Salesforce Connect allows administrators to integrate Salesforce with external data sources without writing code. It uses the OData protocol to provide real-time, bi-directional access to external databases on any device. Administrators can set up external data sources by defining an authentication method and connection URL. This allows external data to be viewed and manipulated from within Salesforce just like native objects, including CRUD permissions. Considerations for using Salesforce Connect include its paid feature status, current limitations around approval processes and validation rules, and the benefits of reducing integration costs.

1. Integrate at Lightning Speed with
Salesforce Connect!
Phoenix Developer User Group
February 15, 2017

2. Adam Olshansky
Salesforce Developer at YouTube,
Salesforce MVP, 13X Certified
@adam17amo
AdamToArchitect.com

4. Overview
● Salesforce Connect empowers Admins to Integrate
● Setup and Demo
● Considerations & Road Map

5. Salesforce Connect empowers
Admins

6. Common Integration Problems
● Duplicated / Inconsistent data
● Storage Issues
● Connectivity breaking
● Too intimidating – scope/budget/developers
● …No more!
Have you seen these?

7. The Point:
Allows anyone to integrate
Salesforce with other systems…
without a line of code!!!

8. What is Salesforce Connect?
● Add-on integration feature
● Declarative integration
● Gives users access to external data
○ Real-time Access
○ CRUD permissions to records in external
data sources
○ No copy/paste or double entry
● Allows external databases to be accessed
via Mobile devices

9. How does it work?
Data Synchronization vs. Data Virtualization
​ ​

10. How does it work?
Architecture
​ ​

11. How does it work?
● Uses industry standard Open Data (OData) 2.0 or 4.0 protocol
● SAP, Microsoft SQL Server, Azure, IBM Websphere, Heroku Connect
● Dell Boomi, Informatica, Jitterbit, MuleSoft, Progressive
Communication

12. External Objects vs. Custom Objects
● __c vs. __x
● Tabs
● List views
● Record detail pages
● Chatter feeds
● Search
● Authentication
● API Access
● SOQL and SOSL
● Visualforce

13. Security Considerations
● Authentication Options
○ Named Principal
○ Per user (based on source)
● Record Level Security based on source
○ Salesforce sharing rules unavailable
● Still need to grant users object- and field-level access to the
Salesforce External Objects

14. Setup and Demo

15. Setup and Demo
● Setup
● External Data Sources
● New External Data Source
● Choose Your Label
● Choose Connection Type
● Enter URL
● Check box for External Objects
● Configure Authentication

16. What You Just Saw
● Created a successful connection
● Added 2 external objects
● Displayed and manipulated external data in Salesforce in real time
● Created and modified data in an external system FROM Salesforce
● Created a report on the external data
● No code required!

17. New Lookup Options
External Lookup
● Links any Salesforce object to an external object
● Field on a Salesforce object corresponds to external ID field (not standard ID field) on an external object
Indirect Lookup
● Links an external object to any Salesforce object
● Field on an external object corresponds to external ID field (not standard ID field) on a Salesforce object
DEMO #2!

18. What You Just Saw
● Linked Payments external object to external Customers object via External Lookup
Relationship
● Linked external Customers object to standard Account object via Indirect Lookup Relationship
○ External ID field on Account needed first (Store ID)
● Was able to edit page layouts like any normal object
● Minimal difference between objects not in Salesforce and normal custom objects
● No code required!

19. Considerations

20. Software Integrations: Dollars and Sense
● Integrations are expensive for a reason
● Generally extra costs associated with building on multiple devices
○ No extra cost for Salesforce1 with Salesforce Connect
● Costs for development, maintenance, updates
○ Salesforce Connect is developed and maintained by Salesforce!
○ Managed by admin
○ CLICKS, NOT CODE

21. Software Integrations: Dollars and Sense
● Salesforce Connect is a paid add-on feature
○ Talk to your Account Executive for more information

22. Use Cases

23. Extending the Capabilities
Custom Adapters
● For connections other than OData
● Open to sources other than OData
● Source needs an API
● Developers can program custom adapters
● Apex Connector Framework
● Admins manage the connection
Salesforce Cross-Org Adapter
● Connect to another Salesforce org
● Data virtualization
○ Salesforce to Salesforce is a classic sync,
data sharing

24. Limitations (for now)
● 200 external object limit
● Approval processes
● Validation rules
● Workflow rules
● Record types
● Triggers
● Formula fields
● Picklists

25. Summary

26. Summary
● Allows Admins to fully set up real-time integrations to other systems
● Access external data on any device for no additional cost
● CRUD functionality on external data
● No code required
​

27. Awesome! How do I get started???
● Do the Trailhead modules on Salesforce Connect!
● Do a Proof of Concept for your Decision Makers
○ Connect a Developer Org to one of your business end points
● Join the Official Success Group on the Success Community to learn more
○ bit.ly/sfconnectchatter (SF Connect Chatter)

28. Thank Y u