The Salesforce platform is one of the most innovative and customizable platforms available today and enables businesses supercharge internal users with powerful automations, deep analytical insights, and increased data visibility. A huge benefit to Salesforce is how easily you can integrate it with other essential systems and apps , including standalone enterprise applications and solutions from the AppExchange. The result? You can seamlessly share data between various systems, thereby streamlining core business processes.

However, you will need Salesforce data integration tools to accomplish. Below, we’ll highlight the benefits of building integrations with Salesforce. Our Salesforce Experts will also outline several of the top Salesforce integration tools that you can use to facilitate data flow with various applications.

What Is a Salesforce Integration?

The term “Salesforce integration” refers to the process of combining functionality and data from Salesforce with another system or application. By merging these platforms, you can provide your staff with the best combination of features as they pertain to each application.

Oftentimes, Salesforce users need to reconcile data between the CRM platform and other applications. This means that they have to constantly switch between multiple systems to complete rudimentary tasks. This reduces productivity overall, as users have to repeatedly input the same data into different applications.

Salesforce data integration tools are purpose-driven applications that allow you to eliminate this problem. Your staff will be able to work almost exclusively from the Salesforce platform while also leveraging data from other applications, bringing together a 360 Degree Customer view without ever leaving Salesforce.

Why Build Integrations with Salesforce?

Salesforce integration tools can benefit virtually every facet of your company’s operations. When utilized properly, Salesforce integration can improve profitability, boost user adoption, streamline the customer experience, and eliminate tedious manual tasks that hinder productivity.

Some examples of how Salesforce data integrations will benefit allow organizational productivity:

Automate Your Quote-to-Cash Process

The quote-to-cash (QTC) process refers to sales, order fulfillment, billing, accounts receivable, and account management-related tasks.

Without integration tools, the QTC process relies on inefficient manual tasks that must be completed by your sales team, like configuring quotes, creating custom proposals for new clients, and invoicing customers.

In the traditional business model, these tasks were often treated as independent steps along the quote-to-cash cycle. However, they should actually be viewed as a singular process because each phase of the QTC cycle directly impacts other tasks.

Salesforce integration tools allow you to deploy a QTC platform and merge it with your CRM. As a result, your sales team will be able to drastically reduce invoicing errors, enhance data analysis capabilities, and respond to client requests rapidly.

Accelerate Lead-to-Revenue Management

With the assistance of integration tools, you can also accelerate lead to revenue management.

When paired with other applications, Salesforce CRM makes it easy for you to identify and route high-quality leads to your sales team. In turn, they can focus on transforming these vetted leads into paying clients.

Salesforce can be integrated with marketing automation apps and similar kinds of software that are designed to grow your online presence. This can help your marketing teams improve user engagement.

As customers are drawn deeper into the sales funnel, you will have more opportunities to demonstrate the value of your product or services.

Automate Data Processing

Salesforce integration tools allow your organization to automate tedious data processing tasks. Salesforce Flow is a helpful tool that you will be able to leverage. This program includes two automation tools that provide a true point-and-click experience.

Flow Builder gives you the power to build new automated workflows. Process Builder allows your team to refine and edit existing automation processes.

Once your Salesforce CRM is integrated with other applications, you can use the Flow Builder tool to design custom automations based on the needs of your organization.

Eliminate Duplicate Data in Salesforce

Without integration tools, Salesforce users will likely encounter a lot of duplicate data. This duplicated data clouds your customer view and can even diminish the service experience. It also results in wasted time, which can severely impact your bottom line.

Salesforce integration tools allow you to eliminate duplicate data from your CRM. This helps your marketing and sales team to more efficiently serve your clients. They can avoid contacting the same client multiple times, reduce budgetary waste, and improve the customer experience.

Eliminate Manual Data Management Tasks

As you continue to grow your business, manual data management tasks may quickly become a major pain point. This is because there are many shortcomings associated with manual data entry.

Perhaps the biggest concern is the risk of human error. Even your best employees are bound to make a mistake eventually. Depending on the severity of the incident, that seemingly simple data entry mistake could cost your company hundreds of dollars.

The risk of errors notwithstanding, manual data entry is expensive. Your company must absorb the expense of the employee’s salary, their equipment, and the time required for training.

Salesforce integration tools allow you to eliminate many manual data entry tasks. Redundant data entry jobs can be handled via automation. This eliminates the risk of error, improves the accuracy of your CRM database, and allows you to allocate human resources to more dynamic tasks.

Deliver a Connected Digital Experience

While Salesforce integration tools can certainly benefit your business as a whole, they will also help you to deliver a connected digital experience. Your employees will be better equipped to carry out their various responsibilities, which can improve staff morale and create a quality working environment.

A fully connected digital experience will also enhance the customer experience. They will be able to interact with your client-facing programs more efficiently, which will positively impact your brand.

Visualize Data and Deliver a 360 Customer View

“Customer 360” is a phrase used by Jitterbit, but more on that specific integration tool later.

Gaining a 360-degree customer view refers to the process of analyzing every interaction that a prospective client has with your brand. This includes the ads they view, how much time they spend on your site, the support issues they encounter, and the items they purchase.

Salesforce integration tools will allow you to merge customer data from all of your essential applications. You can leverage this information to gain valuable insights about your target audience and other niche markets that you want to connect with.

