversation.

What Is Architect Dreamin’?

Architect Dreamin’ is designed for professionals who already architect, design, and deliver at scale. It is created by architects for architects, with no sales pitches and no basics, just meaningful exchange among peers who have been there.

What you will experience:

• Real world insights and practical solutions tailored specifically for architects
• A collaborative setting that fosters sharing and learning among industry leaders
• A program dedicated to maximizing your Salesforce capabilities
• Expanded workshops, immersive design challenges, and interactive solutioning sessions
• Community activities that recharge and reconnect, because strong architecture is built on strong relationships

Architect Dreamin’ unites the global Salesforce architect community to share, learn, and grow together. Every discussion, diagram, and debate helps shape the future of scalable, sustainable Salesforce solutions.

Spotlight Session: Unifying the Un‑unifiable in Data 360

When customers span multiple accounts and roles, traditional unification models fall short. This session tackles that complexity head‑on, focusing on how architects can design flexible, high‑performing models that support advanced segmentation and activation.

Unifying the Un‑unifiable: Exploring Custom Unification Strategies in Data 360 invites participants to collaboratively explore patterns, tradeoffs, and practical approaches grounded in real architecture challenges.

This session will provide:

• Frame a real scenario with multi account, multi role customer relationships
• Facilitate open discussion and live whiteboarding to explore custom unification strategies
• Dive into identity resolution and Data Model Object design within Data 360
• Consider impacts on segmentation, activation, and cross system alignment
• Produce two visual modeling diagrams you can take back to your teams, one representing the source Salesforce org and one depicting the proposed Data 360 solution with identity resolution

This session is not about a single right answer. It is about surfacing practical patterns and shared insights that architects can apply in their own environments.

In their own words:

“Data 360 gives us incredible power, but the real challenge is modeling relationships the way customers actually exist in the world to create solutions that can scale and are optimized for a consumption-based product.”
— Allie Vaughan, Technical Director, AI and Data360, Perficient

“What I love about this topic is that there is not a single right answer. Every organization carries hidden assumptions in its data model, and uncovering those together is where the real learning happens. This session is about slowing down, thinking deeply, and designing unification that truly serves the business.”
— Anu Pandey, Technical Director, AI and Data360, Perficient

Spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up today.

Ready to Join the Architect Dreamin’ Community?

Architect Dreamin’ is where experienced Salesforce professionals come together to challenge assumptions, sharpen their craft, and learn from peers who have been there.

Event details:

• Dates: Wednesday, January 21 – Thursday, January 22, 2026
• Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
• Format: 20+ architect‑led sessions across five tracks, hands‑on workshops, collaborative experiences, and community‑driven activities

Seats are limited.
Secure yours and join the architects who are building the future of Salesforce, together.

Agentforce World Tour Boston is where leaders are turning AI ideas into everyday wins. Perficient will be onsite connecting with customers and partners, and we invite you to keep the conversation going at our AI Innovation Reception, a networking happy hour co‑hosted with Salesforce.

Perficient is recognized in Forrester’s Salesforce Consulting Services Landscape, Q4 2025, which notes our North America geographic focus and industry focus in Financial Services, Healthcare, and Manufacturing. Forrester asked each provider included in the Landscape to select the top business scenarios for which clients select them and from there determined which are the extended business scenarios that highlight differentiation among the providers. Perficient is shown in the report for having selected Agentforce, Data 360 (Data Cloud), and Industry Clouds as top reasons clients work with us out of those extended business scenarios. Our proven capabilities across Agentforce, Data 360 (Data Cloud), and Industry Clouds help clients achieve measurable outcomes from their Salesforce investments.

We believe this recognition underscores what leading analysts and buyers already know: the next phase of Salesforce is not about bigger projects—it’s about faster proof of value. The partners that win are the ones who shorten time to outcomes, orchestrate across your stack, and help you spend smarter.

How Perficient Turns Insight into Action: Our Outcomes Playbook

Outcome‑first framing becomes practical when the first milestone is small and meaningful. For revenue teams, that might be a lift in qualified pipeline from cleaner data and guided selling. For service teams, it could be faster resolution through better case routing and knowledge. For operations, it may be a reliable view of performance from harmonized data. Each path is sized to prove value quickly, then expanded as results compound.

