For reporting on large volumes of records, what is recommended over Salesforce?

Using a Business Intelligence (BI) tool for reporting on large volumes of records is recommended due to several factors that enhance data analysis and visualization. BI tools are specifically designed to handle and process large datasets efficiently, providing advanced analytics capabilities that go beyond what Salesforce's standard reporting functions can offer.

These tools can aggregate data from multiple sources, allowing organizations to gain deeper insights and create comprehensive reports. BI tools also offer sophisticated features such as data modeling, custom visualizations, and the ability to perform complex queries, which can help in uncovering trends and patterns that may not be readily apparent in standard reporting within Salesforce.

In addition, BI tools are typically optimized for performance, enabling faster data processing and real-time reporting, which is crucial when working with extensive datasets. They also support collaboration and sharing of insightful reports across the organization, facilitating better decision-making.

While other options like a simple spreadsheet or another Salesforce instance may be useful in certain contexts, they do not provide the same level of robust analytics and handling capabilities that a dedicated BI tool offers. A CRM integration tool may assist in combining data but does not inherently provide the analytical power necessary for effective reporting on large volumes of data.