Salesforce Database Integration: 4 Easy Methods

Does your organization use Salesforce to manage its CRM? If so, it might be beneficial to integrate it with an external database to help you make sense of the massive amounts of data that Salesforce provides. This blog will provide an overview of how to achieve Salesforce database integration.

Methods To Achieve Salesforce Database Integration

In this section you will learn how to connect to salesforce database. The following are some alternatives to connect Salesforce to your external database:

1. Using Hevo Data
2. Using Force.com Web Services API
3. Using WSDL (Web Services Description Language)
4. Using CopyStorm

Method 1: Using Hevo Data for Salesforce Database Integration

What you need:

• Active Salesforce account
• Hevo account with admin permissions
• Target database ready to receive data

Step 1: Connect Your Salesforce Account

Start your Salesforce Database Integration by linking Salesforce to Hevo:

• Go to Hevo dashboard → CREATE PIPELINE → Select Salesforce

• Login to your Salesforce account and click “Allow” to give Hevo accessStart your Salesforce Database Integration by linking Salesforce to Hevo:

• Choose Production or Sandbox environment based on your needs

Step 2: Choose What Data to Sync

Configure your Salesforce Database Integration settings to control how data flows from Salesforce:

• Enter a unique Pipeline Name (maximum 255 characters) for easy identification
• Set Historical Sync Duration to determine how much existing data to import (default: 3 months, or select “All Available Data” for complete history since 1970)
• Enable “Include New Objects in Pipeline” to automatically sync future Salesforce objects, or disable to manually control which new objects get synced
• Click CONTINUE after reviewing your configuration to proceed with destination setup

Now, you can complete your Salesforce Database Integration with any database type (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.) of your choice, to Salesforce Database Integration starts running automatically

That’s it! Your Salesforce data now flows automatically to your database with zero maintenance required.

with zero maintenance required.

Method 2: Using Force.com Web Services API

Integrate your data directly with Salesforce using the Force.com Web Services API for real-time, bidirectional synchronization. This method allows you to store and retrieve data programmatically, use Data Loader for bulk updates, and build custom Visualforce pages for data display. It’s ideal for developers who need flexible, real-time data access and can handle API integration complexity.

How to implement:

1. Set up API credentials in Salesforce and generate security tokens for authentication
2. Use SOAP or REST API calls to connect your external system to Salesforce databases
3. Configure Data Loader or build custom Visualforce pages to manage and display synchronized data

Method 3: Using WSDL (Web Services Description Language)

If your external system provides a WSDL file, you can streamline Salesforce integration by importing it into Apex Data Loader to auto-generate required classes and using HTTP Apex REST classes for custom web messaging. This approach leverages existing web service infrastructure without rebuilding from scratch, making it perfect for organizations wanting to minimize development time while maintaining robust integration.

How to implement:

1. Import your existing WSDL file into Salesforce Apex Data Loader to automatically generate the necessary Apex classes
2. Configure HTTP Apex REST classes to establish communication between your web service and Salesforce
3. Test the connection and set up data mapping between your external system and Salesforce fields

Method 4: Using CopyStorm

For one-way data synchronization from Salesforce to external databases, CopyStorm offers point-and-click connector solutions supporting SQL Server, MySQL, H2, and Oracle without requiring any coding skills. While limited to one-direction sync, it provides reliable data backup and reporting capabilities with both on-premise and cloud-hosted options, making it perfect for non-technical users.

How to implement:

Schedule automated sync jobs and monitor data transfer to ensure consistent backup or reporting

Install CopyStorm software and configure connection credentials for both Salesforce and your target database

Set up data mapping rules to specify which Salesforce objects and fields should be synchronized

Salesforce Data Integration’s Advantages

The following are the advantages of integrating your data with Salesforce for your business:

• All types of data, including fields, attachments, comments, descriptions, and custom fields, may be synchronized with Salesforce using data integration rules. This will enhance the client experience and assist your company close knowledge gaps.
• You will have complete control over all data entering, leaving, and processing for your company. Your data may be immediately managed and visualized from the Salesforce CRM.
• Strict admin controls are provided by Salesforce, providing the highest level of security when transferring data between systems. In the event that the integration fails, your data is further protected by fail-safe mechanisms built into the exchange portal. 
• Businesses may link an infinite number of Salesforce instances from various sources by using data integration solutions. This will assist your company in breaking down silos and creating a single source of truth (SSOT) for decision-making by creating a centralized data platform.
• Using Tableau CRM and Einstein Discovery to visualize your company’s data on a single interface is made easier with real-time data connectivity with Salesforce.
• Salesforce adapts swiftly to changes, which is advantageous for companies that depend on quick, real-time data processing to increase sales and satisfy customers.

