If you’ve ever tried syncing data between two big platforms like Salesforce and something newer (say, Factors), you know it’s rarely as “seamless” as the marketing promises. This guide is for admins, ops folks, and anyone tasked with keeping Salesforce and Factors talking to each other—without lost records, duplicates, or late-night Slack pings about missing data.
Here’s how to actually get it done, what pitfalls to watch for, and what you can skip to save time.
1. Know What You’re Syncing—And Why
Before touching any API docs or connectors, get clear on the basics:
- Which Salesforce objects need to sync with Factors? (Leads, Contacts, custom objects, etc.)
- Is it a one-way or two-way sync? Decide early—two-way syncs are trickier and need more guardrails.
- What counts as “success”? Is it real-time updates, daily batches, or just a one-off migration?
Pro tip: Don’t try to sync everything. Start with the 20% of fields your team actually uses. More data = more headaches.
2. Map Your Data—For Real, Not Just in Your Head
You can’t automate what you haven’t mapped. Open up a spreadsheet (or a whiteboard, if you’re old-school) and lay out:
- Every field in Salesforce you care about
- The matching field in Factors (or note if you need to create one)
- Data types (text, picklist, number, date, etc.)
- Any transformation rules (e.g., “Status” in Salesforce = “Lifecycle Stage” in Factors)
Pitfall to avoid: Don’t assume field names mean the same thing in both systems. “Lead Source” in Salesforce might be a picklist; in Factors, it could be free text. Clarify early.
3. Pick the Right Integration Method
There’s no universal “best” way—just the one that matches your needs and resources. Here are the main options:
a. Native Connectors
Some platforms offer built-in connectors for Salesforce. Check if Factors has one (they’re still rolling new features out, so don’t just assume—read the docs). These are usually:
- Easiest to set up
- Limited in customization
- Best for standard objects and fields
Honest take: Native connectors work fine for basic syncs, but fall short if you have custom fields, complex logic, or need error handling you can trust.
b. Integration Platforms (Zapier, Workato, Tray.io, etc.)
These tools let you build point-and-click integrations, no coding required (in theory). Good for:
- Quick wins and MVPs
- Teams without dev resources
- Simple logic and light volumes
Watch out: These platforms get expensive fast if you scale up, and error handling is often an afterthought. Also, API rate limits on both Factors and Salesforce can bite you if you’re syncing lots of data.
c. Custom API Integration
If you need full control, this is the way. Both Salesforce and Factors have REST APIs. You’ll need:
- A dev who knows their way around APIs
- More time to build and test
- A plan for retries, error handling, and logging
Reality check: Unless you have truly unique needs, try to avoid custom builds until you’ve hit a wall with other methods. Maintenance is real work, and APIs change over time.
4. Handle Authentication and Permissions (Don’t Skip This)
Whether you use a connector or go custom, you’ll need to set up authentication:
- Use OAuth where possible. Don’t mess with basic auth or hard-coded passwords.
- Create dedicated integration users in Salesforce and Factors, with the minimum permissions needed. No need to make them admins.
- Document the credentials and scopes somewhere safe so you’re not scrambling later.
Skip: Sharing your own login. It’s tempting, but you’ll regret it the day you change your password or leave the company.
5. Set Up Field Mapping and Data Transformation
This is where most integrations get tripped up. Be explicit:
- Set up field mappings in your connector or integration platform.
- Handle picklists, enums, and IDs carefully. Map Salesforce picklist values to Factors equivalents, and vice versa.
- Transform dates and numbers as needed. Timezones, date formats, and number precision can get weird between systems.
- Default values: Decide what happens if a field is blank or missing—don’t just let the sync fail.
Pro tip: If you’re stuck, start by syncing just a handful of fields, then expand once the basics work.
6. Plan for Duplicates and Conflicts
No one talks about this, but you’ll hit it. Here’s how to head off trouble:
- Define your “source of truth” for each field. If both systems can update a field, which wins?
- Use external IDs or unique identifiers to match records. Don’t rely on names or emails alone—those change.
- Set up conflict resolution rules in your integration logic (e.g., “Most recent update wins” or “Salesforce always wins for Status”).
- Log every update and flag conflicts for review. Don’t sweep them under the rug.
Skip: “We’ll figure out duplicates later.” You’ll just end up with a mess that’s harder to clean.
7. Test With Real Data (Not Just Sample Records)
Run your integration on a small batch of real records before opening the floodgates. Why?
- You’ll catch weird edge cases—like emoji in names, broken picklist values, or missing IDs.
- You’ll see how long the sync actually takes.
- You’ll spot issues with permissions, rate limits, or field mismatches.
Pro tip: Keep a rollback plan handy. Always back up your data before large syncs.
8. Monitor, Alert, and Maintain
“Set it and forget it” isn’t a real thing in integrations. Once your sync is live:
- Set up error alerts (email, Slack, whatever your team watches).
- Log every sync job—successes, failures, skipped records.
- Schedule regular audits (monthly or quarterly) to spot drift or new fields that need mapping.
- Keep an eye on API limits. Both Salesforce and Factors can throttle you if you go too fast.
Reality check: If you don’t monitor, you’ll find out something’s broken only when a user complains.
9. What to Ignore (or Save for Later)
- Syncing every field: Just because a field exists doesn’t mean it matters. Start with what’s actually used.
- Real-time everything: For most teams, syncing every 5-15 minutes is plenty. Real-time adds complexity and cost.
- Manual data fixes: If you’re fixing a lot by hand, your integration needs a tweak.
- Extensive custom development: Don’t build what you can buy—keep things as standard as possible.
10. Iterate, Don’t Overengineer
No integration is perfect out of the gate. Start small, get feedback from end users, and tweak as you go:
- Add more fields as they become important.
- Adjust conflict rules based on real-world issues.
- Keep your documentation up to date (future-you will thank you).
Wrapping Up
Salesforce and Factors can play nicely together, but only if you approach the integration with clear goals, honest mapping, and a healthy dose of skepticism about “seamless” claims. Start with what matters, automate the boring stuff, and don’t be afraid to keep things simple. Integrations are never truly “done”—but with the right setup, you’ll spend less time firefighting and more time actually using your data.