In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, enterprise organizations face a constant challenge: delivering exceptional digital experiences at scale while maintaining efficiency, consistency, and adaptability. The need for robust, user-friendly solutions has never been more critical, and Drupal’s latest innovation, Starshot, promises to redefine how enterprises build and manage their digital ecosystems.

Announced as a visionary step forward for the open-source platform, Drupal Starshot introduces a suite of features designed to empower enterprises with the tools they need to stay competitive. Starshot is a game-changer for organizations seeking to elevate their digital strategies, from scalable pre-packaged solutions to AI-driven personalization and seamless updates.

In this blog, we’ll explore how Drupal Starshot is poised to transform enterprise-level content management, streamline development workflows, and enable marketing and IT teams to collaborate with unprecedented efficiency. Whether managing global brand consistency or aiming to deliver hyper-personalized user experiences, Drupal Starshot offers the innovation and flexibility required to meet the demands of the modern digital age.

Let’s dive into the future of enterprise digital experiences and uncover five ways Drupal Starshot will be a pivotal development for your business.

Pre-Packaged Recipes for Instant Results

Gone are the days of configuring every element of your website from scratch. With Pre-Packaged Recipes, Drupal Starshot offers ready-to-use templates tailored for common website functionalities like blogs, e-commerce stores, and event listings. These recipes:

• Save time by eliminating the need for complex configurations.
• Provide a consistent foundation that’s easy to customize.
• Help non-technical users launch their websites quickly and effectively.

For enterprise businesses, Pre-Packaged Recipes provide a transformative solution. Large organizations often require consistency across multiple sites while addressing the diverse functional needs of departments or regional teams. Starshot’s recipes offer:

• Scalable Solutions: Enterprises can deploy uniform site structures for different business units, ensuring brand consistency while reducing development overhead.
• Rapid Prototyping: Teams can quickly spin up proof-of-concept sites using pre-configured templates, speeding up project timelines and innovation cycles.
• Customizability: While the recipes provide a strong foundation, they’re fully adaptable to meet unique enterprise requirements, such as integrating with proprietary systems or compliance standards.

Whether managing dozens of microsites or building a flagship enterprise portal, Pre-Packaged Recipes delivers the flexibility and efficiency enterprise teams need to stay competitive.

Experience Builder: Drag, Drop, and Done

Starshot’s Experience Builder is set to replace the current Layout Builder, offering a more intuitive and dynamic interface. This drag-and-drop tool allows you to design engaging and accessible web pages without writing a single line of code. Key benefits include:

• Real-time visual editing to see changes as you make them.
• A library of pre-designed components for rapid page building.
• Built-in accessibility checks to ensure compliance with standards.

For enterprise clients, the Experience Builder provides unparalleled advantages:

• Empowering Marketing Teams: Marketing departments can create, update, and optimize pages independently without relying on IT or development teams. This empowerment will accelerate time-to-market for campaigns and updates.
• Enterprise-Grade Collaboration: Teams can work together seamlessly using shared libraries and version control features, ensuring consistency across global campaigns and departmental sites.
• Customizable Component Libraries: Organizations can develop and share a library of branded components, ensuring adherence to design guidelines while allowing flexibility for individual teams.
• Efficiency at Scale: Enterprise clients managing hundreds of pages or multiple sites can make bulk changes to layouts or components across their properties, saving time and ensuring uniformity.

The Experience Builder empowers enterprise businesses to stay agile and competitive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape by simplifying the web design process.

Project Browser Simplifies Module Discovery

One of the most challenging aspects of working with Drupal has been discovering and installing the right modules. The new Project Browser changes that by offering a user-friendly interface to:

• Browse, search, and filter modules directly from the admin dashboard.
• View ratings and reviews to identify the best tools for your needs.
• Install and activate modules with a single click.

For enterprise organizations, the Project Browser adds significant value:

• Streamlined Development Workflows: By simplifying module discovery, development teams can quickly find and integrate the necessary tools, accelerating project timelines.
• Centralized Management: Enterprise IT teams can maintain control over approved modules while enabling individual teams to find solutions that meet their specific needs.
• Cost-Effective Scalability: Leveraging the module ecosystem effectively reduces the time spent researching and configuring custom solutions.

This feature ensures enterprise clients can extend their websites’ functionality with ease, staying ahead in a rapidly changing digital environment.

Automatic Updates for Peace of Mind

Keeping your website secure and up-to-date can be a daunting task. Starshot addresses this with Automatic Updates, a feature designed to:

• Automatically install security patches and minor updates.
• Notify you of major updates with clear instructions on what’s changing.
• Minimize downtime and reduce the risk of vulnerabilities.

For enterprise clients, this feature translates into significant operational benefits:

• Enhanced Security: Automatic updates ensure that critical patches are applied promptly, safeguarding sensitive enterprise data and minimizing exposure to cyber threats.
• Reduced Maintenance Overhead: IT teams can focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine updates, freeing up resources for innovation.
• Improved Reliability: By maintaining up-to-date systems across all sites, enterprises can avoid unexpected downtime and ensure a seamless user experience.

Automatic Updates give enterprise organizations the confidence to operate at scale without compromising security or performance.

AI-Powered Tools for Smarter Site Building

Open any business journal article, and it seems like you won’t make it five pages before the topic of AI. It’s a complex topic with significant potential and controversy surrounding it. The reality is that AI, in some form, is here to stay. Enterprise digital engagements need to work on determining how AI can be used as a tool that elevates team members. Starshot incorporates artificial intelligence to assist with content suggestions, image optimization, and layout recommendations. These AI-powered tools:

• Help you make data-driven decisions to improve user engagement.
• Automate repetitive tasks, such as creating metadata, freeing up time for strategic work.
• Provide insights and recommendations tailored to your site’s needs.

