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Integration with Salesforce “custom objects” using Magic xpi.

Having completed lots of integration projects between Salesforce and other platforms such as Amazon, Big Commerce, EDI in addition to many CRM/ ERP systems, I decided to write this article to present how quick and simple it is to use Magic xpi integration platform, to build integration flows that can read or write data into Salesforce standard and custom objects. All of this is without deep knowledge and expertise with salesforce scripting or programming.

Let me start with a high-level definition of important terminologies, even though some might look like repetition from previous articles, but it serves as an important refresher.

What is salesforce?
Integration Salesforce

Salesforce is a cloud CRM solution, designed to manage customer relationships, sales, and marketing. The company was founded in 1999 in San Francisco. At that time, the existing CRM systems were quite complicated to configure and expensive to operate, therefore, only large companies could afford a CRM system. The initial idea of Salesforce was to offer CRM in the “cloud” and sell the software through an annual subscription or lease model, computed per user of the software.

Salesforce “Object”

An object in salesforce, is the equivalent to a “table” in a database. A table in SQL database for example, has columns and stores data based on rows. The same thing in Salesforce Object, whereas the difference is only in terminologies:
  • A “table” in SQL server, is equivalent to “object” in salesforce.
  • A “column” in SQL server, is equivalent to “field” in salesforce term.
  • A “row” in a SQL table, is equivalent to “record” in salesforce term.

As a conclusion, an “object” in Salesforce is a container of the information created by the end-user, using the Salesforce user interface.

Standard vs. Custom Salesforce Object

Salesforce “objects” are of two types:

a) “Standard Objects”: These are the objects that are available by default with every instance or subscription of Salesforce. For example, the “Account” is one of many standard objects in Salesforce.

b) “Custom Objects”: unlike standard objects in Salesforce, Custom Objects are the objects created by the Administrator of the Salesforce instance, to hold very specific information just for his organization, that is why we call it “Custom Object”. NOT every instance of salesforce will have the Custom objects defined by one administrator.

Suggested Readings: Salesforce integration and Magic xpi: Things you should know

What is Magic xpi?

Magic xpi is in integration platform to allow the integration from any system to any system, be it cloud or on premises. Magic xpi includes built-in connectors to:
  • The most commonly used Databases in the marketplace (i.e. Oracle, IBM DB2, MSSQL server, Pervasive, ODBC, JDBC…)
  • The most used file formats in the marketplace (i.e. XML, CSV, TXT, JSON)
  • REST and SOAP API
Magic xpi B2B Integration

Moreover the manufacturer of Magic xpi, has built and certified a connector for Salesforce, among other branded CRM/ERP systems in the marketplace (i.e. Oracle JDE, SAP…)

Suggested Readings: Magic xpi Integration Platform: The Best Fit for Enterprise Data Integration

Magic xpi “certified connector” for Salesforce

Let me explain first what is “salesforce connector” before getting into the “Certified” portion.

In simple terms, a Magic xpi “Salesforce connector” is a software module offered part of Magic xpi, that can automatically perform the following:
  1. Connect to a specific Salesforce instance.
  2. Read and discover the Schema of Salesforce instance. Meaning, discovering ALL objects (Standard and Custom), including their fields.
  3. Read from any custom or standard salesforce object.
  4. Write to any custom or standard salesforce object.

All the above with a click of a button, without any coding or development whatsoever; It is all done automatically.

Now, what about the “certified” portion?

Magic software, the manufacturer of Magic xpi and the connector to salesforce, they took the extra step, and went to Salesforce, and presented the Connector. The team at salesforce, took the time to review the way the connector works, and approved it as functioning as per Salesforce best practices and recommendations. Hence why there is an additional licensing fee when using Magic xpi salesforce connector.

