Question 1

Will Hexus features be available through Harvey?

Accepted Answer

Only for Harvey's legal AI customers. According to Harvey's announcement, the technology is being integrated into Harvey's legal workflow platform. If you're not in the legal industry, these features won't be available to you.

Question 2

Can I get a refund on my Hexus annual subscription?

Accepted Answer

Contact  team@usehexus.com  directly. Hexus hasn't announced a public refund policy. If you paid annually with time remaining, you may have grounds to negotiate a partial refund or migration credits.

Question 3

What happens to my data after April 20?

Accepted Answer

Harvey hasn't stated explicit data retention policies. Standard practice suggests data remains safe through the shutdown date but access isn't guaranteed afterward. Export everything now—don't rely on post-deadline access.

Question 4

Should I just use Loom instead of a demo platform?

Accepted Answer

Loom works as a temporary bridge but lacks interactivity, lead capture, and engagement analytics. Interactive demos convert at 6× higher rates than video according to Navattic. Loom is fine for internal training. For sales and marketing, you'll feel the difference.

Question 5

Will more demo tools get acquired?

Accepted Answer

Probably. The Hexus acquisition is the first major M&A event in demo automation. With the market reaching $500 million and $238 million in VC funding creating exit pressure, consolidation is likely. Favor well-funded vendors (Consensus, Reprise) if stability matters to you.

Question 6

How do I justify the budget for a more expensive alternative?

Accepted Answer

Honestly, frame it as ROI, not cost. Teams using demo automation close deals 2× faster. For a 10-person sales team, that's $195K-$390K annually in recovered productivity. A $50K tool that delivers 4× return is easy math.

Question 7

What is software demo automation?

Accepted Answer

Software demo automation is the use of technology to deliver product demonstrations without live human involvement. This ranges from passive "interactive demos" (click-through screenshots) to active "autonomous agents" (like Rep) that use voice and browser automation to simulate a live sales call.

Question 8

Will AI replace my sales team?

Accepted Answer

No, but it will change their job description. Gartner predicts that while 90% of buying will be agent-intermediated, humans are still critical for complex, high-stakes closing. AI handles the repetitive discovery and qualification (the first 80%), allowing your human AEs to focus purely on negotiation and closing (the final 20%).

Question 9

How much does a software demo tool cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing varies wildly. Simple interactive demo tools (like Arcade or Storylane) often start around $50-$500/month. Autonomous AI Agents (like Rep) that replace SDR functions typically cost a fraction of a full-time hire—think hundreds per month versus $5,000+ per month for a human employee.

Question 10

Do buyers actually like talking to AI?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided it's not a "dumb" chatbot. The frustration with bots comes from text-based loops that can't answer questions. Modern Voice Agents offer a natural, conversational experience. With 61% of buyers preferring rep-free experiences, the data suggests buyers prefer a competent AI over a pushy or unavailable human.

Question 11

Will AI replace sales reps in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Not entirely, but it is shifting roles significantly. While 61% of buyers prefer rep-free experiences for discovery, complex enterprise deals still require human empathy. However, AI agents are taking over prospecting, research, and initial demos. The role of the "human" rep is moving purely to high-value negotiation and relationship building.

Question 12

What is Agentic AI in sales?

Accepted Answer

Agentic AI refers to autonomous systems that can perceive, reason, act, and learn (the PRAL loop) without constant human oversight. Unlike standard automation which follows simple "if/then" rules, these agents can navigate complex workflows—like conducting deep account research or leading a live product demo—completely on their own.

Question 13

What are the top sales trends for 2026?

Accepted Answer

The top trends include the rise of autonomous AI agents, a shift toward productivity (revenue per rep) as the #1 growth lever, and the consolidation of point solutions into Revenue Action Orchestration platforms. Efficiency is replacing "growth at all costs."

Question 14

What is sales engagement software?

Accepted Answer

Sales engagement software is a digital platform that automates interactions between sales teams and prospects across channels like email, phone, and video. Unlike a CRM (which stores data), engagement software executes actions—sending emails, booking meetings, or conducting AI-led demos—to increase pipeline velocity.

Question 15

Will AI replace SDRs?

Accepted Answer

Not entirely, but it will replace the tasks SDRs currently hate. Routine qualification, scheduling, and basic Q&A will move to AI agents because machines are faster and cheaper for these tasks. SDR roles will evolve into "Strategic Development Reps" who focus on high-value account mapping and creative outreach that AI can't mimic.

Question 16

What are the benefits of AI sales engagement?