For enterprise clients, the AI-powered tools are particularly impactful:

• Personalized User Experiences: AI can analyze user behavior across large-scale enterprise sites. Enabling targeted content and personalized experiences that drive engagement.
• Optimized Content Creation: Enterprise marketing teams can leverage AI for automated content suggestions, reducing the workload and accelerating campaign launches.
• Data-Driven Decisions: With AI insights, enterprises can identify trends and areas for improvement, helping to fine-tune their digital strategy.
• Scalability: AI tools are designed to handle the complexity and scale of enterprise operations, ensuring consistent performance across multiple sites and regions.

By leveraging AI, enterprise clients can enhance their digital presence while staying ahead of competitors in a fast-evolving landscape.

Conclusion

Drupal Starshot is not just a technical upgrade; it’s a transformative toolset for enterprise success. By addressing the unique challenges of large organizations, Starshot delivers the scalability, efficiency, and innovation enterprises need to thrive in an increasingly competitive digital market.

Features like Pre-Packaged Recipes and Experience Builder empower teams across departments to create and manage sites with ease, ensuring consistency and speed without sacrificing flexibility. The Project Browser and Automatic Updates reduce technical overhead, enabling IT teams to focus on strategic goals rather than routine maintenance. Meanwhile, AI-powered tools provide actionable insights and automation, helping enterprises deliver personalized, data-driven experiences at scale.

For enterprises managing multiple sites, operating in global markets, or seeking to improve collaboration and agility, Drupal Starshot represents a bold leap forward. It combines the robustness of an enterprise-grade platform with the usability that today’s fast-paced businesses demand.

Prepare to revolutionize your digital strategy in 2024 and beyond. With Drupal Starshot, your enterprise will not just keep up with the competition—it will set new standards for success. Perficient stands ready to help you take your Enterprise DXP engagement to the stars, contact us today and let’s get building!

Blog Objectives

• Understand the advantages that Pay Now provides for both your business and furthermore, your customers.
• Understand how Pay Now links can help reduce overdue payments.
• Understand how Pay Now streamlines payment processes across various channels, including Commerce, Sales, and Service.

Accelerate Your Payments:

Late or overdue payments can significantly affect your business operations.

Here are some striking statistics to consider:

• Midsize companies spend an average of 14 hours weekly pursuing unpaid invoices.
• Approximately one-third of small businesses in the Market. are at risk of closing due to late payments.

These delays can hinder your ability to pay suppliers, drive revenue, and expand your business. Additionally, the time and resources spent on collecting overdue payments can be considerable.

Introducing Salesforce Pay Now:

Salesforce Pay Now is a straightforward payment solution that simplifies the collection process. By embedding payment links within your Salesforce applications, you provide customers with an easy and convenient way to complete transactions. The process is seamless: just share the link, and get paid.

Salesforce Pay Now is uniquely designed to extend payment functionalities throughout the Salesforce CRM ecosystem. With all your data integrated on one platform, you can accelerate revenue collection without complicated setups.

Prerequisites:

Before you can enable Payments manually, first enable Digital Experiences and set up a dedicated Experience Cloud site for Payments.

Image credit: Salesforce

How Does Pay Now Work?:

With Pay Now, you can create a unique or reusable payment link to share with your customers. This link directs them to a customized, mobile-responsive webpage where they can select their preferred payment method. Pay Now even allows you to customize payment options and supports multiple currencies.

Image credit: Salesforce

Pay Now with Salesforce Starter Suite:

Both the Salesforce Starter Suite and Pro Suite now include Pay Now, making it an ideal solution for driving revenue growth through direct payments. When an opportunity closes, creating a Pay Now link is simple, allowing customers to make payments easily.

Enhance Field Service Operations:

Your field service technicians are not only skilled workers but also potential sales representatives. With Pay Now, they can collect payments on-site for services and products, or even upsell additional offerings.

For instance, a technician can quickly generate a Pay Now link and send it to a customer’s phone. The customer can pay immediately before the technician leaves, ensuring a smooth transaction and an improved service experience.

Image credit: Salesforce

Upselling and Cross-Selling Made Easy:

Field service agents have unique opportunities to engage with customers during service calls. For example, Jessica Tanaka, a support agent at Ursa Major Solar, utilizes Pay Now within the Salesforce Service Cloud to promote add-ons or warranties. After making a sale, she sends a payment link directly to the customer’s mobile device, allowing for instant payment and turning service calls into revenue opportunities.

Integrate Pay Now into Bot Interactions:

Sales bots can also leverage Pay Now to facilitate transactions. By embedding Pay Now links, these bots can assist customers with order payments and prepayments seamlessly. Furthermore, using Einstein bot recommendations, your service team can identify and act on revenue-generating opportunities based on customer interactions.

Image credit: Salesforce

Key Advantages of Pay Now in Starter and Pro Suites:

1. Available out of the box with both suites.
2. Easy guided setup for configuring Pay Now.
3. Quickly generate and send payment links directly from opportunity records.
4. Start collecting payments within days of setup.
5. Enhance cash flow and reduce the risks associated with late payments.

Recent Enhancements Include:

1. Expanded Checkout Options: Customers can view taxes and shipping on a new Pay Now Checkout page.
2. Link Management: Configure payment links for single or multiple uses and set expiration dates.
3. Itemized Billing: Customers can see detailed charges on the Pay Now page.
4. QR Code Payments: Customers can make payments via a scannable QR code sent via text or email.
5. Express Payments: Enable fast checkout options using digital wallets.

Pay Now Across All Salesforce Clouds:

Salesforce Pay Now is versatile and integrates seamlessly across all Salesforce clouds—be it Commerce, Sales, Service, or Marketing. With Pay Now, the possibilities are limitless. Engage customers wherever they are and streamline your payment process with just a click.

Hello Trailblazers!

Salesforce provides users with versatile reporting tools to manage and visualize data effectively, and Matrix Reports stand out as one of the most powerful report formats in Salesforce. Matrix reports allow users to group records by both rows and columns, making them highly valuable for detailed data analysis across multiple dimensions. This type of report is ideal when you need to track complex metrics, such as performance across various regions and time periods, or analyze data by both category and subcategory.

