Bigger isn’t always better. Intelligent Control Systems (ICS+), based in Austin, Texas knows this better than anyone else. Home to fewer than 10 employees, the company's expertise in cutting-edge automated control systems runs deep. How deep, you might ask? On average, ICS+ handles more than 100 engagements each year — designing, programming, and commissioning audio/video systems for commercial, educational, and large residential properties.

Customization is core to what ICS+ offers. No two clients or solutions are the same. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that ICS+ eventually needed a custom solution themselves to track client data and improve collaboration across the business. That’s when they called on Salesforce to help. 

Small Shop, Big Returns

Prior to 2015, ICS+ relied on NetSuite for ERP (another CRM provider) to create project management spreadsheets and custom billing reports — all done manually. Collaboration largely took place through email. This patchwork of solutions made it challenging for the company to get an integrated view of their clients as well as the ability — and flexibility — to adapt to changing needs over time. Partnering with Salesforce helped ICS+ realize a 942% ROI* in a mere six weeks.

"We knew that the Salesforce platform could meet the unique needs of our business,” said ICS+ CEO, Bernard Morgan. “Salesforce has enabled us to grow the business and improve our margins." 

A Platform Built to Grow With the Business

ICS+ needed a single, flexible system to track client data across the sales and delivery lifecycles that could also adapt to new business needs as the company continues to evolve and grow. Salesforce was a perfect fit for ICS+ for two important reasons: 

1. Functionality. Salesforce’s native capabilities along with the customizability offered through AppExchange add-ons provide limitless ways to meet the company's unique needs.
2. Integrated collaboration. Salesforce Chatter and Quip made it easy for ICS+ to use Salesforce as its single customer system of record, keeping all client-related data, communication, and collaboration within the same application.

To date, partnering with Salesforce has yielded ICS+ an average annual benefit of more than $180,000. Download the full report to see how these benefits ’extend across the entire business.

Low Code Means Less Reliance on Consultants

Salesforce’s low-code and no-code capabilities also mean ICS+ can make ongoing changes to platform without needing outside help, which saves both time and additional costs. This is key for any business that's in the business of building custom client solutions. You just never know what you might be working on next – or how to keep tabs on all it. 

*ROI is based on a case study conducted by Nucleus Research and sponsored by Salesforce. Additional information and full report available here. 

Salesforce can help you find more customers, win their business, and keep them happy so you can grow your business faster than ever. Learn more about our small business CRM solutions or follow us on Twitter @SalesforceSMB and on LinkedIn at Salesforce for Small Business. Join the conversation with #SalesforceEssentials.