Accepted Answer

The primary benefits are speed and cost. AI ensures a sub-5-minute response time (increasing qualification odds by 21x), lowers operational costs by 40-60%, and allows for 24/7 coverage. Additionally, AI agents automatically clean CRM data, solving the "bad data" problem that costs organizations millions annually.

Question 17

How much does sales engagement software cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing varies wildly. Legacy platforms charge per seat ($100-$150/month per user). New autonomous agent platforms often charge based on usage (per meeting or per lead) or a flat platform fee that replaces the cost of an FTE salary. Given the cost of a bad hire, the software is usually a fraction of the expense.

Question 18

Will AI replace sales engineers?

Accepted Answer

No, but it will replace the repetitive parts of their job. Research shows 70% of deals require SE support, but much of that time is spent on basic "harbor tour" demos. AI agents handle these initial demonstrations, freeing up human SEs to focus on complex technical validation and closing high-value deals.

Question 19

What is Agentic AI in sales?

Accepted Answer

Agentic AI refers to autonomous AI systems that can perform actions to achieve goals, rather than just generating text. In sales, an Agentic AI (like Rep) can join a Zoom call, share its screen, navigate a software product live, and hold a voice conversation with a buyer to demonstrate value independently.

Question 20

Do B2B buyers like automated demos?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Gartner research from July 2025 confirms that 61% of B2B buyers prefer a rep-free buying experience. Buyers value speed, autonomy, and the ability to get answers without being "sold to" or forced into a qualification interrogation by a human SDR.

Question 21

What is the difference between interactive demos and AI agents?

Accepted Answer

Interactive demos (like Walnut or Navattic) are static, click-through recordings of a product, similar to a sophisticated slideshow. AI Agents (like Rep) are active participants that join video calls, use Voice AI to converse, and navigate the live product in real-time based on what the prospect asks to see.

Question 22

Will AI replace sales reps in 2026?

Accepted Answer

No, but it will replace the tasks reps hate. Research shows AI transforms jobs rather than eliminating them. However, the performance gap is real: reps who effectively use AI generate 77% more revenue than those who don't. The "replacement" risk is for reps who refuse to adapt, not for the role itself.

Question 23

What is the ROI of sales automation?

Accepted Answer

The ROI is measurable in both time and money. Companies implementing AI-driven sales automation report a 27% higher close rate on average. Additionally, tools save an average of 2 hours and 15 minutes per day per rep on administrative tasks. ( Source:  HubSpot / Graph8 )

Question 24

What is the difference between CRM and sales automation?

Accepted Answer

A CRM (like Salesforce) is a database—a "System of Record." Sales automation is a "System of Action." In 2026, automation has evolved into Agentic AI, which autonomously executes workflows like research, navigation, and demos, rather than just storing data about them.

Question 25

How does sales automation improve data quality?

Accepted Answer

Automation eliminates manual data entry errors, which currently cost the U.S. economy over $3 trillion yearly. By having agents automatically log calls, update stages, and record notes, you ensure 100% data hygiene. This prevents the "garbage in, garbage out" cycle that destroys forecast accuracy. ( Source:  MarketsandMarkets )

Question 26

What is the product demos meaning in modern B2B sales?

Accepted Answer

In modern B2B sales, the product demos meaning has shifted from a scheduled presentation to an on-demand verification experience. It refers to providing prospects with immediate access to see and test the product, often using autonomous AI agents to guide the discovery process without requiring a human sales rep's presence.

Question 27

Are rep-free buying experiences actually effective?

Accepted Answer

Yes. According to Gartner's 2025 sales survey, 61% of B2B buyers prefer a rep-free buying experience. This doesn't mean they never want to talk to a human, but they prefer to conduct their initial research, discovery, and product validation autonomously before engaging in high-pressure sales conversations.

Question 28

What is Agentic AI in the context of sales?

Accepted Answer

Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems capable of autonomous reasoning and action. Unlike a standard chatbot that follows a script, a sales agent (like Rep) can navigate a live software environment, interpret complex voice questions, manage a browser, and execute workflows to demonstrate a product just like a human would.

Question 29

Will AI agents replace sales representatives?

Accepted Answer

Not entirely. While AI agents are taking over the initial discovery and demonstration phases (the "rep-free" preference), Gartner predicts that for complex transactions, buyers will still prioritize human interaction. The future is a hybrid model: AI for scale and speed, humans for strategy, relationships, and closing.

Question 30

How much do autonomous demos reduce sales cycle length?

Accepted Answer

Data shows significant acceleration. For example, Navattic reports that prospects get onto sales calls 2 weeks faster when they have viewed an interactive demo first. Companies like Coupa have seen a 29% decrease in overall buying cycle times by removing the scheduling friction of early-stage demos.

