Advanced Techniques for Optimizing Salesforce Performance

Advanced Techniques for Optimizing Salesforce Performance: A Guide to Support and Maintenance

Introduction or How Do You Optimize Salesforce Performance?

Salesforce plays a huge role in handling day-to-day business tasks—organizing customer data, tracking sales, and keeping teams connected. But as companies grow and collect more data, Salesforce can sometimes slow down, which affects how well teams can work. Keeping Salesforce running at its best isn’t something you set up once and forget; it needs ongoing care to keep up with changing demands.

For example, let’s say a retail company uses Salesforce to manage inventory and track customer orders. During busy seasons like the holidays, they process thousands of new records each day. Without regular maintenance or tools to manage this load, their system could lag, delaying order processing and potentially frustrating customers. This is where performance optimization makes a big difference.

Using specialized tools like Sliced Bread - ETL on Salesforce can be a breakthrough. This app helps manage large data transfers, ensures data accuracy, and prevents delays by automating data updates. For teams handling high volumes of information, this app simplifies the work and keeps the system running smoothly.

Insight:

You can check your Salesforce Lightning page performance by selecting a record that you want to analyze, then going to Settings and selecting Edit Page. By clicking on Analyze button you can see a Page Analysis dashboard.

In this guide, we’ll cover ways to keep Salesforce efficient, including key techniques and helpful tools. These tips are designed to support administrators and consultants in handling Salesforce’s workload more effectively, allowing teams to focus on what they do best without system slowdowns.

Salesforce Performance Issues

Performance slowdowns in Salesforce, from lagging page loads to delayed reports, can disrupt workflows and reduce efficiency. Understanding and addressing these issues is a key part of Salesforce performance optimization and ongoing maintenance.

Common Bottlenecks Affecting Salesforce Performance

1. Large Data Volumes: As companies grow, their data storage expands. High data volumes can cause delays in retrieving records and generating reports. Regular data cleanup and archiving are essential for efficient optimization.

Example: A healthcare provider managing large patient records might face delays when searching for records if outdated data isn’t archived regularly. This impacts system speed and lowers productivity.

2. Complex Automations and Triggers: Flows, triggers, and automation are helpful, but too many can strain system resources, slowing down response times.

Example: In a sales team, automation for lead routing can become complex over time. Without simplifying or optimizing these workflows, it can lead to slower processing times, affecting timely lead follow-up.

3. External Data Integrations: Connecting Salesforce with external systems like ERP or analytics tools often involves regular data syncing. If these integrations aren’t optimized, they can cause performance issues during peak data transfer times.

Example: A retail company integrating Salesforce with an inventory system might experience lagging performance when syncing stock levels during high-demand periods.

The Impact of Inadequate Salesforce Maintenance

When maintenance is neglected, these bottlenecks worsen, impacting data accuracy, system speed, and user productivity.  In line with Salesforce support and maintenance services, regular checks for slow load times and evaluating End Processing Time (EPT) can identify and address performance issues before they become more serious. Neglecting these checks can lead to outdated data, increased load times, and, ultimately, a poor experience for users.

To prevent issues like these, effective efficiency techniques and optimization tools play a key role. In the next section, we’ll discuss the core principles of Salesforce maintenance to keep systems performing well over time.

Core Principles of Salesforce Maintenance for Performance

Consistent maintenance is the key to keeping Salesforce responsive and efficient. Here are core practices that can help prevent performance issues and keep the system in top shape:

1. Regular Data Cleanup and Archiving

As businesses grow, Salesforce databases can accumulate a large volume of records, including outdated or duplicate entries, which can slow down searches, reports, and other processes. Regular data cleanup reduces this load, ensuring quicker access and more reliable data handling.

How to Implement: Set a routine for data cleanup, such as archiving records quarterly. Use tools like Sliced Bread ETL, Salesforce’s Data Loader, or AppExchange apps to streamline this process. When archiving data, ensure it's stored securely in case it's needed later.

Example: A financial services firm noticed that managing thousands of inactive client accounts was slowing down their reporting. By archiving client records older than five years and clearing out duplicates, they reduced report generation time significantly, which allowed teams to make quicker, data-driven decisions.

