Best Practices For Salesforce Integration With Third-Party Apps
Integrating Salesforce with third-party applications can significantly enhance your business processes, which is the goal of every existing Salesforce user business. However, to achieve the best results, knowing well and following Salesforce integration best practices is crucial.
Salesforce holds a 23% share of the global CRM market, which is larger than its four main competitors combined. Other statistics reveal that companies saw a 26% increase in employee productivity due to Salesforce integration. It directly means that Salesforce integrations are both globally widespread and highly useful.
In this post, you’ll discover how the concept of Salesforce integration works, based on Synebo’s expertise in Salesforce development and integration services. Besides, you’ll familiarize yourself with types of Salesforce integration, explore key challenges and solutions with Salesforce integration, and explore best practices for integrating Salesforce from industry experts.
Understanding Salesforce Integration
Let’s get started by delving into the basic concepts and key reasons to use Salesforce integration as a current Salesforce business user:
What is Salesforce Integration?
Salesforce integration is the process of connecting Salesforce with other systems, applications, or data sources to enable seamless data exchange and interoperability.
Salesforce Integration integration allows businesses to unify their operations, improve data consistency, and enhance overall efficiency by ensuring that Salesforce works harmoniously with other tools and platforms.
Example: A company integrates Salesforce with its ERP system. When a sales order is created in Salesforce, it sends the details to the ERP system, which updates inventory and generates an invoice. The invoice data updates Salesforce, providing real-time order status and inventory levels, enhancing efficiency and data accuracy.
Basically, Salesforce communicates with a third-party app via API and through protected channels. At its core, Salesforce integration allows access to data generated and stored in a third-party app from the Salesforce environment and vice versa, which is utterly convenient to Salesforce users.
You will discover how SOAP, REST, and other technical integrations work in the sections below.
Benefits of Salesforce Integration
As mentioned, Salesforce integration connects your Salesforce environment with any compatible third-party app you want to use. Here are the benefits salesforce third-party integration offers:
- Improved data consistency: Ensures accurate and up-to-date information across all systems by synchronizing data between Salesforce and other applications.
- Enhanced efficiency: Automates workflows and reduces manual data entry, saving time and reducing errors.
- Comprehensive customer view: Combines data from various sources to provide a unified view of customer interactions and history, improving decision-making and customer service.
- Streamlined operations: Integrates business processes across different systems, such as order processing, inventory management, and marketing campaigns, for seamless operations.
- Increased productivity: Allows employees to access and manage data from multiple systems within Salesforce, reducing the need to switch between applications.
- Scalability: Supports business growth by easily integrating new applications and systems as needed, ensuring the infrastructure can scale with the company.
- Better analytics: Provides more comprehensive data for analysis by integrating various data sources, leading to better insights and strategic planning.
- Enhanced collaboration: Facilitates better collaboration between departments by providing access to shared data and integrated workflows.
You may additionally be interested in exploring how to conduct Salesforce files integration. Find information in another blog post by Synebo.
The Main Types of Salesforce Integration
Now, let’s get through the common forms of Salesforce integrations, also known as approaches to Salesforce third-party integration with external applications.
#1 Real-Time Integration
Real-time integration synchronizes data instantly between systems, ensuring immediate access to the latest information.
Real-time integration is essential for scenarios requiring immediate data updates, such as customer service or sales. It ensures all systems have the latest information at all times but requires robust infrastructure and careful monitoring to manage the continuous data flow.
Key characteristics:
- Instant data synchronization
- Requires robust infrastructure
- Ideal for time-sensitive processes
#2 Batch Integration
Batch integration transfers data at scheduled intervals, making it suitable for non-time-sensitive processes.
Batch integration is used for non-urgent processes, where data is processed in bulk at set times, such as nightly updates. It reduces system load by limiting data transfers to specific intervals but may result in delayed data availability.
Key characteristics:
- Scheduled data transfers
- Efficient for large data volumes
- Potential delays in updates
#3 Real-Time Mashups
Real-time mashups embed external application functionalities directly into Salesforce.
Real-time mashups allow users to interact with external tools directly from Salesforce, enhancing the platform’s functionality. They streamline workflows but require careful design to ensure performance and security.
