As a leading CRM platform, Salesforce often integrates with other systems to provide an intuitive experience and support smooth business operations.
Whether synchronizing data, automating business processes, or facilitating real-time communication, Salesforce integration solutions offer powerful ways to enhance the platform’s capabilities that are customized for numerous requirements.
However, there are different types of Salesforce integrations depending on what you are trying to integrate between Salesforce and other systems. It is essential to know what these types are, their benefits, and when to use them before you go out looking for a salesforce integration service.
In this article, we will explore 7 types of Salesforce integration services and what they have to offer.
What is an integration in Salesforce?
Salesforce integration solutions involve connecting Salesforce with other business software within an organization. Modern enterprises use many applications, which are not usually designed to integrate with each other by default.
Therefore, users have to rely on Salesforce integration tools and services to allow the exchange of data, logic, and other business resources between Salesforce and other platforms.
Types of Salesforce Integration Solutions
There are several types of integrations in Salesforce in common discourse. But they can be separated into seven core categories.
1. Data integration
Data integration is responsible for synchronizing data between Salesforce and outside systems. It is commonly applied to synchronize databases across systems.
Techniques:
- ETL (Extract, Transform, Load): MuleSoft, Informatica, and Dell Boomi are some tools that extract data from source systems, transform, and load it into Salesforce.
- APIs: REST API and SOAP API of Salesforce are normally employed for synchronous real-time data synchronization.
Use Case:
- Syncing customer information from an ERP system to Salesforce.
- Syncing product catalogs between an e-commerce platform and Salesforce.
2. API Integration
API integration is a popular Salesforce integration solution. It is an effective way of integrating Salesforce with other applications with real-time data sharing. Instead of manually importing or exporting data, APIs act as bridges that enable automated data exchange between Salesforce and other platforms.
Techniques :
- REST APIs: They are used as Salesforce integration tools for lightweight, faster integrations. REST APIs are ideal for connecting Salesforce with web or mobile applications where performance and scalability are essential.
- SOAP APIs: Such APIs offer a more structured protocol for enterprise-level Salesforce integrations that require strict data formatting and reliability.
- Bulk APIs: These are designed for handling large volumes of data efficiently in batch imports and exports.
Use Case
- Automatically updating Salesforce when a new lead is created in a marketing automation platform.
- Sending order data from Salesforce to an ERP system in real time to keep inventory and billing synchronized.
- Triggering external workflows (when a Salesforce record is updated.
3. Process integration
Process integration connects business flows from Salesforce and other systems. These Salesforce integrations make activities in one system cause automated activities in another.
Techniques:
- Salesforce Flow: Automates such processes as approvals and notification.
- Outbound Messaging: Outputs SOAP messages to other systems after a Salesforce workflow activity.
- Apex Callouts: Custom Salesforce code calling external systems for real-time data exchange.
Use Case
- Initiating order fulfillment in an ERP system upon closing an opportunity in Salesforce.
- Notifying payment confirmation from a payment gateway to Salesforce.
4. Application integration
Application integration links Salesforce to outside applications for functional synchronization and real-time data exchange, including Salesforce WhatsApp integration.
Techniques
- Middleware: Seamless integration between Salesforce and external apps is facilitated by tools such as MuleSoft, Zapier, and Workato.
- APIs: Utilize Salesforce REST, SOAP, and GraphQL APIs for direct application integration.
Use Case
- Integrating Salesforce with a customer support application such as Zendesk.
- Integrating Salesforce with a marketing automation application such as Marketo or HubSpot.
5. Integration of user interface
User interface (UI) Salesforce integration solutions integrate various applications into one interface, presenting users with an integrated experience.
Techniques
- Canvas Apps: Integrate external applications into Salesforce.
- Lightning Web Components (LWC): Present data from external systems in Salesforce UI. Third-Party AppExchange
- Apps: Leverage pre-built apps to integrate third-party interfaces with Salesforce.
Use Case
- Integration of a third-party provider’s customer service chat interface into Salesforce.
