What Is Heroku Connect?

Errol Schmidt October 31, 2024

Heroku Connect Syncs Data Between Salesforce and Heroku

Heroku Connect is a powerful tool that bridges the gap between Salesforce and Heroku Postgres databases. It provides a seamless way to synchronise data between these two platforms, enabling businesses to build custom applications that interact with their Salesforce data.

It is a valuable tool for developers who need to integrate Salesforce data with Heroku applications. This makes it a valuable resource for developers needing quick and reliable data exchange between Heroku applications and Salesforce.

Whether you’re a developer, business analyst, or IT manager, Heroku Connect simplifies data management and empowers you to leverage Salesforce data for custom applications, analytics, and integrations.

Key features of Heroku Connect:

1. Data synchronisation:

   
   
   • It automatically keeps Salesforce and Heroku Postgres data in sync, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

      

     The near real-time sync means updates in one system are quickly reflected in the other, supporting data-driven applications and real-time insights.

 

2. Bidirectional data flow:

   
   
   • Developers and Salesforce business users can choose which objects to sync as read-only or read-write, allowing users to modify data in either Salesforce or Heroku Postgres.

      

     This bidirectional flow provides flexibility for applications that need data interaction or enrichment from either platform.

 

3. Optimised performance:

   
   
   • Heroku Connect uses efficient methods to optimise interactions between Salesforce and Heroku Postgres, ensuring fast and reliable synchronisation.

      

     This performance optimisation supports applications with high data demands and facilitates smooth user experiences.

 

4. Flexible deployment options:

   
   
   • Developers can deploy Heroku Connect to a business' existing Heroku applications or use it as a standalone service, making it versatile enough to fit a wide range of development and business needs.

 

5. Developer-friendly:

   
   
   • Heroku Connect provides a straightforward Application Programming Interface (API) and Command-Line Interface (CLI), making it easy to integrate into a development workflow. And also making it an accessible tool for developers to manage and monitor data synchronisation.

Unique Advantages of Heroku Connect

1. Security

   • Heroku Connect operates within the Salesforce Security Trust Boundary, providing robust security assurances by default. This means that data handled by Heroku Connect meets Salesforce’s high security standards, which are trusted globally by enterprises in regulated industries.

 

2. Speed and Real-Time Updates

   • Heroku Connect’s synchronisation is near real-time, making it ideal for applications that require frequent data updates. This quick sync feature allows users to build responsive applications where Salesforce data is instantly available and up-to-date.

 

3. Ease of Setup

   • Setting up Heroku Connect takes just minutes, allowing data to start flowing between Salesforce and Heroku Postgres with minimal configuration. This ease of setup is valuable for teams who need rapid deployment and minimal downtime.

 

4. Cost-Efficiency Compared to API Usage

   • Heroku Connect can often be a cost-effective alternative to standard Salesforce API calls. It reduces the need for direct API requests to Salesforce, making it a cheaper option for high-frequency data transfer needs and giving teams budget flexibility.

Common use cases for Heroku Connect:

1. Building custom applications:

   
   
   • Create custom web or mobile applications that leverage your Salesforce data.

      

     Developers can use Heroku Connect to create custom web or mobile applications that leverage Salesforce data, opening up new ways to engage customers and streamline internal processes.

 

2. Performing data analysis:

   
   
   • Extract data from Salesforce and analyse it using tools like Tableau or Python, providing powerful insights for business decision-making.

 

3. Integrating with other systems:

   
   
   • By connecting Salesforce data with other platforms, such as marketing automation tools, CRM systems, or ERP platforms, Heroku Connect helps streamline cross-platform data sharing and integration.

 

4. Creating custom reports and dashboards:

   
   
   • Use Heroku Connect to develop tailored reports and visualise CRM or Salesforce data, providing business teams with real-time insights and supporting data-driven strategies.

Evaluate the pricing options for deploying your app to the Heroku platform.

Heroku offers flexible pricing options. Depending on your project, you can choose between a guided estimator or an unguided estimator to start your cost analysis by identifying the appropriate Heroku plan for your specific needs. However, to understand how it can all fit into your unique project and business, talk to a reinteractive Heroku specialist for guidance and tailored pricing advice and insights into the best plan for your project and who will offer cost-saving recommendations.

Conclusion

Heroku Connect is an efficient, secure, and flexible tool for synchronising data between Salesforce and Heroku Postgres. With built-in security aligned with Salesforce’s standards, near real-time updates, and easy deployment, Heroku Connect is ideal for teams needing a reliable data sync solution. By integrating Heroku Connect, businesses can maximise the utility of their Salesforce data, reduce API costs, and enable custom applications to deliver enhanced user experiences.

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