Question 31

What is a demo automation platform?

Accepted Answer

A demo automation platform is a software solution that enables revenue teams to create, personalize, and share interactive product demonstrations without a live sales rep. Modern platforms use Agentic AI to autonomously navigate software, answer prospect questions in real-time via voice, and capture intent data, allowing buyers to self-educate 24/7.

Question 32

How much do leading demo automation platforms cost?

Accepted Answer

Most click-through platforms (like Navattic or Storylane) range from $500 to $2,000 per month depending on seats and views. Autonomous agent platforms (like Rep or 11x) typically price based on "digital workers" or usage minutes, often costing 10–20% of a fully loaded human SDR salary (which is ~$90k–100k).

Question 33

Will AI agents replace Sales Engineers?

Accepted Answer

Not entirely. AI agents are best suited for the "Introduction" or "Qualification" demo—the repetitive 15-minute walkthrough of standard features. Complex, bespoke solution architecture still requires human Sales Engineers. The goal is to free up those expensive humans so they only focus on high-value deals, rather than answering "Does it integrate with Slack?" for the 50th time.

Question 34

Do these platforms integrate with Salesforce and HubSpot?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Integration is table stakes for this category. The primary value for RevOps is the data capture. Leading platforms automatically push call recordings, transcripts, extracted fields (budget, timeline, authority), and deal stages directly into your CRM immediately after the interaction.

Question 35

What is drip campaign software?

Accepted Answer

Drip campaign software is an automated marketing tool that sends a series of pre-written emails to prospects over time. It uses linear triggers (like signing up for a newsletter) to deliver content. Unlike modern AI agents, it cannot engage in real-time conversation or adapt to prospect behavior instantly.

Question 36

Are drip campaigns effective in B2B?

Accepted Answer

They are becoming less effective. Recent data shows cold email reply rates have dropped to 5.1% [[1]]. While they still serve a purpose for basic updates, they are being outperformed by "Speed to Lead" tools and AI agents that can respond to buyer intent in seconds rather than days.

Question 37

How do AI sales agents differ from marketing automation?

Accepted Answer

Marketing automation is passive and rule-based (e.g., "If user clicks link, wait 2 days, then send email"). AI sales agents are active and goal-based. They use Agentic AI to understand intent, navigate objections, and even demonstrate products live, mimicking a human sales rep.

Question 38

Can AI replace human sales reps?

Accepted Answer

Not entirely, but it handles the early stages better. AI agents excel at the initial qualification and demonstration phases—what we call "Top of Funnel." They can engage 24/7 and filter out unqualified leads so that human Account Executives can focus purely on closing deals with serious buyers.

Question 39

What is a demo platform?

Accepted Answer

A demo platform is a software solution that automates the product demonstration process. In 2026, this category has evolved from interactive click-throughs (e.g., Navattic) to autonomous AI agents (e.g., Rep) that can join video calls, share screens, and conduct live voice conversations with prospects 24/7.

Question 40

Are interactive demos effective?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Research from 2025 shows interactive demos increase website conversion rates by 7.9x (from 3% to 24%) and deal conversion rates by 3.2x compared to static content. (Source: Storylane 2025 Report).

Question 41

What is an autonomous sales agent?

Accepted Answer

An autonomous sales agent is an AI-powered "digital worker" that functions like a human SDR. It can perform outbound outreach, handle inbound inquiries, join Zoom calls, and execute live product demos without human intervention. Unlike a chatbot, it can navigate complex software interfaces in real-time.

Question 42

Will AI replace my sales engineers?

Accepted Answer

Not exactly. It replaces the repetitive part of their job. An autonomous agent handles the "Harbor Tour"—the standard, top-of-funnel overview. This frees your human SEs to focus on complex, bespoke solution architecture for late-stage deals.

Question 43

Is cold emailing illegal in 2026?

Accepted Answer

No, cold emailing is legal in the US (under CAN-SPAM) and Europe (GDPR) provided you follow specific compliance rules like offering an opt-out. However, the stricter barrier is technical, not legal: Google and Yahoo's 0.3% spam complaint threshold bans "spammy" behavior regardless of the law.

Question 44

What is the average cold email response rate in 2025?

Accepted Answer

The average B2B cold email response rate hovers between 1% and 5%. However, campaigns utilizing hyper-personalization and signal-based triggers can see rates jump to 15-30% [Source: Hunter.io].

