Juggling a dozen apps to run your business can feel like a constant act of precariously balanced chaos. You’ve got your trusty CRM (Salesforce®, naturally!), a marketing automation whiz-kid, and a whole arsenal of other specialized tools – accounting software, document sharing, project management… the list goes on. But what if these tools never quite click? What if using one means putting another down, disrupting your workflow, and leaving data scattered like dropped juggling pins?

That’s where integrations come in, and Salesforce shines in making those connections seamless. Imagine a world where your apps work together, not against each other. Information flows freely, tasks run smoother than a well-oiled machine, and you can finally ditch the juggling act. Sounds pretty good. Let’s dive into the world of Salesforce integrations and see how they can transform your business.

How Does Salesforce Integration Work?

Salesforce offers a variety of ways to connect with other apps. Here are two common methods:

1. Pre-built Integrations: The Salesforce AppExchange is a treasure trove of pre-built integrations for popular business applications like DocuSign, Google Drive, and Mailchimp. Think of it as an app store designed to connect Salesforce with the tools you already use. Installing a pre-built integration is usually as simple as a few clicks, and often requires no coding knowledge.
2. API Integration: For applications not on the AppExchange, or more complex workflows, Salesforce offers robust APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). APIs act as messengers between Salesforce and other applications, allowing them to exchange data. While API integrations require some technical expertise to set up, they offer a high degree of customization.

Salesforce and MuleSoft: A Powerful Partnership

For businesses with a complex IT landscape, MuleSoft can be a game-changer. MuleSoft® is an integration platform that acts as a central hub, connecting Salesforce to all your other applications, regardless of whether they have pre-built integrations with Salesforce or not. Think of MuleSoft as a universal translator, ensuring all your applications speak the same language and data can flow freely between them.

Here’s an example: Let’s say you use a legacy ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning) that doesn’t have a native integration with Salesforce. MuleSoft can bridge the gap, allowing data to flow seamlessly between the two systems. This can be crucial for tasks like order fulfillment or inventory management, ensuring everyone in your organization has access to the most up-to-date information.

Benefits of Salesforce Integration

The advantages of integrating Salesforce with other applications are numerous. Here are just a few:

• Improved Efficiency: By automating data transfer, integrations eliminate manual data entry, saving your team valuable time and reducing the risk of errors.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Integrations ensure everyone in your organization has access to the same customer data, leading to better collaboration and communication.
• Increased Productivity: Streamlined workflows and automated tasks free up your team to focus on more strategic initiatives.
• Improved Customer Experience: With a holistic view of the customer journey across different applications, you can provide a more personalized and responsive experience.
• Better Data-Driven Decisions: Integrations allow you to consolidate data from various sources, giving you a clearer picture of your business and enabling you to make data-driven decisions.

Getting Started with Salesforce Integrations

Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, there’s a Salesforce integration solution for you. Here are a few steps to get started:

1. Identify Your Needs: First, consider your specific business needs and workflows. What applications do you use the most? Where do data silos exist?
2. Explore the AppExchange: Browse the Salesforce AppExchange to see if there are pre-built integrations for your desired applications.
3. Consult a Salesforce Expert: If you need help with more complex integrations or API development, consider working with a certified Salesforce consultant.

Summary

Salesforce’s robust integration capabilities allow you to create a unified business ecosystem, where all your applications work together seamlessly. This translates to a more efficient, productive, and customer-centric organization. So, ditch the data silos and embrace the power of connection. With Salesforce integrations, the possibilities are endless.

How AdVic Can Help

AdVic’s certified, experienced, and passionate integration consultants team up with businesses to turn legacy point-to-point integrations into a scalable architecture that your business can grow with. How can we help your business today? Quickly reach us here.

Related Resources:

Set Up Your Salesforce Org for Integration with MuleSoft

Replace Repetitive Processes and Tasks with MuleSoft RPA

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post The Power of Connection: How Salesforce Plays Nicely with All Your Apps appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.

For manufacturers, keeping up with today’s customer demands and a dynamic market requires a high-octane approach. But many manufacturers are stuck with clunky legacy systems that create data silos, hinder collaboration, and leave them with limited visibility.

That’s where Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud comes in. Imagine a single platform that streamlines operations, secures your valuable data, and gives you a complete picture of your customers – all while boosting collaboration, eliminating roadblocks, and keeping everything transparent. That’s the power of Manufacturing Cloud.