Ease of use of Magic xpi

Magic xpi is in integration platform to allow the integration from any system to any system. It has so many advantages over similar competing products in the marketplace, especially when it comes to its ease of use and deployment. Here are some of those advantages:
  • Deployable on premises, in a public or private cloud
  • Licensed based on a subscription basis.
  • Connect and synchronize: Cloud to On-Premises, Cloud to Cloud
  • Connect and synchronize a Cloud based to On-Premises system.
  • Visual Mapping, Drag and drop with NO coding.
  • Ideal for systems analysts with little experience in coding

Why Integration with Salesforce

There are many business cases where companies need to integrate their disparate systems and processes, into their Salesforce instance. I will list few of those cases:
  1. Integration of sales orders received from customers via Electronic Document Interchange (EDI / X12 / EDIFACT)
  2. Integration of sales orders received from customers in xslx, csv, xml or json format.
  3. Integration of eCommerce orders created by the consumer in Shopify or Big Commerce as an example and populating it automatically into the company’s salesforce instance.
  4. Updating the inventory status in eCommerce platform by reading the Salesforce instance Standard or Custom objects, extracting the necessary information, and populating it into Shopify or Big Commerce for example, using their REST API.

The above use cases are for information and example purposes, but there are many challenging business cases that a company can face daily, especially during this difficult times of COVID-19 where business owners and executives are becoming creative to adapt to the situation and stay the course in a profitable manner.

Steps to build integration to Salesforce with Magic xpi

There are about [5] steps to build a simple flow to integrate with Salesforce.

1. Create the Connection to Salesforce

As the above illustration, there are 3 steps to create the connectivity to Salesforce, once. Enter the url, click on the “OAuth2” button, where the Salesforce OAuth screen will popup and ask the developer to enter the Salesforce credentials. Once entered and validated, it will ask to Authorize the access. Once authorized, it will close the screen and go back to the above.

To validate the connection is active, click “Validate” and a message will appear to indicate it is Successful.

2. Create the connection to the Database or to any other CRM/ERP/API (if needed):
Depending on whether there is a need to use different resources, they need to be defined once.

3. Define the logic of the integration flow.

This step is to define the logic and steps of the flow on paper, before starting to draw the logic in Magic xpi. A systems analyst should have a clear vision where he is heading, prior to starting the project. This step can be the most difficult one.

4. Start Mapping from source to destination.

First step is to select the Object to map from / to in salesforce (screenshot # 1), and then start mapping (screenshot # 2).

Screenshot # 1

Screenshot # 2

Trust our experts for a fully managed integration

To find out more about our salesforce integration expertise, and evaluate how we can help you, you can reach us by phone: (450) 681-3009 or use the form below to speak to our integration specialist!

Efficient Salesforce and SAP Integration with Magic xpi Integration Platform

This post was updated to reflect current trends and information.

To improve the productivity of their business, companies invest in the best software solutions and platforms to become more efficient. Numerous large and medium-size companies around the world use SAP’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) along with Salesforce’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

However, at some point, companies realize the inefficiencies due to the fact end-users have to maintain two different systems simultaneously, which results in duplicating data entry, therefore, creating inconsistencies between both systems. They realize how crucial it is to have these two important systems work together in synchronized mode. Efficient and faster system integration with Magic xpi is a proven solution in a similar case.

Before we start reviewing Salesforce and SAP Integration, let’s describe in a quick summary what Salesforce CRM and SAP ERP systems are.

What is ERP?

ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning – is an integrated business-management software for administrating internal and external company resources. The system’s purpose is to unify the flow of information between all business units in a company.
ERP Integration with Magic xpi

ERP systems allow to create a standardized and unified information space of the enterprise. In other words, an ERP system is a single-entry point, a single processing center and a single source of information of the activities in an enterprise.

SAP ERP – Overview

The company SAP (Systems, Applications and Products) was founded in 1972 in Germany, by former employees of IBM. It is the world’s largest software corporation. The company now, has over 404,000 customers in over 180 countries.

SAP ERP (SAP R/3)

SAP ERP system (SAP R/3) is a multi-component system that allows to connect business processes of production, procurement, sales and marketing in a company. SAP ERP, is made up of separate components and modules, natively integrated.