Question 45

Will AI replace SDRs?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely. While AI is taking over research, initial outreach, and first-touch demos, 75% of B2B buyers still prefer human interaction for complex, high-stakes negotiations. The role is evolving: SDRs will become "campaign architects" who manage the AI agents, rather than writing every email themselves.

Question 46

What is agentic AI in sales?

Accepted Answer

Agentic AI in sales refers to autonomous software entities that can perceive context, reason through complex workflows, and execute multi-step tasks—such as qualifying leads or conducting demos—with limited human supervision. Unlike traditional automation which follows rigid rules, agentic AI adapts to buyer behavior in real-time.

Question 47

Will AI replace sales reps?

Accepted Answer

Not entirely, but it will replace the administrative work that currently eats up 72% of their time. Forrester data shows that 60% of B2B employees fear job loss, but the reality is that AI agents are best suited for TOFU tasks (research, outreach, initial demos), while humans are best suited for BOFU tasks (negotiation, relationship building, closing).

Question 48

What is signal-based selling?

Accepted Answer

Signal-based selling is a strategy that prioritizes outreach based on real-time buyer intent signals (like a champion changing jobs, a company raising funding, or a visit to a pricing page) rather than static lead lists. Automation tools scrape these signals and trigger agentic workflows immediately.

Question 49

What are the risks of sales automation?

Accepted Answer

The biggest risk is "Agent Washing"—deploying tools that claim to be autonomous but require constant human babysitting. Gartner predicts a 40% failure rate for agentic projects by 2027 largely due to this issue. Start with specialized agents for specific workflows rather than trying to automate the entire lifecycle at once.

Question 50

Will AI replace B2B sales reps?

Accepted Answer

No, but it is replacing the tasks of the entry-level rep. AI is taking over "top of funnel" activities like research, qualification, and initial demos. This shifts human sellers to high-value closing and relationship management. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 80% of sales interactions will be digital, so the role is changing, not disappearing.

Question 51

What is the difference between sales automation and AI sales agents?

Accepted Answer

Traditional sales automation follows "if/then" rules (e.g., "if prospect clicks link, send email"). AI Sales Agents (Agentic AI) are autonomous. They can "think," understand natural language, navigate objections, and perform complex actions like giving a live product demo or updating a CRM without a pre-written script.

Question 52

How accurate are AI sales agents?

Accepted Answer

Modern AI agents are incredibly accurate. TBI Bank's voice agent achieved a 1% detection rate, meaning it was indistinguishable from a human 99% of the time. With platforms like Rep, we use verified knowledge bases to prevent hallucinations, ensuring the agent only speaks from approved content.

Question 53

Will AI replace SDRs in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Not entirely, but the role is changing. While some job elimination is expected, 43% of leaders expect AI to transform jobs rather than reduce headcount. The SDR role is moving from "email blaster" to "AI supervisor." SDRs will manage fleets of digital agents (like Alice or Rep) that handle the volume, while the humans focus on high-value relationship building.

Question 54

What is the best AI for B2B lead generation?

Accepted Answer

The "best" tool depends on which part of the workflow you need to fix. For data enrichment and research, Clay is the current leader due to its waterfall capability. For outbound autonomy, 11x.ai is a top contender for digital workers. For inbound conversion and live demos, Rep is the only solution that autonomously navigates your product live on video calls.

Question 55

How effective is AI in sales?

Accepted Answer

It is highly effective when used for "signal-based" selling rather than generic spam. Data from 2026 shows that sales teams deeply using AI generate 77% more revenue per rep compared to non-users. Additionally, companies using AI lead generation tools often report a 50% increase in lead volume because agents can work 24/7 without burnout.

Question 56

What is the difference between a product demo and a tutorial?

Accepted Answer

A product demo is a persuasive sales tool designed to convert a prospect by highlighting value and solving specific pain points. A tutorial is an educational tool designed to teach a user how to perform a specific task after they have bought the product. Demos sell; tutorials teach.

Question 57

How effective are interactive demos?

Accepted Answer

Very. Data shows that interactive demos can increase engagement significantly. According to Navattic's 2025 report, the top 1% of interactive demos saw a 68.7% increase in CTR. They allow buyers to "try before they buy" without setting up a full sandbox environment.

Question 58

Do buyers trust AI sales agents?

Accepted Answer

Trust is growing rapidly. Gartner found that 61% of buyers prefer rep-free experiences. As long as the agent is competent—meaning it answers correctly and doesn't hallucinate—buyers prefer the speed of an agent over the friction of a human schedule.

Question 59

What software is used for product demos?