“Clients want partners who bring clarity to complexity. We focus on strengthening foundations and preparing people for AI so teams can achieve outcomes that last.”
— Megan Glasow, Vice President, Sales & Services-Salesforce

The Uncomfortable Truth

Most teams already “have Salesforce,” yet value stalls in the maze of customizations, parallel orgs, and integrations that never quite talk to each other. The market itself has moved from first deployments to modernization and multi-cloud expansion, which is why traditional, effort‑heavy engagements are delivering diminishing returns. Buyers are asking for partners who can deliver outcomes in increments, with industry IP and operating‑model rigor, not just more bodies.

What Changed, Practically Speaking

Two forces converged. First, core implementation work is easier to standardize, which drives commoditization. Second, AI is now embedded across the platform, including agentic capabilities that can act on your data and processes. That combination rewards teams that fix foundations, make workflows interoperable, and apply AI with governance and observability. When those pieces are in place, outcomes compound quickly.

Three Moves to Make this Quarter

1) Pick one outcome, not five

Choose a business metric that executives care about and design a sprint around it. Example outcomes: faster case resolution in Service, higher conversion in Sales, or lower cost to serve in Commerce. Anchor on a single use case, then use accelerators and standard patterns to get live in weeks. This approach mirrors how leading buyers evaluate providers today, with incremental value and industry use cases as selection criteria.

Quick start checklist:

• One KPI that is visible to the business
• A standard pattern or accelerator to reduce custom build time
• A simple adoption plan with role clarity and feedback loops

2) Orchestrate, do not bolt on

Real value shows up when workflows span systems. Map an end‑to‑end process across Salesforce and your adjacent platforms, then eliminate the handoffs that slow customers down. Expect your partner to bring reference architectures and integration patterns that make the process portable and resilient. Forrester’s guidance is explicit on this point: buyers want orchestrated workflows across tech stacks for true transformation.

3) Make ROI Repeatable

Set a cadence for license alignment, customization reduction, and tech debt cleanup. Consolidate orgs where the business case is clear. Replace custom objects with native capabilities when possible. Tie every change to operating cost, agility, or customer outcomes.

How to Choose a Partner without a 50‑page RFP

Ask three questions that cut through the noise:

• Can you show the intersection of your skills for my use case?
• What will you deliver first, and how will we measure it?
• What guardrails will be in place on day one?

Perficient’s POV: The Bottom Line

We show the intersection of our skills for your exact use case, deliver a working release tied to a single KPI in the initial increment, and put governance and auditability in place from day one. The result is measurable value, clarity on what to scale next, and confidence that outcomes will keep improving with each iteration.

If your 2026 goals include faster time to value, better orchestration, and disciplined ROI, book a modernization strategy session with our team. We will assess your current org, identify quick wins, and design an incremental plan aligned to your outcomes. Then move from strategy to proof in Outcome Over Effort, Part 2: Build, Govern, Measure, where we walk through a simple operating model to get one agent live, protect accuracy and access, and show measurable lift you can expand.

Next month’s webinar features insights from guest speakers, Forrester’s Kate Leggett and Salesforce’s Kaylin Voss, on outcomes, orchestration, and responsible AI. Bookmark this page and check back next month for details.

Forrester does not endorse any company, product, brand, or service included in its research publications and does not advise any person to select the products or services of any company or brand based on the ratings included in such publications. Information is based on the best available resources. Opinions reflect judgment at the time and are subject to change. For more information, read about Forrester’s objectivity  here .

What is Lightning Web Security?

Lightning Web Security (LWS) is Salesforce’s modern client-side security architecture designed to secure Lightning Web Components (LWC) and Aura components. Introduced as an improvement over the older Lightning Locker service, LWS enhances component isolation with better performance and compatibility with modern web standards.

Key Features of LWS

• Namespace isolation: Each Lightning web component runs in its own JavaScript sandbox, preventing unauthorized access to data or code from other namespaces.

• API distortion: LWS modifies standard JavaScript APIs dynamically to enforce security policies without breaking developer experience.

• Supports third-party libraries: Unlike Locker, LWS allows broader use of community and open-source JS libraries.

• Default in new orgs: Enabled by default for all new Salesforce orgs created from Winter ’23 release onwards.

Benefits of Using LWS

• Stronger security: Limits cross-component and cross-namespace vulnerabilities.

• Improved performance: Reduced overhead compared to Locker’s wrappers, resulting in faster load times for users.

• Better developer experience: Easier to build robust apps without excessive security workarounds.

• Compatibility: Uses the latest web standards and works well with modern browsers and tools.

