Salesforce Integration: Choosing Between CDC and Platform Events with Sage SQL and Boomi

Choosing Between Change Data Capture (CDC) and Platform Events for Salesforce Integration: A Boomi-Sage SQL Order Management Use Case

In today's complex business ecosystem, integrating data across platforms is essential for smooth and efficient operations. When Salesforce, Sage SQL, and external e-commerce platforms are involved, a robust mechanism is required to handle order data across systems. Salesforce offers two powerful tools—Change Data Capture (CDC) and Platform Events—both serving distinct purposes in event-driven integrations.

This blog will explore a real-world integration use case of syncing order data between Salesforce, Sage SQL, and an e-commerce platform using Dell Boomi. By the end, you'll understand how to choose between CDC and Platform Events for your order management integration scenario.

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Understanding Change Data Capture (CDC) and Platform Events

Change Data Capture (CDC)

CDC is designed for real-time data synchronization. It automatically captures changes in Salesforce records—such as create, update, delete, and undelete events—and publishes them as events. This is ideal when keeping data in sync across systems is crucial.

• Automatic Event Generation: CDC triggers events automatically when records are changed in Salesforce.
• Real-Time Updates: External systems can subscribe to these events for real-time updates.
• Minimal Custom Code: Salesforce generates CDC events without the need for custom Apex code.

Platform Events

Platform Events provide a flexible way to implement event-driven business processes. They allow you to publish and subscribe to custom events based on your business logic, both within Salesforce and from external systems.

• Customizable Events: You can create custom events based on specific business logic.
• Decoupled Communication: Events enable systems to communicate asynchronously, making them scalable and flexible.
• Trigger Complex Workflows: Platform Events are perfect for triggering more complex workflows, such as high-priority order processing.

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Real-World Integration: Salesforce, Sage SQL, and an E-commerce Platform Using Boomi

Let’s consider a real-world integration scenario where orders flow between Salesforce, Sage SQL, and an external e-commerce platform:

• E-commerce Platform: The main source for new order creation.
• Salesforce: Manages order updates and customer interaction.
• Sage SQL: The ERP system where financial and stock data is maintained.
• Dell Boomi: The integration platform handling data transformations and syncing between systems.

Scenario: Order Management Synchronization

In this scenario, orders originate from an external e-commerce platform, with **Sage SQL** handling ERP functions like inventory and finance. Meanwhile, **Salesforce** is used for managing customer-facing order tracking and status updates. The integration ensures that:

• New orders from the e-commerce platform are synced to Salesforce.
• Order status changes in Salesforce are reflected in Sage SQL for inventory and finance management.
• Order status updates are sent back to the e-commerce platform so customers can track their orders in real time.

Use Case 1: Using Change Data Capture (CDC) for Order Updates

In this case, we need to ensure that order status changes (e.g., "Shipped", "Delivered") in Salesforce are automatically synchronized with Sage SQL for financial reporting and stock adjustments.

Steps:

1. Enable CDC for Order Objects in Salesforce: When an order is updated, Salesforce automatically publishes a CDC event.
2. Boomi Subscribes to CDC Events: Boomi listens to these events and captures order updates.
3. Data Transformation for Sage SQL: Boomi maps and transforms Salesforce order data to align with Sage SQL fields.
4. Update Sage SQL: Boomi sends an API request or database update to Sage SQL, ensuring order status is up to date.
5. Sync with E-commerce Platform: Boomi also updates the e-commerce platform if the order status changes (e.g., from "Pending" to "Shipped").

Benefits:

• Real-Time Order Updates: Changes made in Salesforce are immediately reflected in Sage SQL and the e-commerce platform.
• Minimal Development Effort: CDC eliminates the need for complex custom code, as Salesforce automatically triggers events.
• Efficient Data Synchronization: Ensures that all systems have the latest order data, reducing manual errors.

Use Case 2: Using Platform Events for Complex Order Workflows

Let’s consider a more complex scenario where high-priority orders require special processing, such as notifying Sage SQL for expedited shipping or assigning a dedicated customer support representative.

Steps:

1. Create a Custom Platform Event: A custom event, such as HighPriorityOrderEvent, is created in Salesforce.
2. Trigger the Event: When an order is marked as high priority, Salesforce triggers the event via an Apex Trigger or Flow.
3. Boomi Listens for Platform Events: Boomi subscribes to these custom events in real time.
4. Process the Event in Sage SQL: Boomi sends a request to Sage SQL to prioritize the order, adjust stock allocations, or trigger expedited delivery workflows.
5. Update the E-commerce Platform: If necessary, Boomi can also notify the e-commerce platform about order updates.

Benefits:

• Custom Business Logic: Platform Events allow you to build workflows around business-specific conditions, such as high-priority order processing.
• Scalable Architecture: Systems are decoupled, allowing for flexible and scalable communication between Salesforce and Sage SQL.
• Real-Time Workflow Automation: Critical processes, such as expedited shipping, can be handled immediately without manual intervention.

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When to Use CDC vs. Platform Events for Order Management

Use CDC When:

• You need to synchronize order data in real time between Salesforce, Sage SQL, and other systems.
• Your primary goal is data consistency for CRUD operations like order creation, updates, and deletions.
• You want a simple integration with minimal custom code.

Use Platform Events When:

• You need to trigger custom order workflows or business-specific logic, such as handling high-priority orders.
• Your integration requires decoupled, asynchronous communication between Salesforce, Sage SQL, and external services.
• You want a scalable, event-driven architecture that can grow with your business needs.

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Conclusion: Choosing the Right Integration Method for Order Management

For integrating Salesforce, Sage SQL, and an e-commerce platform via Boomi, the choice between CDC and Platform Events depends on your specific needs:

• Use CDC if your goal is real-time synchronization of order data and status changes between Salesforce, Sage SQL, and the e-commerce platform.
• Use Platform Events if you need to trigger complex business processes, such as handling high-priority orders or notifying multiple systems.

By choosing the right integration method, you can ensure smooth order management, real-time updates, and automated workflows across all systems.

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Further Reading:

• Learn more about Change Data Capture in Salesforce.
• Explore Platform Events in Salesforce.
• Check out the Dell Boomi Integration Platform.