Your IoT connected assets are talking - are you listening?

For field service leaders juggling equipment performance, maintenance schedules, and first-time fix rates, every minute of asset downtime is money down the drain. Manual tracking, reactive repairs, and siloed systems? That’s the old playbook.

Salesforce Connected Assets flips the script. It turns machines, vehicles, and hardware into smart, self-reporting assets that sync live with your CRM. The result is real-time visibility, predictive maintenance, and game-changing automation for your connected assets in Salesforce. No guesswork, no firefighting.

Let’s dive into how you can get the most out of your IoT Connected Assets by leveraging Salesforce.

What Are Salesforce Connected Assets?

Connected assets are physical objects, such as machinery, vehicles, and devices, that are equipped with sensors or IoT technology to send data back to a central system for tracking and analysis. 

IoT and sensors play a crucial role in transforming traditional asset management. Instead of relying on manual tracking methods or outdated systems, businesses can now monitor assets in real time. Whether it’s tracking maintenance schedules, monitoring usage patterns, or predicting failures, connected assets enable businesses to make smarter decisions and avoid costly downtime.

When integrated with Salesforce, these connected assets can provide valuable insights into their status, performance, and health, helping businesses to manage them more effectively.  With additional Salesforce partner integrations like Bolt Data Connect, you can even automate your service, reducing truck rolls and adding new revenue streams, e.g. from product replenishments. This enables companies can leverage this data to improve customer service, optimize operations, and increase profitability.

How Salesforce Connects to Your IoT Assets

Salesforce connects to physical assets through a combination of IoT integrations, APIs, and asset management tools, enabling real-time data flow between devices and your CRM. This connection is typically achieved through the following layers:

1. Asset Data Integration
   Devices and sensors stream data into Salesforce via IoT platforms, APIs, or tools like Bolt Data Connect.
   
2. Asset Hierarchy & Lifecycle Management
   Assets are tracked and managed inside Salesforce using serial numbers, maintenance records, and ownership data.
   
3. Real-Time Alerts & Automation
   When an asset hits a critical threshold, tools like Bolt Data Connect can trigger  automated workflows, case creation, and technician dispatch.
   
4. Field Service Optimization
   With connected assets feeding live data into Salesforce Field Service, Salesforce partners like Bolt Data Connect help ensure the right technician is sent with the right parts, improving first-time fix rates and reducing downtime.
   
5. Analytics & Reporting
   Asset performance, health trends, and predictive insights are visualized directly in Salesforce dashboards, enabling proactive maintenance and smarter decisions.

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Key Benefits of Using Salesforce for Connected Assets

Using Salesforce for connected asset management provides several key benefits:

• Better Visibility: With connected assets, businesses gain real-time visibility into the status and performance of their assets, reducing the risk of costly failures and downtime.
  
• Proactive Maintenance: Predictive analytics allow businesses to anticipate when an asset needs maintenance, reducing unplanned repairs and extending the life of the asset.
  
• Data-Driven Decisions: By collecting and analyzing asset data, businesses can make informed decisions that improve operations and drive profitability.
  
• Improved Operational Efficiency: Automation tools integrated into Salesforce reduce the time spent on manual tasks, such as scheduling maintenance or tracking inventory.
  
  

For example, Bolt Data Connect customers have reported a 30% reduction in maintenance costs and a 20% increase in asset uptime by leveraging real-time data and predictive maintenance features. Explore active use cases here.

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How to Set Up Salesforce Connected Assets

Setting up connected assets within Salesforce is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:

1. Choose Your IoT Devices: Select the IoT devices or sensors you want to connect to Salesforce. This could include machinery, equipment, or vehicles with built-in IoT capabilities.
   
2. Integrate with Salesforce: Use Salesforce IoT or third-party tools like Bolt Data Connect to integrate your IoT devices into your Salesforce platform.
   
3. Set Up Data Streams: Configure your Salesforce system to capture data from connected assets, such as performance metrics, location, or usage patterns.
   
4. Automate Workflows: Set up automated alerts and workflows based on asset data. For example, you can create triggers to notify you when an asset requires maintenance.
   