SAP R/3 Components

SAP ERP (SAP R / 3) includes three core functional areas, divided into modules.
  • Financial – include financial accounting, controlling, fixed asset management etc.
  • Human Resources – organizational management, includes functionality for recruitment, personnel records, payroll.
  • Logistics – integrates sales and distribution, materials management, production planning, quality management, plant maintenance

What is CRM?

CRM – customer relationship management is a software designed to help businesses improve their customer relationships. CRM focuses on the preservation and analysis of data to improve the marketing, service and business relations with customers.

Salesforce CRM – Overview
Integration Salesforce

Salesforce.com, Inc. is a cloud computing company that provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. Salesforce has been holding leadership in the global CRM systems market for many years.

There are a large variety of Salesforce CRM categories for all customer needs:
  • Salesforce Sales Cloud – The Sales Cloud is a CRM platform that enables a company to manage sales, marketing and customer support.
  • Salesforce Marketing Cloud –to manage customer journey, email, mobile, social media, web personalization, content creation, content management and data analytics.
  • Salesforce Service Cloud –is a service platform for customer service and support.
  • Salesforce Community Cloud is an online social platform to connect customers, partners, and employees with each other. So, a company can service customers more effectively, and get work done in real time.
  • Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a highly scalable, cloud-based SaaS ecommerce solution.

Read: How to get more out of Salesforce with EDI Integration

What is Magic xpi ?

Magic xpi, is one of the key integration and orchestration technologies on the system integration market. Actually, it is one of the oldest in this space. Magic xpi helps companies in their digital transformation journey, and enable them to integrate heterogenous systems, databases and business processes using certified connectors by the manufacturer. It is a reliable SOA, API-driven integration platform for all connectivity needs.
System Integration with Magic xpi

Why System Integration is Important?

Systems integration with Magic xpi can help avoid problems related to the interaction of corporate systems. Companies can get closer to its client by putting together ERP, CRM, social networks and mobile apps.

Salesforce and SAP integration will allow companies to take advantage of both Systems. For example, Salesforce for collecting and registering orders and the ability of the ERP system to process them. In addition, the process of entering orders into the corporate system is significantly accelerated and the percentage of operator errors decreases.

Read: Salesforce integration and Magic xpi: Things you should know

The best of both: ERP and CRM

Salesforce and SAP integration is essential to maximize each system’s output, reduce errors, and improve overall organizational efficiency.

As mentioned above, SAP is one of the world’s leading providers of enterprise software solution and an important advantage of SAP ERP is its capability to integrate with third-party solutions through either iDOC or BAPI. This integration improves performance and helps automate many business processes. But in order to achieve the desired results, you need to be sure that the integration process is done properly, using certified connectors by SAP themselves, and all systems work as planned.

SAP and Salesforce Integration Challenge

Despite the fact that Salesforce and SAP offer a complete and documented APIs, integration of these two complex systems is not as simple as it may seem at first glance, especially if going through the legacy point-to-point integration using traditional coding methodology.

Each one of these systems, provides its own API:

SAP offers connectivity using BAPI (Business Application Programming Interface) and iDoc (for standard and customized schemes) or web services interfaces via SAP Netweaver XI/PI.

Salesforce also provides a Web service interface.

Understanding the structure, dependencies and requirements of each API during a systems integration, requires a lot of efforts, because each API is different, specific to the corresponding vendor, and typically very time consuming to learn and read all documentation.

The integration challenge is further complicated by the fact that SAP is an on-premises solution, while Salesforce is a fully cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) solution.

Systems integration and automation processes usually require a lot of custom coding, which is very difficult and tedious to write with a point-to-point approach.

Experience has shown, the system integration using manual coding is inefficient. In case you have integrated with complex and lengthy individual coding, you will almost certainly have less opportunity to incorporate appropriate and unified mechanisms for live processes managing. If the appropriate integration tools are not used, companies lose sight of the benefits of integration opportunities due to the direct costs and risks that manual integration entails.

