A Guide to Salesforce Integrations
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Salesforce Integrations 101
Love it or hate it, Salesforce is one of the most customizable platforms available today, enabling businesses supercharge internal users with powerful automations, deep analytical insights, and increased data visibility.
A primary benefit to Salesforce is how easily you can integrate it with other critical systems and apps, including standalone enterprise applications and solutions from the AppExchange. The result? You can seamlessly share data between various systems, thereby streamlining core business processes.
But no two integrations are created equal.
For some, a Salesforce Admin can handle basic setup and field mapping. Others require integration tools or middleware applications. And the most powerful Salesforce integrations will need a Salesforce Developer to build a custom integration and deal with APIs.
Below, we highlight the benefits of building integrations with Salesforce. Our Salesforce Experts will also outline several of the top Salesforce integration tools that you can use to facilitate data flow with various applications.
Best Salesforce Data Integration Tools
Let’s break down a few of these more robust tools available for building an interconnected ecosystem of applications surrounding Salesforce.
DELL BOOMI
Boomi is one of the most technical data integration tools available. It is a fully scalable integration platform that you can use to merge the Salesforce with a wide array of other systems.
It's is a great integration tool for large organizations and those that need to scale rapidly.
While Boomi can facilitate the integration of dozens of systems, some of the most popular supported platforms include Oracle Netsuite, Amazon AWS, and Google Cloud.
With that being said, Boomi integrations will require the assistance of talented Salesforce Developers. Completing an integration with this tool is very labor-intensive, so you may need to hire multiple developers, admins, and architects.
However, this Salesforce integration tool creates high-quality end-to-end workflows, which is why so many major enterprises rely on this platform.
MULESOFT
A few years ago, Salesforce purchased Mulesoft’s Anypoint platform. This high-end Salesforce data integration tool utilizes APIs to facilitate complex integrations.
The Mulesoft platform is extremely flexible and is specifically designed to create Salesforce with countless applications. Anypoint also gives you the ability to build API supports and apply them to create additional integration capabilities.
Mulesoft Anypoint is not the most seamless Salesforce integration tool, but it does offer the ability to merge multiple applications simultaneously.
Like DELL BOOMI, Mulesoft is best suited for large businesses that have an abundance of technical resources.
If you are interested in implementing Mulesoft but are concerned that you do not have the requisite IT support, you can utilize this integration tool by partnering with pre-vetted Salesforce contractors.
ORBIS
ORBIS is one of the most flexible data integration tools on our list. This platform allows you to rapidly integrate Salesforce with ERP solutions. It is especially useful for merging Salesforce with Microsoft Dynamics.
ORBIS is a good fit for small to medium-sized businesses. It performs well with hybrid, cloud, and on-site resource deployment models.
If you want to complete your integration quickly and only incorporate a handful of applications into your current business model, the ORBIS integration tool is an excellent choice.
JITTERBIT
Jitterbit is generally considered to be a high-end Salesforce data integration tool. This is because it offers various sets of API integrations for businesses of all sizes and industries.
Jitterbit services are divided into three levels, depending on how much support your organization needs and how many applications you want to integrate into your Salesforce CRM.
If your company’s integration needs exceed the capabilities of ORBIS but you are not ready to commit to a platform like DELL BOOMI, Jitterbit may be your best option.
With the help of experienced Salesforce developers, you can deploy the Jitterbit integration tool to merge data from all of your essential applications. As your business grows, you can upgrade to a higher service level, which means that you can stick with the same integration platform long-term.
TIBCO SCRIBE
Tibco Scribe is a cloud-based Salesforce data integration tool that has specialized solutions geared toward large organizations.
Tibco Scribe is capable of creating integration with intelligence software and ERP technologies. Tibco Scribe offers a mild amount of template support, but most integrations must be configured by your company.
Tibco Scribe has an intuitive design, which makes it a good option for those with minimal programming experience. However, all integrations should be handled by licensed Salesforce developers and administrators.
Custom Coding/Salesforce API
In addition to specific Salesforce integration tools, you can also facilitate interactions between applications with custom coding and API creation.
An API or application programming interface is software that acts as an intermediary between two apps. These APIs allow your applications to communicate with the Salesforce CRM and vice versa.
Custom Salesforce APIs allow you to expand upon the integration capabilities of the tools discussed above. You will be able to interact with Salesforce data in real-time. This will give you the capability of reacting to customer events in an optimal fashion.
Implementing custom coding into your Salesforce integrations is extremely complex. As such, we recommend partnering with Salesforce developers and architects to deploy these technologies.
Challenges Integrating with Salesforce
Data Mapping
The field types present in your Salesforce CRM may not match those of other applications. As a result, you will have to meticulously map out each data point. Failing to do so can result in issues during the migration process, such as a loss of essential customer data.
Duplicate Records
One of the key benefits of Salesforce integration tools is that they help you eliminate duplicate data. However, some of these duplicate records can be transmitted during the integration process.
To avoid this issue, you should implement an external ID system to identify and earmark duplicate records. An import tool will identify records with matching IDs and will not transfer those files.
Migration
Data migration can be a major pain point during Salesforce integrations. This is because there is a high risk of creating duplicate records, losing valuable data, or inadvertently slowing your network down during peak usage hours.
Hiring Salesforce Integration Experts
If you want to take advantage of the latest Salesforce integration tools while also avoiding the challenges outlined above, FoundHQ can help. Our firm connects you with top Salesforce developers, admins, architects, and more. You can browse hundreds of pre-qualified Salesforce freelancers that are ready to tackle your latest project.
The FoundHQ platform requires no upfront commitment and allows you to pay by the hour. We can also assist you in identifying the right Salesforce vendor or products for your organization.
Get Matched to the Right Salesforce Consultant
FoundHQ is the easiest way to get work done in Salesforce.
