There are many benefits to cloud-based applications versus on-premise, including simplified and fast implementations, flexible application access to align with an agile business, scalable solutions without additional hardware requirements, and lower IT costs and resources. In the case of Salesforce, a leading sales automation and CRM provider, companies are able to quickly access critical sales and marketing tools from any location. Since the solution is cloud-based, implementation times are dramatically decreased.
However, to extract the greatest benefit, those cloud applications must be integrated with existing systems – both on-premise and additional cloud solutions. This integration provides access to applications and data sources typically unavailable to cloud applications, allowing for harmonized business processes, complete data sets, increased productivity and ultimately enhanced business value.
There are numerous use cases for integrating Salesforce with existing applications either in-house or in the cloud.
By integrating Salesforce with ERP and Accounts Receivable systems, your organization can synchronize account information across applications. This integrated solution automates many of the order fulfillment tasks that are launched when a deal closes, including resource allocation, invoicing and payment processing.
By integrating Inventory Management and Accounts Receivable software with Salesforce, product information, specifications and pricing are accurately depicted across the Salesforce portal and invoice line items that are initiated through Salesforce.
Your customers can access up-to-date and accurate information on their account balance or order status, by integrating Salesforce with Accounts Receivable software and external-facing customer portals.
In a typical hybrid IT environment with multiple cloud and on-premise applications, integrations between Salesforce and related applications are created through one-off projects that are time consuming and require custom code. Specialized IT skills are required for each of these point-to-point integrations, and updates to each system require manual processes, preventing organizations from achieving increased operational efficiencies.
To address the issues typically associated with cloud and on-premise integrations, IBM offers WebSphere Cast Iron. Cast Iron allows organizations to rapidly deploy integrated solutions without custom code. All integration is handled through Cast Iron, which dramatically simplifies the process of connecting Salesforce with any other system.
Perficient’s IBM and Salesforce experts recently held a webinar on Extending Salesforce Investments with Cloud Integration. I highly recommend you check out the on-demand webinar if you’re interested in cloud integration or would like to see a demo of IBM WebSphere Cast Iron in action. The webinar also provides an in-depth look at:
- Connecting cloud and on-premise applications quickly and easily with Salesforce
- Comparing traditional approaches to integration and the benefits of employing Cast Iron integration
- Empowering IT with an off-the-shelf approach to integration between existing back-office systems and the cloud
