The average company uses somewhere around 37 tools and software platforms to run their day-to-day operations. Each of those tools provides value to the organization, but the cost of using so many is the creation of silos between teams and data. However, there is a secret to solving this problem—integration.
In our technology-driven world, your organization needs a single source of truth for company information. Instead of employees going to multiple tools to get what they need, integration gives your organization access to real-time, accurate data.
Salesforce and MuleSoft can create this experience and empower your employees with data. This article provides an overview of MuleSoft and how it works within your Salesforce org. We also explain the benefits of an integrated experience and tips for getting started. Let’s dive in.
MuleSoft as Your Integration Platform
Most companies have data scattered throughout their organization, but for Salesforce to work its magic, it needs all that data. This is where MuleSoft comes in. An integration platform, MuleSoft helps businesses connect data, applications, and devices across any environment. (Be sure to check out our article, MuleSoft 101 for more information on the subject.)
One thing that makes MuleSoft stand out from other integration platforms is its enterprise service bus (ESB) architecture model. If you’re not already familiar with the term, think of MuleSoft as a sort of a language translator, but for IT systems. MuleSoft manages this neat tricky through Application Programming Interface connections (AKA APIs). Each system’s API can speak to other ones through the MuleSoft processing APIs. And the beauty of this setup is that systems don’t connect directly, but are instead joined through MuleSoft.
Benefits of Integrating Salesforce and MuleSoft
Easily Connect Apps, Services, and Data
With a unified platform, you can quickly integrate data, services, and applications effortlessly without the cost or potential failure points and other limitations of traditional point-to-point connections.
Scalability
MuleSoft’s unique architecture allows you to create scalable and adaptable application networks, which work even in the most complex connectivity environments.
Built for the Future
With MuleSoft’s hybrid integration platform and API-led connectivity, you can quickly move to the cloud or hybrid cloud without rebuilding apps or purchasing new tools. It’s versatile enough to adapt to any new technology or deployment platform.
Enhance the Customer Experience
By connecting all your customer systems and data sources, you’ll have a 360-degree view of the customer. This allows you to create more personalized experiences and boost customer loyalty. Your entire staff, from marketing to customer support, will now have one source of truth for accurate customer information, all in real time.
Lowered Maintenance Costs
With MuleSoft’s built-in governance, ease of use, and reusable assets, you’ll reduce your overall maintenance costs. Integrating Salesforce and MuleSoft will also allow you to modernize your legacy systems, leading to even more cost savings.
Tips for Getting Started with Your Salesforce+MuleSoft Integration
Once your integration is finally complete, you’ll be able to see all your data in one place—just imagine the possibilities! Here’s how to get started:
1) Document Your Business Requirements and Goals
Before kicking off the project, set up working sessions with the business stakeholders and subject matter experts to outline and document your requirements and goals. A few things your team should consider include: what problems are you trying to solve? What are the business and integration use cases? What does your timeline look like?
2) Clearly Divide Responsibilities
Start by understanding which data and integration requirements are handled by MuleSoft and the ones handled by Salesforce. Then, determine how data will flow and where the transformation will take place. Here’s a basic example: MuleSoft will get data from a third-party system, transform elements, convert it, and then insert it into Salesforce.
3) Set Proper Security Settings
Regardless of the specific method you’re choosing for integration, it’s vital to set the right security level per your organization’s policy. Make sure these security settings make sense for everyone involved in using the system, and do not forget to run them by your infosec team. (We always recommend setting security at the highest level, and then adjusting them later on if the need arises.)
4) Don’t Forget Testing
As is true of any IT project, performance testing is absolutely critical. For best results, we recommend testing with real data and the batch process so that you can get a clear picture of actual MuleSoft/server performance (as opposed to what you expect it to be).
Partner with Salesforce Integration Experts
Integrating MuleSoft and Salesforce is the best solution for delivering an integrated experience within your organization. However, setting it up could require some expertise to get to the finish line. But don’t worry—our senior-level Salesforce consulting team is on hand to help guide you there.
Contact us today to get started.
