Without a doubt, Salesforce is one of the most popular CRM used by businesses around the world, ranking as #1 CRM provider in the world for 11 years in a row.
Companies are using Salesforce CRM to manage their customer relationships in one place, organize customer data, track and analyze sales, automate processes, communicate with customers, and grow their business.
And when it comes to managing accounts, inventory and other internal processes, businesses use the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software (such as Microsoft Dynamics).
Simply put, your ERP system helps you manage everything from inventory to financials, and your Salesforce CRM handles your customer relationships and sales processes.
Yet the real magic happens when these two systems are integrated!
In this article, we’ll explore how integrating the ERP system with Salesforce CRM can help you optimize your processes, improve customer satisfaction, drive growth, and make sure your every decision is backed by real-time insights.
Read on to learn more about
- What is a Salesforce-ERP integration?
- Key benefits of a Salesforce-ERP integration
- 3 common use cases of ERP integration with Salesforce
- 5 main Salesforce-ERP integration methods
- Common challenges of a Salesforce-ERP integration
- What are Salesforce-ERP connectors?
- How to find the right Salesforce-ERP connector
- How Rapidi can help with the Salesforce-ERP integration
What Is Salesforce-ERP Integration?
Generally speaking, a CRM-ERP integration is like a choreographed dance where every movement flows seamlessly into the next, ensuring that all departments and teams have access to accurate and up-to-date information.
Talking about the Salesforce-ERP integration, it’s the process of connecting Salesforce's CRM system with an ERP system.
This integration ensures that data flows effortlessly between the two systems, enabling businesses to have a comprehensive view of both customer information and backend operations. In turn, such a unified view helps companies make decisions based on real-time data, enhance productivity, and improve customer experience.
When you connect ERP with Salesforce CRM, you create a unified system that helps your
- sales teams get real-time inventory data,
- finance teams access up-to-the-minute customer information,
- decision-makers see the complete picture of their business operations at a glance.
KEY BENEFITS OF A SALESFORCE-ERP INTEGRATION
Unified view of customers
The CRM-ERP integration helps your teams access all customer information in one place. For example, a sales rep can see if a customer has overdue invoices or pending orders before making a pitch. This information can help a sales rep better personalize communication.
Faster business operations
Orders flow automatically from Salesforce to your ERP for processing. When a customer places an order in Salesforce CRM, the ERP system can automatically process it, update inventory levels, and generate an invoice without extra steps or manual intervention.
No double data entry
Your team does have to enter the same information twice (e.g. customer details or sales orders), the data flows automatically between systems. So, when a sales rep enters a new customer in Salesforce, that information automatically appears in your ERP system.
Fewer mistakes
Because data only needs to be entered once, there's less chance of typos or errors. If a customer updates their shipping address in one system, it updates everywhere.
Better business decisions
When ERP and CRM work together, you get real-time data to make better decisions. Managers can see the complete picture in one view – from sales pipeline to fulfilled orders and payment collection – and make smarter decisions about inventory, pricing, and sales strategies.
More accurate sales and inventory information
When Salesforce and your ERP system are connected, your inventory data stays perfectly in sync across both systems. Sales teams can see real-time inventory levels and prices directly in Salesforce before promising delivery dates. No need to make awkward calls explaining to customers that an item they just bought is actually out of stock, or vice versa – missing sales opportunities because sales reps thought items were out of stock when they weren't.
Accuracy in budget generation
When your ERP and Salesforce talk to each other, budgeting becomes much more precise because you're working with real-time, accurate data from both systems. When you combine your ERP (that contains actual costs, expenses, and revenue data) with your Salesforce CRM (that holds your pipeline information and sales forecasts), you get a complete financial picture.
Improved collaboration across teams
With shared access to critical data, your sales, finance, and operations, your teams can work together more effectively, because they work with a single source of truth. For instance, finance can view upcoming deals in Salesforce CRM to plan budgets, while sales reps can track the status of fulfilled orders.