In this blog, we’ll explain Matrix Reports and when to use them, as well as provide a step-by-step guide for creating one in Salesforce.

Before You Begin:

In the previous parts of this blog, we covered the steps for creating a Tabular Report and Summary Report in Salesforce. Please go through them first by following the mentioned links.

What is a Matrix Report in Salesforce?

A Matrix Report in Salesforce is a type of report that groups records by both row and column, allowing for a two-dimensional data analysis. Unlike tabular or summary reports, which only group records by a single dimension, matrix reports provide a structured data view across two groups. This setup allows users to summarize data more comprehensively, making it easy to detect trends, compare categories, and gain insights across multiple dimensions.

Key Features of Matrix Reports

• Dual Grouping: Group data by both rows and columns for a comprehensive view.
• Summarized Metrics: Use aggregate functions such as sum, average, min, max, and count to display meaningful totals.
• Conditional Highlighting: Highlight values based on specific conditions for quick analysis.
• Compatibility with Dashboards: Use matrix reports as data sources for dashboards and visualize complex data relationships with ease.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating a Matrix Report in Salesforce

Let’s go through the steps to create a Matrix Report to provide insights into data from multiple angles.

Step 1: Navigate to the Reports Tab

1. Go to the App Launcher and search for Reports.
2. Click Reports. This will navigate you to the reports tab.
3. Once in the Reports tab, click New Report to start creating a new report.

Step 2: Select the Report Type

1. When you click “New Report,” Salesforce prompts you to choose a Report Type. This selection determines which objects the report will use as data sources.
2. Choose the main object you want to report, such as Opportunities or Cases.
3. If you need data from related objects, select a relevant report type that includes them (e.g., Opportunities with Products or Accounts with Contacts). If available, you may also select “Custom Report Type“.
4. For now, please select “Opportunity – Standard Record Type” and click “Start Report” to continue, as illustrated in the figure below.

Step 3: Add Filters to Refine Data

Before grouping data, apply filters to narrow down the dataset:

1. Date Filters: Choose a date range, such as Close Date for opportunities, to focus on a specific time period.
2. Standard Filters: Adjust ownership filters to display records owned by specific users or teams.
3. Custom Filters: Add any specific field-based filters to isolate specific records, such as filtering by opportunity stage or account type.

Step 4: Add Columns for Display

To prepare for grouping, add columns to display in your report:

1. In the Outline panel on the left, click Add Column to add the fields you want to include in your report.
2. For instance, in an opportunity report, you might add the Opportunity Name, Amount, Close Date, Stage, and Account Name.

Step 5: Group Data by Rows and Columns

Grouping data by rows and columns transforms a standard report into a matrix report.

1. Click the down arrow on the column header and choose Group Rows by This Field to select the first field for row grouping. For example, you could group by Stage to see opportunities by sales stage.
2. For column grouping, select a second field. In our example, you might group by Close Date by Fiscal Quarter or Region.
3. You can also add sub-groupings to make your matrix report more detailed.
4. Once you group the records by rows and columns, it will look as follows.

Step 6: Summarize Data with Aggregates

Once your groupings are set, apply summary calculations to provide totals for each group.

1. In the report builder, click the down arrow on a numeric field, such as Amount.
2. Select the type of summary calculation to apply: Sum, Average, Min, Max, or Count.
3. The aggregate totals will be displayed at the intersections of each row and column, with a grand total at the bottom.

Step 7: Preview the Matrix Report

To see how your report looks, preview it at any time.

1. Click Run in the upper-right corner to view a live preview with accurate data.
2. Review the layout and data accuracy, and adjust groupings or summaries as needed.

Step 8: Customize with Conditional Highlighting (Optional)

Here, highlight the values based on conditions to make important metrics stand out visually.

1. In the report settings, go to the Conditional Highlighting/Formatting section.
2. Click on “Add Conditional Formatting Rule”.
3. Define color-coded thresholds to draw attention to specific values. For example, highlight high opportunity amounts in green and low ones in red, as shown in the figure below.
   Set limits to show color-coded highlights based on your specified thresholds.
4. Click Done.
5. Click Apply.

This is how the conditional formatting gets applied to the report.

Step 9: Save and Share the Report

Once you’re satisfied with the setup, save your Matrix Report for easy access and sharing.

1. Click Save & Run to save the report.
2. Enter a name for the report and, if desired, a description.
3. Choose a folder for saving: select a public folder for team sharing or a personal folder for restricted access.
4. Configure report-sharing options as needed to control who can view or edit it.

You can also add a chart to the report and export the report as needed. These features have been covered in previous sections of this blog. To learn more, please refer to the links provided at the beginning and end of this post.

Example Use Cases for Matrix Reports

Here are a few common scenarios where a matrix report can provide valuable insights:

1. Sales Performance by Region and Quarter: Track sales figures across regions and periods to analyze performance and identify trends.
2. Support Cases by Product and Priority: Group cases by product and priority level to see where most resources are needed.
3. Revenue by Industry and Sales Rep: Analyze the total revenue generated by each sales rep across various industries.

Benefits of Matrix Reports

• Comprehensive Analysis: Matrix reports allow for detailed multi-dimensional analysis by grouping data in both rows and columns.
• Versatile Summarization: With various summary functions, matrix reports can calculate totals, averages, and other metrics that provide insight into your data.
• Dashboard Compatibility: Use matrix reports as data sources for dashboards, making them ideal for visualizing and presenting complex datasets.
• Conditional Highlighting: Highlight critical metrics for quick identification, making it easier to spot important trends.

Conclusion

Matrix Reports in Salesforce are powerful tools for analyzing data across two dimensions. They allow users to organize, summarize, and visualize data in new ways. By grouping data in rows and columns and applying aggregate functions, matrix reports reveal complex insights that can guide strategic decisions.

