In this ever-changing business environment, where integration is of paramount importance, you need more than just a set of skilled professionals to run your business successfully. You must have control over all the key processes and workflows of your organization. You must also possess the ability to exchange data between the different departments of your company. This is where enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools like SAP and customer resource management (CRM) tools like Salesforce come into the picture.

With companies increasingly using Salesforce as their CRM and SAP as their ERP software, Salesforce SAP integration is critical for real-time data synchronization, process automation, and better decision-making. Salesforce took around 22% market share of the global CRM applications market in 2023. This value has increased over the years. SAP’s global revenue also reached 34 billion euros. So, by leveraging the benefits of both Salesforce and SAP, companies can easily take their businesses to new heights.

As per recent data, the global application integration market size is projected to grow from USD 15.4 billion in 2023 to USD 38.4 billion by 2028. This growth will take place at an expected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.0% during the forecast period. This has further caused companies to turn their attention to Salesforce SAP integration strategies.

A study by McKinsey & Company (2022) found that companies utilizing integrated cloud-based CRM systems saw a 30% increase in customer retention and a 25% rise. So, here we are going to talk to you about how you can reap the benefits of ERP and CRM by bringing these two tools together. We will also take you through the various benefits, challenges and best practices of Salesforce SAP integration tools.

What is Salesforce SAP Integration & Why It Matters?

Before you know more about Salesforce SAP integration solutions, let’s see what SAP and Salesforce integration is all about.

What is SAP?

SAP is the market leader in ERP software solutions. It is one of the most frequently used software tools. It allows you to integrate the different applications in your environment so that they can operate as a whole. SAP also offers a comprehensive suite of applications that are designed to enhance business processes and operational efficiency across the various departments. SAP has also been recognized as a leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant.

What is Salesforce?

Salesforce is a cloud-based CRM platform. It allows companies to manage customer relationships, sales processes, and service operations. It comes with a wide range of tools and capabilities and allows companies to engage better with their customers. Salesforce is also quite well-known for its enhanced customization options and user-friendly interface. In 2024, the annual revenue of Salesforce stands at 34.86 billion USD. This is a 2.63x increase since 2019.

DID YOU KNOW: McKinsey & Company and Salesforce have a strong partnership focused on helping businesses leverage AI and cloud technologies for growth, particularly in sales, marketing, and customer service. The solution introduced by the two companies generated a 50% increase in sales conversion.

What is Salesforce SAP integration?

Integrating SAP ERP with Salesforce CRM involves connecting the two powerful systems to allow hassle-free data exchange. This integration allows companies to reap the benefits of both platforms. It also helps businesses to create a unified system where customer information, financial records, and other business data can flow effortlessly between the different systems. Salesforce SAP integration strategies can help you achieve multiple business goals like:

• Simplify the various processes.
• Reduce errors and inconsistencies in data.
• Improve customer service.
• Reduce manual labor.
• Enable enhanced decision-making.
• Improve collaboration between the different departments.

To maximize operational efficiency, businesses must leverage Salesforce SAP integration for streamlined workflows and data accuracy. Companies like Advancing Eyecare, an industry leader in eyecare instrumentation, have already reaped the benefits of Salesforce SAP integration. In fact, a global manufacturing company integrated SAP with its CRM, reducing manual data entry by 60% and improving order processing speed by 40%. So why not you? Avail for the services today itself and give your business an excellent boost.

Key Benefits of Salesforce SAP Integration Strategies:

According to Forrester, 75% of US enterprises use SAP ERP and are looking to integrate it with CRM solutions like Salesforce. Showcase, one of the biggest retail chains in Canada for trending products, was using Shopify Plus eCommerce as their storefront and SAP Business One as their backend ERP system. The company also used Salesforce to manage its customer data. With 111+ physical stores, the company was facing multiple challenges managing its inventories and warehouses. So, it opted for Salesforce SAP integration. This allowed it to streamline its operations and sync the data across its various stores.