Enhanced customer experience
Customers love smooth customer service. If your teams have accurate, up-to-date information, they can resolve issues faster, process orders quicker, always give correct information, provide consistent communication, and, as a result, build stronger, long-lasting relationships.
To sum up, Salesforce CRM-ERP integration helps businesses save time, reduce errors, and deliver better customer experiences, all while keeping operations running smoothly.
3 COMMON USE CASES OF ERP INTEGRATION WITH SALESFORCE
- Sync quotes and orders for easier processing
Businesses with complex billing processes often struggle to maintain accurate financial records. With Salesforce-ERP integration, sales reps can automatically sync quotes and orders as soon as the client's details are added to the CRM. This ensures smoother processing, reduces manual errors, and enables teams to upsell or cross-sell effectively using real-time data, creating a win-win scenario for both the business and its customers.
- Update inventory in real-time
Manually tracking inventory changes is impractical, especially for businesses handling hundreds or thousands of orders daily. Delays or inaccuracies in updating stock levels can lead to pricing errors, missed sales opportunities, and even reputational damage. ERP integration with Salesforce automates inventory updates, synchronizing changes between systems in real-time. This ensures your sales and service teams always have accurate, up-to-date inventory data, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Centralize internal and external data for better insights
Operating CRM and ERP systems independently often leads to data silos, inconsistencies, and inefficiencies, such as outdated customer information or incomplete records after migration. An ERP integration eliminates these issues by synchronizing and centralizing data across both platforms.
With a unified data source, businesses gain a 360-degree view of customer interactions across sales, marketing, and operations. Marketers can use this data to map customer journeys and personalize campaigns, while sales teams can better qualify leads and close deals faster with more context at their fingertips.
💡Pro tip → With Rapidi, you’ll optimize time, save money, and gain insights to make data-driven decisions that will increase your business's profitability. Rapidi will offer you a complete solution at fixed and predictable costs.
5 MAIN SALESFORCE-ERP INTEGRATION METHODS
A CRM-ERP integration involves connecting the two systems to enable frictionless data sharing and process synchronization. Here are the five main Salesforce CRM-ERP integration methods.
Point-to-point integration
Point-to-point integration directly connects specific CRM and ERP functionalities or modules. It syncs customer data, orders, or invoices between the two systems. In the case of Salesforce CRM, it can integrate with ERP systems like QuickBooks or smaller ERPs using simple point-to-point methods.
This method is ideal for small businesses with smaller-scale operations or limited IT resources, that need to sync basic customer and order information or invoice data.
Pros & Cons:
- Low initial setup cost, but maintenance can become expensive as the system grows due to increasing complexity
- Quick and easy to implement, offering immediate functionality for basic data synchronization
- Scalability may be a challenge, as each additional connection requires custom configuration
Middleware-based integration
This method acts as a bridge between CRM and ERP systems, translating and transmitting data between them. In the case of Salesforce-ERP integration, middleware enables Salesforce to connect with various ERPs like SAP, Oracle NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics. Middleware platforms often have pre-built connectors for Salesforce and popular ERPs, reducing development time.
This method suits medium-sized businesses that use Salesforce CRM and SAP for ERP and want to connect multiple data types, such as sales orders, inventory, and customer history. It’s ideal for when flexibility and scalability are priorities, because middleware can adapt to changing business needs.
Pros & Cons:
- Moderate to high initial cost due to middleware subscription or license fees; ongoing operational costs for maintenance and updates
- Highly scalable and reliable
- Offers built-in security, error handling, and monitoring
- Higher complexity and dependency on middleware vendors
Custom API integration
This method allows developers to create custom integrations by coding connections between CRM and ERP systems. Salesforce offers a robust API ecosystem, such as REST and SOAP APIs, that supports custom integration with virtually any ERP system.
The Custom API method is ideal for businesses that need highly customized workflows and processes, or companies with unique data structures or industry-specific requirements, or enterprise-level organizations with dedicated IT teams or external developers.