By following the steps in this guide, you can create and customize a matrix very simply.

In the next part of this blog series, we’ll learn about Joined Reports in Salesforce.

Until then, Keep Reading !!

Every challenge brings a new perspective; sometimes, all we need is the courage to look from a different angle.

Related Posts:

1. Matrix Reports Salesforce
2. Reports & Dashboards for Lightning Experience

You Can Also Read:

1. Introduction to the Salesforce Queues – Part 1
2. Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3. How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

In the ever-evolving healthcare industry, efficiency and patient care are crucial. Streamlined processes ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate care, reducing the risk of complications and improving overall health outcomes. At the same time, a strong focus on patient care fosters trust and satisfaction, which are essential for successful treatment and recovery. 

Recognizing these imperatives, a leading health organization and Salesforce have embarked on a groundbreaking partnership to streamline the prior authorization process. This collaboration aims to address one of the most significant pain points in healthcare: the often cumbersome and time-consuming approval process for medical treatments and services. 

The Challenge of Prior Authorizations 

Prior authorizations are essential for ensuring that treatments are safe, evidence-based, and cost-effective. However, the traditional process is fraught with inefficiencies, often leading to delays in patient care. According to a survey by the American Medical Association, 78% of physicians reported that issues with prior authorizations can result in patients foregoing necessary treatments. 

This is in part due to outdated and inefficient healthcare industry processes, where about two-thirds of prior authorization requests are submitted manually or partially manually, including by fax machine. Submissions that lack complete clinical information slow the process, and outdated electronic systems waste time and resources, leaving patients without answers and worried about their next steps in care. 

A Technological Solution 

Leveraging Salesforce Health Cloud, this partnership is set to transform the prior authorization process. Health Cloud integrates with existing electronic health records (EHRs) to gather relevant clinical data, enabling near real-time prior authorization decisions. 

The use of Health Level Seven (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards creates technology that will streamline over 20 different systems into one process that integrates with physicians’ current workflow. 

The Role of AI 

AI plays a crucial role in this transformation. By automating data collection and analysis, AI can significantly speed up the approval process. This not only reduces the administrative burden on healthcare providers but also ensures that patients receive timely care. The AI system is designed to handle most requests quickly, with only a small number requiring further clinical consultation. 

When clinical consultation is needed, physicians will receive a message in near real-time detailing what is needed to complete the authorization and options to begin a peer-to-peer clinical consultation. This process, which currently can take several days, will be reduced to hours, depending on the requesting physician’s availability. 

Benefits for Patients and Providers 

Patients will receive updates on their authorization status through a member app, giving them more clarity around their status. 

For providers, the streamlined process allows them to focus more on patient care rather than administrative tasks. Modifications or denials will always be made by a medical director or licensed clinician, ensuring that decisions are clinically sound. 

A Step Towards Digital Transformation 

This partnership is a testament to the power of digital transformation in healthcare. By adopting advanced technologies, the collaborators are setting a new standard for efficiency and patient care. This initiative not only addresses current challenges but also paves the way for future innovations in healthcare delivery. 

Ready to Transform Your Healthcare Organization? 

This prior authorization solution using Health Cloud and AI is a significant step toward a more efficient and patient-centric healthcare system. As we continue to navigate the complexities of healthcare, such partnerships highlight the potential of technology to drive meaningful change. 

At Perficient, we are excited to see how these advancements will shape the future of healthcare and are committed to supporting our clients in their digital transformation journeys. 

Whether you’re looking to enhance patient engagement, streamline operations, or leverage data for better decision-making, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. From initial strategy to implementation and ongoing support, Perficient is committed to helping you achieve your healthcare transformation goals. 

Don’t let outdated systems hold your organization back. Take the first step towards a more efficient, patient-centric future. Contact Perficient today to discover how we can help you harness the power of Salesforce and other leading technologies to revolutionize your healthcare delivery. 

Let’s work together to create healthier communities and better patient outcomes. Reach out now to start your transformation journey with Perficient. 

Understanding “with sharing,” “without sharing,” and “inherited sharing”

Imagine you’re running a magical library. Different sections of the library have unique rules. Some areas are open to everyone, some only to premium members, and others depend on the librarian’s current mood. Salesforce’s sharing keywords—with sharing, without sharing, and inherited sharing—work much the same way. They decide who can access what and when, just like those library rules.

Today, let’s explore these keywords in Salesforce Apex classes in a fun and easy way. By the end of this post, you’ll know how to make these sharing decisions for your own “magical Salesforce library.”

Why Do Sharing Rules Matter?

Before diving in, let’s address an important question: why care about sharing rules? Salesforce is all about managing data securely. You don’t want every user to access sensitive information like salaries or confidential business plans. Sharing rules define which users can view or edit which records.

Meet the Keywords: with sharing, without sharing, and inherited sharing

1. With Sharing: Playing by the Rules

This is like a librarian following strict access policies. If a premium member can’t enter the VIP section, the librarian honors that rule.

When you write an Apex class using with sharing, it respects the sharing settings of the user running the code. It checks if the user has permission to access specific records.

Example:

public with sharing class LibraryWithSharing {

    public void displayBooks() {

        // Only books the current user is allowed to see will be retrieved

        List<Book__c> books = [SELECT Name FROM Book__c];

    }

}

• If the user running this code doesn’t have access to a certain book, that book won’t appear in the results.
• Use with sharing for classes dealing with sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Without Sharing: The Librarian Goes Rogue

Imagine the librarian decides, “Forget the rules—I’ll show everything to everyone!” That’s without sharing. The code ignores sharing rules and displays all records, whether or not the user has access.

Example:

public without sharing class LibraryWithoutSharing {

    public void displayBooks() {

        // Retrieves all books, ignoring user permissions

        List<Book__c> books = [SELECT Name FROM Book__c];

    }

}

• Useful for admin-related tasks, like system processes or data cleanup, where permissions shouldn’t block the functionality.
• Be careful! Overusing without sharing can expose sensitive data unintentionally.

