Many businesses use Salesforce to manage their sales and marketing teams. However, some may not realize that they could be running SAP and Salesforce together.

If you’re looking to integrate your SAP data into your Salesforce account, we’ll talk about a few ways to make that happen and why.

So, if you’re interested in learning more about how to integrate Salesforce and SAP, read on.

Challenges of integrating Salesforce and SAP

The SAP-Salesforce integration is not quite direct. SAP solution is tailored as back-office software, and many of its notable offerings were developed long before cloud computing was introduced. On the other hand, Salesforce is one of the cloud-computing pioneers, and it’s primarily tailored for front-office users.

Here are four main hurdles associated with SAP and Salesforce integration.

• Inadequate IT resources. The differences and complexities between Salesforce and SAP often lead to enormous projects which could require a massive input of IT tools and resources. In turn, this could delay the implementation process.
• Complexity. SAP is an ecosystem of different technologies like the modern S/4HANA ERP, legacy on-site ERPs, several integration tools, and SaaS solutions. Due to a proprietary language, processes, and logic, integrating SAP with a different ecosystem will need specific skills and expertise. Similarly, Salesforce has its distinct ecosystem of cloud-oriented apps and needs specific skills and expertise to integrate it with a different ecosystem.
• Legacy custom-coded integrations. Custom codes prevent scalability and decrease extensibility. Outdated point-to-point integrations between Salesforce and SAP may have seemed less expensive and expedient at the time, but these custom code integrations can’t be extended or altered easily.
• Lack of data consistency. Data silos prevent your systems from reaching their full potential. SAP data like product inventory and invoices are often hosted in-house. In contrast, Salesforce data like orders and opportunities are stored in the cloud. Lack of data consistency across these systems could bring about data migration and data mapping challenges.

Steps to Perform a Seamless Integration of SAP and Salesforce

Fortunately, innovators have streamlined the integration between SAP and Salesforce. Here are the detailed steps for a seamless process:

Step #1 – Sign in to your Salesforce Development Account

The first step in this process is to sign in to your Salesforce Development account and head to the Setup option.

Step #2 – Download the necessary Web Service Description Language (WSDL) file

Consequently, you need to find the Quick Find section and type API. Here, you can down the necessary WSDL files.

Step #3 – Develop SOAP projects

Thirdly, develop the required SOAP project to develop and download your XSD and WSDL files. The SOAP project is essential for developing your API, which will be used in the next steps.

Step #4 – Develop an Upsert Request via SOAPui

The next step is to develop a WSDL/XSD – but first, you need to develop an Upsert request via the SOAPui. Here, you’ll realize that every operation is positioned on the left side of the window. Fill in your username and your password. Unless you’ve changed it, the default password is usually your password + security token.

Step #5 – Develop an XML Schema Definition (XSD)

You’re also expected to develop an XSD to request that you’ll be utilizing any external tool.

Step #6 – Map the Schema

You need to subsequently map out the original schema by developing ESR objects and SOAP requests.

Step #7 – Determine the connection between Salesforce and SAP

You need to use the API Lookup Code to assess the relationship between Salesforce and SAP.

Step #8 – Produce an API Lookup Code

To produce the API Lookup Code, you must have your session ID and the server URL. To get these details, develop two ICOs by obtaining data from the ECC and sending it to Salesforce.

Final Thoughts

Both SAP and Salesforce are among the largest software providers worldwide. Although they have different CRM versions, both provide sales support, social media integration, online case management, batch email marketing, and document & permissions management.

If you’re an SAP user, but would like to integrate it with Salesforce CRM to improve your sales and marketing departments, you can find a wide range of tools to take you through the process. You can develop the right integrations without experiencing a time-consuming, complicated process.