Ultimately, this 360-degree view will help your marketing team craft personalized experiences that resonate with consumers.

The Best Salesforce Data Integration Tools

Now that we have addressed the “why” concerning Salesforce integration tools, let’s break down a few of these systems individually.

The best Salesforce data integration tools include:

DELL BOOMI

DELL BOOMI is one of the most technical data integration tools available. It is a fully scalable integration platform that you can use to merge the Salesforce with a wide array of other systems.

DELL BOOMI is a great integration tool for large organizations and those that need to scale rapidly.

While DELL BOOMI can facilitate the integration of dozens of systems, some of the most popular supported platforms include Oracle Netsuite, Amazon AWS, and Google Cloud.

With that being said, DELL BOOMI integrations will require the assistance of talented Salesforce Developers. Completing an integration with this tool is very labor-intensive, so you may need to hire multiple developers, admins, and architects.

However, this Salesforce integration tool creates high-quality end-to-end workflows, which is why so many major enterprises rely on this platform.

MULESOFT

A few years ago, Salesforce purchased Mulesoft’s Anypoint platform. This high-end Salesforce data integration tool utilizes APIs to facilitate complex integrations.

The Mulesoft platform is extremely flexible and is specifically designed to create Salesforce with countless applications. Anypoint also gives you the ability to build API supports and apply them to create additional integration capabilities.

Mulesoft Anypoint is not the most seamless Salesforce integration tool, but it does offer the ability to merge multiple applications simultaneously.

Like DELL BOOMI, Mulesoft is best suited for large businesses that have an abundance of technical resources.

If you are interested in implementing Mulesoft but are concerned that you do not have the requisite IT support, you can utilize this integration tool by partnering with pre-vetted Salesforce contractors.

ORBIS

ORBIS is one of the most flexible data integration tools on our list. This platform allows you to rapidly integrate Salesforce with ERP solutions. It is especially useful for merging Salesforce with Microsoft Dynamics.

ORBIS is a good fit for small to medium-sized businesses. It performs well with hybrid, cloud, and on-site resource deployment models.

If you want to complete your integration quickly and only incorporate a handful of applications into your current business model, the ORBIS integration tool is an excellent choice.

JITTERBIT

Jitterbit is generally considered to be a high-end Salesforce data integration tool. This is because it offers various sets of API integrations for businesses of all sizes and industries.

Jitterbit services are divided into three levels, depending on how much support your organization needs and how many applications you want to integrate into your Salesforce CRM.

If your company’s integration needs exceed the capabilities of ORBIS but you are not ready to commit to a platform like DELL BOOMI, Jitterbit may be your best option.

With the help of experienced Salesforce developers, you can deploy the Jitterbit integration tool to merge data from all of your essential applications. As your business grows, you can upgrade to a higher service level, which means that you can stick with the same integration platform long-term.

TIBCO SCRIBE

Tibco Scribe is a cloud-based Salesforce data integration tool that has specialized solutions geared toward large organizations.

Tibco Scribe is capable of creating integration with intelligence software and ERP technologies. Tibco Scribe offers a mild amount of template support, but most integrations must be configured by your company.

Tibco Scribe has an intuitive design, which makes it a good option for those with minimal programming experience. However, all integrations should be handled by licensed Salesforce developers and administrators.

Custom Coding/Salesforce API

In addition to specific Salesforce integration tools, you can also facilitate interactions between applications with custom coding and API creation.

An API or application programming interface is software that acts as an intermediary between two apps. These APIs allow your applications to communicate with the Salesforce CRM and vice versa.

Custom Salesforce APIs allow you to expand upon the integration capabilities of the tools discussed above. You will be able to interact with Salesforce data in real-time. This will give you the capability of reacting to customer events in an optimal fashion.

Implementing custom coding into your Salesforce integrations is extremely complex. As such, we recommend partnering with Salesforce developers and architects to deploy these technologies.

Challenges of Integrating with Salesforce

Utilizing Salesforce integration tools in order to merge data from various applications can improve every facet of your organization’s business model. However, implementing these integrations also presents several unique challenges.

Some of the most significant Salesforce integration challenges include:

Data Mapping

The field types present in your Salesforce CRM may not match those of other applications. As a result, you will have to meticulously map out each data point. Failing to do so can result in issues during the migration process, such as a loss of essential customer data.

Duplicate Records

One of the key benefits of Salesforce integration tools is that they help you eliminate duplicate data. However, some of these duplicate records can be transmitted during the integration process.

To avoid this issue, you should implement an external ID system to identify and earmark duplicate records. An import tool will identify records with matching IDs and will not transfer those files.

Migration

Data migration can be a major pain point during Salesforce integrations. This is because there is a high risk of creating duplicate records, losing valuable data, or inadvertently slowing your network down during peak usage hours.

How FoundHQ Can Help with Salesforce Integrations

If you want to take advantage of the latest Salesforce integration tools while also avoiding the challenges outlined above, FoundHQ can help. Our firm connects you with top Salesforce developers, admins, architects, and more. You can browse hundreds of pre-qualified Salesforce freelancers that are ready to tackle your latest project.

The FoundHQ platform requires no upfront commitment and allows you to pay by the hour. We can also assist you in identifying the right Salesforce vendor or products for your organization.