Marketing Cloud Next Quick Start

Many marketing setups have grown organically over the years. Data sits in different systems, synchronisations are error-prone, journeys have become hard to keep track of and changes often depend on a handful of specialists. This is exactly where Marketing Cloud Next comes in: as a native, tightly integrated marketing automation platform within the Salesforce architecture.

The result is a modern foundation for real-time data, more efficient teams, AI-supported processes and future-proof marketing automation.

The benefits for Salesforce customers

made with AI

1. Data architecture and system synchronisation

   • Native core platform integration instead of error-prone connectors: sales, service and marketing work from the same data foundation without any time lag. Disconnects between systems, delayed data reconciliation and faulty synchronisations between CRM and marketing are significantly reduced.
   • Direct coupling with Data360: live signals from the website, app, social media, POS or other touchpoints can be processed far faster and used for segmentation, personalisation and activation. Customers reach their target groups exactly when interest is at its peak – not just after the next data update.
2. Team efficiency and lower operating costs

   • Marketing logic via Flows and AI-assisted processes instead of complex SQL queries and custom code: marketing teams become less dependent on IT and development. Changes to segments, campaign logic or processes are far easier to implement, without requiring deep specialist knowledge of SQL or scripting.
   • Consolidation onto a single platform: fewer interfaces mean less maintenance effort, fewer sources of error and leaner system upkeep. More budget flows into effective campaigns and less into simply keeping systems running.
3. Innovation and artificial intelligence

   • Native integration with Agentforce: Marketing Cloud Next lays the groundwork for using autonomous AI agents in marketing. Content creation, audience segmentation, campaign logic and send-time optimisation can be supported and accelerated directly on the Salesforce platform.
   • Future-proofing through the new Salesforce core architecture: Salesforce is focusing its ongoing development firmly on the new platform architecture. With Marketing Cloud Next, customers create the integrated basis to adopt future innovations, upgrades and security standards faster and more easily.
4. Transformation with minimised risk

   • Structured transition through a dual-run strategy: existing Marketing Cloud Engagement setups remain active and ready to send throughout the rollout. The new system is built and tested in parallel and only moved into production step by step once it has been approved from both a business and a technical perspective.
   • Strategic reorganisation of data structures: the migration is not just a technical switch but also an opportunity for a digital fresh start. Data structures that have grown over the years, unused journeys and outdated logic are reviewed, cleaned up and reorganised. The result is a clean, high-performing and privacy-compliant setup – and a healthier, more meaningful basis for agents and AI functions.

• 01

  Marketing Cloud Next base setup

  Basic configuration of Marketing Cloud Next including users, roles, permissions and security settings, plus support with the email channel and DNS setup.

• 02

  Data360 as the central data foundation

  Basic setup of Data360, building the data graph and connecting relevant Sales Cloud data as the basis for segmentation, personalisation and activation.

• 03

  Consent management

  Building and configuring the consent model, migrating existing consents, and setting up and testing opt-in and opt-out processes via the standard Preference Center.

• 04

  Newsletter and content foundations

  Building and testing a basic newsletter template based on existing content from Marketing Cloud Engagement, plus creating the necessary content blocks.

• 05

  Segmentation and activation

  Providing initial segmentation logic and activation via Data360 so customers can quickly implement their first relevant use cases in Marketing Cloud Next.

• 06

  Lead capture

  Providing a stand-alone lead capture form based on the Marketing Cloud Next framework.

• 07

  Project support and enablement

  Project management, regular project meetings, knowledge transfer, documentation of the customer-specific configuration and go-live support.