5. Analyze Data: Use Salesforce’s analytics tools to monitor asset health and generate reports that provide insights into asset performance.
   
   

By following these steps, you can quickly connect and start managing your assets within Salesforce.

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Real-World Use Case of Salesforce Connected Assets

Quench USA, Inc., a provider of water-as-a-service solutions, faced challenges in integrating manufacturer data with their asset data, leading to inefficiencies in product replenishment and service operations. To address this, they implemented Bolt Data Connect, leveraging its IoT Connectors, Data Lake, and Rules Engine to ingest and process real-time data. 

This integration enabled Quench to monitor their water dispensers’ flavor levels and automate the replenishment process. When flavor levels were low, alerts were sent within their Salesforce CRM system, triggering automatic creation of replenishment orders and scheduling technicians for timely delivery and installation.

Previously, this process required manual intervention from four employees to read data and create work orders. With Bolt Data Connect’s “clicks not code” rules-based engine, Quench streamlined operations, reducing manual efforts and improving service efficiency.

As a result, Quench reallocated resources to value-added activities, reduced truck rolls by combining site visits, and achieved a 2,058% ROI on their investment in Bolt Data Connect. They now monitor 1,500 Bevi units in the field, with plans for further expansion.

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Common Challenges with Salesforce Connected Assets and How to Overcome Them

While implementing connected asset management in Salesforce can greatly improve operations, businesses may face a few challenges, such as:

• Data Overload: With real-time data coming from multiple assets, it can be overwhelming to manage.
  Solution: Use Salesforce’s built-in analytics tools to filter and prioritize the most critical data for actionable insights.
  
• Integration Issues: Some businesses may struggle to integrate existing IoT devices or sensors with Salesforce.
  Solution: Use tools like Bolt Data Connect to seamlessly integrate devices and ensure data flows smoothly into Salesforce.
  
• Security Concerns: Connected assets can present security risks if not properly managed.
  Solution: Implement robust cybersecurity protocols and ensure your Salesforce platform is properly secured.

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Future Trends in Connected Asset Management with Salesforce

The future of connected asset management within Salesforce looks promising, with several exciting developments on the horizon:

• AI Integration: Salesforce is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance predictive maintenance capabilities, enabling businesses to predict asset failure before it happens.
  
• Advanced Analytics: Salesforce will continue to improve its analytics tools, providing businesses with deeper insights into asset performance, usage trends, and maintenance needs.
  
• IoT Expansion: As IoT technology becomes more advanced, the number of connected assets will continue to grow, providing businesses with even more opportunities to optimize operations.

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Book a free Salesforce IoT Strategy Session

Businesses can no longer afford to rely on outdated methods of asset management. Salesforce Connected Assets provide an innovative solution to optimize asset performance, reduce downtime, and drive operational efficiency. With the integration of Bolt Data Connect, businesses can seamlessly connect their IoT-enabled assets to Salesforce and unlock the full potential of their data.

Ready to take the next step? Book your free Salesforce IoT strategy session today and start modernising your asset management processes.

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FAQs

What are Salesforce Connected Assets?
Salesforce Connected Assets refer to physical assets integrated with IoT technology, allowing businesses to track and manage them in real-time within the Salesforce platform.

How does Bolt Data Connect help with Salesforce Connected Assets?
Bolt Data Connect simplifies the integration of IoT devices with Salesforce, allowing businesses to manage connected assets, track data in real time, and automate workflows like predictive maintenance and product replenishments.

How can I integrate IoT devices into Salesforce?
You can integrate IoT devices into Salesforce using Salesforce IoT or third-party tools like Bolt Data Connect, which stream asset data into Salesforce for tracking and analysis.

Who can benefit from Salesforce Connected Assets?
Industries such as manufacturing, field service, logistics, and utilities can benefit from Salesforce Connected Assets, enabling them to optimise asset management, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

What are the challenges of implementing Salesforce Connected Assets?
Common challenges include data overload, integration issues, and security concerns. Using tools like Bolt Data Connect can help address these issues and streamline the implementation process.

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