OutSystems vs Salesforce

• Deployment management – OutSystems has a built in robust, multi-environment deployment system that helps ensures the clean and error free deployment of applications through the development, testing and production product lifecycle
• Rapid application development – Through the low code, graphical development environment you can develop applications far quicker than with more traditional development environments
• Cross platform mobile development – OutSystems handle the development and building of mobile application for both iOS and Android in a simple streamlined way that removes 90% of the problems normally associated with multi platform development

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• Salesforce handles searches extremely well. Many users have described it as Google for all your work stuff. The trick is to get all of your data onto the platform, but once that is done the magic of its relational database becomes invaluable.
• Development on the Salesforce platform is very painless and easy to implement. The learning curve is not steep and the coding requirements are minimal. Their motto is "clicks not code" and that becomes very evident once you start using it.
• The adaptability of the platform to any business and any aspect of the business makes it a no-brainer if you can afford the licensing costs. Once you realize that its powers go beyond CRM then the sky is the limit, assuming you can afford the licensing. But the benefits far outweigh the costs.

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• The platform controls all the parts. While great for development and overall maintenance, it could lead to discussions with your DBA (who has to trust the platform). As a developer I love the platform, as a DBA I would like more control.
• By making software development model driven using flows, you are forced to rethink the way of programming. It makes it easier, but sometimes the way of working leads to code which could be optimized (standard problem in model based software development).
• Most of the code is generated, so the technical knowledge of the inner working of coding are not Essentials. This could lead to degration of this knowlegde. As part of this, most technologies will only be used when OutSystems supports it. They do a good job on implementing these things. But things like Node.js would be nice.

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• Although Salesforce is highly customizable it requires knowing extensive knowledge about the database and the way it functions. This means we had to hire consultants to create a framework for us that we could then use. It means we also retain someone as consultants throughout the year for changes because we cannot afford to have a full-time staff member who knows the ins and outs of the database.
• The same can be said for generating reports. It took me a few months to really understand how to generate the reports I was looking for. It requires knowing a bit about the way fields are connected and working from there. I've learned that practice is key. Additionally, we had our consultants teach some staff how to pull reports as well.
• I primarily use Salesforce to track donor information. Since it is not specifically a donor management database there are some features that are missing that I know other platforms do have. For example, I can't batch upload acknowledgment letters to certain donation records as you can in Raisers Edge, etc.

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• The ease of use of the OutSystems development process has been the biggest ROI for us. We have developed our Framework product and maintained/enhanced it with only 4 workers.
• OutSystems has enhanced their product very significantly over the last 4 years. They have gone from a simple to use tool to a very simple to use sophisticated tool that covers the standard mainframe-based computing apps and the apps used on handheld mobile devices all using the same basic set of development tools.

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• Negative: The cost/time to get everything up and running is substantial.
• Positive: Salesforce provides MANY new tools that should aid in recruitment
• Positive: Salesforce allows us to better serve our existing members by having a shared data profile that holds interactions and information.
• Positive: Salesforce provides options for automation that we did not have before. This frees up many manual processes
• Overall, Salesforce should have an enormous ROI.

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