Fueling Your Business with Five Key Features

Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud isn’t just about adding bells and whistles. It’s a comprehensive suite designed to supercharge your manufacturing operations:

1. Rev Your Commercial Engine: Manage your entire sales pipeline, from the initial spark of an opportunity to order fulfillment and future demand forecasting. No more clunky handoffs or information black holes.
2. Strengthen Your Partner Network: Collaboration is key in today’s manufacturing world. Manufacturing Cloud fosters tighter relationships with your partners, boosting visibility, engagement, and overall performance.
3. Deliver a First-Class Service Experience: Transform your service function with a smarter, faster approach. From initial contact center interactions to field service and customer support, Manufacturing Cloud ensures a seamless experience that keeps your customers happy.
4. Power Up Your Workforce: Attract and retain top talent with a modern, mobile-friendly platform that allows your team to work productively from anywhere. Manufacturing Cloud keeps everyone connected and informed, no matter their location.
5. Turnkey Actionable Insights: Ditch the siloed data and fragmented reports. Manufacturing Cloud seamlessly integrates with your existing systems and leverages AI and analytics to deliver powerful insights that fuel better decision-making and execution.

Taking Your Manufacturing Cloud to the Next Level

Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud is a powerful platform, but there’s always room for extra horsepower. Consider these compatible add-ons to take your operations to the next level:

• Experience Cloud for Manufacturing: This pre-built template fosters collaboration between you and your channel partners, allowing for seamless teamwork on leads and opportunities.
• Salesforce Analytics: Unleash the true potential of your data with intelligent insights, predictions, and recommendations that can be customized to your specific needs. Gain valuable intel on sales agreement compliance, account health, pricing, and product performance.
• MuleSoft Anypoint Platform: Break down data silos and connect Manufacturing Cloud with all your other systems, both on-premise and cloud-based. Automate the entire order-to-cash process, create a unified forecast view, and drive automation across all your sales channels.

Summary

Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud offers transformative benefits for manufacturers, including modernizing commercial operations, simplifying partner engagement, transforming service experiences, enabling a future-ready workforce, and converting data into actionable insights. Enhancing the platform with add-ons like Experience Cloud, Analytics, and MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform can further optimize business operations.

How AdVic Can Help

Implementing Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud is a strategic decision that can significantly transform your manufacturing operations. Partnering with a Salesforce for Manufacturing Consulting Team, like AdVic®, can help you maximize the value of this powerful platform. Our team, with proven expertise and industry-leading certifications, can help you develop a customized plan to achieve your specific goals. Schedule a day and time to talk with us.

Related Resources:

Manufacturing Cloud Accelerator

*Images courtesy of Salesforce & MuleSoft

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post Manufacturing in the Fast Lane: How Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud Puts You in the Driver’s Seat appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.

Without sounding cliché, technology plays a crucial role in the success of every business today, regardless of the industry. However, effectively managing this technology can pose business challenges. Whether routine maintenance or addressing complex issues to stay efficient and connected with customers, the demand for effective technology management has never been higher.

Many businesses have internal challenges, such as bandwidth limitations or limited in-depth and broad-based knowledge among their staff. In such scenarios, considering a Managed Services solution becomes a logical choice. These solutions, delivered by certified experts working as an extension of your team, offer cost-effectiveness, flexible commitments, and tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.

Seven Game-Changing Benefits of Managed Services

• Predictable Cost Control

• • • Consolidate data and technology costs into a fixed monthly or annual payment.

• Grow as Intended

• • • Building an in-house data and technology team comes with a hefty price tag. Managed Services extend your team, eliminating productivity bottlenecks.

• Focus on the Bigger Picture

• • • Free your internal team from basic issue resolutions and system malfunctions, allowing them to concentrate on projects that drive your business forward.

• Wide-Ranging Knowledge

• • • Access a large team of experts with diverse skills through Managed Services. Bridge knowledge gaps and conquer new initiatives with confidence.

• Data Compliance

• • • Managed services providers handle the complexities of compliance and auditing, saving your in-house team valuable time and effort.

• Seamless Scalability

• • • Meet increased demand for products and services with the scalable resources provided by Managed Services. No longer worry about limited space, costly infrastructure, or slow rollouts.

• Automatic Release Updates

• • Stay ahead in the rapidly evolving cloud technology landscape. Managed Service Providers ensure your technology infrastructure remains up-to-date, freeing you from keeping pace with innovations.

Summary

Technology’s pivotal role in business success is undeniable, but managing it poses significant challenges. Businesses grapple with internal issues like bandwidth limitations and staff expertise gaps, making Managed Services a logical choice. These solutions, delivered by certified experts as an extension of your team, offer cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and tailored solutions. Seven transformative benefits include predictable cost control, enabling growth without hefty in-house team costs, freeing internal teams for strategic projects, accessing a diverse team of experts, ensuring data compliance, seamless scalability, and automatic updates to stay ahead in the ever-evolving technology landscape. Managed Services provides a comprehensive and efficient solution for businesses facing internal challenges in technology management.

