Salesforce integration: common options,
types, steps, and considerations

Salesforce integration: common options, types, steps, and considerations

Salesforce integration involves connecting Salesforce with other software through APIs, connectors, middleware, or pre-built integrations. We can create a seamless integration between Salesforce and other systems to improve companies’ efficiency, data accuracy, and collaboration across teams.

Why Itransition

10+ years as a Salesforce services provider

In-house Salesforce Center of Excellence

Named among Top Salesforce Consulting Companies by Clutch

82 Salesforce certifications

Expertise in Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, CPQ, and other Salesforce solutions

Apps and systems commonly integrated with Salesforce

Highly integrable by design, Salesforce can connect with cloud or on-premises business software from various departments and third-party applications for seamless data synchronization.

Accounting

By integrating Salesforce with accounting software, companies can sync actual financial data into CRM and help sales teams create more detailed customer profiles. The integration also contributes to more accurate handling of invoices and business transactions and simplifies budget planning and sales forecasting. 

Common integration options:

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Salesforce integration options

By approach

Business logic integration

Through this integration, companies can unify business logic across Salesforce and other business software to create smooth and automated business processes. Business logic integration requires the use of Apex Web Services for Inbound and Apex Callouts for Outbound.

User interface integration

This integration enables users to access different business applications through a single unified Salesforce platform. Companies rely on this type of integration to harmonize user experiences for employees, allowing them to perform disparate tasks in the same user interface. 

Data integration

This integration allows companies to synchronize data between Salesforce and two or more data sources, making sure all applications involved have real-time information. SOAP or REST APIs are commonly used to establish Salesforce data integration.

Salesforce integration roadmap

Here’s how Itransition’s experts approach and carry out a typical integration project to seamlessly connect Salesforce with any kind of business or third-party software. 

1

Business analysis

We begin with a comprehensive analysis of your business needs and objectives as well as the existing IT infrastructure and determine your Salesforce integration requirements.

2

Planning

Next, we choose the integration approach, selecting the business apps to integrate with, patterns, and methods of implementation. We also decide on the project’s responsibilities, timeline, and tools needed.

3

Development

If we’ve decided upon a custom Salesforce integration solution, our team designs and develops a custom Salesforce connector app or API in line with your needs.

4

Integration

We set up the integration between Salesforce and the target business software using an off-the-shelf or custom-built solution. If necessary, we can customize the integration to make sure it works as intended.

5

Testing

We perform a range of QA activities to validate the integration and locate any errors and security vulnerabilities and make sure it sustains the expected data exchange load.

6

Launch

Having validated the established integration, we launch it to the production environment for business users to access.

7

User training and support

We offer hands-on training sessions for employees and Salesforce admins to show them Salesforce integration’s capabilities and can provide long-term maintenance services upon request.

Benefits of Salesforce integration

Overall, Salesforce integration with other software can help get better returns on CRM investment. Here are its key benefits:

Processes automation

Integrating Salesforce with other apps can streamline data handling tasks and eliminate the need for manual data entry.

Improved data accuracy

Salesforce integration can eliminate data duplicates, inconsistencies, and human errors, thus improving data accuracy and consistency across systems.

Personalized customer experiences

Integrated with other data sources, Salesforce can deliver a 360-degree view of customer data and help companies deliver more personalized services and customer experiences.

Better decisions

Salesforce integration with different systems can provide a comprehensive and real-time view of business data, enabling better decision-making through improved data accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility.

Increased employee productivity

By integrating Salesforce with different business systems, companies can eliminate manual data entry and create a single source of truth for all business data, helping sales and support agents work more efficiently.

Streamlined collaboration

Salesforce integration with other business apps simplifies data sharing and improves cross-team and cross-department communication and collaboration.

Salesforce integration considerations

Here are four aspects that organizations should take into account when integrating Salesforce with other systems:

Salesforce integration considerations

1  
Data mapping

Before the integration, map the data properly to ensure it’s accurately and consistently transferred between systems. This will help you maintain data integrity and maximize the benefits of Salesforce integration.

2  
Security

Salesforce can be integrated with systems containing sensitive information, so it’s critical to ensure that the data is protected in transit and at rest with proper security measures, such as encryption and access controls.

3  
Integration architecture

By designing proper integration architecture, you ensure that data is shared efficiently and securely between Salesforce and other systems while minimizing the risk of errors or data loss.

4  
Ongoing maintenance and support

Salesforce integrations should be monitored and maintained to meet the organization’s evolving needs. You should also be ready to resolve any arising issues.

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Common Salesforce integration challenges

While Salesforce integration can provide many benefits, there are also some common challenges that organizations should overcome themselves or with the help of experienced Salesforce consultants to see positive results.

Challenge

Solution

Data quality issues

Challenge

Since data from Salesforce and different systems isn’t always consistent and of the same quality, its synchronization can fail to bring any value to users.

Challenge

Solution

Before the integration, companies can establish data governance policies and use data quality tools to clean and standardize data. Post-integration, they can create rules and validations to enforce data consistency in Salesforce.

Data rate limits

Challenge

Salesforce limits the amount of data that can be transferred in and out of the system within a certain period for the sake of the system’s stability and performance. These restrictions can pose a challenge for companies dealing with large volumes of data or performing frequent transfers.

Challenge

Solution

One way to overcome this problem is to optimize data transfer by reducing the amount of data, compressing it, or using incremental updates instead of full data transfers. Another option is to apply third-party tools or middleware to help manage data transfer and ensure compliance with Salesforce's limits. Additionally, an experienced integration provider can help companies optimize data transfer in line with Salesforce's restrictions.

Prioritizing real-time integration

Challenge

Companies can quickly opt for a real-time Salesforce integration as the best solution for their needs but fail to realize it is way more complex to set up and manage.

Challenge

Solution

Real-time integrations are not necessary for every business scenario. To make the right decision, companies should carefully evaluate the integration needs and requirements, including the volume of data transferred, the frequency of data updates, and the necessity of data accuracy and timeliness. Only then they can make an informed decision for or against real-time Salesforce integration. 

Different tech stacks

Challenge

If the technology stacks of Salesforce and integrated apps are not compatible, this can lead to data mapping, code migration, or testing difficulties, as well as increase the integration project’s timeline and cost.

Challenge

Solution

The best solution is to use middleware or integration platforms that support different technology stacks and provide a layer of abstraction between the integrated systems. Companies are also advised to hire an integration provider to help navigate the challenges of different technology stacks throughout the integration project, like correct data mapping or satisfactory data quality.

FAQs about Salesforce integration

Can Salesforce integrate with legacy systems?

How can I check if the integration I need has already been developed?

How long does it take to integrate Salesforce?