A US-based company that opted for SAP Salesforce integration witnessed a 30% reduction in operational costs and a 20% increase in operational efficiency. This allowed the company to generate enhanced revenue from its business. It was also able to carry out its business operations with full force.

So, here are some of the major Salesforce SAP integration benefits that you need to look out for:

1. Business efficiency:

Integrating SAP with Salesforce can improve operational performance. It helps reduce manual labor and automate data transfer between the systems.

2. Real-time data access:

This is another benefit of Salesforce SAP integration approaches. The data synchronization allows the different teams of your company to have access to up-to-date information whenever required.

3. Improved analytics and reporting:

The integrated data offers a better view of the business performance. It allows for enhanced analytics and reporting capabilities. Businesses can generate timely reports that combine customer data and financial records.

4. Enhanced customer insights:

With Salesforce SAP integration solutions, you can offer your customers a better experience. All the business processes can be carried out in a systematic manner without the slightest hindrance.

All these benefits can easily be achieved if you choose APPSeCONNECT, one of the leading iPaaS integration service providers, to streamline your Salesforce ECC SAP integration journey. APPSeCONNECT has already extended its support to multiple companies across the globe.

Hernon Manufacturing, a global name in manufacturing high-performance adhesive sealants and precision dispensing equipment, was facing multiple challenges integrating Salesforce with SAP. This severely impacted its business operations.

Hernon then reached out to APPSeCONNECT which allowed it to achieve zero business downtime and ensure constant business growth. The integration also offered Hermon a 360-degree customer view and faster quote generation.

Get a Free Salesforce SAP Integration Consultation – See How It Works!

Popular Salesforce SAP Integration Approaches:

There are multiple Salesforce SAP integration methods you can opt for your business:

1. Middleware solutions:

Middleware solutions act as intermediaries that allow data exchange between SAP and Salesforce. They ensure that the integration takes place smoothly and straightforwardly. This solution also supports complex integration and real-time data synchronization companies. Industrial leaders like AppSeCONNECT use middleware solutions for Salesforce SAP integration.

2. Custom API integration:

The custom API integration solution is extremely suitable for businesses having specific integration needs. Salesforce and SAP provide APIs that the developers can use to create custom integration solutions that are tailored to match the exact business requirements.

3. Third-party connectors:

A lot of different third-party connectors come with out-of-the-box integration solutions for SAP and Salesforce. These connectors can be used to simplify the integration process. These Salesforce SAP integration approaches are ideal for companies that are looking for cost-effective and fast integration options for their business.

Companies using Salesforce SAP integration have seen a 30% increase in operational efficiency and a 20% increase in customer satisfaction rate.

Common Salesforce SAP Integration Use Cases:

You will find the use of ERP and CRM integration in multiple industries. So, let us have a look at some of the popular Salesforce SAP integration use cases:

1. Lead-to cash automation:

A lot of companies face the challenge of efficiently converting potential leads to revenue. The lead-to-cash process has a pivotal role to play in this journey. It can encompass various stages from lead generation to cash collection. This integration of sales, marketing, and finance functioning can be brought to reality by Salesforce SAP integration methods. This allows for sustained business growth and success.

2. Order management:

Manufacturing companies can integrate SAP with Salesforce to synchronize sales data with production data. By doing so, the sales team can easily view real-time inventory levels within Salesforce. This allows them to offer accurate delivery estimates to the customers. The orders placed in Salesforce are also transferred automatically to SAP for production planning. This helps in improving the sales and production process.

3. Customer data unification:

A retail organization can implement Salesforce SAP integration approaches to offer its customers better services. The customer service representatives can access unified customer data. This provides them with details of complete order histories and preferences from SAP directly from the Salesforce interface. This helps in faster response to customer queries. They can also be offered with more tailored services.

4. Financial reporting:

Salesforce SAP integration tools are also being used by financial organizations these days. This allows for real-time financial reporting and analytics within Salesforce. The integration allows for better financial planning as the sales data correlates directly with financial metrics. This also offers businesses an in-depth view of their various financial processes.