“AdVic® has excelled at adapting to our work style. They provide value in every scheduled meeting and ensure they are continuously re-prioritizing work to meet an ever-changing cycle of business requests. They are creative, well staffed, and adaptive to everything we throw at them.” – Director of Digital Transformation Strategy, Recent AdVic Manufacturing Client

How AdVic Can Help

Thriving businesses are agile, scalable, and continuously innovate to serve customers effectively. AdVic’s THRIVE Managed Services for Salesforce® and MuleSoft® program aligns your cloud-based software with industry best practices and the latest advancements, ensuring your business thrives by keeping technology in sync with processes and goals, often at a lower cost than maintaining a dedicated employee. 

Let’s talk about ways your business can start thriving! Pick a date that works for you on the calendar below, and a member of our THRIVE Managed Services for Salesforce and MuleSoft Program will immediately be in touch.

Related Resources:

Listen to What Salesforce Managed Services Can Do For You
Building and Maintaining Relationships Through Managed Services
AdVic Provides a Managed Services Solution
Salesforce Managed Services Advantages That Control Costs
AdVic’s Thrive Managed Services for Salesforce Program

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post The Power of Managed Services in Technology Management appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.

For those who don’t know, AdVic’s extensive line of Accelerators are quick-start tools that advance the implementation or enhancement of your Salesforce® platform to equip and empower your team, customers, and partners in just weeks, not months. 

With our uniquely crafted solutions, based on industry best practices and thousands of successfully completed projects, your company will be able to quickly leverage Salesforce functionality, lower deployment costs with accelerating platform benefits, and gain out-of-the-box resolution – which can be customized to your needs – to top industry use cases. 

In Part 2 of this AdVic® Salesforce Blog series (read Part 1), we’re taking a look at a few of our various Accelerator offerings and how they can expedite the Salesforce solution you have been looking for. 

Salesforce Order Management Accelerator

Billions of people search and purchase products and services online. As a result, sellers desiring future growth need to be equipped with robust technology that enables them to scale. This is where Salesforce’s Order Management  (SOM) steps in. The SOM platform assists merchants in creating unique and pleasant shopping experiences for customers across all channels. Whether online, in-store, mobile, or social, SOM tracks, manages, and streamlines orders so the right product is delivered expeditiously and the right service is provided to the customer.

B2B Commerce Cloud Accelerator

Commerce Cloud displays your product catalog in a branded storefront and allows your customer base to place orders independently. Complex pricing models can be configured to match your current business rules and enable contractual agreement tracking for product entitlements and price points. Best of all, Ad Victoriam’s B2B Commerce Cloud Accelerator, an out-of-the-box package enables you to jump-start your B2B platform and start selling online in weeks.

More Information About Commerce Cloud Accelerator

Marketing Cloud Accelerator

Salesforce Marketing Cloud is the platform for delivering relevant, personalized journeys across channels and devices — enabling marketers to deliver the right message at the right time throughout all phases of the relationship. Marketing Cloud includes integrated solutions for customer journey management, email, mobile, social, web personalization, advertising, content creation and management, and data analysis.

Why Salesforce Marketing Cloud?

• Unlock customer value with data-driven interactions that truly benefit your customer — and your business.
• Personalize every moment with real-time data across channels and teams.
• Automate engagement across email, web, mobile, and more.
• Optimize performance and spending with AI-driven analytics.

MuleSoft Ignite Accelerator

AdVic’s MuleSoft Ignite program connects your systems by laying the integration framework and enabling your integration to scale. Based on industry best practices, and many successfully completed integration projects, we’ve crafted Ignite to quickly advance your business and timeline to achieving a positive ROI.

MuleSoft Ignite Summary:

• Boxed in and rapid implementation program.
• Includes an integration between foundational systems.
• Allows for fast delivery and ROI with utilization of MuleSoft templates where applicable.
• Foundational deliverables for each offering, including solution architecture, technical specifications, business requirements documents, and data mappings

If you missed Part 1 of this AdVic Salesforce Blog series, you’ll learn about these additional AdVic Accelerators:

• Sales Cloud Accelerator
• Service Cloud Accelerator
• Service Cloud Accelerator + Data Migration
• Experience Cloud Accelerator

Why not start accelerating your progress today? Take advantage of AdVic’s Accelerator tools that not only expedite your progress but deliver the results you need cost-effectively. Schedule a meeting with us now!

Related Resources:

Expedite Salesforce Implementation with an Accelerator – Part 1
AdVic Accelerators: Products That Propel Your Salesforce Platform’s Value

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post Expedite Salesforce Implementation with an Accelerator – Part 2 appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.

Are we really putting 2022 in our rearview mirror? Where did it go?

