Salesforce Bets on ADAM Framework to Boost AI Leadership

Salesforce is using its ADAM framework to deliver AI agents through its Agentforce platform, Data Cloud, MuleSoft integration platform, and Metadata platform. The pending $8 billion acquisition of Informatica will expand into Informatica's master data management and ETL capabilities, strengthening data quality and readiness. The framework is expected to help Salesforce stand out in the enterprise market for AI automation, but its success depends on customer adoption.

Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) is leveraging its ADAM (Agents, Data, Apps, and Metadata) framework to deliver AI agents through its Agentforce platform, Data Cloud, MuleSoft integration platform, and Metadata platform. The pending $8 billion acquisition of Informatica will expand Salesforce's capabilities into Informatica's master data management and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) capabilities, strengthening data quality and readiness. This strategic move is expected to help Salesforce stand out in the enterprise market for AI automation, but its success will depend on customer adoption.

Salesforce's ADAM framework, which includes Agents, Data, Apps, and Metadata, is the cornerstone of its AI strategy. The company emphasizes that all four elements are necessary for enterprises to deliver AI agents effectively. Salesforce delivers AI agents through its Agentforce platform, while data is unified in the Data Cloud platform. The company's integration platform, MuleSoft, connects all the systems, and Apps include Salesforce products like Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Tableau, and Slack. Metadata acts as the shared platform that links all these components [1].

The acquisition of Informatica, valued at $8 billion, will enable Salesforce to expand into Informatica's master data management and ETL capabilities, creating a unified architecture for agentic AI. This integration is expected to help Salesforce create an environment where AI agents can operate safely and responsibly. During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Salesforce highlighted product examples built on the ADAM framework, such as Tableau Next connected to Data Cloud and using the Metadata platform, and Slack acting as a conversational interface where users can access Salesforce apps and agents [1].

Salesforce's ADAM approach is also being used in customer projects, demonstrating its effectiveness. For instance, Finnair is deploying agents for customer service automation, PepsiCo is combining multiple Salesforce clouds with an agent layer, and Falabella scaled a WhatsApp-based agent pilot into a larger regional rollout [1].

While Salesforce is betting on ADAM to help it stand out in the enterprise market for agent-based automation, its ability to maintain that lead will depend on how quickly customers adopt the framework. If execution goes well, the ADAM framework could become the next chapter in Salesforce’s growth story. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 and 2027 revenues indicates year-over-year growth of 8.6% and 9.2%, respectively [1].

Salesforce faces competition from Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) and ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW), both of which are pushing AI automation in the enterprise market. Microsoft has integrated strong AI features into its Dynamics 365 platform through its Copilot tools, while ServiceNow’s Now Assist platform uses AI to automate IT service management, customer support, and human resource management tasks [1].

From a valuation standpoint, Salesforce's shares have plunged 30.7% year to date against the Zacks Computer – Software industry’s growth of 19.8%. CRM trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.33, significantly below the industry’s average of 35.32 [1]. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Salesforce’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 earnings implies a year-over-year increase of approximately 10.8% and 11.5%, respectively [1].

Salesforce currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). The company's ability to execute its strategic vision will be crucial in determining its future success in the AI automation market.

References:
[1] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/crm-bets-adam-framework-will-it-fortify-leadership-agentic-ai
[2] https://finviz.com/news/139403/crm-bets-on-adam-framework-will-it-fortify-leadership-in-agentic-ai
[3] https://www.crn.com/news/ai/2025/informatica-maintains-product-innovation-pace-reports-revenue-growth-amidst-salesforce-acquisition-process