The pharmaceutical industry is known for its rapid pace of innovation and companies in this sector require software that can keep up. Veeva vs. Salesforce has long been a discussion point for pharmaceutical companies looking for cloud-based solutions. Both platforms offer distinct advantages, but how do they stack up against each other?
In this article, we will dive into the Veeva CRM vs Salesforce debate. We will look at their unique features, their split and which one might be the best fit for your pharmaceutical needs.
Veeva is a cloud-based software solution built specifically for the life sciences industry. Think pharmaceuticals, biotech and medical devices. It was founded in 2007 to help pharmaceutical companies improve customer engagement efforts. It offers tools to manage compliance, streamline sales processes and support clinical operations.
One key thing to know—Veeva is actually built on top of Salesforce. So, while it uses Salesforce’s CRM engine, it layers in features for regulated industries. That means companies dealing with strict FDA guidelines or global compliance standards often choose Veeva because it speaks their language.
Veeva keeps things connected like clinical trial management, marketing automation and field sales. It’s not a one-size-fits-all tool. It’s more like a precision instrument for companies with very specific needs.
Salesforce is one of the most recognized names in customer relationship management software. Founded in 1999, it has become a global leader in cloud-based CRM solutions. It has a wide range of tools for every sector, including pharmaceuticals.
But here’s the thing: Salesforce is more of a blank canvas. It’s built to be flexible. Salesforce can be customized to work for you. Its AppExchange offers thousands of integrations, so your tech stack can be what you want. With tools like automation, analytics and AI (hello, Einstein!), businesses can move faster and serve better. In short, Salesforce is built for scale.
Salesforce Life Sciences Cloud is purpose-built for companies in pharmaceuticals, biotech and medical devices. It’s designed to handle the unique challenges these industries face. These include things like compliance, data security and regulated workflows.
This cloud helps teams in many ways:
Basically, everything’s built to meet regulatory standards like HIPAA, GxP and other global frameworks. On top of that, Salesforce Life Sciences Cloud integrates easily with marketing tools. You can also connect it with field service apps and analytics dashboards. That means you can see how your messaging is performing and where reps are making the most impact.
Salesforce Health Cloud is a version of Salesforce specifically for the healthcare and life sciences industry. It brings together clinical and non-clinical data in one place. It gives healthcare providers, payers and life sciences companies a 360-degree view of each patient.
Think of it like a patient relationship management system. Doctors, nurses, care coordinators and customer service teams work together more efficiently. You can track patient history, manage care plans, coordinate between departments and even automate follow-ups.
What makes it stand out is how it blends CRM power with healthcare workflows. It also includes built-in tools for privacy and compliance (like HIPAA), which are critical in the healthcare world.
The partnership between Veeva vs. Salesforce dates back to 2005. Veeva Systems initially used Salesforce’s platform to provide solutions to pharmaceutical companies. However, in 2017, the two companies decided to go their separate ways. This was a big move in the tech world, as it marked the end of collaboration between two software giants.
Why did the split happen? At the core, it was about a shift in strategy. Veeva wanted more control over its destiny, particularly in the life sciences sector. The company’s growing portfolio of products, such as Veeva Vault, led it to pursue its own path. Veeva built its infrastructure and technology from the ground up. This split allowed Veeva to develop specialized tools for the pharmaceutical industry without relying on Salesforce.
Veeva Vault is now a comprehensive content management platform for pharmaceutical companies. It allows them to manage documents, compliance data and other critical information. You get an integrated environment for various departments within a pharmaceutical company to collaborate while adhering to strict regulations.
Here’s a detailed comparison between Veeva vs Salesforce. We have also included a table summarizing key differences:
Both Veeva Vault CRM and Salesforce Health Cloud take customer support seriously. They know even the best tools fall flat without good guidance.
Veeva offers 24/7 support along with a dedicated customer success team. Their team are there to help if you're setting things up for the first time or tweaking advanced configurations. You also get access to solid training. Both platforms have webinars, online courses and a deep knowledge base just for life sciences pros.
Salesforce Health Cloud isn’t far behind. You’ll find tons of online resources and active community forums to help you get started. Need more hand-holding? The Premier and Signature support tiers offer round-the-clock assistance. You also get personalized onboarding and your very own customer success manager.
In short, no matter which CRM you pick in the Veeva vs Salesforce matchup, you’re not left figuring things out alone. Both platforms are big on customer success and helping users get the most out of their systems.
Veeva takes the crown here. It was built to meet the strict requirements of global regulatory bodies. Audit trails, electronic signatures, validation logs—you name it. Salesforce can be compliant, too. But you'll need to customize it or use specific modules (like Salesforce Health Cloud).
When it comes to choosing between Veeva vs Salesforce, the answer really depends on what your company needs—and how flexible you want to be moving forward.
Right now, existing Veeva CRM customers are standing at a fork in the road. One path? Stick with Veeva and migrate to their brand-new CRM platform, purpose-built for life sciences. The other? Shift to Salesforce Life Sciences Cloud and keep using Salesforce’s trusted infrastructure.
If you choose to stay with Veeva, you’ll be doubling down on a platform that truly understands the pharma world. We're talking tools designed for HCP relationship management, sales automation and deep compliance. It’s a strong move for companies that want a laser-focused solution tailored to their niche.
But if you’re after more flexibility, Salesforce Life Sciences Cloud might be the smarter bet. It lets you keep your Salesforce foundation while gaining industry-specific features on top. The interface is user-friendly, so onboarding feels less like a tech bootcamp. Plus, Salesforce’s massive library of integrations adds serious firepower.
At the end of the day, the Veeva vs Salesforce decision comes down to your size, your tech stack and how much control you want over the CRM experience in the life sciences space.
The global pharmaceutical cloud market will reach $72.34 billion by 2030. It's growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.2% from 2023 to 2030 . This emphasizes the growing importance of choosing the right platform to stay competitive.
So, which one is better when it comes to salesforce vs veeva?
Both CRMs have their strengths depending on the needs of your business. Choose Veeva Vault CRM if you're in life sciences. But pick Salesforce if you're focused on patient care and healthcare service delivery.
Read Also: Salesforce User Adoption Strategy