Well, there’s no looking back now, so let’s push forward with eyes wide open into what we hope will be an amazing 2023 for all! But before we do that, we wanted to take this opportunity to share the Top 22 Salesforce Blogs AdVic® published in 2022, ones that we got the most feedback from, and ones you may have missed.

Enjoy, and Happy New Year from all of us at Ad Victoriam Solutions!

#1. Highlights from the Salesforce Winter ‘23 Release

Salesforce® has once again packed their platform with exciting new features inside its Winter ‘23 Release, And as they always do, AdVic’s consultants have poured through every one of the new features in this release and have highlighted the ones they are most excited about.
Read More

#2. 5 Common Questions Asked of Salesforce Partners

Through your research, you have found that Salesforce® products will work best for your organization. So, what’s next? It is time to look for a Salesforce Partner to implement (or modify) your technology. Here are five common questions Salesforce newbies (and vets, too) have asked AdVic.
Read More

#3. Be the 1 of 8 Digital Transformations that Succeeds
Did you know that about one of eight digital transformations succeed? To be one of the successful ones, start by building a digital transformation strategic roadmap that includes obtaining buy-in from your stakeholders and the team.
Read More

#4. AdVic’s Journey to be a Better Version of Ourselves
When we first embarked on our B Corp certification journey back in January of 2016, Ad Victoriam Solutions (AdVic®) was less than two-years-old, employed eight employees and was still operating out of a combination of shared workspaces and our founder’s basement. Fast forward to February of 2022 and we’re now over 150 employees strong located in 18 states across six time zones, and we’ve re-certified as a B Corp and continue to scale both fast and responsibly.
Read More

#5. How a Relationship Turned Into a Partnership
It’s no secret that fostering positive relationships with your customers out-of-the-gate can help to transform those customers into real brand supporters and long-term partners. Such is the case with AdVic and a recent high-tech customer that provides cloud-based business solutions to their customers.
Read More

#6. The Seven Stages of a Sales Pipeline
Not to be confused with a sales funnel – which looks at the whole customer journey and the various stages a consumer will go through in their journey towards purchase – a sales pipeline looks at the different steps in the sales process. These seven are generally considered to be the “standard” stages for a business that follows a typical sales process.
Read More

#7. What is B2B2C?
Is your organization B2B, B2C, or B2B2C? The way you interact with your clients, the way you define success, and the technology you use all tie into the business model that defines your company.
Read More

#8. Storytelling with Data
Data is more than a trending topic. Today, data drives business solutions and tells a story about what is happening in your business. Whether manufacturers are using data to pinpoint defects or downtime in their machines, retailers are analyzing their new loyalty programs, or a healthcare provider is monitoring patient engagement, data tells a story.
Read More

#9. AdVic Empowered Minority Football Coaches
As a small nonprofit, NCMFC relies heavily on advisors in the technology, marketing, legal, and finance worlds to enhance their business practices. When it was time to implement Salesforce for their organization, an advisor recommended AdVic as a partner. With excitement, we jumped onboard this pro bono project to integrate Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack into their organization.
Read More

#10. Four Easy Ways to Get Involved and Make a Difference
At AdVic, we give every employee 40 hours of paid time-off to volunteer every year. We encourage them to get involved in their communities to give back, regardless of cause or organization. Here are four simple ways anyone — or a company – can get involved and give back.
Read More

#11. Managed Services: How Does It Save Time & Money? When Do You Need It?
Simply put, Managed Services, and specifically a Managed Services Provider (MSP), handles the daily operations of your specialized technology applications so you and your teams can focus on driving revenue. But how do you know when it’s really time to enlist the services of an MSP before your day-to-day business is impacted?
Read More

#12. Do You Need Sales Automation or An Upgrade?
From the top of the sales funnel to closing, the sales process has a lot of steps. In many cases sales begins with marketing initiating the first touching point. It could be socials, ads campaigns, or email marketing, and from there, prospects flow through the funnel hopefully landing in a closed deal. Here’s how sales automation increases productivity, accelerates the sales cycle, and increases revenue.
Read More

#13. Equipment Manufacturer Replaces Legacy Systems and Thrives
Here’s how Residential Elevators is now seeing profound improvements with their new and improved CRM system. In the ever-evolving world of Salesforce®, their technology is continuously seeing updates, new features, and more functionality that enables their business to progress.
Read More

#14. A Manufacturer’s Road to Success
The most successful digital transformations drive change from leadership to employees to provide customers with unforgettable experiences. They also require planning stages. Get our step-by-step “Guide to Success” for manufacturers.
Read More

#15. Electrical Equipment Manufacturing Challenges and Growth
The electrical equipment sector of manufacturing is experiencing robust growth. According to Yahoo Finance, “The global electrical equipment market is expected to grow from $1,384.97 billion in 2021 to $1,540.25 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%.” Because the manufacturing industry, specifically electrical, was hit so hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, they are working tirelessly to get back on track.
Read More

