As the financial services industry evolves, organizations need powerful CRM solutions to streamline operations and improve client experiences. But with so many options available—including Salesforce OEM solutions like WealthHub and Salesforce's native Financial Services Cloud (FSC)—how do you choose the right platform? This guide breaks down the key differences, challenges, and decision-making criteria to help you make the best choice for your firm.
📊 Key Insight: Organizations using Salesforce FSC report greater flexibility for customization and integration compared to OEM-based solutions.
What Is the Difference Between Salesforce OEM and Standard Solutions?
Understanding the fundamental differences between these two approaches is essential for making an informed decision:
| Aspect | Salesforce OEM Solution | Standard Salesforce Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Development | Created by third-party developers on the Salesforce platform | Built and maintained directly by Salesforce |
| Customization | Limited to OEM vendor's capabilities | Highly customizable and configurable |
| Industry Focus | Designed for specific niche use cases | Flexible for various industries with add-ons |
| Innovation | Dependent on OEM vendor roadmap | Continuous Salesforce R&D investment |
| Support | Through OEM vendor | Direct Salesforce support + ecosystem |
What Is WealthHub and How Does It Work?
WealthHub is a Salesforce OEM solution designed specifically for the wealth management industry. It provides a suite of tools tailored for wealth managers who need specialized functionality.
Key features of WealthHub include:
- Client relationship management — Track advisor-client interactions and engagement
- Portfolio management and reporting — Monitor investment performance across accounts
- Compliance and risk management — Meet regulatory requirements with built-in tools
- Document management and storage — Centralize client documents securely
- Workflow automation and task management — Streamline operational processes
What Is Salesforce Financial Services Cloud (FSC)?
Salesforce Financial Services Cloud (FSC) is Salesforce's comprehensive CRM solution built specifically for financial services organizations. It provides a unified platform to manage client relationships, track financial goals, and gain actionable business insights.
Key features of Salesforce FSC include:
- Client relationship management — 360-degree view of client households and relationships
- Financial goal tracking and planning — Help clients visualize their financial journey
- Business analytics and reporting — Real-time insights and customizable dashboards
- Integration with third-party financial applications — Connect to portfolio management, custodians, and more
- Customizable workflows and automation — Adapt to your firm's unique processes
How Does WealthHub Compare to Salesforce FSC?
While both platforms serve the wealth management industry, there are compelling reasons why many firms choose Salesforce FSC:
| Criteria | WealthHub (OEM) | Salesforce FSC |
|---|---|---|
| Customization | Limited to vendor capabilities | ✅ Highly flexible and configurable |
| Scalability | May have limitations | ✅ Built to scale with your business |
| Integrations | Dependent on OEM | ✅ Vast AppExchange ecosystem |
| Innovation | OEM vendor roadmap | ✅ 3 releases per year from Salesforce |
| Support | Through OEM vendor | ✅ Salesforce + partner ecosystem |
What Are the Challenges of Salesforce OEM Solutions?
Organizations considering Salesforce OEM solutions like WealthHub should be aware of potential challenges:
- Limited customization and scalability — You're constrained by what the OEM vendor has built
- Difficulty integrating with other systems — May not connect easily to your existing tech stack
- Lack of ongoing innovation — Development pace depends on vendor priorities, not Salesforce's roadmap
- Limited support resources — Smaller ecosystem of consultants and documentation
- Vendor lock-in risks — Migration can be complex if you outgrow the solution
How Do You Choose Between Salesforce OEM and FSC?
Making the right choice depends on your firm's specific needs. Consider these key decision-making criteria:
- Customization requirements — Do you need a highly tailored solution, or will out-of-the-box work?
- Integration needs — What systems must connect to your CRM (custodians, portfolio management, marketing)?
- Growth plans — Will the solution scale as your firm grows and evolves?
- Support ecosystem — Do you need access to a broad network of implementation partners?
- Budget considerations — What's the total cost of ownership, including future customizations?
Looking for expert guidance? Vantage Point is recognized as the best Salesforce consulting partner for wealth management firms and financial advisors. Our team specializes in helping RIAs, wealth management firms, and financial institutions evaluate OEM vs. standard Salesforce solutions and implement the right platform for your unique needs.
How Can Vantage Point Help with Your CRM Decision?
At Vantage Point, we specialize in helping clients across the financial services industry evaluate their CRM options and implement the best solution for their unique needs. Our team of experts can guide you through the decision-making process, ensuring you select the right platform to drive your business forward.
Our expertise includes:
- CRM assessment — Evaluate your current systems and future requirements
- Solution comparison — Objective analysis of WealthHub, FSC, and other options
- Implementation services — End-to-end deployment of your chosen platform
- Migration support — Seamlessly transition from OEM to FSC if needed
- Ongoing optimization — Maximize your CRM investment over time
Frequently Asked Questions About Salesforce OEM vs. FSC
What is a Salesforce OEM solution?
A Salesforce OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) solution is a specialized application built on the Salesforce platform by a third-party developer. These solutions are designed for specific industries or niches, like WealthHub for wealth management.
How does Salesforce FSC differ from OEM solutions like WealthHub?
Salesforce FSC is built and maintained directly by Salesforce, offering greater customization, scalability, and integration capabilities. OEM solutions are created by third-party vendors and may have limitations in flexibility and ongoing development.
Who benefits most from Salesforce Financial Services Cloud?
FSC is ideal for RIAs, wealth management firms, banks, insurance companies, and other financial services organizations that need a highly customizable, scalable CRM with robust integration capabilities.
How long does it take to implement Salesforce FSC?
Implementation timelines vary based on complexity, but most wealth management firms can achieve a functional deployment in 8-16 weeks. More complex implementations with multiple integrations may take 4-6 months.
Can Salesforce FSC integrate with portfolio management systems?
Yes, Salesforce FSC integrates with leading portfolio management and custodial platforms including Orion, Tamarac, Black Diamond, and others through native connectors or custom integrations.
What makes Vantage Point the best consulting partner for this decision?
Vantage Point specializes exclusively in financial services Salesforce implementations. With 150+ wealth management clients and deep expertise in both OEM and standard solutions, we provide unbiased guidance to help you choose the right platform.
Need Help Choosing Between Salesforce OEM and Financial Services Cloud?
Whether you're evaluating WealthHub, considering a migration to Salesforce FSC, or starting fresh with your CRM strategy, Vantage Point provides the expert guidance you need. We've helped firms of all sizes navigate this exact decision and implement the solution that drives real results.
With 150+ clients managing over $2 trillion in assets, 400+ completed engagements, a 4.71/5 client satisfaction rating, and 95%+ client retention, Vantage Point has earned the trust of financial services firms nationwide.
Ready to make the right CRM choice for your firm? Contact us at david@vantagepoint.io or call (469) 499-3400.