Introduction To Salesforce

Salesforce is a cloud-based CRM tool that helps you maintain and manage your interactions with your customers. Salesforce also offers many cloud-based products, including the internet of things products and data analytics products, in addition to its flagship CRM tool. Salesforce is also able to integrate with a myriad of software tools, which makes it an incredibly versatile tool.

We will primarily focus on the Salesforce CRM tool for this blog.

Introduction To Databases

A database is simply a collection of electronic data stored in a computer system. There are many types of databases, but for this blog, we’ll briefly look at two types of databases. These are relational and non-relational (NoSQL) databases.

Relational databases

A Relational database is a database that stores data in uniquely identifiable tables known as relations. These relations represent entities in your business solution, and each relation also has columns, which are the attributes for these entities. Relational databases continue to be the most popular type of database in use today, although alternatives (like NoSQL databases) are gaining traction. Their popularity is largely due to the maturity/early entry, ease of use of the SQL language, and its effectiveness in maintaining high-quality data. Below are some of the examples of popular relational databases in the market:

1. MySQL
2. Microsoft SQL Server
3. Postgres
4. Oracle Database
5. MariaDB
6. IBM DB2

Non-Relational databases

Non-relational databases do not use the row and column schema that is used in relational databases. They also may not employ the SQL query language. They are also not uniform and typically have their query language and data objects. Some popular non-relational databases are:

1. MongoDB
2. Cassandra
3. HBase
4. Neo4J (Graph Database)

Understanding the Salesforce Database’s Relational Nature

Salesforce databases thrive on object-based relationships and allow users to either; leverage the standard objects & their relationships or create custom objects and derive relationships to share complex and dynamic information seamlessly. With Salesforce Databases in place, you can develop relational tables that not only store your customer data but also “share data” to provide more actionable insights, avoid data redundancy and boost performance.

Salesforce Databases follow two main types of relationship for their objects:

Master-Details Relationships: These relationships consist of one master and numerous detail objects, with the master controlling the detail object. It consists of data objects that are sometimes associated with one another. For example, if the master accounts object manages the contacts detail object, then deleting the master will result in all contacts getting removed.

Lookup Relationships: This represents the most simple and basic relationship between Salesforce objects. It allows users to lookup one data object from the other. It consists of data objects that are sometimes associated with one another.

Salesforce Integration Best Practices

Follow these Salesforce data integration best practices to safeguard your company’s information as well as that of your clients.

Organize your Data

You must organize your data before beginning any integration. Your data will stay unaltered whether it enters the Salesforce environment or vice versa if you do this. If not, you’ll have disorganized data that your users won’t be able to use.

Indicate the Integration’s Scope.

You must decide whether you wish to sync a portion of the current data with Salesforce or connect your complete data pool. Options for integrating Salesforce data guarantee that you don’t go over budget and that your team members don’t waste time. 

Create an Integration Strategy

The integration strategy should include the desired storage environment, who is responsible for evaluating which data sets, and how your organisation intends to organize the data.

Conclusion

Even though Salesforce does not provide direct integration with an external database, the above 4 alternatives can help you achieve much of the same functionality if they are implemented well. Achieving Salesforce database integration, by using web services by Force.com or by using WSDL, requires extensive hard work and time. So, if you want to avoid the hassle involved in these methods and opt for fully automated service, then Hevo is the right choice for you. 

Hevo is a No-code Data Pipeline. It can easily migrate your data from Salesforce to your desired destination within minutes and for free. It also offers pre-built integrations from 150+ data sources. 

Sign Up for a 14-day free trial and experience the feature-rich Hevo suite first hand.

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