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Salesforce.com www.salesforce.com, []is a popular SaaS delivered CRM application used by thousands of businesses around the world. A part of the service offering is also the aspect of PaaS (Platform as a service) that enables developers to rapidly deploy applications and system changes all in the cloud securely and privately. As many people are aware the ‘Cloud’ movement has been adopted by thousands of businesses. As a by-product of this movement, an ecosystem of community and collaboration has fostered the movement to enhance the cloud computing experience.

Salesforce.com AppExchange

When it comes to developing applications or extending the functionality of a Salesforce.com org many organizations don’t first browse to see if what they seek has already been done or if there are utilities that could assist in the development of a custom application. This is the traditional Build vs. Buy decision. With the AppExchange, the traditional question should first become; Can we find something on the AppExchange?

Background
"'Launched in 2005, AppExchange is a marketplace for cloud computing applications built for the Salesforce.com community and delivered by partners or by third-party developers, which users can purchase and add to their Salesforce.com environment. As of April 2012, there are over 1400 applications available from over 450 independent software vendors. All salesforce.com partners can distribute applications and solutions on the AppExchange. Applications created on the Force.com platform are installed by Salesforce.com customers.'"

Types of Applications
Applications are categorized according to Industry. In addition, search filters can be set to search for specific applications by rating and geographic location, as well as partner status, app rating, and language. A global search allows a string or key word search.

The Industries Represented Include the following:
 * 1) Healthcare
 * 2) Financial Services
 * 3) Education
 * 4) Government
 * 5) Manufacturing
 * 6) Media
 * 7) Nonprofits
 * 8) Professional Services
 * 9) Real Estate
 * 10) Retail

Along with the application filter and search capabilities an individual also has the ability to locate an implementation partner. The filter capabilities are also present for this search; filters can be used to narrow the results based on the implementation partner specialty.

The AppExchange provides a guided tour to help locate applications or help determine the right approach for extending the functionality of Salesforce.com. Getting Started provides this feature to assist in the process.

The best part about the AppExchange is there are numerous FREEapplications, yes I said FREE. It is encouraged to install these apps and take them for a test drive. To be exact, there are 738 free applications waiting to be installed.

Application Delivery
The delivery of applications is done entirely in the cloud. Once an app is found, the installation is initiated from the AppExchange listing. The app can be installed directly in the desired Salesforce.com org. An individual with Administrator credentials to a Salesforce.com org can install the app and its components right then and there. The app is ready to be used and deployed to a user community.

Community Feedback
Feedback is vital to the AppExchange and entire community ecosystem. The comments about a specific application directly impact the ratings of that application. Future consumers of the application have the ability to see how the application works for others and read their feedback regarding the viability of the application.

An ISV has the ability to list their developed applications on the AppExchange. There is a process that must be followed and criteria that has to be met. This blog explains the process.