Salesforce is a robust CRM solution that drives business growth, automates business processes, and improves customer relationships. However, businesses have their own needs based on the processes and workflows which may require customized solutions to fulfill them. Salesforce customization and configuration are robust solutions that can help streamline the process. But it may require knowing these solutions and how they differ which will enable you to make the correct decisions that suit business needs and technical expertise. 

What is Salesforce Customization? 

Customization of Salesforce is particularly the process of modifying the platform through custom code. Through this new functionalities can be introduced along with improving existing features and tailoring the system to meet specific business needs. Moreover, Salesforce development is the best choice for businesses that need advanced automation, workflows, or integration beyond Salesforce. 

Furthermore, customizing Salesforce needs the technical skills and expertise of a Salesforce development services provider who holds expertise in multiple integrations and software. With this businesses can leverage the functionality of the platform and streamline their workflows. Customizing Salesforce can easily develop tailored user interfaces specific to business needs. 

Key Areas of Customizing Salesforce  

Salesforce customization is the process of altering various aspects of the Salesforce platform to suit business processes and operations. Some key areas that can be customized within Salesforce are: 

• Custom Objects & Fields: Businesses can configure standard or new data to meet their specific business workflows to help manage their data more systematically.  

• Workflow Rules: Repetitive tasks can be automated based on specific criteria, improving efficiency, while reducing manual and non-automated actions.  

• Custom Reports & Dashboards: Organizations can develop complex data across their area of interest with informed reports and dashboards related to their identified KPIs.   

• Apex Classes & Triggers: Custom code can automate complex business processes to give a well-defined user experience.  

• Lightning Components: New and reusable UI functions can improve the interface and usability of the organization.  

• Custom UI: Salesforce CRM solutions can be modified to give a better specific brand identity to create a better user experience.  

• Third-Party Integrations: Organizations can connect Salesforce integration to third-party tools (ERP, eCommerce / sales) to improve and streamline the data that is exchanged.  

What is Configuration of Salesforce? 

Salesforce configuration is a process of modifying the features that are native to the platform, without changing the code. Configuration leverages declarative tools, or point-and-click functionality, which allows administrators and business users with no coding experience to make adjustments. Configuration is best suited to businesses that want to quickly improve Salesforce without incurring the expense of custom development.  

Key Areas of Configuring Salesforce  

Businesses can configure multiple elements of Salesforce to make the platform fit their organization including:  

• User Set-Up and Roles: Businesses will set up user permissions, access levels, and hierarchies to maintain data security and efficiency. 

• Security Settings: The configuration can offer control of data visibility, field-level security, and log-in access. 

• UI Customization: Configuring page layouts, list view, or navigation helps to improve the user experience and allows users to access their data faster. 

• Workflow Automation: Businesses can configure workflow rules to automate tasks such as email notifications, field updates, or approval processes. 

• Email Settings: Businesses can configure reusable email templates, so one department uses standardized communication and another uses a similar communication format. 

• Integration Settings: Businesses can leverage third-party applications without a large amount of coding to enhance overall system functions. 

Customization vs. Configuration: Which One Should You Choose? 

Whether customization or configuration, Salesforce CRM implementation should be applied depending on several factors such as business objectives, investment costs, etc. Here’s what to do when implementing a Salesforce solution: 

When to Use Customization of Salesforce 

• Your company needs features beyond Salesforce’s native features. 

• You need advanced automation and custom workflows to enable automation. 

• Smooth integration with other applications is necessary. 

• You have a committed development team and the capability to fund regular maintenance. 

When to Use Configuration of Salesforce 

• The platform’s out-of-the-box functions are sufficient to meet your company’s needs. 

• You need a cheap and fast solution that does not involve coding. 

• Your organization lacks in-house developers and prefers to minimize reliance on custom code. 

• You wish to be upwardly compatible with Salesforce’s standard updates and best practices. 