#16. Talking Tech Trends with Salesforce Ben & AdVic
During a 2022 AdVic “Salesforce Simplified” podcast – titled “Talking Tech Trends with Salesforce Ben” and featuring Salesforce Ben’s Ben McCarthy and AdVic President Brian Mize – we discussed top tech trends that may impact the industry and business practices in the near future.
Read More

#17. ‘May the Fourth Volunteer With You’ Week a Huge Success at AdVic
After an inaugural volunteer week in 2019, and a two-year delay because of pandemic-related postponements, “May the Fourth Volunteer With You” week was back this year at AdVic. With three events at our headquarters just outside of Atlanta, and our remote employees participating in events across the country, our team came together to give back.
Read More

#18. HexArmor’s Sales Director Talks About Sales Cloud
HexArmor‘s Director of Sales, Geno Lechuga, recently spoke on the AdVic “Salesforce Simplified” podcast about how his team benefits from being able to see every interaction prospects and customers have with his business—regardless of department—using the CRM platform that connects his whole company. Here’s some highlights from that conversation.
Read More

#19. The Best Features of Salesforce Sales Cloud
For those who don’t know, Salesforce Sales Cloud – often referred to as the World’s #1 CRM – provides a platform to manage end-to-end functioning of the sales department for companies. In this Salesforce Blog, we focus on some of the best features of Sales Cloud.
Read More

#20. The Project That Became a Partnership
AdVic’s initial project with FLUX Pumps was to implement a necessary Salesforce Sales Cloud solution. From this, their sales cycle was cut in half. They were awarded efficiency, visibility, and automation with their introductory digital transformation. FLUX achieved great milestones that included doubled conversions, a 20% increase in revenue, and a way to nurture leads that turned into customers.
Read More

#21. What You Need to Know About Slack
Slack and Salesforce® have spearheaded a newfound innovation in the way that employees communicate, connect and collaborate. From internal marketing teams to recruiters connecting with new talent, Slack offers unmatched flexibility that allows all parties to communicate swiftly with their instant messaging capabilities, or their built-in video and voice capabilities. Inside the blog, download AdVic’s informative no-form Slack infographic.
Read More

#22. Top Brands Do This to Create an Effective Customer Experience
These days, customer experience has become more than a buzz phrase. No matter the industry or the brand, companies have come to the realization that they need to focus on being more proactive, as opposed to reactive, when it comes to engaging with their customers.
Read More

Read More AdVic Salesforce Blogs 

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post The Top 22 Salesforce Blogs of 2022 appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.

A pet supply retailer with numerous locations across the U.S. came to AdVic® with a major predicament that had actually been snowballing in recent years. Their eCommerce platform had become extremely challenging not only to maintain, but to enhance. As a result, their challenges were creating barriers hindering their growth in what has become an extremely competitive marketplace. 

What this client really needed was to be able to pivot at a moment’s notice to increase their ability to service customers quickly and be able to control their platform locally and, at the same time, digitally rebrand their business.

The Multi-Cloud Solution

The Salesforce solution AdVic implemented for our client took on a very specific four-pronged attack that also included a MuleSoft® integration.

Commerce Cloud:

• Implemented a complete digital transformation, empowering internal teams with local control over their processes, brand, offerings, and more.
• Formalized and implemented a new UX/UI design for a rebranding campaign.
• Rebuilt processes, automation, and system integrations, enabling Pet Supermarket to create their own content and manage their online presence.
• Established change management procedures to streamline and facilitate future platform changes.
• Hourly data integration updates (previously once in 24 hours) provided accurate inventory availability, while custom logic alerted the customer and blocked order acceptance of unavailable products.

Salesforce Order Management (SOM): 

• Implementation and integration of SOM with Commerce Cloud enabled the client’s team to build Split-Order Processing to manage fulfillment for two separate warehouses.
• SOM dynamically reviewed each warehouse’s inventory based on SKU. If an order included SKU’s in each warehouse, the order would split aligning with the appropriate warehouse, change order stage to “allocated” to trigger MuleSoft to process and send the order downstream through the ERP to the pick/pack system in preparation for shipping.
• Sales data visibility in SOM aggregated from three systems.

Service Cloud:

• Integration of SOM with Service Cloud placed the processing of returns, discounts and cancellations inside of Service Cloud at the agent’s finger tips.
• Case Management dashboard consolidated data provides extensive visibility in one system versus two, facilitating quality customer service and agent management.

Marketing Cloud:

• Implementation empowered the client’s local marketing team to drive website visits through the creation and executing of promotions, campaigns, and targeting and nurturing, which more than doubled eCommerce conversion rates.
• Initiation of online order email confirmations, along with FedEx tracking numbers, decreased the “Where’s my order” inquiries by 20% within one month, and that percentage continues to trend down.

