If you’re tired of copy-pasting data between systems or cleaning up messy imports every week, you’re in the right place. This guide is for anyone who wants Empler and Salesforce to play nice together, whether you’re a sysadmin, a revops person, or just the unlucky soul who gets stuck with integration projects.
We’ll walk through how to connect Empler to Salesforce so your data syncs automatically, with the least drama possible. You’ll get honest advice on what actually works, what you can skip, and where to watch out for gotchas.
Why Bother Integrating Empler and Salesforce?
Let’s be real: Manual data entry stinks. It’s error-prone, slow, and nobody enjoys it. Integrating the two means:
- No more double entry (or triple-checking spreadsheets).
- Up-to-date info for your sales and ops teams.
- Fewer “why isn’t this showing up?” headaches.
But syncing two big systems is never totally painless. There will be snags—field mismatches, permissions, weird API behavior. The good news: Most problems are fixable if you know where to look.
Step 1: Get Your Accounts and Permissions Ready
Before clicking anything, make sure you have:
- Admin access to both Empler and Salesforce. If you’re not an admin, you’ll spend hours fighting permission errors.
- API access on Salesforce. Some editions (like Salesforce Essentials) are limited or require extra setup for API calls. Check before you start.
Pro Tip: If you don’t know whether you have API access, go to Salesforce Setup > Users > Profiles and look for “API Enabled.” If it’s unchecked, talk to your Salesforce admin.
Step 2: Map Out What You Actually Need to Sync
Don’t just connect everything and hope for the best. Figure out:
- Which Empler objects (like candidates, job postings, or whatever you use) need to sync with Salesforce.
- Direction: One-way (Empler → Salesforce or vice versa) or two-way sync?
- Frequency: Real-time, hourly, or daily?
- Fields: Map out which fields match up. “Email” in one system might be “Work_Email” in another.
What to skip: Don’t waste time syncing data nobody uses (like old notes or custom fields collecting dust). Start small.
Step 3: Set Up the Salesforce Connection in Empler
Most integration headaches happen here. Here’s the usual process:
- Log in to Empler. Go to the integrations or settings area. (If you can’t find it, ask their support—sometimes it’s buried.)
- Find the Salesforce integration. Usually listed under “Integrations” or “Connected Apps.”
- Click “Connect” or “Add Connection.” This should pop up a Salesforce login window.
- Log in with your Salesforce admin account. Approve the requested permissions. Some apps ask for more than they need, but Empler should only need basic read/write access.
- Authorize the connection. You’ll probably be redirected back to Empler with a confirmation.
Heads up: If your company uses Salesforce SSO, multi-factor, or has tight API restrictions, you may need IT to whitelist Empler.
Step 4: Configure Data Mapping
This is where the magic—or the pain—happens.
- Empler should let you pick which objects to sync (like candidates → leads, or jobs → opportunities).
- Match fields manually. Don’t trust auto-mapping. Double-check that first/last names, emails, statuses, and IDs line up.
- Set update rules: Who wins in a conflict? (For example, if a phone number changes in both systems, which one do you keep?)
- Decide if you want to pull historical data or just sync new records going forward.
Pro Tip: Start with a test object or two (like just “leads”) before turning on full sync. You’ll catch mapping errors early.
Step 5: Set Up Sync Triggers and Frequency
Depending on your needs, choose how and when data moves:
- Real-time: Updates push instantly. Great for fast-moving teams, but can hammer your API limits if you have lots of changes.
- Scheduled: Sync every 5 minutes, hourly, or daily. Safer, but data may be a little old.
- Manual: Some people prefer to review changes before syncing. Slower, but gives you control.
Honest take: Unless you need real-time, scheduled sync (every 15–60 minutes) is usually good enough and less risky.
Step 6: Test With Sample Data
Never trust a new sync until you’ve tested it. Here’s what to do:
- Create a test record in Empler and see if it appears in Salesforce (and vice versa, if you’re doing two-way sync).
- Edit and delete records to see how updates and removals are handled.
- Check for weirdness: Are names mangled? Are fields missing? Is anything duplicated?
What to ignore: Don’t bother testing every field. Focus on the mission-critical stuff—contacts, emails, statuses, and IDs.
Step 7: Monitor, Audit, and Fix Issues
Even if everything looks good at first, things can break. Here’s how to keep tabs:
- Enable email or Slack alerts for sync errors.
- Review integration logs (both in Empler and Salesforce) weekly, at least at first.
- Watch for signs of trouble: duplicates, missing records, or data that doesn’t match up.
If something’s not syncing, check:
- Field permissions (especially in Salesforce—restricted fields won’t update).
- API limits (Salesforce has strict daily quotas).
- Network and access errors (firewalls, VPNs, etc.).
Pro Tip: Keep a rollback plan handy, especially during the first week. Back up your records before doing a big sync.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)
Let’s be honest, most integration guides skip the messy stuff. Here’s what actually trips people up:
- Field mismatches: “Phone” vs. “Mobile” vs. “Direct Line”—make sure you’re mapping apples to apples.
- API throttling: Salesforce limits API calls per day. If you’re syncing a lot, you’ll hit a wall fast.
- Custom objects: If you use custom fields or objects in either system, expect extra mapping work.
- User permissions: If the integration user doesn’t have access to a field or object, that data won’t sync, period.
And the classic: “It worked yesterday, but not today.” Usually a permissions change, expired token, or a silent API update. Check the logs before you panic.
Advanced: Automation and Workflows
Once basic sync is running, some folks want to get fancy:
- Trigger Salesforce workflows or automations when Empler data lands (like auto-assigning leads).
- Sync custom objects or use third-party tools (like Zapier or Workato) for more flexibility—just beware of adding complexity.
- Set up “data hygiene” rules to prevent duplicates or enforce field formats.
Honest take: Don’t overengineer on day one. Get the basics solid, then layer on automation.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Integrating Empler and Salesforce isn’t magic, and there’s no “set it and forget it.” Start small, sync what matters, and test every step. Most headaches happen when people try to do everything at once or skip the basics.
Keep your data maps tight, monitor the sync, and don’t be afraid to adjust as your needs change. If you hit a wall, reach out to both Empler and Salesforce support—they’ve seen it all before.
And remember: The goal isn’t a “seamless” integration (that’s marketing talk)—it’s a setup that actually saves you time and headaches. Good luck!