This article includes links to and information from outside resources. We are not responsible for the content on the external site. If there is a link that does not work, please email [email protected] and we will attempt to adjust the information with an updated link.
You may wonder when to use a Workflow via Elements Workflow Manager and when to use Salesforce Flow. While both use automation, they are very different tools in Elements. See the details below for more information on each tool.
Workflow Manager and Workflows
Workflows are typically template-based and are designed to work with a series of Tasks and/or checklists, and approvals. They allow you to automatically assign and track the completion of Tasks and assist in streamlining your business processes. Workflows are best suited for multi-step, repeatable processes that are always the same. Workflows do require user intervention to complete the individual tasks and/or checklists and approvals they contain. The benefits of using Workflows include increasing efficiency, ease of onboarding new users and new processes, reducing data entry, reducing missed steps of a process, and reducing human error.
Examples of business processes used in Workflows are New Account Opening, New Client Onboarding, Standard Deposit, and Standard Withdrawal. Each process has repeatable steps that can be assigned to different people or teams automatically. Workflows are designed with an easy-to-use interface that also makes it easy to set up and manage for administrators. Salentica has even prebuilt several workflow templates to get you started. You can run the Workflow instantly, schedule it to run in the future, and even create recurring Workflows. To learn more about Workflow Manager and Workflows start here.
Example of a Workflow with Steps Assigned
This workflow includes steps for an address change process and includes one step that shows a Status of In Progress.
Salesforce Flow
Salesforce Flow is an automation tool within Salesforce. It allows users to design and automate complex business processes. Salesforce Flow is designed to streamline and standardize tasks by automating them, reducing the likelihood of errors, and ensuring data accuracy.
Salesforce Flow enables automation triggered by user actions based on specified criteria. These automated processes, referred to as Flows, are multi-step sequences that can create new records, as well as edit or delete existing records based on predefined conditions.
Flows can be initiated automatically under specific conditions or events, such as updating, deleting, or adding a record. They can access and manipulate data in Elements, which makes them powerful tools for automating tasks like updating records, creating new records, or sending notifications.
Once a Flow is triggered, it executes a series of predefined actions following the logic defined in the Flow. An example is if a field on a record is updated, another field can be automatically updated without manual data entry.
However, it's important to note that creating Flows requires knowledge of Salesforce Flow and an understanding of how Flows use elements, connectors, and resources within the Salesforce ecosystem. To learn more about Salesforce Flow start here.
Example of a Salesforce Flow
This is an example of a basic Flow that triggers when a record is updated.
Learn more about Salesforce Flow here.