How to Enable LWS in Your Org

1. Navigate to Setup > Session Settings in Salesforce.

2. Enable the checkbox for Use Lightning Web Security for Lightning web components and Aura components.

3. Save settings and clear browser cache to ensure the change takes effect.

4. Test your Lightning components thoroughly, ideally starting in a sandbox environment before deploying to production.

Best Practices for Working with LWS

• Test extensively: Some existing components may require minor updates due to stricter isolation.

• Use the LWS Console: Salesforce provides developer tools to inspect and debug components under LWS.

• Follow secure coding guidelines: Maintain least privilege principle and avoid direct DOM manipulations.

• Plan migration: Gradually transition from Lightning Locker to LWS, if upgrading older orgs.

• Leverage Third-party Libraries Wisely: Confirm compatibility with LWS to avoid runtime errors.

Troubleshooting Common LWS Issues

• Components failing due to namespace restrictions.

• Unexpected behavior with third-party libraries.

• Performance bottlenecks during initial page loading.

Utilize Salesforce’s diagnostic tools, logs, and community forums for support.

Resources for Further Learning

• Salesforce Developer Guide – Lightning Web Security

• Salesforce Trailhead Module on Lightning Web Components Security

Salesforce provides powerful features to handle metadata, allowing you to store and access configuration data in a structured manner. In this blog, we explore Salesforce Custom Metadata getInstance vs SOQL—two key approaches developers use to retrieve custom metadata efficiently. Custom metadata types in Salesforce offer a great way to define reusable and customizable application data without worrying about governor limits that come with other storage solutions, like custom objects. For more details, you can visit the official Salesforce Trailhead Custom Metadata Types module. We will delve into the differences, use cases, and best practices for these two approaches.

What is Custom Metadata in Salesforce?

Custom metadata types are custom objects in Salesforce that store metadata or configuration data. Unlike standard or custom objects, they are intended for storing application configurations that don’t change often. These types are often used for things like:

• Configuration settings for apps
• Defining global values (like API keys)
• Storing environment-specific configurations
• Reusable data for automation or integrations

Custom metadata records can be easily managed via Setup, the Metadata API, or APEX.

Approach 1: Using getInstance()

getInstance() is a method that allows you to access a single record of a custom metadata type. It works on a “singleton” basis, meaning that it returns a specific instance of the custom metadata record.

How getInstance() Works

The getInstance() method is typically used when you’re looking to retrieve a single record of custom metadata in your code. This method is not intended to query multiple records or create complex filters. Instead, it retrieves a specific record directly, based on the provided developer name.

Example:

// Get a specific custom metadata record by its developer name
My_Custom_Metadata__mdt metadataRecord = My_Custom_Metadata__mdt.getInstance('My_Config_1');

// Access fields of the record
String configValue = metadataRecord.Config_Value__c;

• Single Record Lookup: If you know the developer name of the record you’re looking for and expect to access only one record.
• Performance: Since getInstance() is optimized for retrieving a single metadata record by its developer name, it can offer better performance than querying all records, especially when you only need one record.
• Static Configuration: Ideal for use cases where the configuration is static, and you are sure that the metadata record will not change often.

Advantages of getInstance()

• Efficiency: It’s quick and easy to retrieve a single metadata record when you already know the developer name.
• Less Complex Code: This approach requires fewer lines of code and simplifies the logic, particularly in configuration-heavy applications.

Limitations of getInstance()

• Single Record: It can only retrieve one record at a time.
• No Dynamic Querying: It does not support complex filtering or dynamic querying like SOQL.

Approach 2: Using SOQL Queries

SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language) is the standard way to retrieve multiple records in Salesforce, including custom metadata records. By using SOQL, you can query a custom metadata type much like any other object in Salesforce, providing flexibility in how records are retrieved.

How SOQL Queries Work

With SOQL, you can write queries that return multiple records, filter based on field values, or sort the records as needed. For instance:

// Query for multiple custom metadata records with SOQL
List<My_Custom_Metadata__mdt> metadataRecords = [SELECT MasterLabel, Config_Value__c FROM My_Custom_Metadata__mdt WHERE Active__c = TRUE];

// Loop through records and access their values
for (My_Custom_Metadata__mdt record : metadataRecords) {
    System.debug('Label: ' + record.MasterLabel + ', Value: ' + record.Config_Value__c);
}

When to Use SOQL Queries

• Multiple Records: If you need to retrieve more than one record or apply filters to the query.
• Dynamic Queries: When the records you’re querying are dynamic (e.g., based on user input or other logic).
• Complex Criteria: If you need to use conditions like WHERE, ORDER BY, or join metadata with other objects.

