Stop Wasting Time and Money! How to Achieve a Faster Salesforce-SharePoint Integration (without iFrames)

One of the most popular Salesforce integrations is the SharePoint integration, and for good reason. Microsoft SharePoint is a robust document management system with more affordable storage than Salesforce. However, there are many possible ways to achieve this integration. In this article, we will analyze three options’ pros and cons.

Document Extractor combines two main benefits: enabling better document management and reducing how much you spend on storage. This pre-built, deployable as a self-hosted or SaaS, solution does not use iframes but is rather integrated within Salesforce’s native UI. It was developed with best practices in security of the company and productivity of the end user in mind.

Enhanced productivity

Key features of Document Extractor include:

• Automatic file transfer from Salesforce to SharePoint
• Seamless background operation, invisible to end-users
• Bidirectional option for file uploads to SharePoint
• Elimination of the need for additional Salesforce storage costs
• Compatibility with SharePoint’s document management features

👍Advantage: Not relying on iframes means smoother and faster access to transferred files

Not only does each team member save time when they open a document from Salesforce, but it is a much more fluid user experience this way.

Cost reduction

Let’s face it: Salesforce storage costs are positioned at the higher end of the pricing scale. With Document Extractor by Connecting Software, you automatically transfer files uploaded in Salesforce to SharePoint, leaving a link in Salesforce. With this link, users can access the document as they always did. Plus, they can still search for the file within Salesforce as usual.

And why choose SharePoint as a storage alternative? SharePoint is designed for document management (among other things!) and has great document management features. It allows for collaborative editing of files by multiple members of your team simultaneously and keeps track of different versions of your files. Plus, it’s cheaper than paying extra for storage space in Salesforce.

Once the integration between these systems is configured, Document Extractor operates seamlessly in the background, making the transfer process truly invisible to the end user and allowing you to let the service run automatically as soon as the integration is set up.

Key Insight: Document Extractor can also be configured bidirectionally. In other words, you can upload a file directly to SharePoint, and a link for it will appear in the appropriate location inside your Salesforce org.

To witness the setup and file transfer process firsthand, take a look at our Demo video:

Read the testimonial on how Document Extractor has played a pivotal role in the education sector: https://www.connecting-software.com/blog/how-msu-leveraged-document-extractor-to-reduce-salesforce-storage-and-improve-access-to-files/

For self-hosted deployment or further queries fill out this contact form or send an email to office@connecting-software.com. You can also find Document Extractor in Salesforce AppExchange, on Microsoft AppSpource, and on Connecting Software’s website and shop – Get started with a free 15-day trial now. It offers an efficient Salesforce-SharePoint integration without relying on iframes.

Using a Pre-built Solution with iFrames

Inline frames, known as iframes, allow you to embed third-party applications within Salesforce. This is the reason most pre-built solutions for Salesforce integration use iframes. Yet, this type of solution is known for presenting potential security risks and performance issues.

Regarding performance, the main problems are longer page loading times and more time before you can interact with the document you want.

⚠️Drawback: Responsiveness in accessing SharePoint files through Salesforce.

Think of the number of times your team members need to open a document during the day – if that takes double or triple the time, they will be wasting time resulting in increased operational costs and getting frustrated resulting in employee churn!

See how Document Extractor performs against iframes solutions in this video:

Comparison with iframes solutions at minute 1:07

Creating a custom integration solution using Salesforce’s Apex programming language can offer flexibility and customization. However, they come at substantial risk and cost while pre-built solutions offer the following:

• Cost efficiency: Developing a solution from scratch can be significantly more expensive than purchasing a pre-built one.
• Speed of deployment: Pre-built solutions are typically ready to deploy immediately or require minimal configuration, allowing businesses to get up and running quickly.
• Reduced risk: Pre-built solutions are generally proven and tested, meaning they come with known metrics around performance and reliability. This reduces the risk of project failure. In contrast, in-house projects can be riskier due to uncertainties around the feasibility, timelines, and final product effectiveness.
• Support and Maintenance: Issues can be resolved quickly by experts who are thoroughly familiar with their software, which might not always be the case with in-house solutions.
• Updates and Improvements: Regular updates and improvements ensure that the software stays up to date with the latest technologies and security measures without additional work from your side.
• Expertise and Specialization: Specialization can ensure that the solution you’re adopting incorporates best practices and the latest innovations in its respective field.
• Focus on Core Business Activities: By opting for a pre-built option, a company can focus its resources and expertise on its core business activities rather than diverting significant efforts towards developing, maintaining, and updating an in-house solution.
• Scalability: Pre-built solutions are designed with scalability in mind, allowing businesses to easily adjust their usage based on growth or changing needs without significant additional development work.
• Regulatory Compliance: For businesses in heavily regulated industries, pre-built solutions come with built-in compliance features for certain regulations, reducing the legal and compliance burden on the company.

Most of our customers start with a free 15-day trial for Document Extractor. For SaaS deployment, you can get it directly from our shop, as seen in the video. For self-hosted deployment or further queries, just reach out to us via the Document Extractor contact form or email us at office@connecting-software.com.

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