If you’re juggling Salesforce CRM and a sales engagement tool like Frontspin, you already know what’s at stake: double data entry, reps fumbling with out-of-date info, and endless “Is this the latest?” headaches. A proper sync between Salesforce and Frontspin means less busywork and fewer dropped balls. This guide cuts through the noise to show you exactly how to get your systems talking—minus the hype.
This is for admins, ops folks, or anyone trusted to “just make it work.” If you want a no-nonsense walkthrough (including what might trip you up), you’re in the right place.
Why bother syncing Salesforce and Frontspin?
Let’s be blunt: if your CRM and your sales engagement platform aren’t connected, your team is probably wasting time. Syncing keeps your records clean, makes reporting less painful, and helps reps focus on selling—not data janitor work. But syncing isn’t magic. There are gotchas and limits. This guide will help you set up the basics, avoid common headaches, and point out what’s worth ignoring.
Step 1: Check Your Frontspin & Salesforce Plans (and Permissions)
Before you dive in, make sure you actually can integrate these tools. Here’s what you need:
- Frontspin license: Not all Frontspin plans include Salesforce integration. Double-check your subscription. If you don’t see a Salesforce option in your settings, talk to your Frontspin rep.
- Salesforce permissions: You’ll need an admin account or at least enough access to manage API connections and create connected apps.
- API access: Some Salesforce editions (like “Professional”) restrict API access unless you pay extra. If you’re unsure, log into Salesforce and search for “API” in Setup.
Pro tip: If you’re stuck waiting on IT for permissions, don’t waste time setting up dummy accounts in Frontspin—you’ll just have to redo it later.
Step 2: Map Out What You Actually Want to Sync
Not everything needs to flow between Salesforce and Frontspin. More isn’t always better—syncing everything just creates more mess. Ask yourself:
- Do you need to sync all leads, contacts, or just a subset?
- Is two-way sync necessary, or just one-way?
- What fields matter? (e.g., phone, email, status)
- Are custom fields critical? Some might not translate cleanly.
Make a quick spreadsheet or doc with the objects and fields you care about. It’ll save you headaches when the mapping screen appears.
Step 3: Connect Frontspin to Salesforce
Here’s where the actual linking happens.
- Log into Frontspin. Only admins can set up Salesforce sync.
- Go to Settings > Integrations > Salesforce.
- Click “Connect Salesforce.” This usually pops up a Salesforce login screen.
- Authorize Frontspin. You’ll see a list of permissions. Frontspin needs access to read and write records, so you’ll have to allow it.
- Choose your Salesforce environment: If you want to test, use a Salesforce sandbox. Otherwise, connect to production.
What can go wrong? - If you get an “Insufficient Privileges” error, your Salesforce account may lack API or integration rights. - Sometimes the pop-up gets blocked by your browser—disable blockers or try another browser. - If your org uses SSO, you might need to get a dedicated integration user.
Step 4: Configure Sync Settings (Don’t Just Click “Next”)
This part determines whether your sync is useful or a dumpster fire.
- Select objects to sync: Usually Leads, Contacts, Accounts, and maybe Opportunities. Don’t sync every object unless you need it.
- Field mapping: Frontspin tries to auto-match fields, but double-check. Pay special attention to phone, email, and status fields—bad mapping here creates chaos.
- Sync direction: Decide if data should flow both ways or just from Salesforce to Frontspin (or vice versa). For most teams, one-way (Salesforce → Frontspin) is safer to start.
- Conflict rules: What happens if the same record changes in both places? Pick your “source of truth.” Hint: It’s usually Salesforce.
Ignore the temptation to sync every custom field. Start with the basics; you can always add more later.
Step 5: Test with a Small Data Sample
Don’t hit “Sync All” out of the gate. Here’s how to avoid a disaster:
- Select a test group: Maybe 5-10 records. Create a test lead in Salesforce with your own email/phone so you can track what happens.
- Run a manual sync. Watch for errors or weird data mapping.
- Check Frontspin: Did all fields come through? Are phone numbers and statuses correct? Did anything get overwritten?
- Try editing a record in Frontspin. See what syncs back to Salesforce (if you enabled two-way sync). If you see duplicates or data loss, stop and fix your mapping.
Pro tip: Keep a backup of your Salesforce data, just in case. Restoring is a pain, but it’s better than losing info.
Step 6: Roll Out to the Whole Team (and Train Your Users)
Once you’re sure the sync works, roll it out wider:
- Sync the full data set. Monitor the first sync closely—large data sets can take time.
- Communicate changes: Let sales reps know what’s different. Explain which fields now sync and where to log new info.
- Document the process: Write down the steps you took and any quirks. Future-you (or your replacement) will thank you.
- Monitor for errors: Check both systems daily for the first week. Address duplicate records or missed updates fast.
Reality check: No sync is perfect. Expect some edge cases—especially if your data is messy to begin with.
Step 7: Automate and Maintain
Integration isn’t “set it and forget it.” Here’s how to keep things smooth:
- Schedule regular syncs: Most tools let you set how often data moves (hourly, daily, etc.). Pick a cadence that fits your team’s workflow.
- Review field mappings quarterly: Business needs change. What mattered six months ago might not now.
- Watch for API limits: Salesforce has daily API call limits. If you sync a lot, watch your usage so you don’t hit a wall.
Ignore: Fancy “AI sync” features or “automatic enrichment” add-ons unless you know exactly what value they bring. Most teams get burned by these because they’re black boxes and hard to troubleshoot.
What Works, What Doesn’t, and What to Ignore
What works:
- Keeping sync simple—fewer fields, fewer objects, fewer surprises.
- Using a dedicated integration user in Salesforce for better tracking and fewer permission headaches.
- Testing with real data, not just demo records.
What doesn’t:
- Assuming the default mapping is right. It rarely is.
- Syncing custom objects unless you really need them.
- Forgetting to communicate with your sales team. If they don’t trust the sync, they’ll go back to spreadsheets.
Ignore:
- “Set it and forget it” promises. Integration always needs a little babysitting.
- Overcomplicated flows. You can always add complexity later, but untangling a messy sync is a nightmare.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Successful Salesforce–Frontspin sync isn’t about fancy features; it’s about reliability and reducing grunt work. Start small, test thoroughly, and don’t bite off more than you need. As your team’s needs change, tweak the integration—but don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.
If you run into walls, ask for help from both Salesforce and Frontspin support. And remember: a sync that’s “boring but reliable” will make your workday a whole lot smoother.