Salesforce Integration
Before talking about Salesforce integration, first, we need to understand what does integration mean?
Integration means to create a connection between a specific Salesforce instance and another database or system. The connection could be inbound, outbound, or bi-directional, and you may be connecting to another database, another Salesforce instance, or another cloud-based data source. Integrations can be focused on sharing data between systems, or continuing a business process automation from one system to another.
What is Salesforce Integration?
Salesforce integration is the process of merging the data and functionality of Salesforce with another application to provide users with a single unified experience. It allows you to provide your team with an ideal mix of features pertaining to both platforms
Salesforce users often face the issue of reconciling data between two platforms and switching between them while performing specific activities. Salesforce integration relieves them from this problem and provides them with a centralized platform to work on.
Why do customers integrate Salesforce?
Salesforce is a very powerful tool because it helps companies to create a 360-degree view of their customers and their business. Integrations with additional databases can bring even more value and information into your Salesforce environment.
Types of Salesforce Integration
Salesforce is the most versatile tool which offers ample ways to integrate data. Currently, few important salesforce integrations are mostly used.
- Batch Integration: The most common method of data integration which is suitable for less frequently changing data. It is the easiest way to implement and provide an excellent solution for processing flat files.
- Real-Time Integration: Real-time integration is a good match to align sales and marketing successfully. It is more adequate and less challenging to handle errors and control queues.
- AppExchange: There are numerous apps available in Salesforce which can be immediately installed in the Salesforce environment. They are essential in reducing time and money in proper integration and supports future enhancements.
- Real-Time Mashups: It needs building-up of the user interface in Visualforce to create customized UIs. They are frequently used for assessing data from external systems swiftly.
Salesforce Integration Processes
There are two major approaches to carry out the process of Salesforce integration:
- App-based Salesforce Integration
- Code-based Salesforce Integration
App-based Salesforce Integration: App-based Salesforce Integration is carried out using dedicated applications. These apps allow users to integrate the data between two apps and develop a unified platform with a few simple clicks.
In order to integrate your Salesforce CRM with suitable applications, you would need a robust and smooth integration platform that facilitates the seamless transfer of data between the two applications.
Code-based Salesforce Integration: Code-based Salesforce Integration is carried out with the help of a programming language. Some of the core benefits of carrying out code-based Salesforce integration include:
- Simple to use and easy to understand language
- Built-in support for Salesforce Lightning Platform
- Suited for different API versions
- The programming language can be hosted on the Lightning Platform and entirely controlled by the same
Different Ways to Integrate Salesforce
Salesforce integration can be carried out for different layers within your CRM platforms, such as:
- Data Integration: With data integration, you can use REST or SOAP APIs for allowing a centralized application in your organization to act as the key source of a specific business object. Such integration does not require any coding and cannot be used for implementing any custom logic.
- Process integration: Process integration connects apps and systems at the workflow level to implement business processes end to end. Related integration scenarios will require a complex solution that can orchestrate interactions among systems, report on and manage process state.
- Security integration: merges authentication mechanisms to achieve a better user experience and minimize administration.
- User Interface Integration: This integration revolves around permitting users to enter different applications from a single unified platform. The approach here is similar to that of Facebook, where multiple application vendors can post content on a single platform.
