A week ago, I installed Scott Hemmeter’s amazing app, Geopointe. Everything was going smoothly until I decided to manage the licenses I had assigned to the app.
I successfully managed the licenses and tried to click the “Back to Previous Page” link, but something broke:
This should never happen for a Salesforce-generated URL
Here’s a video of the problem in action: Managing Licenses Previous Page Link Is Broken.
This is a story about the super-responsiveness of the salesforce.com support team. (I’m not including peoples’ names, but for any employees, it is Case 03580410.
I submitted my case May 24, and the first response was received May 25. The first person, JW, sent an email asking me to clear my cache and change my browser. I cleared the cache, used multiple browsers, and even tried with different packages in my org. All had the same problem.
May 27, JW tried to call me, but I was unavailable. (Good follow-up.) He also sent an email, and I promised to get back to him. I replied the next day and told him that the problem occurred even on different computers, with different browsers, and different packages. He quickly replied and asked to login to the org to try to recreate the issue.
The next step was for us both to login to the org while on the phone. He verified that the problem was happening, and we noticed something interesting:
Clicking “View Installed Packages” gives a URL like …/0A3?setupid… and clicking Manage Licenses gives a long URL including ?allPackageId=033600000004Pjn. The broken link was https://na7.salesforce.com/033600000004Pjn. See anything there?
The “Back to Previous Page” link should have taken me back to the /0A3 page (exactly as the browser Back button did), but instead tried to show me the inner workings of a package, which Salesforce clearly cannot display.
JW suggested that this was a problem with the app, as the link was on a page managing licenses for two managed apps by the same publisher. I quickly explained that I had developed managed applications before and that I knew that this was a feature created by salesforce.com, and therefore salesforce.com was responsible for the broken link. He said that he understood and that he would escalate the case to Tier 2.
Quick recap so far: Salesforce Support has responded quickly, so they get good points for that, but I’ve not been available to talk. The support rep has tried everything he and I can think of, and we have found a problem in a link that directs to the wrong URL. I’m up to Tier 2.
At this point, I don’t have any more communication until June 8. I’m not fussed, as I know it’s a real issue, but I have a good workaround (use the Back button).
June 8, GE sends me an email saying that he reproduced the error and escalated it to Tier 3 for further investigation. I thanked him and said that it felt bittersweet because I had found a real problem and it’s no fun when my beloved Salesforce CRM has a bug. He validated my feelings. (Warm fuzzies all around.)
The next day, GE sends an email. This is the text:
An issue tracking number has been attached to your case, and is awaiting prioritization by R&D. I will receive updates on this, but the timeline for rollout may not be known for some time. Just wanted to let you know that it has been queued up for a fix, and I will let you know more when I know. Feel free to check in any time, and also bear in mind that there is a very good workaround for this, being the browser back button J We’re just required to mention workarounds, even though I know you know this. Let me know if you need anything else.
Music to my ears! An issue tracking number! R&D looking into it! I had found a real bug and it would be fixed!
The point of all this is to say that for all the complaints (many justified) that people have about salesforce.com support (why do they automatically want login access when the problem sometimes has nothing to do with anything in an org???) there are times that they really shine.
Thank you, JW and GE. At least I know a fix is coming.
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I think the fact that they will offer work arounds (however obvious) is also great, as they are admitting “Hey our stuff’s not perfect, here’s how you can still get your job done”.
Nice story! Personally, SF has done a great job responding to my cases. Sometimes the initial response time is a bit slow, but once we get rolling they won’t hesitiate to call me and they generally hammer me asking for more info and testing faster than I can handle!
Garry
Thanks for reporting your positive experience.
Do you has premier support or just regular support?
Regular support. And it has always (okay, one exception) been great for me.
I’ve found numerous bugs on Salesforce, especially in the Outlook Integration and the Support was very, very bad. I am a big fan of the Service, but the Support really lacks. It happened that I had to discuss with the 1st level supporter a lot and very often they don’t even understand the problem. It’s good to see that others have better experience – it raises hope :)
Good article. I think many users are quick to complain and slow to offer praise, but I appreciate you documenting your experience (even while the bug is ongoing).
I have found Salesforce support to be quite responsive and quick to resolve my cases, whether initiated through Help and Training, my account manager or via phone.
Thanks for sharing a positive experience!
So I remember finding a bug back in 2007 & had a very similar experience. Super helpful folks that kept me in the loop the whole time.
I agree with Jenna – many people are too slow to offer praise.