Pros & Cons:
- High upfront cost for development
- Requires continuous maintenance by skilled developers
- Complete flexibility and control over integration design, meeting all unique business needs
- Time-consuming to develop and implement; high dependence on internal or external developers
Third-party connector integration
Third-party connectors are pre-built tools that facilitate out-of-the-box, ready-made integrations between Salesforce and popular ERPs like Oracle NetSuite or SAP.
This method is suitable for small- to medium-sized businesses that are looking for quick integration of standard data flows such as customer details, invoices, and payments, or companies with time and budget constraints.
Pros & Cons:
- Lower cost than custom APIs, and subscription fees based on usage and platform capabilities
- Fast implementation and user-friendly interfaces; minimal technical expertise required
- Limited customization, and it may not support complex or niche business requirements
iPaaS
iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) is a third-party, cloud-based solution for connecting business applications and data, whether hosted in the cloud or on-premise. It simplifies the development, deployment, and management of integrations to streamline business processes, offering features such as pre-built connectors, API-based workflows, and centralized data views.
This method is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses that need a quick, cost-effective way to integrate standard systems. It's best for organizations that want scalability and flexibility with minimal IT overhead. It is ideal for use cases with frequently changing systems and data flow requirements.
Pros & Cons:
- IPaaS is often a low-code/no-code solution, which reduces the need for IT involvement in integration maintenance and troubleshooting.
- It offers scalable solutions with dynamic customization options, reducing overhead costs.
- You may depend on the iPaaS provider for setup and management, customization and support.
Here is a quick checklist that may help you choose the right CRM-ERP integration method for your business:
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METHOD TYPE
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BUSINESS NEEDS
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Point-to-point
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Small-scale, basic data sharing
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Middleware-based
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Scalable, flexible integrations
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Custom API
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Tailored workflows and niche requirements
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Third-party connectors
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Rapid, standard integration
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IPaaS
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Scalable and flexible integrations with minimal IT overhead using a no-code solution
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The CRM-ERP integration is an important step for businesses because selecting the right method involves balancing cost, scalability, and long-term value. To find the right method, start by clearly outlining your current and future business needs.
💡Pro tip → Rapidi offers enterprise ERP integration with Salesforce by automating the flow and synchronization of data between different API endpoints in real-time.
COMMON CHALLENGES OF A SALESFORCE-ERP INTEGRATION
As with everything in life, there are some challenges that the Salesforce-ERP integration processes may entail and that you should be aware of.
Let’s take a look at the frequent challenges and their typical examples, as well as what can be done to solve them.
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CHALLENGE
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EXAMPLE
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SOLUTION
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Data format mismatches – Salesforce and ERP systems often store data differently.
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Salesforce might store phone numbers as (555) 123-4567, while your ERP wants them as 5551234567.
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Set up clear data mapping rules that automatically convert data into the right format before syncing.
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Data integrity issues –
Duplicate, incomplete, or outdated records in one system can propagate errors to the other.
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The same customer might exist in both systems with slightly different information, e.g. name, email address, tax ID, etc.
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Implementdata validation rulesand deduplication tools during and after integration. Create a "master data" strategy where one system (usually the ERP) is considered the source of truth.
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Real-time synchronization failure – Sometimes data doesn't sync properly due to system timeouts or connection issues.
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An order placed in Salesforce doesn’t appear in the ERP immediately.
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Usemiddleware or APIsfor real-time syncing and error alerts. Limit syncs to critical data to reduce load.
Implement error notifications and automatic retry mechanisms.
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Timing issues – When many updates happen at once, systems can get confused about which change is the most recent.
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A customer calls to update their shipping address with customer service at 2:00 pm, while simultaneously their purchasing manager updates it online through the customer portal at 2:01 pm.
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Use timestamp-based synchronization and queue systems. If a customer updates their information in both systems within minutes, the most recent change wins.
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Incompatible systems – Salesforce and the ERP may use different technologies, making integration difficult.
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Middleware converts data formats to make Salesforce and, for example, SAP ERP compatible.