Key characteristics:
- Embedded external functionalities
- Streamlines user workflows
- Requires careful design
#4 AppExchange Integrations
AppExchange integrations use pre-built third-party applications to extend Salesforce’s functionality.
AppExchange provides pre-built apps that integrate with Salesforce, extending its capabilities quickly and easily. These integrations are ideal for businesses seeking fast implementation and support, but compatibility with existing systems should be ensured.
Key Characteristics:
- Pre-built third-party apps
- Quick implementation
- Vetted by Salesforce
Looking for Salesforce integration services? Consider Synebo as your trusted provider.
#5 REST API Integration
REST (Representational State Transfer) API integration enables lightweight and flexible communication between Salesforce and external systems.
REST API integration is ideal for connecting Salesforce with web and mobile applications. It uses simple HTTP methods, making it easy to implement and highly adaptable to various use cases. REST is stateless, meaning each request from a client to server must contain all the information needed to understand and process the request.
Key characteristics:
- Lightweight and flexible
- Uses standard HTTP methods
- Stateless communication
- Ideal for web and mobile app integration
#6 SOAP API Integration
SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) API integration is a protocol-based method, often used for more complex, secure, and structured integrations.
SOAP API integration is preferred in scenarios requiring strict security standards and complex operations. It uses XML for message formatting and supports a variety of communication protocols like HTTP, SMTP, and more. SOAP is highly extensible, allowing for advanced features like transaction management and message-level security, making it suitable for enterprise-level integrations.
Key characteristics:
- Protocol-based with strict standards
- Uses XML for message formatting
- Supports multiple communication protocols
- Ideal for complex, secure integrations
These two approaches offer different strengths depending on the integration requirements, such as simplicity and flexibility with REST, or security and structure with SOAP.
#7 Unidirectional Integration
Unidirectional integration involves data flow in one direction only, from one system to another.
Unidirectional integration is used when data needs to be transferred or synchronized from one system to another without requiring updates or responses from the receiving system. This approach is simpler and less resource-intensive, making it suitable for scenarios where data updates are not needed in both systems.
Key characteristics:
- Data flows in one direction
- Simpler and less resource-intensive
- Suitable for one-way data synchronization
- Ideal for systems where data only needs to be sent, not received or updated
#8 Bidirectional Integration
Bidirectional integration enables data flow in both directions between systems, ensuring that changes made in one system are reflected in the other.
Bidirectional integration is crucial for maintaining data consistency across systems. It allows both systems to send and receive updates, ensuring that all systems have the most current data. This type of integration is more complex and requires careful synchronization and conflict resolution to avoid data discrepancies.
Key characteristics:
- Data flows in both directions
- Ensures data consistency across systems
- More complex, requiring careful synchronization
- Ideal for systems needing real-time updates and data accuracy
These integration directions—unidirectional and bidirectional—help determine how data is shared and synchronized between Salesforce and other systems, depending on the specific needs of the business processes involved.
Key Challenges in Salesforce Integration
Salesforce integration solutions are a complex technology that comes with implementation challenges. Let’s review some of them so they won’t come as a surprise:
Managing API Changes
Challenge: Frequent API changes can disrupt integrations, causing data inconsistencies and downtime due to modifications in endpoints, data structures, or authentication methods. Solution: Implement versioning strategies, automated testing, and continuous monitoring to swiftly adapt and ensure seamless integration without compromising authenticity and performance.
Data Security
Challenge: Ensuring data security during integrations is crucial to protect sensitive information and comply with regulations, as data transfer between systems increases the risk of breaches. Potential Solution: Use encryption, secure APIs, and follow data protection regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. Regular security audits and compliance checks can help maintain robust data security standards.
Data Integrity
Challenge: Maintaining data accuracy and reliability is essential to avoid errors and ensure trustworthiness, as integrations can lead to data corruption, duplication, or loss. Potential Solution: Conduct regular data audits, implement robust error-handling mechanisms, and use automated tools to detect and correct inconsistencies, ensuring data remains accurate and reliable.
Important note: Although the provided solutions require proactive actions, it doesn’t mean that you or your team are to implement them on your own. For many organizations, the right call is to request assistance from a certified Salesforce integration provider.
Looking for Salesforce implementation? Reach out to the Synebo team and let our experts assist you.
