Salesforce Integration with Legacy Systems Best Practices (2025)
PletraTech
Pletratech is one of the world's leading providers of Salesforce & Vlocity Consulting & Development, Outsourcing co.
Modern businesses face a critical challenge: bridging the gap between cutting-edge Salesforce CRM and decades-old legacy systems. Done right, this integration unlocks a unified data ecosystem—but done poorly, it creates frustrating silos and inefficiencies.
Why Legacy System Integration is Complex
Diverse tech stacks: COBOL, Fortran, SAP, Oracle—each requires unique handling.
Data quality issues: Decades-old records often need cleansing before migration.
Process continuity: Must maintain existing workflows while enabling new Salesforce capabilities.
Strategic Best Practices
Start with a system inventory – Document all legacy apps, data flows, and stakeholders.
Define clear objectives – Align integration with business goals (e.g., 360° customer views).
Adopt a phased approach – Prioritize high-impact integrations first.
Technical Solutions
APIs: Use Salesforce REST/SOAP APIs for real-time syncs.
Middleware: Tools like MuleSoft simplify connections between disparate systems.
ETL pipelines: Batch-process large datasets with tools like Informatica.
Operational Must-Dos
Master Data Management (MDM): Prevent duplicates with cross-system ID matching.
User-centric design: Minimize app-switching for smoother adoption.
Robust monitoring: Track integration health with alerts for failures.
Future-Proofing
Design modular integrations to accommodate legacy system upgrades.
Stay updated on Salesforce’s triannual releases to avoid breaking changes.
The Bottom Line Successful integration isn’t just technical—it’s a business transformation. With the right strategy, you can merge old and new systems without disrupting operations.
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