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Use middleware platforms or pre-built connectors to bridge the gap.
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Performance problems – Syncing too much data at once can slow down both systems.
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Trying to sync your entire 100,000-product catalog during business hours, which slows down both systems.
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Schedule large data syncs during off-peak hours and use batch processing for big updates.
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All of these challenges are fixable and avoidable, if you take these precautionary steps:
- Test the integration thoroughly before going live to identify and fix issues early.
- Start by syncing the most critical data first (like customer information and orders) and gradually expand to other areas once the basic integration is working well.
- Regular maintenance will ensure smooth operations as your systems and needs evolve.
WHAT ARE SALESFORCE-ERP CONNECTORS?
Salesforce connectors are the tools that let you easily integrate Salesforce with other systems that are a part of the Salesforce ecosystem. For example, Salesforce external connection allows you to sync data from sources such as Tableau CRM or another Salesforce org.
A Salesforce-ERP connector integrates the two systems so that they work together to share data, allowing you to see data collected in one system in the other.
Just as translators help people speaking different languages understand each other, these connectors help Salesforce and an ERP system "talk" to each other effectively.
To better visualize this, let’s imagine that your Salesforce and ERP are like two offices in different countries. Each office has its own way of doing things and its own "language" for handling data. The Salesforce office speaks "sales language" and handles customer relationships. And the ERP office speaks "operations language" and manages inventory and finances
The connector acts like a translator who stands between both offices and takes information from one system to convert it into a format the other can understand. It also makes sure messages are delivered correctly and on time, and keeps both sides updated with the latest information.
Using a Salesforce-ERP connector means that:
- You no longer have to manually copy vital data between systems, so that your staff can access what they need in real-time and avoid errors.
- Teams work better together, understanding each other’s roles more easily.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SALESFORCE-ERP CONNECTOR
Once you have decided to integrate Salesforce with your ERP, you need to choose the right connector. But it’s not easy, as there are lots of businesses offering Salesforce data integration tools.
Some are out-of-the-box solutions that can be installed and used with little outside help. Other connectors are complex and custom-built. The third type is in-between: out-of-the-box solutions with custom additions.
The majority of SMEs and a lot of larger businesses are likely to have all their needs met by an out-of-the-box Salesforce-ERP connector.
To find the right solution, get advice from professionals and make sure you ask for a demo, so you can see exactly how the connector you’re interested in works and what it offers.
For example, if you are looking to integrate your Salesforce with your on-premise or cloud-based ERP, Rapidi has an out-of-the-box solution that connects Salesforce CRM with an ERP system.
HOW RAPIDI CAN HELP WITH THE SALESFORCE-ERP INTEGRATION
Most companies have common ways of working and, therefore, have similar requirements. To meet these common requirements, Salesforce integration tools include a number of pre-configured integration points.
Rapidi integration for Salesforce comes out of the box with pre-configured end points for Microsoft Dynamics AX, NAV and GP, 365 Business Central and 365 for Finance & Operations. Having a properly configured ready-to-use end point for these systems could be the fastest and easiest way to perform a Salesforce-ERP integration.
Access to these pre-configured templates makes data mapping smooth and easy, facilitates scheduling and sequencing of your data transfers, and lets you handle errors in the most efficient way.
Many of the Salesforce ERP integrations that we set up are between Salesforce and the Microsoft Dynamics product suite, but that’s not all! Rapidi works pretty much with every other ERP or database around, including NetSuite, SAP, Syspro and databases like MSSQL, MySql, Postgre, Oracle, and many more.
To sum up, Rapidi is our own Salesforce-ERP connector. It is designed to be simple to use, understand, and set up.
We can have Rapidi Data Integration Solution up and running in your business in hours, so you can start benefiting from your integration right away. And if you need a custom solution to match your specific requirements, we will only need a few days to get it in place.
We’ve led the way in data integration since the early 1990s. The integrations we create and support now are based on nearly 30 years of research, innovation, and development.
Get in touch with us today to discuss how our connector will work with your IT environment.
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