Overcoming integration problems using Magic xpi

Magic xpi integration platform, provides fast and efficient enterprise-grade integration. With Magic xpi, there is no need for additional coding. This is a proven solution for automating business processes and data synchronization.
ERP/CRM Integration

Magic xpi has “certified connectors” certified by Salesforce and SAP and Salesforce respectively. It extends the proficiencies of any Salesforce CRM and SAP systems. Magic xpi easily synchronize, integrates and orchestrates business processes, enterprise applications using a visual “drag and drop” mechanism, between source and destination.

Without custom coding, using visual and intuitive design tools Magic xpi unifies and makes Salesforce and SAP interface easier. Magic xpi allows you to create simple or very complex integration scenarios between several systems, data retrieval and conversion, use of any communication protocol, monitoring, scheduled tasks, reliable deployment, and more.

With Magic xpi, a company can get accurate and real-time view of corporate information, without any user intervention. Magic xpi’s code-free approach enables companies to quickly deploy integration projects, in a matter of days rather than months. Thus, benefiting from an immediate return on investment.

Read: How to Choose the Right Integration Platform?

Efficient and easy integration

Our main priority is to find solutions that increase business efficiency. We have a successful experience in integrating different systems using Magic xpi integration platform. Our deep understanding of business context and various industry specifics, allows us to create solutions that make any business activity as efficient as possible.

Magic xpi Integration Platform: The Best Fit for Enterprise Data Integration

This post was updated to reflect current trends and information

Magic xpi is Magic’s code-free integration platform that lets you streamline business process quickly and easily, integrating them across diverse applications, platforms, and databases. Magic xpi enables you to integrate your business information, logic, and data into cross-organizational, cross-platform business processes. Smooth running business processes reduce operational costs and increase revenue and reduce business risks.

Magic xpi: The Code-Free Integration Platform for Seamless Business Process Automation

Magic xpi is Magic’s powerful, code-free integration platform that enables businesses to streamline their processes quickly and efficiently. By integrating diverse applications, platforms, and databases, Magic xpi ensures seamless communication between all areas of your business. Whether you’re working with ERP, CRM, finance, or other enterprise systems, Magic xpi makes business process automation simple.

Why Choose Magic xpi for Your Business Integration Needs?

  1. Comprehensive Integration
    Magic xpi allows you to integrate business information, logic, and data into cross-organizational and cross-platform business processes. This reduces manual intervention, speeds up workflows, and improves overall productivity.

  2. Certified and Optimized Connectors
    One of the key strengths of Magic xpi is its out-of-the-box, certified connectors for leading enterprise systems such as SAP, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and more. These connectors make it easy to extend the capabilities of your existing software without needing custom coding or complex configurations.

  3. Reduce Operational Costs and Risks
    With smooth-running business processes, Magic xpi minimizes operational costs, reduces business risks, and helps you focus on growing revenue. It eliminates the need for manual data entry, reducing human errors and ensuring that critical data flows freely across your entire business ecosystem.

  4. Scalability and Flexibility
    Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Magic xpi’s scalable architecture allows you to integrate new systems as your business grows. Its flexibility supports a wide range of industries, making it the go-to solution for companies in retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and more.

Use Cases for Magic xpi Integration Platform

  • ERP Integration: Seamlessly connect ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, or JD Edwards with other business applications to ensure data consistency and accuracy.
  • CRM Integration: Integrate CRM platforms like Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, or HubSpot to improve customer experience by ensuring all teams have access to real-time customer data.
  • eCommerce Integration: Automate order processing and inventory management by integrating your eCommerce platform with ERP and fulfillment systems.

 

magic-xpi-integration

 

Learn More: Download the Magic xpi Integration Platform White Paper

For a deeper dive into how Magic xpi can transform your business, we invite you to download our comprehensive White Paper. You’ll discover:

  • Detailed insights into how Magic xpi works
  • Real-world examples of successful integrations
  • The key benefits for different industries
  • How Magic xpi enables businesses to quickly adapt to changing markets and customer needs.

Download your free copy now and start streamlining your business operations today!

 

cta_magic-xpi-white-paper

 

How to get more out of Salesforce with EDI Integration


This post was updated to reflect current trends and information.