3. Inherited Sharing: Go with the Flow

This is like a librarian saying, “Let’s follow the rules set by the head librarian today.” With inherited sharing, the Apex class follows the sharing rules of the class or context that called it.

Example:

public inherited sharing class LibraryInheritedSharing {

    public void displayBooks() {

        // Follows the sharing rules of the calling context

        List<Book__c> books = [SELECT Name FROM Book__c];

    }

}

• Introduced in Summer ’21, this keyword is perfect for utility or helper classes that should adapt to their caller’s context.
• If the calling context uses with sharing, the helper class respects that. If it’s without sharing, the helper adapts accordingly.

How Do You Decide Which Keyword to Use?

The choice depends on your requirements:

• Use with sharing when you need to honor user permissions and protect sensitive data. For instance, in customer-facing applications where users should only see their own records.
• Use without sharing when permissions could interfere with critical processes like batch jobs or system integration.
• Use inherited sharing for versatile utility classes that need to adapt dynamically.

Common Questions Answered

1. What happens if I don’t specify any keyword?
   If no keyword is mentioned, Apex defaults to running in “system mode.” This means sharing rules are ignored, similar to without sharing. Be cautious, as it might expose data unexpectedly.
2. Can I mix these keywords in one class?
   No. A class can only have one sharing declaration. However, you can call another class with a different sharing keyword to combine behaviors.
3. What about triggers?
   Triggers always run in system mode. To enforce sharing rules within a trigger, call an Apex class declared as with sharing from the trigger.

A Real-Life Analogy

Imagine you’re organizing a wedding guest list:

• With Sharing: Only people invited by the bride or groom can enter.
• Without Sharing: The doors are wide open—anyone can walk in.
• Inherited Sharing: The wedding planner decides entry rules based on whether it’s a private or public event.

Key Takeaways (Your Cheat Sheet)

• With Sharing: Respects user permissions and sharing rules.
• Without Sharing: Ignores sharing rules—handle with caution!
• Inherited Sharing: Follows the sharing rules of the calling context—great for helper classes.

Understanding these sharing keywords ensures your Salesforce environment stays secure while meeting business needs. As you write more Apex code, these principles will become second nature—just like knowing which library sections are for premium members.

Happy coding!

Introduction to Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals

Imagine you’re a sales manager at a growing tech company, and your team is generating quotes faster than ever. But as quote volume increases, so does the need for accuracy, compliance, and proper approvals. Here’s where Salesforce CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) steps in, making quote creation fast and consistent. However, what if a quote requires special approval? Or, what if multiple layers of approval are required due to pricing or discounting rules? Enter Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals—a tool designed to make approvals faster, easier, and more reliable.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll cover what Advanced Approvals can do for your business and walk through a step-by-step setup for a simple discount approval process.

Why Advanced Approvals in Salesforce CPQ?

Let’s set the scene: your sales rep, Lily, has created a quote that offers a 20% discount to a loyal customer. However, your company’s policy requires that any discount above 15% receive the sales manager’s approval. In standard Salesforce CPQ, this approval process might be manual—Lily would have to request approval, and the sales manager would need to review the quote before giving the green light.

With Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals, this approval process becomes automated, streamlined, and organized. Advanced Approvals routes quotes based on pre-defined rules and criteria, ensuring the right people approve quotes at each stage.

Key Features of Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals

Before we dive into the setup, let’s review the key features of Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals to understand what makes it so powerful.

• Automated Approval Chains: Automatically route each approval to the next approver in the sequence based on criteria such as discount level or quote amount.
• Flexible Approvals Based on Criteria: Customize criteria, such as discount percentages or revenue impact, to determine when approval is needed.
• Delegated and Ad-Hoc Approvals: Allow approvers to delegate to others or add ad-hoc approvals when someone is on leave.

These features offer an adaptable approval system to meet any organization’s specific needs, whether approvals are simple or multi-layered.

Step-by-Step Setup of Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals

Let’s walk through setting up Advanced Approvals with an example scenario. Lily, our sales rep, will need her sales manager’s approval for any discount above 15%. This setup will help demonstrate how Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals works step-by-step.

Step 1: Define Approval Conditions

Approval conditions are the criteria that trigger an approval request. In our example, if a quote’s discount exceeds 15%, it should be flagged for approval. Here’s how to set it up:

• Go to Setup > Approval Conditions.
• Define the condition for discounts above 15%.
• Save the condition to trigger an approval whenever a quote exceeds this limit.

Example: Lily creates a quote with a 20% discount. Since it’s above 15%, Salesforce CPQ will automatically send this for approval.

Step 2: Create Approval Rules

Next, we need a rule to define who reviews the quote. Approval Rules specify the required approver for any quote flagged by the approval condition.

• Go to Setup > Approval Rules.
• Assign the sales manager as the approver for discounts above 15%.
• Configure notifications so the right people are alerted when approval is required.

Example: Lily’s 20% discount quote will be routed directly to the sales manager for approval.

Step 3: Setting Up Approval Chains

Sometimes, approvals go through multiple levels, such as from a manager to a director. With Approval Chains, you can configure this sequence to meet your organization’s needs.

• Go to Setup > Approval Chains.
• Set up a sequence that begins with the sales manager and escalates to a director if the discount exceeds 25%.
• Save the approval chain.

Example: After the sales manager approves Lily’s quote, it will move to the director’s inbox if it crosses the 25% discount limit.

Step 4: Test the Approval Process

Once your conditions, rules, and chains are in place, test everything to ensure it’s working correctly. Salesforce CPQ allows you to create sample quotes to verify your setup.

• Create a test quote that meets the approval criteria.
• Send it through the approval process and observe how each stage functions.

