Salesforce, Workday Rack Up AI Contracts by Blending Subscription Fees With Usage-Based Pricing — BigGo Finance
Salesforce and Workday reported strong AI-related growth, with Salesforce's Agentforce ARR surpassing $1.5B (up 240% YoY) and Workday's AI ARR reaching ~$600M (up 200% YoY). Both companies use hybrid pricing models combining subscriptions with usage-based fees. Salesforce added 2,000 Agentforce customers, while Workday has over 5,500 AI agent users. Salesforce's Q2 revenue was $11.35B (up 11% YoY), with adjusted EPS at $5.90 (including a $2.6B gain). Workday's Q2 revenue was $2.649B (up 12.8% Yo
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
Both companies beat revenue expectations; Salesforce shows stronger momentum, while Workday emphasizes long‑term AI adoption.
Market read
Earnings releases provide fresh data on AI monetization, likely influencing SaaS valuations and trader positioning.
What to watch
Potential regulatory scrutiny of AI data usage and competition from niche AI vendors.
Background
The article details Salesforce and Workday's fiscal Q2 results, highlighting rapid AI ARR growth and a shift to usage‑based pricing.
Ticker impact
Salesforce posted fiscal Q2 revenue of $11.35B, AI Agentforce ARR $1.5B (+240% YoY), guided FY revenue $11.42‑11.5B and EPS $3.42‑3.44, with shares up 22.6% after the release.
Potential continuation of intraday rally; target near $250 if momentum holds.
Revenue beat, high‑growth AI ARR, and clear guidance reduce downside risk and attract growth buyers.
Workday reported fiscal Q2 revenue $2.649B, AI ARR ~$600M (+200% YoY), AI‑related ACV >$100M (25% of new ACV), and highlighted usage‑based Flex Credit contracts.
Modest upside to $260 if AI growth sustains; watch for earnings‑related volatility.
Solid top‑line growth but mixed guidance on timing of AI revenue realization.
Market effects
Enterprise SaaS AI pricing models may become industry standard, boosting sector‑wide valuations.
U.S. cloud and enterprise software stocks could see buying pressure in the near term.
AI‑driven revenue growth signals broader tech sector momentum worldwide.
Counterpoint
AI usage‑based pricing could delay revenue recognition, pressuring margins if adoption stalls.
Key entities
- companySalesforce
CRM software leader reporting record AI ARR and guidance.
- companyWorkday
Enterprise cloud provider reporting AI‑driven ACV growth.