Best Practices for Salesforce Integration from Synebo
Salesforce integration best practices are many. They can be categorized as strategic or technical ones. Here are high-level Salesforce integration best practices that the Synebo team strictly sticks to and advises to follow all our customers and partners:
#1 Define Your Objectives
Before starting any Salesforce integration, it is essential to define clear business goals and objectives. Understanding what you aim to achieve with the integration helps guide decision-making throughout the process. Clear objectives ensure that the integration aligns with your business needs, maximizes efficiency, and delivers measurable results.
Take the time to outline specific goals, such as improving data accuracy, enhancing customer service, or streamlining workflows, to ensure that the integration adds real value to your operations.
#2 Choose the Right Integration Tool
Another of the Salesforce integration user best practices is selecting the appropriate integration tool is crucial for developing successful Salesforce integration solutions. Consider factors such as compatibility with existing systems, ease of use, scalability, and the level of support provided by the vendor. The right tool should seamlessly integrate with Salesforce, offer robust features, and have the flexibility to grow with your business.
Ensure that the tool you choose can handle complex integration needs while providing a user-friendly interface for your team to adopt more easily.
Examples of integration tools there are the MuleSoft Anypoint platform, Zapier, Jitterbit, Dell Boomi, Microsoft Graph API, and others.
It’s recommended to apply for assistance from a trusted provider of Salesforce consulting services to ensure the perfect choice of an integration tool and approach.
#3 Involve Your Team
Involving relevant stakeholders and users in the integration process is vital for its success. Engage your team early to gather insights, address concerns, and ensure that the integration meets their needs.
This involvement fosters better adoption, reduces resistance to change, and ensures that the integration is designed with the end-users in mind. Regular communication and training sessions can also help smooth the transition and increase user satisfaction with the new system.
Key actions:
- Engage stakeholders early
- Collect user feedback
- Provide training and support
#4 Plan for Scalability
As your business grows, so will your data and system usage. Planning for scalability in your Salesforce integration ensures that the system can handle future expansion without performance issues. Design an architecture that is flexible and capable of supporting increased data volume and user activity. By considering scalability from the start, you can avoid costly and disruptive upgrades later on.
Explore how to conduct Salesforce SAP integration, which is an enterprise-level planning system, in your business, in another blog post by Synebo.
#5 Maintain Data Quality
Maintaining data quality is critical during Salesforce integration. These third-party API integration best practices focus on ensuring that your data is clean, accurate, and well-prepared before integration to avoid propagating errors across systems. Implement data validation rules and regular audits to keep your data consistent and reliable.
This focus on data quality helps prevent issues that could disrupt operations and ensures that your integration delivers accurate, actionable insights.
Data quality best practices:
- Data cleansing
- Implement validation rules
- Regular data audits
- Format standardization
- Enablement of data governance policies
- Usage of data enrichment tools
#6 Test Thoroughly
Rigorous testing is essential to identify and resolve issues before going live with your Salesforce integration. Conduct comprehensive testing across different scenarios to ensure that all components work as expected. Involve end-users in the testing process to gain practical feedback and uncover any potential issues.
Thorough testing helps prevent unexpected problems post-launch and ensures a smooth integration experience.
#7 Monitor and Maintain
Ongoing monitoring and maintenance are necessary to keep your Salesforce integration solutions running smoothly. Regularly check for system updates, performance issues, and potential security vulnerabilities. Implement a maintenance plan that includes periodic reviews and updates to ensure that the integration remains aligned with your business needs.
Proactive monitoring helps you quickly address any issues that arise, minimizing downtime and maintaining system efficiency.
Monitoring Tips:
- Set up alerts for performance issues
- Schedule regular system reviews
- Keep integration tools updated
Salesforce Integration Use Cases at Synebo
Here at Synebo, with over 1000 projects under our belt, we have numerous Salesforce integration success stories to share. Here are some of them.
AppsFlyer Help Center Integration
Challenge: The AppsFlyer team reached out to Synebo with the request to help with Partner communication creation and integration of it into their Salesforce integration platform. This way intended to simplify access to the knowledge database for community members.
Solution: The Synebo team leverages a two-phase approach. The first phase was dedicated to research on the best tech solution for integrating the knowledge database into the community. In the second phase, we created the community and set it up.