At the end of a discussion we had with one of our contacts, who was inquiring about EDI, Salesforce and how to integrate it all together, I decided to write this article, in order to clarify and structure my arguments with the hope it can help other readers who might fall on this article having the same questions and concerns. I will start by defining some technical terms, prior to getting to the points.

What is Salesforce?

Salesforce is one of the most popular cloud-based CRM. The company is based in California (USA), and it has thousands of users worldwide. We’ve already written an article that provides more about the product, which I invite you to read, and learn more about salesforce itself, and how Magic xpi can be the best integration platform with Salesforce.

What is EDI?

Electronic Data Interchange or (EDI) is fundamentally a standard that regulates the electronic exchange of business documents between trading partners. EDI contains a set of message types. There are many different EDI standards i.e. X12, EDIFACT, RosettaNet…used mainly in different industries and different parts of the world. In North America, the US standard ANSI ASC X12 is p predominantly used.

Some example message types are:

Help: What is EDI2XML as a Service?

EDI2XML as a Service is our popular translation and communication service offering to businesses of all sizes, from various industries. All conversions of EDI files are done on our end, leaving customers with no on-site installation of software or hardware and an EDI project that is on time and within budget.

Download our EDI2XML Translation Service Pricing Package here for more information

Why EDI Integration with Salesforce is Important

Companies of all sizes have different systems in place: i.e. ERP, CRM, Warehouse management…Some other companies might only operate their business using Salesforce.

It is a common situation that companies will have business partners requesting to exchange EDI (regardless of the standard), with them. The truth is that companies’ can NOT refuse such a request coming from a customer for example. They have to comply with such demand and become “EDI ready” or “EDI compliant”.

In a such scenario, the company running Salesforce will be receiving a Sales order (850 as an example) and sending back and invoice (810) for billing purposes, all in X12 standard (for example). What to do about this requirement? Companies need to take action.

Why You Need to integrate EDI into Salesforce

Given the above facts and considering that Salesforce “out-of-the-box” does NOT support any EDI standard, there is no choice for a company leveraging Salesforce, to escape the integration request.

Ultimately, businesses need to Integrate EDI into their Salesforce instance. By pushing EDI messages into their Salesforce instance in a near real-time basis, companies can achieve even more with the Salesforce system.

“Need Integration” Checklist

Each company is unique, and it can be a lot of reasons why your business needs Integrations. Following are the most common reasons a company might need to consider, in order to jump into integration projects:

– Your trading partner(s) is requesting to exchange data electronically

– Your company gets a lot of orders (200+ orders a month on average), this is being taped manually in different systems, thus taking lots of time of your employees, and creating inefficiencies.

– You are looking for a better experience with your customer. You need to get your inventory out that always exact, tracking numbers are received instantly after the merchandise is sent, etc.

– You do not have enough time to process orders. Your costumers need to wait for order processing.

– As third-party sellers, you are getting penalties from Amazon, eBay, and other marketplaces for the reason that you are not shipping orders fast enough.

– Your company receiving negative reviews from your customers who shop online, because of slow service or erroneous orders processing.

What to do Next to integrate EDI and Salesforce

Integrating EDI with Salesforce, is a bit different from other types of integration projects, a company might go through. Due to the fact that EDI is very specific, it requires very specific expertise. Here are some of the important points to consider before going into EDI integration projects:

  • For EDI integration in general, work with an EDI provider, and NOT with VANS (Value Added Networks). VANs are more expensive and less into integration.
  • Make sure the EDI provider is “integration oriented”; meaning he is not only specialized in EDI, but in integration as a concept
  • Do NOT settle half-way with “file integration”, look for near “real-time” integration, directly into your system.
  • Do NOT settle with point-to-point integration”. Developing and “coding” integration points, is very expensive to maintain at long term.
  • Look for the best integration method: look for certified connectors from the manufacturer (salesforce).

Integrate EDI with Salesforce to drive your business

If you need more information or help in determining your need in EDI to Salesforce Integration, please contact our integration experts, and Feel free to request a free demonstration.