Outcome

Full digital transformation of this client’s business revolutionized the way they do business and positions them for short- and long-term success. Implementation of the multi-cloud Salesforce system, integrated with MuleSoft, has provided them with updated consolidated data insights, elevated customer experiences, more than doubled eCommerce conversion rates, reduced service calls, and built a foundation for future functionality and growth.

Are you considering a Salesforce and MuleSoft integration? You will want to seriously consider a consultant who is not just interested in building your next project but wants to build your business for future success. The AdVic team is ready to start your project today. Let’s start that conversation today!

Related Resources:

More Customer Stories from AdVic

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post Multi-Cloud Salesforce Solution Retailer’s Removes Growth Barriers appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.

MuleSoft® provides many connectors to help businesses develop API-led connectivity solutions. Out of all of those connectors, the “For Each” loop is a commonly used connector. This connector iterates through each element of a collection, or in other words, each element of an array. 

There are two different For Each connectors that MuleSoft provides. There is the “For Each” and the “Parallel For Each.” They have key different functionalities and serve different purposes. Knowing when to use each one is crucial for the success of the API’s you are building. 

When to use ‘For Each’

The For Each connector gets an array of elements and processes, each one at a time, so if there are 60 elements and each one takes one-second to process, making the total run for this connector one-minute. That’s something to keep in mind when using this connector since it could slow down your entire flow.

This is why the For Each connector should be used with a small amount of elements, or when performance isn’t critical.

The other thing to keep in mind when using this For Each connector is that if one element fails to process, the connector stops processing the rest of the records and moves on to the next connector. For example, let’s say that out of 60 records the connector fails at record 29, the remaining 31 records won’t process since the connector failed on record 29.

Another important piece to keep in mind is that this connector doesn’t return a processed payload. Whichever payload is given to this connector gets passed through to the next connector.

In the above example, the Collection field in For Each is set to iterate over an array stored in payload.topics:.

Key ‘For Each’ Takeaways:

• The For Each connector should be used when there are a few items to loop for per call.
• Use when performance isn’t crucial.
• Use when one payload fails the rest should stop processing.
• Use when a processed payload isn’t returned.

When to use ‘Parallel For Each’

Since the For Each connector doesn’t return a processed payload, one of the common patterns with the connector is to use Object Store to store the processed data for each element. This can be used successfully, but is not recommended since the Object Store has limitations on how many records it can process on a timeframe. It also can fail if you try to get elements from it at a pace faster than its limits. 

One of the ways to avoid this pattern is to use the Parallel For Each connector. With this connector each element is processed individually and the end result is all the payloads for each processed element are merged into one payload. You can then iterate through each one and run the logic that’s needed to run on each element. This case can’t be used for all scenarios, but it’s a way to avoid the Object Store pattern.

Parallel For Each works by processing each element in its own thread. There is a limit on how many threads it can run at one time (see the links below for more info). You can also set the limit yourself, which gives you flexibility and control on the amount of threads it can run at one time.

Parallel For Each processes all records and the result is their payload – regardless of failure or success – will return the same amount of payloads that match the elements given. This is useful when you want all records to process, regardless of the status. You can then use your own logic afterwards on what to do with success and failure payloads. 

Another key component to the Parallel For Each connector is that the end results are returned as a combined payload. So it actually returns the payload and you can do with it what you want. The For Each connector doesn’t return a payload and you have to use a variable or Object Store in order to store and retrieve the payload processed on the connector.

Key ‘Parallel For One’ Takeaways:

• Avoid using Object Store in a loop, since Object Store drops messages sometimes.
• Use when performance is necessary.
• Use when all should be processed, regardless if one of them fails.
• Use when you want to see the end result of all elements passed.

For Each vs. Parallel For Each

Summary

Both For Each loop connectors are great tools for building a MuleSoft API. Each project will have different requirements. Based on your project requirements, you will now be able to figure out which connector to use.

Ad Victoriam’s certified, experienced and passionate MuleSoft consultants team up with businesses to turn legacy point-to-point integrations into a scalable architecture that your business can grow with. Let’s talk about a solution for your company today.

Related Resources:

The For Each Scope

The Parallel For Each Scope

Set Up Your Salesforce Org for Integration with MuleSoft

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post MuleSoft’s ‘For Each’ Connectors Explained appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.

As part of their continued participation in our THRIVE Managed Services Program, AdVic® supported their growth throughout the years with strategic guidance, platform enhancements, and additional technology. Here’s a closer look at some of those enhancements.

Salesforce Commerce

While the client had Salesforce Commerce for B2B, it was not being utilized because it had not been customized to match their business processes. In addition, their desire to sunset their homegrown pricing system, ODM, was growing, which resulted in the first project focusing on Commerce. 

