Storing data files in a Salesforce.com record makes it convenient for users to see relevant information related to Opportunities, Accounts, Cases or Contacts. This is also true for any custom data objects such as project records or job costing.
Within the Salesforce.com setup, there are integrations with Google Apps. File storage in Salesforce.com has limits. These should be monitored within your storage usage metrics. More storage can be purchased as needed when your limits are exceeded.
A good practice for driving further collaboration in the cloud is to adopt the Google Apps integration provided in Salesforce.com. Within your respective data objects, simply add the unique url of an existing Google Doc or create a new Google Doc, Spreadsheet, Presentation or file. This provides an associated link which your organizational users can access based on your document permissions. Document permissions are set within the respective Google Doc.
Here are some types of documents to consider associating with your Salesforce.com records:
- Sales Contracts. Associate these with Opportunity records for tracking deals and proposals as well as accounting.
- Invoices. You can store billing and payment information and associate these to Account records for tracking payments.
- Resumes. If you are tracking potential hires, you can associate their resume, cover letters and any sample work inside their Contact records.
- Graphical files. If you are working on projects with customers in Salesforce.com, upload their graphics as a pdf or native document and attach these as part of their project record.
- Scorecards. If you have a business relationship where you want to track a customized metric for performance, associate the Google Spreadsheet to the Contact or Account record for easy accessibility for you and your team.
Teach your team the process of associating Google Docs and extend collaboration between these two powerful cloud computing platforms. The control, collaboration and accessibility will help your productivity as an organization as you move between data and files.
How can Google Docs serve your team?