EDI Salesforce Integration

Salesforce integration and Magic xpi: Things you should know

Salesforce is a cloud CRM solution, designed to manage customer relationships, sales, and marketing. The company was founded in 1999 in San Francisco. At that time, the existing CRM systems were quite complicated to configure and expensive to operate, therefore, only large companies could afford a CRM system. The initial idea of Salesforce was to offer CRM in the “cloud” and sell the software through an annual subscription or lease model, computed per user of the software.

CRM IntegrationHelp: What is CRM?

CRM or Customer Relationship Management is a software system that allows your business to manage contacts, collaborate effectively, increase productivity & grow your business. It is based on the preservation and analysis of information to improve the marketing, service and business relations with your customers.

Why Salesforce?

Salesforce CRM is provided in a “software as a service” model (SaaS). Customers receive ready-made, ready to use CRM software application, fully serviced by the provider. Salesforce is accessible in a web-based interface on a Desktop, mobile or tablet. It is also accessible via mobile devices. This offers a great number of advantages to end-users in comparison with other traditional solutions.

When opting to Software as a service, end-users get the benefits of a reduced cost associated with the initial installation and continuous maintenance of the software.

Moreover, the SaaS model reduces to the maximum the upfront investment to acquire hardware equipments where the software should be installed, along with its continuing maintenance and support.

Add to the above, the convenience to be able to access and run the software application, from any device, browser or mobile application from anywhere in the world, since it is sitting in the cloud.

Who uses Salesforce?

Salesforce CRM is the ideal solution for small and medium businesses, as well as for large organizations. More than 150,000 customers of all sizes and various industries are connecting with their customers, partners, and employees with Salesforce’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.

Integration with Salesforce

Salesforce plays an important role within lots of companies of any size, however, it does not cover all the business processes an enterprise can have. Therefore, the enterprise will certainly have in place another software solutions (mainly ERP) deployed in the “cloud” or “on-premises”.

The ERP is mainly the main vehicle an enterprise uses to cover the main business processes (for example, inventory, pick, pack ship…); it is a very common scenario to find a company running a Salesforce instance in its Marketing and sales department, while running an Oracle JDE or SAP or Microsoft ERP, in the other departments.

The above scenario creates a delicate situation where the master data (i.e. customers, accounts, items, prospects…) are entered and maintained separately in each one of the software systems of the company, hence creating the need to “Orchestrate” and “integrate” data between all the above systems, in a safe and automatic manner.

What is Magic xpi?

Magic xpi and Salesforce IntegrationIn summary, Magic xpi is a code-free, low maintenance platform that maps your company’s data, automates your business processes and connects your apps, databases, APIs and more – all on a single platform. Magic xpi is a technology proprietary of Magic Software enterprises, a NASDAQ company, present in almost every country in the world with millions of users Worldwide.

Magic xpi certified connector for Salesforce

To soften the integration challenges and allow enterprises to orchestrate and integrate data between different dispersed systems, Magic Software (MSE) the manufacturer of “Magic xpi” integration platform, built a “Salesforce connector”.

This connector eases the integration with Salesforce by discovering the objects built within the application and allowing the user to build mapping between source and destination, visually with a simple drag and drop process, without the need for extensive development and programming skills.

Moreover, MSE went farther into certifying this connector with Salesforce themselves, to add to it the stamp and approval of Salesforce.

Salesforce API or Magic xpi?

The answer to this question is that using Magic xpi as a backend integration platform, will eliminate the need for point-to-point integration between Salesforce and any system or API.

Add to it, the agnostic nature of Magic xpi, makes any integration from Salesforce to any other system similar in nature: You always do things the same way, without any coding.

I invite my readers to click here in order to download Magic xpi product sheet, in order to know more about this great integration platform.

Improve your integration projects

If you need more information or help in determining your need in Salesforce Integration, please click on the below image to contact our integration team and feel free to request a free demonstration of Magic xpi platform integration with Salesforce.

Magic-xpi Integration Platform