The AdVic team integrated the payment processing tool, Avalara, creating a guest checkout process, streamlined the site and developed an engaging user experience. AdVic was able to customize the platform, aligning it with their business processes, thus enabling them to sell online efficiently.

Salesforce CPQ

Pricing coordinators faced technological barriers that hindered their ability to provide accurate quotes quickly, without manual intervention. Pricing Coordinators and the sales teams were managing quotes through calls and emails.

Here’s what AdVic Managed Services accomplished:

• Built an automated quote management system with price listing, that reduced quote related work levels and increased accuracy.
• Enabled bulk pricing and cost updates across price lists. A price increase can now be scheduled to eliminate the need to change pricing line by line to accommodate the almost daily pricing changes that are typical of their industry.
• Created quoting process to be dependent on automated price update verifications.
•  Implemented approval process automation rules ensure gross margin requirements are met, based on updated cost to price margins. Alerts triggered when quotes fall below required margins.

Salesforce Service Cloud

Began work on Service Cloud to enhance incoming case workflows. Automated alerts triggered when cases are logged to inform agents of the cases that need attention. Future enhancements to expand functionality are planned.

Results

The enhancements of B2B Commerce and CPQ have made selling at the needed margin infinitely easier and faster. Without the need for manual intervention to create quotes based on daily cost and price updates, and to obtain management approvals, the team has more time to focus on selling more products.

What’s Next

Our Managed Services relationship will continue to advance the client as we turn the attention to building-out executive level reports and dashboards to expose data and analytics needed to drive business decisions and growth.

“AdVic has excelled at adapting to our work style. They provide value in every meeting that is scheduled and make sure they are continuously re-prioritizing work to meet an ever-changing cycle of business requests. They are creative, well staffed and adaptive to everything we throw at them.”
– Director of Digital Transformation Strategy

AdVic’s THRIVE Managed Services for Salesforce® & MuleSoft® offers the expertise, support, and solutions to help your business continue to thrive. So, if you’re in need of a cost-controlled flexible, yet a full-service solution to fit your exact needs in the short- or long-term, talk to Ad Victoriam’s THRIVE Managed Services team today.

Related Resources:

Building and Maintaining Relationships Through Managed Services

Salesforce Managed Services Advantages That Control Costs

AdVic’s Thrive Managed Services for Salesforce Program

Moving Your Business Forward with Salesforce Managed Services

AdVic Provides a Managed Services Solution

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post System Upgrades Propel Manufacturers’ Pace Through Managed Services appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.

MuleSoft Account Executive Wes Disher was a recent guest on Ad Victoriam’s “Salesforce Simplified” podcast, where he detailed how with Robotic Process Automation (RPA), companies can capture and automate their teams workflows instantly – whether through a UI, document or image – and do it with point-and-click tools.

So, what specifically is Robotic Process Automation?

MuleSoft’s Disher explained, “Robotic process automation is a software technology that combines robotics and automation to perform repetitive tasks. RPA is a method for business process automation that uses an application or bot that replicates an employee’s desktop actions by interacting with an interface in the same way that a human traditionally would.”

According to a Deloitte Global RPA survey, 53% of respondents have already started their RPA journey. This is expected to increase to 72% in the next two years. If this continues at its current level, RPA will have achieved near-universal adoption within the next five years.

The Benefits of Implementing RPA

“I think there’s really four main benefits that we’ve identified here at MuleSoft,” Disher explained. “The first one is essentially reducing the overall cost and improving that customer and employee experience. And so, how can we automate the processes for the customer? Shorten their time manually entering a claims process or a loan process. And then, also, taking that task and not putting that on as the responsibility of those agents or those customer success reps and streamlining it.”

Conversely, MuleSoft will tell you that challenges to RPA include: 

– Displace human workers: One of the biggest criticisms of RPA and other automation technology is its potential to eliminate the need for data entry and clerical-style roles.

– Lacks intelligent capabilities: RPA as a standalone technology can only perform tasks that it can copy from a script — lacking the ability to learn and improve the script it’s performing. The next generation of AI and intelligent automation tools are now being introduced to address this pitfall of RPA.

– Project complexity: Transformative RPA projects tend to be complex and require a time commitment to see the return on investment — as a result, some RPA projects fail before the value is realized.

Seamless Integration with Anypoint Platform and Composer

And if you were wondering, yes, RPA seamlessly integrates with MuleSoft’s Anypoint Platform and Composer.

According to Disher, “The way we’ve actually built our RPA solution was through an acquisition of Servicetrace just about two years ago. Our product team has really put a massive emphasis on bringing these three technologies together. The best news and the best part about it is it’s all built on the Anypoint Platform. What you’re building and what you’re creating in RPA or Composer allows you to be able to reuse that going forward.”

