DemandTools vs. Devart Excel Add-ins

DemandTools is good for almost everything related to mass data manipulation. The only scenario I haven't tried using DemandTools and was recommended to use Data Loader for was inserting records while keeping the original created date. The issue was that we had a disconnection with an external messaging partner, and when the records were retrieved, a few days had passed since the original day of the incoming messages. To insert the messages while keeping the original created date, DataLoader was helpful. I am not sure how to do that in DemandTools. But again, for everything else, DemandTools is a lifesaver.

Incentivized

For a mid size company it is a perfect tool like IT application companies but if companies having large Data like Banks it is less appropriate

Incentivized

• PowerGrid can review and make the updates simultaneously.
• Single Table Dedupe makes merg[ing] the records easy and can make updates at the same time.
• BulkBackup [is] just one click, majority data got updated.
• Scenarios save a lot of time for similar working load.

Incentivized

• Source control
• Unit testing
• Schema comparisons

Incentivized

• I wish I could make changes to my existing scenarios using save rather than having to create a whole new scenario. Maybe you can, I just haven't been able to.
• Some features aren't user intuitive and it takes a while to learn.

Incentivized

• It has room for improvement in terms of security and making it possible for large organizations like us to use it in a more secure way with integrating with our in-house security systems.
• Pricing could be reduced further for it to be adopted world-wide.
• it isn't foolproof. Excel has no means of checking for human error during data entry, which means that the wrong information can skew all the results - sometimes severe.
• Users unfamiliar with Excel syntax may also find entering calculations and calling up other functions a bit frustrating until they get a solid understanding.

Incentivized

It's a great product. The only thing that holds us back is it was frustrating working with their sales team. We also don't like that when Validity purchased DemandTools they immediately started charging us quite a bit while it had been free for non-profit users when CRMFusion owned it. They also don't let you buy it for just 1 or 2 seats, you have to pay, I believe, in batches of 100 seats.

Incentivized

Allows for control in uploading lists, saved processes for checking duplicate records.

Allows for backup files and quick reverts if something goes wrong.

Extends reporting when Salesforce.com cannot support specific pieces of info being put together in a report.

Automated processes for set and forget hygiene tasks

It automated the whole reporting and excel. Our team can generate pivot, dashboards and multiple other reports in various formats and update them with one click. My Sales team need to update more then 1500 leads status on daily basis. By using this tool now they can do this in few minutes.

Incentivized

There has not been a time since I started 9 months ago that I've encountered any kind of downtime.

Incentivized

DemandTools is a bit clunky and slow at times

Incentivized

Support can be slow so do not expect quick turn for urgent issues.
Help for specific queries not not there. Product tech support is offered. It would be great if query support, even if paid, was offered
The training webinars help with the basics but not much if you need advanced functionality.

The trainings are free live webinars that give you a solid base for getting started with the program. The only weakness is they don't have any advanced classes.

I had just started using Salesforce about 3 months before I did the implementation myself, and it was easy to do just following their step-by-step instructions.

Though RingLead has much more to offer in terms of automation (and it is in Salesforce rather than a separate program), DemandTools still has our heart. DemandTools is very cost-friendly and we were able to increase the value of DemandTools by programming in additional saved scenarios. I decreased admin time in the DemandTools suite by approximately 25% after implementing saved scenarios for every reoccurring update or list upload.

Incentivized

Microsoft Excel is the most used tool in the software universe. As such, asking Microsoft Excel to be the tool used post data acquisition makes a ton of sense. Almost everyone we hire has some idea on how to use this tool, which decreases the time spend training new employees.

Incentivized

It's done everything we've needed it to do.

Incentivized

• It is a tremendous time saver. It does things Salesforce doesn't even have the capability to do. Tasks that would take hours to manually complete.
• We can process a tremendous amount of data daily through one person, vs. weeks for the data to be cleaned, reviewed, routed and input.
• Saves on headcount by allowing a dedicated user to set up batches and jobs for other teams to ensure their data integrity.
• The return on investment isn't easily quantifiable but it is FELT in our department.

Incentivized

• It had a positive ROI as we used it on its strengths. We could save time and make some of our processes simpler.
• It does help us up to a certain limit - but it acts as a part of our general IT infrastructure. It cannot solve our direct business objectives.
• It cannot be expanded in all directions as we need a lot more native coding and IT infrastructure.

Incentivized