Example: Lily creates another quote with a 17% discount, triggering the sales manager’s review. The process flows smoothly, with approvals moving as expected.

Benefits of Using Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals

Using Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals provides various advantages for businesses, from increased efficiency to compliance assurance. Here are some benefits to keep in mind:

• Improved Efficiency: Automated workflows minimize time spent on back-and-forth emails and manual checks, making sales cycles shorter.
• Enhanced Compliance: By establishing clear approval paths, organizations ensure that each quote meets approval policies.
• Built-in Flexibility: Delegated and ad-hoc approvals keep things flexible, letting the process adapt to unexpected needs.

Conclusion: The Value of Advanced Approvals in Salesforce CPQ

Salesforce CPQ Advanced Approvals is like a behind-the-scenes project manager for your sales team, ensuring quotes are reviewed by the right people at each stage. For companies like Lily’s, this means faster approvals, fewer compliance issues, and greater confidence in the quote process. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced in Salesforce CPQ, Advanced Approvals can simplify and strengthen your quote approval process, making it faster, more efficient, and fully customizable.

Ready to elevate your Salesforce CPQ experience? Start setting up Advanced Approvals today, and enjoy the benefits of a streamlined, automated approval system.

Across industries like manufacturing, energy, life sciences, and retail, data drives decisions on durability, resilience, and sustainability. A significant share of this critical data resides in SAP systems, which is why so many business have invested i SAP Datasphere. SAP Datasphere is a comprehensive data service that enables seamless access to mission-critical business data across SAP and non-SAP systems. It acts as a business data fabric, preserving the semantic context, relationships, and logic of SAP data. Datasphere empowers organizations to unify and analyze their enterprise data landscape without the need for complex extraction or rebuilding processes.

No single platform architecture can satisfy all the needs and use cases of large complex enterprises, so SAP partnered with a small handful of companies to enhance and enlarge the scope of their offering. Databricks was selected to deliver bi-directional integration with their Databricks Lakehouse platform. This blog explores the key features of SAP Datasphere and Databricks, their complementary roles in modern data architectures, and the business value they deliver when integrated.

Metadata Extraction: IDMC vs. PowerCenter

When we talk about metadata extraction, IDMC (Intelligent Data Management Cloud) can be trickier than PowerCenter. Let’s see why.
In PowerCenter, all metadata is stored in a local database. This setup lets us use SQL queries to get data quickly and easily. It’s simple and efficient.
In contrast, IDMC relies on the IICS Cloud Repository for metadata storage. This means we have to use APIs to get the data we need. While this method works well, it can be more complicated. The data comes back in JSON format. JSON is flexible, but it can be hard to read at first glance.
To make it easier to understand, we convert the JSON data into a table format. We use a tool called jq to help with this. jq allows us to change JSON data into CSV or table formats. This makes the data clearer and easier to analyze.

In this section, we will explore jq. jq is a command-line tool that helps you work with JSON data easily. It lets you parse, filter, and change JSON in a simple and clear way. With jq, you can quickly access specific parts of a JSON file, making it easier to work with large datasets. This tool is particularly useful for developers and data analysts who need to process JSON data from APIs or other sources, as it simplifies complex data structures into manageable formats.

For instance, if the requirement is to gather Succeeded Taskflow details, this involves two main processes. First, you’ll run the IICS APIs to gather the necessary data. Once you have that data, the next step is to execute a jq query to pull out the specific results. Let’s explore two methods in detail.

Extracting Metadata via Postman and jq:-

Step 1:

To begin, utilize the IICS APIs to extract the necessary data from the cloud repository. After successfully retrieving the data, ensure that you save the file in JSON format, which is ideal for structured data representation.

Step 2:
Construct a jq query to extract the specific details from the JSON file. This will allow you to filter and manipulate the data effectively.

Windows:-
(echo Taskflow_Name,Start_Time,End_Time & jq -r ".[] | [.assetName, .startTime, .endTime] | @csv" C:\Users\christon.rameshjason\Documents\Reference_Documents\POC.json) > C:\Users\christon.rameshjason\Documents\Reference_Documents\Final_results.csv

Linux:-
jq -r '["Taskflow_Name","Start_Time","End_Time"],(.[] | [.assetName, .startTime, .endTime]) | @csv' /opt/informatica/test/POC.json > /opt/informatica/test/Final_results.csv

Step 3:
To proceed, run the jq query in the Command Prompt or Terminal. Upon successful execution, the results will be saved in CSV file format, providing a structured way to analyze the data.

Extracting Metadata via Command Prompt and jq:-

Step 1:
Formulate a cURL command that utilizes IICS APIs to access metadata from the IICS Cloud repository. This command will allow you to access essential information stored in the cloud.

Windows and Linux:-
curl -s -L -X GET -u USER_NAME:PASSWORD "https://<BASE_URL>/active-bpel/services/tf/status?runStatus=Success" -H "Accept: application/json"

Step 2:
Develop a jq query along with cURL to extract the required details from the JSON file. This query will help you isolate the specific data points necessary for your project.

Windows:
(curl -s -L -X GET -u USER_NAME:PASSWORD "https://<BASE_URL>/active-bpel/services/tf/status?runStatus=Success" -H "Accept: application/json") | (echo Taskflow_Name,Start_Time,End_Time & jq -r ".[] | [.assetName, .startTime, .endTime] | @csv" C:\Users\christon.rameshjason\Documents\Reference_Documents\POC.json) > C:\Users\christon.rameshjason\Documents\Reference_Documents\Final_results.csv

Linux:
curl -s -L -X GET -u USER_NAME:PASSWORD "https://<BASE_URL>/active-bpel/services/tf/status?runStatus=Success" -H "Accept: application/json" | jq -r '["Taskflow_Name","Start_Time","End_Time"],(.[] | [.assetName, .startTime, .endTime]) | @csv' /opt/informatica/test/POC.json > /opt/informatica/test/Final_results.csv

Step 3:
Launch the Command Prompt and run the cURL command that includes the jq query. Upon running the query, the results will be saved in CSV format, which is widely used for data handling and can be easily imported into various applications for analysis.

