# Salesforce

> American cloud-based software company

**Wikidata**: [Q941127](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q941127)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salesforce)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/salesforce

## Summary

Salesforce is a business[1][2] headquartered at Salesforce Tower. The organization is led by CEO Marc Benioff. In 2005, it had 767 employees[3].

## Summary
Salesforce is an American cloud-based software company that develops enterprise software, particularly in customer relationship management (CRM) and business analytics. Founded in 1999 by Marc Benioff, it has grown into a major player in the software industry, offering a suite of cloud computing services and AI-driven solutions.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1999 by Marc Benioff
- Headquartered in San Francisco, California
- Specializes in cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), and enterprise software
- Acquired MuleSoft in 2018, expanding its integration and API management capabilities
- Competes with SAP, Microsoft, and IBM in the enterprise software and cloud computing markets
- Developed the Apex programming language in 2007
- Operates Salesforce Lightning, a software platform for business applications
- Owns subsidiaries including Slack, Tableau Software, and Demandware
- Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol CRM

## FAQs
### Q: What is Salesforce known for?
A: Salesforce is known for its cloud-based CRM and business analytics platforms, which help companies manage customer relationships, automate workflows, and analyze data. It is a leader in the SaaS and enterprise software markets.

### Q: Who founded Salesforce?
A: Salesforce was founded by Marc Benioff in 1999. He remains the CEO and a significant figure in the company's development.

### Q: What are some key products offered by Salesforce?
A: Key products include Salesforce Lightning, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Heroku, and Tableau. These tools are used for CRM, marketing automation, data visualization, and cloud development.

### Q: How does Salesforce compete with other companies?
A: Salesforce competes with SAP, Microsoft, and IBM in the enterprise software and cloud computing markets. It offers similar CRM and analytics solutions but with a focus on AI and automation.

### Q: What is the Apex programming language?
A: Apex is a proprietary programming language developed by Salesforce in 2007. It is used for building applications on the Salesforce platform, particularly for customizing and extending CRM functionality.

## Why It Matters
Salesforce has revolutionized the way businesses manage customer relationships and data analytics. By offering cloud-based solutions, it eliminates the need for on-premise software, making it more accessible and scalable for companies of all sizes. The company's focus on AI and automation has positioned it as a leader in the enterprise software industry. Salesforce's products, such as Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Marketing Cloud, have become essential tools for businesses looking to streamline their operations and gain insights from their data. Its acquisitions, including MuleSoft and Tableau, have further expanded its capabilities in integration and data visualization. As a public company listed on the NYSE, Salesforce has a significant impact on the global economy, driving innovation and efficiency in the software and technology sectors.

## Notable For
- Pioneering the cloud-based CRM model, which has become a standard in the industry.
- Developing the Apex programming language, which is integral to the Salesforce platform.
- Acquiring MuleSoft, a leading API management and integration platform, to enhance its integration capabilities.
- Offering Salesforce Lightning, a modern software platform for business applications that supports AI and automation.
- Competing successfully with established players like SAP, Microsoft, and IBM in the enterprise software market.

## Body
### Overview
Salesforce is an American cloud-based software company that specializes in enterprise software, particularly in customer relationship management (CRM) and business analytics. Founded in 1999 by Marc Benioff, the company has grown into a major player in the software industry, offering a suite of cloud computing services and AI-driven solutions.

### Founding and Early Development
Salesforce was founded on February 3, 1999, by Marc Benioff. The company was initially focused on developing CRM software, which it launched as Salesforce.com. The name was later shortened to Salesforce. The company's early success was driven by its innovative approach to CRM, which leveraged the power of the internet to provide a more accessible and scalable solution for businesses.

### Key Products and Services
Salesforce offers a range of products and services, including:
- **Salesforce Lightning**: A software platform for business applications that supports AI and automation.
- **Salesforce Marketing Cloud**: A suite of tools for marketing automation, email marketing, and customer engagement.
- **Heroku**: A cloud platform for building, deploying, and managing applications.
- **Tableau**: A data visualization tool used for business intelligence and analytics.

### Acquisitions and Expansions
Salesforce has made several strategic acquisitions to expand its capabilities:
- **MuleSoft**: Acquired in 2018, MuleSoft is a leading API management and integration platform. This acquisition enhanced Salesforce's integration capabilities, allowing businesses to connect their systems more efficiently.
- **Tableau**: Acquired in 2019, Tableau is a data visualization tool used for business intelligence and analytics. This acquisition strengthened Salesforce's data analytics capabilities.
- **Demandware**: Acquired in 2016, Demandware is an e-commerce platform that provides tools for online retailers to manage their stores and customer experiences.

### Competitors
Salesforce competes with several major players in the enterprise software and cloud computing markets, including:
- **SAP**: A German software producer known for its enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
- **Microsoft**: An American multinational technology corporation that offers a range of enterprise software solutions, including CRM and cloud services.
- **IBM**: An American multinational technology corporation that provides enterprise software and IT services.

### Industry Impact
Salesforce has had a significant impact on the software industry, particularly in the areas of CRM and business analytics. Its cloud-based solutions have made it more accessible and scalable for businesses of all sizes. The company's focus on AI and automation has positioned it as a leader in the enterprise software market. Salesforce's products and services are used by millions of businesses worldwide, driving innovation and efficiency in the software and technology sectors.

### Financial Performance
Salesforce has experienced steady growth in revenue and profitability over the years. Key financial highlights include:
- **Revenue**: Salesforce's revenue has grown significantly, with a notable increase from $748.7 million in 2007 to $8.39 billion in 2016.
- **Net Profit**: The company's net profit has also shown a positive trend, with a significant increase from $18.36 million in 2007 to $179.63 million in 2016.

### Affiliations and Partnerships
Salesforce has affiliated with several notable individuals and organizations, including:
- **Marc Benioff**: The CEO and founder of Salesforce, who has been instrumental in the company's development and growth.
- **MuleSoft**: A subsidiary of Salesforce, MuleSoft is a leading API management and integration platform.
- **Tableau**: Another subsidiary, Tableau is a data visualization tool used for business intelligence and analytics.

### Technical Innovations
Salesforce has developed several key technologies that have become integral to its platform:
- **Apex**: A proprietary programming language developed in 2007 for building applications on the Salesforce platform.
- **Data Loader**: A tool for importing, exporting, and deleting data in Salesforce.
- **Salesforce Lightning**: A modern software platform for business applications that supports AI and automation.

### Market Position
Salesforce is a leading player in the enterprise software and cloud computing markets. Its products and services are used by millions of businesses worldwide, driving innovation and efficiency in the software and technology sectors. The company's focus on AI and automation has positioned it as a leader in the enterprise software market.

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42. [Form 10-K. 2014](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001108524/000119312514084762/d648028d10k.htm)
43. [Form 10-K. 2016](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001108524/000110852416000093/sfdc8-krecastfy16.htm)
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46. [Form 10-K. 2020](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001108524/000110852420000014/crm-20200131.htm)
47. [Form 10-K. 2021](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1108524/000110852422000008/crm-20210131.htm)
48. [Form 10-K. 2022](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001108524/000110852422000013/crm-20220131.htm)
49. [Form 10-K. 2023](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001108524/000110852423000011/crm-20230131.htm)
50. [Form 10-K. 2024](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001108524/000110852424000005/crm-20240131.htm)