Businesses handle loads of customer data, including demographics, marketing interactions, preferences, purchases, and interactions across different platforms. They need to use this data in the right way so both the business and the customers are happy.

As you might have already guessed, companies cannot afford to lose this data. So, when they are bringing in new systems, they need to make sure they integrate everything in a way that the previous systems do not take a hit.

Take Salesforce for example. You need practical approaches and proper Salesforce CRM consulting for long-term success and seamless data access. It leads you to important additional features and you just cannot make do with it.

Where Do We Need Salesforce Integration Anyway?

The integration that a Salesforce partner company commonly does for you falls into three categories: 

Point-To-Point

Point-to-point integration involves direct message transmission between systems, creating a one-to-one relationship. For example, a sales application sending new order details to separate billing, shipping, and tracking systems requires distinct integrations for each. If communication between the shipping and tracking systems is needed, another integration is necessary.

Pros

• Simple and straightforward implementation
• Quick setup

Cons

• Expensive to develop and maintain
• Limited reusability
• Difficulty adapting to changes

Hub-And-Spoke

Hub-and-spoke integration by a Salesforce consulting partner relies on a central system acting as a hub to manage communication between connected systems. This setup streamlines integration by consolidating all traffic through the hub, reducing the need for multiple direct connections.

Pros

• Centralized control and management of integrations
• Asynchronous communication between systems

Cons

• Single point of failure
• Requires initial investments

Enterprise Service Bus (ESB)

This integration represents a more advanced iteration of the hub-and-spoke model. ESB employs a robust integration engine to establish connections between diverse software applications and systems, offering enhanced message management capabilities.

ESB proves beneficial when routing messages between single or multiple systems and orchestrating transaction sequences. It facilitates message transformation between systems with differing languages and ensures secure transactions through authentication and authorization features.

Pros

• Simplified application deployment
• Improved monitoring and governance
• Enhanced service reusability

Cons

• Single point of failure

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When Should You Bring In A Salesforce Consulting Partner?

Essentially, the answer is as soon as possible.

As with any significant investment, thorough research is crucial. Begin by identifying your needs, addressing gaps, and defining issues. For Salesforce implementation, establish your vision, or the 'what'. Then, tackle the complex aspect: the 'how'.

Once your goals are clear, it's time to engage a partner. A good partner not only aids in the 'how' but also helps refine the 'what'. They assist in defining success metrics, setting realistic expectations, and recommending suitable products. Additionally, they establish a well-structured timeline for implementation.

Bringing in a partner late often results in missed opportunities in scope and comprehension. The customer-partner relationship is collaborative, and starting the journey together ensures smoother implementation.

How A Salesforce Partner Company Ensures Perfect Integrations

Create A Salesforce Integration Project Plan

The plan aligns integration with business objectives, resolves issues, and emphasizes benefits. They Identify essential integration requirements like adaptability and ease of use.

Along with that, they determine feasible integration levels within your available resources, skill sets, and finances after defining expectations and objectives.

The Salesforce CRM Consultant Chooses From Types Of Integrations Available

• App-Based Integration: Requires minimal installation and configuration but demands thorough research on compatibility and potential conflicts.
• Code-Based Integration: Ideal for advanced projects needing tailor-made solutions, albeit requiring longer completion times.
• User Interface Integration: Allows access to multiple apps from one platform, enabling them to function as a single system.
• Press Button Integration: Involves transferring data between systems upon specific user actions like clicking a button.
• Business Process Integration: Utilizes Apex web services to manage business logic across applications and finalize procedures.
• Salesforce Data Integration: Enables data synchronization via SOAP and REST APIs, though it may not support custom logic.
• Salesforce Security Integration: Unifies authentication mechanisms to enhance user experience and reduce administration.

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The Salesforce Consulting Partner Considers The Integration Type Best For You

Salesforce Connect

This framework leads to integration with Salesforce ERP, CRM systems, and marketing automation software. It has real-time access to external data sources without duplicating data within Salesforce. The point-and-click interface simplifies setup and configuration.

Salesforce App Cloud

This platform facilitates the development of integration apps and connections to external data sources. App development doesn't require IT expertise and can be done using other APIs and tools. In-house IT teams can handle this task. Apps created on App Cloud can be automatically and securely tested and upgraded. However, building solutions on App Cloud may require using apps from AppExchange partners.

AppExchange Apps

Salesforce's AppExchange marketplace offers various applications and software solutions from a Salesforce partner company. These tools can be free or paid and may require additional setup or customization using App Cloud developer tools.

Final Thoughts

Completing the setup for Salesforce integration is just the beginning. Consistent monitoring, maintenance, and updates are what you need to keep your systems going smoothly. 

Teaming up with a certified Salesforce partner company like WhiteRock can make the integration process a lot easier. With our knowledge and assistance, you can navigate integration more effectively and maximize the advantages of your Salesforce third-party integration.