Conclusion
To wrap up, the methods outlined for extracting workflow metadata from IDMC are designed to streamline your workflow, minimizing manual tasks and maximizing productivity. By automating these processes, you can dedicate more energy to strategic analysis rather than tedious data collection. If you need further details about IDMC APIs or jq queries, feel free to drop a comment below!

Reference Links:-

IICS Data Integration REST API – Monitoring taskflow status with the status resource API

jq Download Link – Jq_Download

How to ensure your toolset matches your vision, team and long term goals.

Seems common sense right? Use the right tool for the right purpose. However, in the DXP and Drupal space, we often see folks trying to fit their project to the tool and not the tool to the project.

There are many modules, profiles, and approaches to building Drupal out there, and most all of them have their time and place. The key is knowing when to implement which and why. I am going to take a little time here a dive into one of those key decisions that we find ourselves at Perficient facing frequently and how we work with our clients to ensure the proper approach is selected for their Drupal application.

Site Studio vs Standard Drupal(blocks, views, content, etc..) vs Layout Builder

I would say this is the most common area where we see confusion related to the best tooling and how to pick. To start let’s do a summary of the various options(there are many more approaches available but these are the common ones we encounter), as well as their pros and cons.

First, we have Acquia Site Studio, it is a low-code site management tool built on top of Drupal. And it is SLICK. They provide web user editable templates, components, helpers, and more that allow a well trained Content Admin to have control of almost every aspect of the look and feel of the website. There is drag and drop editors for all templates that would traditionally be TWIG, as well as UI editors for styles, fonts and more. This is the cadillac of low code solutions for Drupal, but that comes with some trade offs in terms of developer customizability and config management strategies. We have also noticed, that not every content team actually utilizes the full scope of Site Studio features, which can lead to additional complexity without any benefit, but when the team is right, Site Studio is a very powerful tool.

The next option we frequently see, is a standard Drupal build utilizing Content Types and Blocks to control page layouts, with WYSIWYG editors for rich content and a standard Drupal theme with SASS, TWIG templates, etc…. This is the one you see most developer familiarity with, as well as the most flexibility to implement custom work as well as clean configuration management. The trade off here, is that most customizations will require a developer to build them out, and content editors are limited to “color between the lines” of what was initially built. We have experienced both content teams that were very satisfied with the defined controls, but also teams that felt handcuffed with the limitations and desired more UI/UX customizations without deployments/developer involvement.

The third and final option we will be discussing here, is the Standard Drupal option described above, with the addition of Layout Builder. Layout Builder is a Drupal Core module that enables users to attach layouts, such as 1 column, 2 column and more to various Drupal Entity types(Content, Users, etc..). These layouts then support the placement of blocks into their various regions to give users drag and drop flexibility over laying out their content. Layout Builder does not support full site templates or custom theme work such as site wide CSS changes. Layout Builder can be a good middle ground for content teams not looking for the full customization and accompanying complexity of Site Studio, but desiring some level of content layout control. Layout builder does come with some permissions and configuration management considerations. It is important to decide what is treated as content and what as configuration, as well as define roles and permissions to ensure proper editors have access to the right level of customizations.

Now that we have covered the options as well as the basic pros and cons of each, how do you know which tool is right for your team and your project? This is where we at Perficient start with a holistic review of your needs, short and long term goals, as well as the technical ability of your internal team. It is important to honestly evaluate this. Just because something has all the bells and whistles, do you have the team and time to utilize them, or is it a sunk cost with limited ROI. On the flip side, if you have a very technically robust team, you don’t want to handcuff them and leave them frustrated with limitations that could impact marketing opportunities that could lead to higher ROI.

Additional considerations that can help guide your choice in toolset would be future goals and initiatives. Is a rebrand coming soon? Is your team going to quickly expand with more technical staff? These might point towards Site Studio as the right choice. Is your top priority consistency and limiting unnecessary customizations? Then standard structured content might be the best approach. Do you want to able to customize your site, but just don’t have the time or budget to undertake Site Studio? Layout Builder might be something you should closely look at.

Perficient starts these considerations at the first discussions with our potential clients, and continue to guide them through the sales and estimation process to ensure the right basic Drupal tooling is selected. This then continues through implementation as we continue to inform stakeholders about the best toolsets beyond the core systems. In future articles we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various SSO, DAM, Analytics, Drupal module solutions as well as the new Star Shot Drupal Initiative and how it will impact the planning of your next Drupal build!

We’re heading to Onederland!

Optimizely’s Opticon 2024 is just around the corner. The three-day annual event is a can’t-miss for anyone in the Optimizely community. With countless breakout sessions, ample networking opportunities, hands-on workshops, inspiring keynotes, and an iconic closing celebration, Opticon promises to deliver something for everyone.

This year’s event will take place November 18 – 20 in San Antonio, Texas. Let’s dive into what you can expect from this year’s conference.

What is Opticon?

Opticon is Optimizely’s biggest event of the year. Hundreds of brands, marketers, technologists, and visionaries come together for networking, innovation-driven sessions, and exciting new announcements about the future of Optimizely. This year, Opticon is hitting the road, stopping in Stockholm, London, and finally San Antonio.

There are two ways to attend Opticon: in-person or online. Both are free of charge for attendees, including customers.

Opticon 2024 Agenda Highlights

Welcome Reception

Monday, November 18 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Opticon Opening Keynote

Tuesday, November 19 | 9:00 – 10:30 AM

Closing Celebration

Wednesday, November 20 | 5:30 – 10:00 PM

This year’s closing celebration will take place at Knibbe Ranch.

Meet Our Team at Opticon

Our team of Optimizely experts is excited to be on-site at Opticon 2024.