Accepted Answer

The stack is splitting. For asynchronous/marketing demos, tools like Navattic and Arcade are standard. For synchronous/live demos, new autonomous platforms like Rep and SalesCloser are leading the "Agentic" category. For human demos, Zoom and Google Meet remain the delivery mechanism.

Question 60

What is the difference between a product tour and a sandbox demo?

Accepted Answer

A product tour (e.g., Navattic) is usually a linear, guided click-through experience embedded on a website for marketing. A sandbox demo (e.g., Demostack) is a fully functional, explorable environment used by sales teams for live presentations or deep-dive trials.

Question 61

How much do sandbox demo platforms cost?

Accepted Answer

Enterprise pricing is typically custom, but generally ranges from $20k to $50k+ annually depending on seats and features. While this sounds high, the ROI is often realized within months by reclaiming engineering time and increasing win rates.

Question 62

Can AI replace Sales Engineers?

Accepted Answer

No. AI Agents like Rep replace the repetitive tasks—the intro demos, standard FAQs, and qualification calls. This allows human SEs to focus on high-value activities like solution architecture, custom workshops, and relationship building.

Question 63

Are sandbox demos secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if they are SOC 2 Type 2 compliant. Leading platforms "sanitize" data during the cloning process, ensuring no real customer data ever leaves your secure environment.

Question 64

Is Demoboost expensive?

Accepted Answer

Demoboost does not publish public pricing, but it typically targets mid-market to enterprise teams. Competitors in the same category, like Walnut ($9,200+/yr) and Saleo ($16k+/yr), suggest that enterprise-grade demo automation requires a five-figure annual budget. Lighter tools like Storylane offer monthly plans starting under $100.

Frequently Asked Questions

Industry Insights

Best Practices

Analytics

Frequently Asked Questions

Industry Insights

Will Hexus features be available through Harvey?

Can I get a refund on my Hexus annual subscription?

What happens to my data after April 20?

Should I just use Loom instead of a demo platform?

Will more demo tools get acquired?

How do I justify the budget for a more expensive alternative?

What is software demo automation?

Will AI replace my sales team?

How much does a software demo tool cost?

Do buyers actually like talking to AI?

Will AI replace sales reps in 2026?

What is Agentic AI in sales?

What are the top sales trends for 2026?

What is sales engagement software?

Will AI replace SDRs?

What are the benefits of AI sales engagement?

How much does sales engagement software cost?

Will AI replace sales engineers?

What is Agentic AI in sales?

Do B2B buyers like automated demos?

What is the difference between interactive demos and AI agents?

Will AI replace sales reps in 2026?

What is the ROI of sales automation?

What is the difference between CRM and sales automation?

How does sales automation improve data quality?

What is the product demos meaning in modern B2B sales?

Are rep-free buying experiences actually effective?

What is Agentic AI in the context of sales?

Will AI agents replace sales representatives?

How much do autonomous demos reduce sales cycle length?

What is a demo automation platform?

How much do leading demo automation platforms cost?

Will AI agents replace Sales Engineers?

Do these platforms integrate with Salesforce and HubSpot?

What is drip campaign software?

Are drip campaigns effective in B2B?

How do AI sales agents differ from marketing automation?

Can AI replace human sales reps?

What is a demo platform?

Are interactive demos effective?

What is an autonomous sales agent?

Will AI replace my sales engineers?

Is cold emailing illegal in 2026?

What is the average cold email response rate in 2025?

Will AI replace SDRs?

What is agentic AI in sales?

Will AI replace sales reps?

What is signal-based selling?

What are the risks of sales automation?

Will AI replace B2B sales reps?

What is the difference between sales automation and AI sales agents?

How accurate are AI sales agents?

Will AI replace SDRs in 2026?

What is the best AI for B2B lead generation?

How effective is AI in sales?

What is the difference between a product demo and a tutorial?

How effective are interactive demos?

Do buyers trust AI sales agents?

What software is used for product demos?

What is the difference between a product tour and a sandbox demo?

How much do sandbox demo platforms cost?

Can AI replace Sales Engineers?

Are sandbox demos secure?

Is Demoboost expensive?

What is agentic AI in sales?

Which Demoboost alternative is easiest to set up?

Can these tools replace a Sales Engineer?

What is the best alternative to Saleo?

How much does Saleo cost?

Can AI agents really replace live demos?

Is Storylane better than Saleo?

What is product demo automation?

How does the cost compare to hiring?

Does demo automation replace Sales Engineers?

What are the top-rated demo automation tools?

What is the average cost of demo automation software?

Is Salesforce Agentforce free?

What is the ROI of interactive demos vs. video?