Building a Successful Automation Strategy

AdVic also asked Disher to give us his thoughts on how companies should go about constructing a successful automation strategy.

“I truly believe as companies continue to adopt digital platforms,” Disher remarked. “It’s extremely important to have top-down alignment on these strategic initiatives that you’re looking to enable for not only the company, but also deliver to your customers, and putting the customers at the center of everything that you do. That’s truly where MuleSoft is allowing these organizations and empowering them to really automate everything and empower everyone on a single platform.”

There is much more to our conversation with MuleSoft’s Wes Disher, including a discussion of how RPA creates better customer and employee experiences, the training that MuleSoft offers around RPA, and much more. Listen here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ad Victoriam’s certified, experienced and passionate MuleSoft® consultants team up with businesses to integrate Robotic Process Automation (RPA) into a scalable architecture that can help your business grow. Let’s start talking about it today!

Related Resources: 

What is Robotic Process Automation  (RPA)?

MuleSoft RPA

Replace Repetitive Processes and Tasks with MuleSoft RPA (Podcast)

MuleSoft Consulting Services

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post Replace Repetitive Processes and Tasks with MuleSoft RPA appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.

Today, more than ever, technology is vital to every businesses success, but managing that technology can be a challenge for companies, no matter the industry. 

Sometimes your business’ technology only needs maintenance, and sometimes it needs a lot of attention that keeps it efficient, relevant and ensures you are connected to customers. 

In addition, your internal staff may also be experiencing bandwidth or knowledge limitations, so considering a Managed Services solution – certified experts who work as an extension of your team – just makes sense because it can be cost effective, offer flexible commitments and give you the solutions you want. 

Those solutions could include cloud and adoption strategies, issue resolution, process improvement, staffing issues, project work, and tech release management, making a Managed Services solution a win-win for everyone.

Keeping Business in Motion

While there are certainly many benefits of Managed Services Program (MSP) – as outlined above – here are seven benefits that should absolutely be on your radar when you are vetting a potential MSP provider.

1. Predictable Cost Control: With an MSP, data and technology costs can be neatly packaged into a set amount paid monthly or annually. 
2. Grow as Intended: The price tag associated with an in-house data and technology team is big, and that’s why teams are understaffed, overworked, and unable to get everything done. An MSP extends your team removing all productivity bottlenecks.
3. Focus on the Bigger Picture: If your internal team is swamped with helping users fix basic issues or dealing with systems malfunctions, they don’t have the time or focus to work on projects that push your business forward. An MSP frees up your team for pursuits that are more crucial to your business
4. Wide-Ranging Knowledge: Even the most well-trained employees don’t have the knowledge and experience of an MSP’s large team. An MSP fills knowledge gaps by giving you access to a team of experts with the precise skills you need to conquer any new initiative.
5. Data Compliance: A managed services provider handles the complexities of compliance and auditing, so you don’t have to worry about violating data security regulations. This can save your in-house team thousands of hours in the long run.
6. Seamless Scalability: An MSP can make it easy for businesses to meet increased demand for products and services. The ability to scale resources means you can easily meet your demands. With an MSP on-board, you no longer have to worry about limited space, costly infrastructure, or slow rollouts. You can be sure to have the right systems and products to keep up the growing or shrinking requirements of your business.
7. Automatic Release Updates: With cloud technology constantly evolving, it is easy for your technology infrastructure to become obsolete if not regularly updated and upgraded. However, keeping your technology infrastructure constantly up to date can be a challenge given the rapid rate of innovation in cloud technology. Using a managed service provider frees you from constantly trying to keep your infrastructure updated. Your managed service provider should have the resources for keeping up with all of the advances in the cloud, as well as upgrades your technology infrastructure needs.

Thriving businesses are agile, scalable, and continually innovate to serve their customers. Based on industry best practices and the latest Salesforce® and MuleSoft® advancements, AdVic’s THRIVE Managed Services for Salesforce and MuleSoft Program keeps your cloud-based software in alignment with your processes and goals – often at a lower cost than one employee – so your business can thrive. 

Let’s talk about ways your business can start thriving! Pick a date that works for you on the calendar below, and a member of our THRIVE Managed Services for Salesforce and MuleSoft Program will immediately be in touch.

Related Resources:

Listen to What Salesforce Managed Services Can Do For You

Building and Maintaining Relationships Through Managed Services

AdVic Provides a Managed Services Solution

Salesforce Managed Services Advantages That Control Costs

AdVic’s Thrive Managed Services for Salesforce Program

Subscribe to the AdVic Salesforce Blog on Feedly:

The post The 7 Benefits of a Managed Services Program appeared first on Ad Victoriam Solutions.