Researchers from McKinsey and HBR conducted a thorough digital maturity analysis across 22 sectors to understand which sectors highly benefit from digital integration solutions. The technology sector comes out on top — no surprise there. Right behind it are finance, manufacturing, professional services, E-Commerce, etc, all of which have far more enhanced digital capabilities than the rest of the economy. In fact, 11.9% of Salesforce customers are from the manufacturing sector. With time, more sectors are also trying to adopt advanced integration strategies to further boost their businesses and enhance their revenue generation.

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Challenges Associated With Salesforce SAP Integration:

Here are some of the major Salesforce SAP integration challenges:

1. Complexity in integration:

Integrating two different systems can turn out to be a technically challenging affair. It requires careful planning and implementation. You also require a clear understanding of data structures and expertise in both platforms.

2. Data synchronization issue:

Ensuring that the data is consistent across both platforms can be complex. This is especially true when you are dealing with large volumes of data that require to be updated in real-time.

3. Cost implications:

Salesforce SAP integration can be costly. It may require you to purchase additional tools and hire experts. The custom development work may also require a consistent inflow of cash.

4. Training and adaptation:

The employees of your organization may require proper training to adapt to the integrated system. This is both time-consuming and expensive. It can also temporarily bring down the productivity of your organization.

5. Maintenance and support:

The integrated systems can be complex. They require constant ongoing support. This can lead to higher operational costs. Productivity issues may also be observed in certain instances.

6. Security and compliance issues:

Integrating two systems means merging their security protocols and ensuring that each of the systems remains compliant with all the relevant data protection regulations. This can again turn out to be a challenging affair.

Best Practices for Salesforce SAP Integration Tools:

One of the best ways to mitigate the various challenges of Salesforce and SAP integration is to adhere to the best practices. So, here are some of the Salesforce SAP integration best practices:

1. Understand the business requirements:

It is important for you to understand what exactly you wish to accomplish for the integration process. This involves understanding the processes and workflows that must be integrated between Salesforce and SAP.

2. Map data flow:

Next, you need to identify the formats and types of data that need to be shared. You must also isolate the frequency at which the data needs to be shared between the two systems. This allows for improved data exchange between the systems.

3. Assess the integration tools:

There are different integration tools and approaches available in the market. You need to access each tool individually and then opt for the right tool which is the best fit for your business.

4. Conduct in-depth testing:

Vigour testing is important to confirm that the integration functions appropriately. The testing process should encompass different levels of testing such as individual component testing, complete system testing, and end-user acceptance testing.

5. Look for continuous improvement:

You must continuously improve the systems based on user feedback and new business requirements. You must also consider various new technical advancements and modify the system accordingly.

How to Get Started with Salesforce SAP Integration?

Now that you are aware of the various benefits, approaches, and best practices of Salesforce and SAP integration, let us have a look at how you can give a kickstart to your project:

Create A Specific Roadmap For Your Project:

Define your integration objectives: Before you start off with the Salesforce SAP integration process, you must determine the goals that you wish to fulfil through integration like enhancing data accessibility and boosting the process efficiency. You must also determine the processes and data that are required to be integrated.

Assess the various integration methods: There are different types of integration options available like API-based integration, middleware solution, and custom integration. You need to evaluate each of these options and then make your choice based on your needs and resources. You must also ensure that your integration approach matches your financial constraints and the availability of technical resources.

Plan out the integration well in advance: You must develop a blueprint outlining the Salesforce SAP integration architecture and the data flow. You would also need to identify how the different systems are going to interact with one another. During the planning phase, involve the IT, sales, finance, and other relevant teams to ensure that their perspectives are taken into account.

Prepare the system and the data: Before integration, you must perform data cleanup to ensure that the data is accurate and up to date. The cleanup must be performed both on the Salesforce and SAP platforms. You must also configure both systems so that they support the different types of integration.

