Want to 2X your team’s productivity? Want more time on your hands to focus on the strategic aspects of your business? Automation is your answer.
But which tool to use?
Salesforce offers three similar (but not the same) automation tools (Salesforce Flows, Workflow Rules and Process Builder) that help businesses to automate repetitive tasks, saving time, and cost.
Want to decide which one will best cater to your business needs? Let’s dig deeper to understand each tool in detail:
What is Salesforce Flow?
Flow is one of the most powerful tools that Salesforce has launched. It allows you to build complex business automation processes through clicks, not code.
From performing mass updates to sending emails and editing records, it can streamline and automate a wide variety of tasks. Given its advanced features, there is immense potential for what you can achieve with Salesforce Flow.
Also Read
Don’t forget to checkout: Mastering Salesforce Flow Elements: Screens, Decisions, Loops, and More.
What is Workflow?
Workflow enables you to put standard procedures in automation. It has the ability to automate particular actions based on certain criteria.
There are two major terms to understand here: Criteria and Action. Criteria refers to conditions and actions are the tasks that take place when those conditions are fulfilled.
It’s used to automate standard processes and can also track whether the task is done, has just begun, or is pending.
What is Process Builder?
With this automation tool, you can automate complicated processes. How? By defining multiple criteria and actions. For example, you can use it to update records or create new ones. What’s more? Its drag-and-drop feature makes it easy to use.
Salesforce Workflow vs. Process Builder
| Feature | Workflow | Process Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Outbound Message | Sending an outbound message is possible. | Process Builder doesn’t have the option to send an outbound message. |
| Automation Logic | Automation is based on an if/then logic. | Automation is based on an if/then logic. |
| Complex Automation | Limited capabilities for complex automation. | Can handle large data sets and perform multiple tasks. |
| Data Entry Fields Access | Limited access options for more data entry fields. | Provides access to more data entry fields, enabling more actions. |
| Debugging | Limited debugging capabilities. | Offers advanced debugging compared to Workflow. |
| Best Use Case | Suitable for simple automation requirements. | More suitable for advanced and scalable automation workflows. |
Salesforce Process Builder vs. Flow
| Feature | Process Builder | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Automation Complexity | Suited to handle moderately complex automation workflows with single-record operations. | Capable of handling complex automation workflows, including multi-record operations. |
| Conditional Logic | Effective in conditions that require an IF/Then formula. | More advanced and useful in situations where either/or functions are applicable. |
| Formula Logic | Logic does not bear much similarity to CASE formulas. | Logic is similar to CASE formulas, enabling complex functions without relying on multiple ‘IF’ conditions. |
| Action Limitations | Limited in the number of actions compared to Flow. | More powerful than Process Builder, with additional features like the ability to delete records. |
Salesforce Flows Vs. Workflow Rules, and Process Builder: What does the future look like?
While Workflow Rules and Process Builder have been used widely by admins around the world, Salesforce Flow is the talk of the town now. Its advanced capabilities and easy-to-use interface make it the top automation tool.
More and more users are shifting to Salesforce Flow to level up their automation game and stay ahead in the ever-evolving business world. Curious to know how you can use Flows too?
Conclusion
With AI and other technological advancements, businesses want faster turnaround times in less cost, time, and manpower. Salesforce Flow is one of the most powerful automation tools that businesses can leverage to streamline their operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