Results: As for project outcomes, AppsFlyer company obtained an integration of the existing Zendesk Help Center with a newly built partner community. It offers an extensive knowledge base, a smooth registration process, and fully controlled access.
Non-Profit Business Processes Integration
Challenge: A non-profit focused on tourism approached Synebo to optimize their Salesforce system by refactoring outdated features, implementing new functionalities, and enhancing their Community Portal for better user engagement.
Solution: Synebo documented the existing codebase, collaborated with the Product Owner to prioritize features, and refactored existing code. They also developed new features and improved the Community Portal, integrating secure payment processing.
Results: The project resulted in streamlined user management, enhanced user experience, reduced maintenance costs, and increased community engagement, supporting the nonprofit’s mission to promote tourism.
Medisafe Salesforce Integration
Challenge: Medisafe, a medical data and adherence company, needed a solution to integrate Salesforce with its platform for seamless data synchronization. The challenge involved creating a secure, two-way connection for real-time data sync, dynamic data mapping to fit various client data models, and a customizable Lightning Web Component (LWC) for displaying patient information within Salesforce.
Solution: Synebo developed a managed package for secure data synchronization between Salesforce and Medisafe. The solution included a JWT-based connection for secure, bidirectional data exchange, dynamic data mapping to handle diverse client structures, and a custom LWC widget for displaying patient data on Salesforce record pages.
Results: The managed package is now actively used by Medisafe’s clients, allowing efficient and secure patient data management within Salesforce. The package supports real-time data updates and is continuously being improved for future AppExchange listing, broadening its availability and functionality.
Financial Services Cloud Integration
Challenge: A financial services company needed to migrate from an outdated CRM system, Act!, to Salesforce and implement Salesforce Financial Cloud to better manage their investment and retirement accounts. Ensuring accurate data migration and compliance with U.S. regulations were key challenges.
Solution: Synebo executed a precise data migration and customized Salesforce Financial Cloud to fit the client’s workflows. The solution included integrating a calendar feature and ensuring secure document signing with DocuSign.
Results: The company now enjoys improved data management, seamless operations, and a customized Salesforce environment that supports future growth.
And if you’re looking for a trusted provider to handle Salesforce integration for your business, you can request Salesforce integration services directly at Synebo’s respective service page.
Future Trends in Salesforce Integration
Now, let’s get to know what’s trending in the Salesforce integration environment as of 2024 and potentially beyond, and why businesses need to stay tuned to tendencies:
#1 AI and Machine Learning
AI and machine learning (ML) are transforming Salesforce integration integrations by enabling intelligent and automated data exchanges. These technologies can predict customer behaviors, personalize interactions, and automate routine tasks.
From a business perspective, integrating AI into Salesforce integration solutions helps companies analyze large datasets for actionable insights and optimize sales pipelines by identifying promising leads and suggesting follow-up actions.
#2 Low-Code and No-Code Platforms
Low-code and no-code platforms simplify Salesforce integration by allowing users to create and modify integrations with minimal coding. These platforms empower business users and non-developers to build custom workflows and applications, speeding up deployment and reducing reliance on IT resources. They provide drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built connectors, making Salesforce third-party integration easier.
#3 API-First Integration Approach
An API-first integration approach emphasizes the use of APIs to connect Salesforce with other systems. This method ensures that integrations are scalable, maintainable, and future-proof. By designing integrations around APIs, businesses can more easily adapt to changes and incorporate new technologies as they emerge.
Keeping Up with Integration Trends
Staying updated with the latest Salesforce integration trends is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. The landscape of Salesforce third-party integration is constantly evolving, with new tools and technologies emerging regularly. Utilizing advanced instruments for Salesforce integration solutions and platforms ensures compatibility with modern systems and facilitates seamless data exchange.
Final Take
Integrating Salesforce with third-party applications can significantly enhance your business operations, from improving data consistency to streamlining workflows and increasing overall efficiency. By following Salesforce integration best practices—such as defining clear objectives, choosing the right tools, and maintaining data quality—you can maximize the benefits of your integration.
Integration of an external application with Salesforce requires substantial experience and expertise. Here at Synebo, with more than 8 years of experience and over 1000 projects successfully delivered, we can cover any of your integration needs regardless of their complexity. We stick to a business-oriented approach.
Reach out to Synebo and let’s discuss integration opportunities
