CRM Bets on ADAM Framework: Will it Fortify Leadership in Agentic AI?

Core Insights - Salesforce is leveraging its ADAM framework, which consists of Agents, Data, Apps, and Metadata, as the foundation for its AI strategy, emphasizing that all four components are essential for effective AI agent deployment in enterprises [1][5]. Group 1: ADAM Framework and AI Strategy - The ADAM framework includes the Agentforce platform for AI agents, Data Cloud for unified data, MuleSoft for system integration, and various Salesforce applications like Sales Cloud and Slack, with Metadata serving as the linking platform [2][10]. - The pending $8 billion acquisition of Informatica is expected to enhance Salesforce's master data management and ETL capabilities, creating a unified architecture for agentic AI [2][10]. - Examples of products utilizing the ADAM framework include Tableau Next, which connects to Data Cloud, and Slack, which serves as a conversational interface for accessing Salesforce applications and agents [3][10]. Group 2: Customer Adoption and Market Position - Companies like Finnair, PepsiCo, and Falabella are implementing the ADAM framework for customer service automation and multi-cloud projects, showcasing its effectiveness in real-world applications [4][10]. - Management believes that the success of the ADAM framework will depend on customer adoption rates, with potential for significant growth if execution is successful [5]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Competitors such as Microsoft and ServiceNow are also advancing AI automation in the enterprise sector, with Microsoft integrating AI features into Dynamics 365 and ServiceNow utilizing AI for IT service management and customer support [6][7]. Group 4: Financial Performance and Valuation - Salesforce shares have decreased by 30.7% year-to-date, contrasting with the 19.8% growth of the Zacks Computer – Software industry [8]. - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.33, which is significantly lower than the industry average of 35.32 [12]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates year-over-year revenue growth of 8.6% for fiscal 2026 and 9.2% for fiscal 2027, with earnings expected to increase by approximately 10.8% and 11.5% respectively [5][15].