Develop and test: Once you have carried out all the prerequisites, you may start off with the integration process using the chosen integration approach. Once the development is complete, conduct testing in a controlled environment to check for workflow functionality, data synchronization, and error-handling techniques.

Choose The Right Salesforce SAP Integration Strategies:

There are a lot of companies that will be prepared to offer you Salesforce SAP integration services. However, it is important that you choose the right partner. That way, all your integration needs will be addressed. APPSeCONNECT is a leading iPaaS integration solution provider for enterprises looking to connect their Salesforce and SAP systems effortlessly. APPSeCONNECT offers multiple pre-configured templates, 100+ ready connectors, and multiple integration endpoints that will allow you to carry out the integration process. Let us look at some of the top integration features offered by APPSeCONNECT:

Process flow: APPSeCONNECT comes with a process flow builder using which you can easily automate complex workflows. The drag-and-drop feature makes it extremely convenient for you to create workflows whenever required.

Pre-built templates: APPSeCONNECT also offers you a development environment where you can carry out all your development works before actually deploying the same in the production environment. You can also use pre-built templates to create customizations for your existing projects.

Automation features: APPSeCONNECT comes with various ways in which you can automate and integrate the various operations of your environment. This includes automated error handling, real-time tracking, etc. This further helps streamline the processes of your environment.

Pricing options: If you are operating on a tight budget, then it is really important for you to choose one such Salesforce SAP integration solution that will help you meet your budgetary requirements. While tools like MuleSoft and Celigo are comparatively expensive, APPSeCONNECT offers you an extraordinary range of services on a budget.

To learn more about APPSeCONNECT’s pricing options, click here!

Enhanced security and compliance: APPSeCONNECT is known for its advanced security features. It ensures that all your data remains protected through various access control measures like:

• SSO (SAML)
• RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)
• SCIM provisioning.
• 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)
• Domain capture
• IP allow listing
• Audit logs

It also adheres to US-specific compliance requirements like:

• ISO 27001 certified
• SOC 2 (Type II) certified
• GDPR Compliance
• Encryption at Rest and in transit (256-bit AES)

The company also follows a robust data security and vulnerability management strategy to ensure that all sensitive data remains protected from unauthorized access. MuleSoft and SAP Cloud Integration provide built-in security, while APPSeCONNECT ensures end-to-end encryption with SOC 2 compliance. In fact, one of the most reliable healthcare organizations in the US opted for Salesforce SAP integration while maintaining full HIPAA compliance through APPSeCONNECT.

These extraordinary features of APPSeCONNECT make it stand out among its competitors like MuleSoft, Workato, Jitterbit, and Boomi. APPSeCONNECT is a more flexible, cost-effective, and scalable alternative to Workato, Jitterbit, Celigo, or other competitors. It also comes with multiple pre-built connectors and templates which further make it easier for you to carry out the integration process. Learn more about iPaaS vendor comparison by clicking here!

Let’s look at some of the features of APPSeCONNECT vs. Competitors:

APPSeCONNECT has already helped a global manufacturing company in the integration of SAP, Salesforce, and Magento. The company was struggling to ensure smooth data flow between the systems when it reached out to APPSeCONNECT. Using APPSeCONNECT’s powerful connectors between SAP ECC, Magento and Salesforce, the company was able to streamline data flow. It was also able to achieve enhanced business profitability. You can also rely on APPSeCONNECT for SAP Business One Salesforce integration.

To End With:

Salesforce SAP integration approaches bring a wealth of benefits to companies that are looking forward to unifying business operations. From ensuring data unification to enabling enhanced workflows, Salesforce SAP integration has covered it all for you. However, for the integration process to be implemented successfully, you need to choose the right Salesforce SAP integration partner. This is where APPSeCONNECT comes into the picture.

Ready to integrate Salesforce and SAP seamlessly? Book a free demo with our experts today and see how APPSeCONNECT accelerates your business transformation!

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