John Dymond, Portfolio Specialist, is no stranger to attending Opticon. “I can’t wait for Opticon this year. I feel that the Optimizely One story is really starting to come together in a way that clients can envision it solving more of their challenges,” John said. “I’m most looking forward to seeing the evolution of their SaaS products and how that is shaping the future of the Optimizely platform as a whole.”

Learn more about our team and get connected!

• Art Quinn, General Manager | Connect with Art
• David Lewis, Director and Optimizely MVP | Connect with David
• Jon Bisbing, Portfolio Specialist | Connect with Jon
• John Dymond, Portfolio Specialist and Optimizely MVP | Connect with John
• Kathryn Bogen, DXP Sr. Manager | Connect with Kathryn

Our Expertise

Perficient is an award-winning Optimizely Premier Platinum Partner with specializations in Content Cloud, Commerce, and Intelligence Cloud. With years of experience and hundreds of successful projects under our belt, we’re ready to help you take control of the customer experience using one robust, modular, powerful intelligence platform.

Stop by and see us at booth #11! See you in San Antonio!

At Perficient’s Salesforce team, every day we work with our project teams and clients to bring them the very best work and come up with some pretty creative solutions along the way. We work with our global teams on a project, giving our full attention to our clients.

But sometimes, we don’t get the chance to connect with our coworkers on different client projects or see what’s happening internally.

We spend months or years dedicated to a client and may not be able to connect outside of it often.

Earlier this year, the Culture Committee in the Salesforce Business Unit was looking for ways to bring our entire team together. How can we give the team something that is worth their valuable time … but also fun?

Enter Demo Jam!

The official rules are each team has only five minutes to present their demo to a panel of three judges – and no slides! The unofficial rules are to be creative storytellers and for the audience to participate in the chat by giving colorful feedback —most importantly, to have fun!

After the demos, the audience polls for their favorite. That vote, along with the votes of the three judges (selected from wide corners of our BU), decide the winner!

Over the course of 2024, we have hosted three Demo Jams with attendance on par with our Town Halls! Plus, we have had global representation in each event, truly bringing our full team together. Demo Jam 2 happened right after the summer Olympics where we had teams from India, Mexico and the US competing for the gold! Our innovative team from Mexico won with some creative bonuses for their Lucha Libre masks.

Our summer Demo Jam winners brought creativity to our panel of judges and audience.

The third session, held in late October, celebrated the start of the holiday season, including Halloween, Dia De Los Muertos and Diwali. The winning team from India came in their best Diwali regalia and showed how they used Agentforce AI for language translation in hospitality! Another competitor showed how he is using Data Cloud to streamline our internal sales processes, sparking some ideas from the judges about where else we can use this for our own team and for our clients.

What’s Next?

Our next Demo Jam is slated for mid-January 2025, and we are all so excited to see what comes next. We already have teams committed to participate! With only a few official rules, the possibilities are endless. Want to join the fun and discover why we keep winning workplace culture awards? Reach out to a Perficient recruiter or check out our careers page. See you in the next Demo Jam!

Join us at the Agentforce World Tour Chicago to discover what AI was meant to be—all in one day, all for free. Experience the groundbreaking AI innovations from Dreamforce, now live in Chicago.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, December 19
• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET
• Location: McCormick Place – Lakeside Center, 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616
• Registration: Register here. Don’t forget, World Tour events are completely free. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait to sign up.

What to Expect at Agentforce World Tour Chicago

Discover AI Innovations That Deliver Results 24/7

Get inspired by product experts and customer success stories. Learn from real-use cases, like Wiley’s, which boosted case deflection by over 40% using Agentforce. Dive into the latest innovations and create your blueprint for growth.

Build Your First Agent, Guided by Experts

Quickly build, customize, and deploy your first autonomous AI agent on-site. See how these agents enhance customer and employee experiences, drive productivity, increase margins, and augment employee skills.

Share Ideas and Discover New Solutions

Engage with industry leaders and peers to brainstorm, exchange expertise, and solve challenges together. Connect with product experts for real-time solutions to your business challenges.

Get the Training You Need to Transform Customer Experiences

Join expert-led training sessions to learn how to use Data Cloud with Agentforce. Build, launch, and monitor intelligent autonomous agents based on your organization’s data. Configure agents to provide proactive 24/7 support for employees and customers.

Empower Chicago’s Industries with Agentforce

Discover how AI agents can revolutionize industries from healthcare to retail. Explore ready-to-use agents that enhance productivity, increase margins, and improve customer connections. The possibilities are endless—discover them all in one transformative day.

Meet Our Experts:

Our team of experts will be available for meetings throughout the event. Don’t miss the chance to connect with:

• Matt Sabo | Portfolio Specialist
• Ryan Ambrose | Portfolio Specialist
• Micah Eberman | Lead Business Consultant

Register now to secure your spot and join us for a day of innovation and inspiration.

Want to learn more about Agentforce before Chicago? Check out the following resources: 

• Revolutionizing Customer Engagement With Salesforce AI: Discover how Perficient is integrating AI with Salesforce to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

• Agentforce and Agentic AI at Dreamforce 2024: Read about the latest advancements in AI presented at Dreamforce 2024.
• Perficient Joins Salesforce’s Agentforce Partner Network: Learn about Perficient’s addition to the Agentforce Partner Network, a groundbreaking ecosystem introduced by Salesforce. This network is designed to revolutionize how businesses leverage AI agents to enhance customer success and operational efficiency.

Perficient + Salesforce 

We are a Salesforce Summit Partner with more than two decades of experience delivering digital solutions in the manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, financial services, and high-tech industries. Our team has deep expertise in all Salesforce Clouds and products, artificial intelligence, DevOps, and specialized domains to help you reap the benefits of implementing Salesforce solutions.

Can’t Make Agentforce World Tour Chicago? 

Don’t worry! Schedule some time with us  and let our experts fill you in. And stay tuned to our Salesforce blog  for all our post-conference insights.