Advantages of SOQL Queries

• Flexibility: SOQL queries allow you to retrieve multiple records based on complex conditions.
• Filtering and Sorting: You can easily filter and sort records to get the exact data you need.
• Dynamic Usage: Ideal for cases where the data or records you’re querying may change, such as pulling all active configuration records.

Limitations of SOQL Queries

• Governor Limits: SOQL queries are subject to Salesforce’s governor limits (e.g., the number of records returned and the number of queries per transaction).
• Complexity: Writing and managing SOQL queries might introduce additional complexity in the code, especially when dealing with large datasets.

Key Differences: getInstance() vs. SOQL Queries

Best Practices for Using getInstance() and SOQL

• Use getInstance() when you need to access one specific metadata record and know the developer name beforehand. It’s efficient and optimized for simple lookups.
• Use SOQL when you need to filter, sort, or access multiple metadata records. It’s more flexible and ideal for dynamic scenarios, but you should always be aware of governor limits to avoid hitting them.
• Combine the Two: In some cases, you can use getInstance() for fetching critical single configuration records and SOQL for retrieving a list of configuration settings.

Conclusion

Both getInstance() and SOQL queries have their strengths when it comes to working with custom metadata types in Salesforce. Understanding when to use each will help optimize your code and ensure that your Salesforce applications run efficiently. For simple, static configurations, getInstance() is the way to go. For dynamic, large, or complex datasets, SOQL queries will offer the flexibility you need. By carefully selecting the right approach for your use case, you can harness the full power of Salesforce custom metadata.

AI is no longer optional for manufacturers. It is the dividing line between industry leaders and those falling behind. Companies that embrace AI and data are setting the pace for efficiency, customer engagement, and growth. Those that delay risk losing relevance in a market that rewards speed, precision, and innovation.

Perficient will join industry leaders at the Agentforce World Tour in Chicago on December 16. Salesforce will showcase its most advanced capabilities, including Agentforce, Slack, and Data 360. These solutions give manufacturers the power to predict demand, automate decisions, and deliver connected experiences that drive measurable results across the entire value chain.

Why Attend Agentforce World Tour Chicago

Chicago is where top industries come together to lead what’s next. At Agentforce World Tour, you will explore sessions and solutions built for the sectors that define this city, including healthcare and life sciences, retail and consumer goods, and manufacturing. You will see real use cases, dive into emerging trends, connect with peers, and gain insights from experts who are shaping the future. You will leave with practical strategies and a roadmap for growth.

Maybe you attended your first Dreamforce this year and want to get more hands-on. Agentforce World Tour is the perfect next step. This event gives you a closer look at what Salesforce can do for your business. You will learn how the latest agentic and AI innovations drive real results. Hear from customers, explore live demos, and see how Salesforce helps you unlock productivity, accelerate growth, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Can’t Attend World Tour but Interested in Manufacturing Transformation? Watch Our Webinar – What’s Next for Manufacturing: From Products to Services With Servitization

Discover how servitization and connected digital experiences are reshaping the manufacturing and equipment aftermarket. Explore how Salesforce, data, and AI unlock new revenue streams through predictive maintenance and automated support. Gain actionable strategies to deliver proactive, data-driven services that drive loyalty, satisfaction, and profitability—long after the initial sale.

Join these industry experts for our on-demand webinar:

• Sarah McDowell, Director, Perficient
• Lester McHargue, Director of Manufacturing, Perficient
• Pete Niesen, Sr. Director, Business Strategy Consulting, Salesforce

Register here. 

Ready to take the next step?
If you want to learn more about servitization and how it can transform your aftermarket strategy, download our Manufacturing Servitization Workshop Guide  for practical insights and a roadmap to success. And don’t forget to register for Agentforce World Tour Chicago—it’s free, but registration is required. Send us a note here if you would like to connect during World Tour. Secure your spot today and join us for a day of innovation, hands-on learning, and real-world strategies that will help you lead what’s next in manufacturing.

Close Out the Year. Start Building the Next.

As 2025 winds down, the smartest companies aren’t just looking back; they’re planning. The future of business is agentic, and the time to prepare is now.

Join us at Agentforce World Tour New York on December 10, 2025, and experience the innovation that defined Dreamforce, live in NYC. In just one day, you’ll:

• 140+ expert-led sessions, demos, and hands-on trainings
• A front-row look at Salesforce’s biggest launches, including Agentforce 360, Slack, and Data 360
• Practical ways companies are increasing productivity, accelerating growth, and modernizing customer experiences

All free. All designed to help you turn future plans into action. Register for World Tour here!

