Salesforce SharePoint Integration Challenges

Salesforce SharePoint integration challenges are quite common for Salesforce users. Many users experience a lack of security or issues in the data flow. But the good news is that they are not permanent and you don’t have to fret about it. If you’re trying to integrate your org with SharePoint and have faced errors or challenges, we’re here to help. We will guide you through overcoming the challenges you face during integration, post-integration, and everything around it.

Salesforce is the #1 Customer Relationship Management software platform, with a market share of 31.15%. It manages all aspects of a business, including customer data, marketing, sales, and support. The possibilities are endless when an amazing CRM like this is integrated with SharePoint, which is built for document management. 

This integration allows users to store large files, access them faster, enhance collaboration, reduce storage costs, maintain version control, and more. Despite the advantages, some challenges can make Salesforce SharePoint integration challenging. 

Why Salesforce SharePoint Integration?

Salesforce is great for managing customer relationships but lacks the features required for efficient document management. Although it provides file storage space, the platform is not built for document management and hence imposes several limitations.

Also read: Transform Your File Storage With Salesforce SharePoint Integration

Limitations of Salesforce File Storage 

Document growth is a good sign for growing businesses. However, for document increase, Salesforce is not the right platform for managing them. Here’s why. 

File Upload Size

There are two options to upload documents in Salesforce 

1. Attachment – Doc limit is 25MB 
2. File – Doc limit 2GB

While Salesforce supports uploading smaller files, larger files need to be compressed. This adds extra manual steps and can reduce the clarity of high-resolution photos and images. 

Storage Constraintse

Salesforce provides limited file storage space as a part of its standard package. For most editions, the allotted space is 10 GB of default storage and an additional 2 GB per user license. This might seem like enough space, but this space is occupied in a blink of an eye for growing businesses. The accumulation of files impacts platform performance increasing the time of file retrieval.  

Inefficient File Management

Let’s say you bought additional space. But you see Salesforce is not a file management platform. While it provides space for files, it lacks file management features such as customized folder structures and tagging. Its limits with file sharing and file uploads make file management harder than it should be.

Cost Implications

The price of expanding storage in Salesforce is notably high compared to external storage options, such as SharePoint, Amazon S3, or Google Drive. This creates a cost-versus-efficiency dilemma for businesses that need scalable solutions.

Also Read: Salesforce File Storage Limit Exceeded? Some Use Cases & Tips to Prevent Hitting Storage Limits

Limitations of SharePoint

While SharePoint is a robust document management platform, using it independently without Salesforce integration presents challenges:

Lack of Unified Data

Using SharePoint and Salesforce as separate platforms means customer data and documents are not centralized, reducing operational efficiency.

Version Control Issues

Without integration, syncing data between the two platforms can lead to duplicate files and outdated document versions.

Manual Processes

Moving files manually between platforms is time-consuming and prone to errors, particularly for high-volume file transfers.

Salesforce SharePoint Integration Challenges 

If your business has faced these challenges then integrating Salesforce with SharePoint could be the ideal solution. However, an uninvestigated integration process can further complicate the situation. Here are some implications you might want to consider with tips on how to resolve them: 

Complex Setup Process

Problem: The integration often requires technical expertise, and issues may arise with authentication, permissions, and API limits during the setup phase. For companies without such resources, it’s not practical to hire a dedicated expert. This adds extra costs or makes it challenging to handle the setup independently. 

Solution: With these challenges in mind, we’ve developed XfilesPro, an AppExchange application that seamlessly integrates Salesforce and SharePoint. The app integrates with minimal to zero coding requirements. It is easy to set up and user-friendly; hence, no technical expertise is needed. Plus, our dedicated technical team is always available to help you fix integration errors to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Benefit: The integration process is easy, making XfilesPro a go-to option for small to medium-sized enterprises. With 24/7 dedicated customer support and over 100 positive customer reviews on AppExchange, we are always here to guide your business through document management chaos.

Data Security Concerns

Problem: Poor encryption standards or unsecured APIs can lead to data breaches, putting sensitive information at risk. The chances of unauthorized access are always at stake, and businesses simply cannot afford the consequences of a breach, whether it’s financial loss, reputational damage, or legal consequences.

Solution: XfilesPro simplifies and secures Salesforce and SharePoint online integration eliminating common data security risks. The solution has role-based access control to ensure that only authorized users can access specific files. 

Benefit: All data is safe with secure access controls, so only the right people can view files. This helps businesses maintain compliance, protect their reputation, and avoid potential financial or legal penalties.

Lack of Automation

Problem: The manual process of transferring, organizing, and managing files between Salesforce and SharePoint is time-consuming. This can lead to errors, misplaced files, duplicated documents, and drain valuable resources. 

Solution: The Auto Export feature of XfilesPro automates the transfer of files based on predefined criteria. Post migration the file synchronization feature ensures that documents are synced and updated across both platforms, maintaining version control.

Benefit: This boosts collaboration by ensuring that everyone has access to the latest files, making teamwork smoother and reducing confusion.

Customization Limitations

Problem: While SharePoint integration solutions for Salesforce offer great benefits, they do come with certain limitations, especially when it comes to customization. Every business has certain customizations that have to be done to best fit their needs. This can lead to increased complexity, longer setup times, and higher costs. 

Solution: The folder structure, role-based access, tagging, search filters, and file-sharing features are all fully customizable, ensuring that documents are organized, easily accessible, and securely shared across teams. With XfilesPro, businesses can leverage these capabilities without any hidden costs.

Benefit: It streamlines the document management process according to their unique requirement, improving efficiency and user experience.

XfilesPro is the most preferred application for Salesforce file management. With features like large file migration, trigger utility, multi-org file integration, global file search, and more, it’s designed to streamline your document processes. Explore XfilesPro on AppExchange today!

Conclusion

Integrating Salesforce with SharePoint can make managing documents easier and more efficient. While there are challenges like setup issues, security concerns, and limited automation, XfilesPro makes everything simpler and safer. It automates file transfers, ensures security, and offers customization to fit your business needs. With XfilesPro, you can overcome these challenges without extra cost or complexity. It’s the perfect solution for smooth Salesforce and SharePoint integration.