Integrating Microsoft Outlook with Salesforce streamlines communication, enhances productivity, and ensures that customer interactions are effectively tracked. This Salesforce outlook integration allows users to access Salesforce data directly within Outlook, log emails and events to Salesforce records, and synchronize contacts and calendar events.
How to Integrate Outlook with Salesforce?
There are a few prerequisites that you need to meet before starting the Salesforce and Outlook integration process. Moreover, we’ve compiled more than one way in which you can complete this integration process. If one method doesn’t work for you, try the other one.
Setting Up the Outlook Integration with Salesforce
Follow these steps and you’ll be good to go:
Step 1: Enable Outlook Integration for Salesforce
Log in to Salesforce as an administrator and then navigate to Setup. In the Quick Find box, enter Outlook Integration and Sync. Thereafter, click on Outlook Integration and Sync. After these settings, enable the following settings:
- Outlook Integration
- Use Enhanced Email with Outlook (to log emails as standard message objects)
- Email to Salesforce (if desired)
Step 2: Configure Outlook Integration Settings
Again, in the Outlook Integration and Sync option, scroll to Microsoft Outlook Web App Domain. Here, you’ll have to add your organization’s Outlook Web App domain (e.g., https://outlook.office365.com).
Step 3: Deploy the Salesforce Add-In for Outlook
Now, this is an important point to note that there are two primary methods to deploy the Salesforce Add-In:
- The first one is “Centralized Deployment via Microsoft 365 Admin Center.” In this method, you’ll first have to log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Then move on to Settings > Integrated Apps. Here, click on Add-ins and search for Salesforce, and then select the Salesforce add-in. Lastly, just click on the “Add” button and follow the prompts to deploy the add-in to users.
- On the other hand, the second option is “Individual Installation via Microsoft AppSource.” For this method, you have to click on “Get Add-ins” in Outlook. Then scroll down or type in the bar to search for Salesforce in the list. After this, click and choose the Salesforce option. Click Add to install the Salesforce add-in. It’s as simple as that.
Step 4: Authenticate and Connect Outlook to Salesforce
For this authentication step, open your email in Outlook. Then click on the Salesforce icon in the ribbon. After that, log in to Salesforce when the action is prompted on your screen. Then just authorize the connection between Outlook and Salesforce, and it’s done!
Customizing the Salesforce Outlook Integration Pane
Next up, did you know Salesforce allows customization of the Outlook Integration pane to tailor the user experience? Here’s how you can do it:
Go to the Salesforce Setup, and enter App Manager in the Quick Find box. Then select the “App Manager” option there and find the Outlook Integration app to click Edit. After that, you can use the Lightning App Builder to customize components, such as:
- Related records
- Custom fields
- Email templates
Lastly, if necessary, you can assign the customized app to specific user profiles as needed.
Setting Up Einstein Activity Capture (Optional)
As mentioned above, this is an optional step, you can skip it if you are not interested in Einstein Activity Capture. However, if you want to automatically add emails and events to the activity timeline of related Salesforce records, then this is for you:
Steps to Enable:
First and foremost, go to the Salesforce Setup, enter Einstein Activity Capture in the Quick Find box. Then, select Settings under the Einstein Activity Capture option. Click on the “Get Started” option and choose the appropriate data sharing settings. After this step, you’ll be prompted to connect your Microsoft Exchange account, and there you can assign users via per permission sets.
Read More: 10 Salesforce Integrations to Maximize CRM Productivity
Benefits of Integrating Salesforce with Outlook
There are various advantages to integrating Salesforce with Outlook, some of which have been discussed below:
1. Productivity is Increased
It’s a given, integration allows users to access Salesforce data directly within Outlook, reducing the need to toggle between applications. In this way, businesses can enhance their productivity levels by seamlessly accessing and enabling sales reps to view and update CRM records without even having to leave their inbox.
2. Data Accuracy is Improved
Integrating Outlook with Salesforce helps to automate manual and mundane tasks like sending emails, setting up meetings, and performing repetitive tasks. All this is done while keeping the data recorded and safe in Salesforce’s native Data Cloud. By doing so, not only are tasks automated, but data accuracy is also improved drastically.
3. Centralized Communication
Another benefit of integrating Outlook with Salesforce is that all email communications related to a particular contact or opportunity are centralized within the CRM. This consolidation provides a comprehensive view of customer interactions.
Plumlogix delivers seamless integration solutions designed to connect your business’s core applications, with a strong focus on integrating Microsoft Outlook. By linking Outlook with your other vital systems, we empower your employees to access essential data, such as customer information, sales records, and project updates, directly within their familiar Outlook environment. This eliminates the need for constant app-switching, reduces manual data entry, and streamlines workflows. Ultimately, Plumlogix’s integration services enhance productivity, improve data accuracy, and enable your team to operate more efficiently.
Conclusion
In short, integrating Salesforce with Microsoft Outlook offers numerous advantages, from improved productivity and data accuracy to enhanced customer engagement. By following the steps and utilizing the full capabilities of both platforms, organizations can create a cohesive system that streamlines operations and drives business success.