- Showing an external system’s inventory information directly within Salesforce records.
6. Batch integration
Batch integration handles big amounts of data in batches, usually at off-peak times.
Techniques
- Bulk API: Suitable for importing, updating, or deleting large sets of data.
- Data Loader: A bulk data import and export tool from Salesforce.
Use Case
- Importing historical data into Salesforce during implementation.
- Exporting weekly reports from Salesforce to a data warehouse.
7. Hybrid Integration
Hybrid Salesforce integration solutions connect both cloud-based and on-premises systems so they can share data and work together seamlessly.
Techniques
- Middleware Platforms: Tools like MuleSoft, Dell Boomi, and Informatica act as bridges between on-premises databases and cloud applications.
- Secure Gateways: They are used to safely transfer data between internal servers and the Salesforce Cloud while maintaining compliance and security.
Use Case
- Synchronizing customer and order data between an on-premises ERP system and Salesforce Sales Cloud.
- Integrating a local manufacturing execution system with Salesforce Service Cloud to track maintenance and service records.
- Connecting legacy financial software hosted on company servers with Salesforce for unified reporting and analytics.
Best practices for salesforce integration services
Following these best practices will make integrating Salesforce with other applications a lot easier.
- Set Clear Objectives: Know why integration is happening and how business will be affected.
- Test in Sandbox: Test integrations carefully in a sandbox environment prior to going live in production.
- Monitor and Maintain: Monitor using Salesforce monitoring tools so that integrations keep running successfully.
- Select the Appropriate Method: Depending on the use case, choose the salesforce integration services type (real-time, batch, etc.).
- Optimize API Usage: Don’t overload Salesforce APIs to avoid running into limits.
Salesforce Integration Architectures
There are various means through which Salesforce may be integrated with systems:
1. Point-to-point integration:
This may be the most direct and straightforward method for integrating two applications and systems.
It includes a straightforward connection or link from Salesforce to another system through various APIs, web services, or others. This method is perfect for simple and low-volume integrations but complicates things after the integration is raised.
2. App-based integration:
Such integrations can be classified as no-code or low-code integrations with Salesforce. In this integration process, an in-house app such as MuleSoft Composer, which falls under the Salesforce App Builder, or an external app such as Coupler or Zapier can be utilized.
This method is applied for basic integration of Salesforce but is not applicable for heavy integration.
3. Code-based integration:
Using code-based integration solutions is one of the ways through which you can integrate Salesforce with various applications.
Code for the Salesforce API is based on the language Apex, which is comparable to Java, and it’s running on the platform of Salesforce.
This is the method for carrying out complex and heavy integration solutions, even though they take a longer time to implement. This solution based on code is suited for large organizations and corporations.
4. Hub-and-Spoke Integration
There is a central hub in such Salesforce integrations. All systems connect to this hub only, and not to each other. In this way, the data is transferred through the hub. This setup is much easier to manage because adding a new system only requires one new connection to the hub.
However, it is not ideal for managing large transaction volumes.
5. Enterprise Service Bus Integration
ESB is a more advanced way of integrating Salesforce with other applications. While it works on the same principle as the central hub model, it doesn’t just pass messages around.
It manages, transforms, and secures them along the way. Such types of Salesforce integrations know where each message should go, control the order of operations, and act like a translator. This means if two systems speak different data formats, the ESB converts messages so both can understand
Conclusion
Salesforce integration services are important to automate business processes and improve operational efficiency. With different types of integrations, such as data, process, and real-time integrations, Salesforce provides flexibility to cater to different business requirements.
With the use of correct integration solutions and adherence to best practices, companies can fully realize the capabilities of Salesforce and establish a unified, streamlined ecosystem.
Whether integrating with ERP software, marketing tools, or customer service platforms, Salesforce possesses the capabilities to seamlessly integrate and deliver a powerful impact.
If you want any help in salesforce integration solutions, you can contact us at [email protected]. We will schedule a free consultation session to explore how Xavor can assist you in this matter.