Key Differences Between Customization & Configuration 

Degree of Personalization

Customizing Salesforce can enable businesses to tailor anything within their CRM to suit specific needs. A business, for example, can develop a custom pricing formula or a departmental-level user interface that cannot be created using Salesforce functions otherwise. 

Configuration does allow for customization, in the sense that it can only do so much with the tools that Salesforce has built in. Customizing Salesforce is flexible, but still can’t necessarily be an organization’s precise need for a feature. 

Complexity of Implementation

Customizing Salesforce requires a software development skillset with thorough testing and ensuring multiple deployment cycles. The Salesforce development service often works in a sandbox and deploys changes with tools like Salesforce CLI for production.  

Configuration, on the other hand, is less complex and can be done directly in production. A Salesforce administrator can easily make configuration changes with a limited technical background and no testing in a sandbox.  

Time Commitment

Salesforce customization can take longer and requires planning, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. A development project can take weeks or months.  

Configuration, on the other hand, is faster than customization because it involves utilizing existing tools. Changes can be implemented in real time, making it a good choice for a quick change. 

Maintenance & Upgradability

The maintenance of customized solutions depends on code quality and complexity. Since Salesforce rolls out updates a couple of times a year, businesses may need to update their custom code to maintain compatibility. 

Configuration, on the other hand, requires minimal maintenance. Since it relies on Salesforce’s native features, most updates automatically align with existing configurations, reducing the need for manual intervention. 

Expertise Requirement

Custom Salesforce development requires advanced technical skills, including knowledge of Apex, JavaScript, SOQL, and Salesforce DX. As a result, businesses need to hire dedicated Salesforce developer or development team. 

Configuration, however, can be handled by Salesforce administrators. A basic understanding of Process Builder, Flow Builder, and Custom Report Types is sufficient to implement configurations. 

Cost Factors

Customization of Salesforce may be an expensive approach due to the expense of development, extended project life, and maintenance. Businesses must spend on debugging, testing, and system integration. 

Conversely, configuration is cheaper since it does not involve custom development. Organizations can utilize in-house administrators to perform necessary adjustments at a cost savings to them in the long term. 

Risk Factors

Customizing Salesforce entails altering the initial code, and this comes with a greater risk of unforeseen outcomes. It may cause system collapse or interference with ongoing processes when executed inappropriately. 

Configuration is safer as it does not alter the core code. However, over-configuring the system with numerous modifications will make it confusing and reduce system stability. 

Conclusion 

Customizing Salesforce and configuration are both top priorities when it comes to leveraging Salesforce for business success. If your business requires advanced automation and custom functionality, tailoring the platform is necessary for optimal usage. But if you need rapid changes with built-in tools, configuring Salesforce is an affordable and scalable solution.  

However, having a balanced strategy usually works best, if you require small changes configure the platform and reserve customizing Salesforce when necessary. Also, hiring experienced Salesforce consultants and development services like AnavClouds Software Solutions can help you assess your needs. Schedule a call with us and learn more about implementing the right solution that fits your long-term business goals. 

 

FAQs 

When should I choose Salesforce customization over configuration? 

Customizing Salesforce should be chosen when you need advanced automation, complex workflows, or third-party integrations. It requires extensive expertise as the whole platform is tailored according to business needs. Moreover, if standard Salesforce features meet your needs, configuring the platform is a better and more cost-effective option. 

Does Salesforce configuration require coding knowledge? 

Salesforce configuration does not require coding knowledge. It uses declarative tools which can be managed by administrators and they can easily fix issues or change functionalities. 

Is customization or configuration better for integrating third-party applications? 

If you require simple integrations, configuration can easily connect Salesforce with third-party tools using built-in solutions. However, more complex integration requires advanced API and custom logic, and customization is required. 

What are the cost differences between Salesforce customization and configuration? 

Salesforce customization is more expensive due to development costs, testing, and continuous maintenance. However, the configuration is cheaper since it leverages built-in features without any custom development.