Why Attend Agentforce World Tour NYC?

NYC is where Salesforce is pushing the next wave of agentic AI. If you want a real, unfiltered look at how companies are applying Agentforce and Data 360 to drive revenue, speed, and operational lift, this is the event.

You’ll walk away with:

• Clear, proven examples of agentic AI driving results
• Direct access to Salesforce product experts and industry innovators
• Practical steps you can immediately apply to your own AI roadmap

More Ways to Connect During World Tour Week

Agentforce World Tour NYC is just the start. We’re hosting and joining exclusive experiences throughout the week to help you dive deeper into AI, data, and the future of agentic business.

December 10 – Agentforce Champions Breakfast

Start your World Tour experience with an exclusive breakfast for Agentforce champions and power users across leading industries. Connect with peers, share insights, and engage directly with Salesforce leaders. Perficient’s Allie Vaughan will be on-site to share how we’re helping organizations harness agentic AI for real business impact.

Wednesday December 10, 2025 | 8:30AM –10:00AM EST
Onsite at World Tour Javits Center | 429 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Register Here → World Tour NYC Agentforce Champions Breakfast

December 10 – Perficient Breakfast at Russ & Daughters

Join us for a relaxed pre-event meetup at one of NYC’s most iconic spots. Enjoy great conversation and connect with Perficient experts and fellow attendees before the main World Tour sessions begin.

Wednesday, December 10 | 8:00AM – 10:30AM EST
Russ & Daughters, NYC | 502 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001
Contact Us for an Invite → Save Your Spot

December 11 – Data 360 + Agentforce Workshops at Salesforce Tower

Take your World Tour experience further with a hands-on workshop designed to help you unlock the full potential of Data 360 and Agentforce. Guided by Perficient’s AI and Data 360 specialists Allie Vaughan and Anu Pandey, you’ll go beyond theory with practical strategies you can apply immediately.

Thursday, December 11 | 10:00AM – 2PM EST
Salesforce Tower New York | 1095 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Contact Allie and Anu for an Invite

December 12 – Datablazer Mastery Onsite

Wrap up the week with Salesforce’s full-day enablement experience designed for the Datablazer Community. Deepen your expertise in Data 360 and Agentforce with hands-on learning.

December 12, 2025 | 8:30AM–4:30PM EST
Salesforce Tower New York | 1095 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Register Here → Datablazer Mastery Onsite: Agentforce Edition NYC

Your Next Step Toward an Agentic Future

Agentforce World Tour NYC is your chance to see where the Salesforce platform is going and how quickly companies are adapting. From the main event to hands-on workshops, this week offers a complete view of what it takes to operate as an agentic enterprise.

Follow Perficient on LinkedIn for event updates, key takeaways, and our latest insights on Agentforce, Data 360, and the future of AI-driven business.

I’ve always believed that the best learning environments are the ones that feel like a conversation. Not a lecture, not a pitch, but a shared space where people come together to explore what’s possible. That’s the spirit behind the Datablazer Mastery Onsite (DMO) series, and it’s exactly what we’re bringing to New York this December. 

The Datablazer Community started with a simple idea: data matters to everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or deep into implementation, the challenges around trust, activation, and scale are shared. And while no one has all the answers, we’ve seen how much faster teams move when they learn from each other. 

DMO is where learning happens. It’s a day of enablement focused on Data 360 and Agentforce, designed to help attendees understand what works, what doesn’t, and how to move forward with confidence. You’ll hear from experts who’ve been in the trenches and are ready to share their strategies for delivering value. 

This December, Perficient will be represented by Anu Pandey, Technical Director, AI & Data 360. Anu brings deep expertise in Data Cloud implementation and activation strategies and will be sharing insights during the event. 

• Date: December 12, 2025
• Time: 8:30AM–4:30PM EST
• Location: Salesforce Tower New York
• Registration: Datablazer Mastery Onsite: Agentforce Edition NYC
  

The event will cover how Data 360 creates a unified customer view, how Agentforce enables intelligent automation, and how both tools can be used together to drive smarter decisions. You’ll leave with practical insights, real-world examples, and a clearer path forward. 

If you’re asking questions like “Where do I start?” or “How do I know I’m doing this right?”, this event is for you. And if you’re already deep in the work, it’s a chance to refine your approach, connect with others, and share what you’ve learned. 

Join us in New York. Let’s build something smarter together.