Removing duplicates with Sliced Bread ETL: 

2. Simplifying and Optimizing Automations

Automated workflows, triggers, and rules are powerful tools for improving efficiency, but they need regular review. When too many automation rules or complex conditions run simultaneously, they can overload Salesforce and cause delays. Simplifying workflows keeps things running smoothly.

How to Implement: Periodically review active workflows and triggers. Consider combining similar automation rules, streamlining conditions, and deleting outdated or redundant rules.

Example: A customer support team used an automated workflow to prioritize incoming support cases. However, as they added more complex conditions over time, the workflow started causing delays in case assignments.
By reducing unnecessary conditions and breaking up complex workflows, they improved system response, allowing agents to respond to new cases faster.

3. Managing Data Integrations Efficiently

Many companies integrate Salesforce with other systems, such as ERPs, marketing platforms, or analytics tools. These integrations often involve frequent data syncing, which can slow down Salesforce if not managed properly. Using tools that handle data integrations efficiently can minimize disruptions and ensure data consistency.

How to Implement: Use data management tools like Sliced Bread ETL to streamline data integration. These tools help structure and schedule data syncing, reducing the risk of delays or errors caused by high data transfer volumes. Set up schedules for syncing during off-peak hours to avoid performance bottlenecks.

Example: A retail business syncing inventory data from an ERP to Salesforce experienced slowdowns during busy sales periods. By switching to Sliced Bread ETL, they optimized data transfers and ensured stock levels were always updated in real-time without slowing down Salesforce during peak hours.

4. Regular Monitoring and Error Tracking

Consistent monitoring of Salesforce’s performance metrics helps catch potential slowdowns early, allowing administrators to fix them before they impact user experience. Regular tracking of key metrics like page load times, database queries, and system response times can help identify and address performance bottlenecks.

How to Implement: Use Salesforce’s built-in monitoring tools to track performance metrics, such as End Processing Time (EPT) and slow load times. For a more comprehensive view, third-party monitoring tools can provide deeper insights, alerting administrators to unusual behavior or emerging issues.

Example: A marketing team noticed that dashboards were taking longer to load. By reviewing their weekly performance reports, the admin identified that recent changes to reporting filters were causing the delay. After optimizing these filters, they saw immediate improvements in dashboard load times, allowing the team to access data more quickly.

By following these core principles, organizations can keep Salesforce running smoothly and avoid the common performance issues that can arise as systems grow. In the next section, we’ll cover advanced techniques for Salesforce optimization to further improve efficiency and reliability.

Advanced Techniques for Salesforce Optimization with Sliced Bread ETL

Optimizing Salesforce performance can be a challenge, especially for organizations that manage large amounts of data or need to streamline complex workflows. By using a specialized ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tool like Sliced Bread ETL, companies can address these challenges effectively, making it easier to work with high volumes of data and improve Salesforce efficiency.

1. Streamlining Data Load and Migration

When transferring large amounts of data or moving it from one system to another, ETL tools like Sliced Bread ETL simplify the process by automating data extraction, cleaning, and loading directly into Salesforce. This is especially useful for companies that frequently update records or need real-time data syncing from other systems.

Implementation Tip: Schedule data migrations during off-hours to reduce system strain and avoid interrupting daily operations. Sliced Bread ETL’s automation features allow you to set up recurring data transfers, ensuring data is always updated without manual intervention.

Example: An online retailer using Salesforce to track inventory relies on Sliced Bread ETL to automate nightly data updates from their inventory system. By setting up automated data loads, they prevent slowdowns during busy hours, keeping their Salesforce data fresh and ready for daily operations.

Select the data type (CSV, Excel, XML, JSON, and NDJSON) you need to load with Sliced Bread, and perform a data load with ease:

2. Automating Routine Tasks to Save Time

Many businesses face time-consuming, routine tasks such as data cleanup, record updating, and system checks. Automating these tasks with Sliced Bread ETL not only reduces manual work but also minimizes errors that can slow down the system over time.

Implementation Tip: Set up schedules for routine tasks like data cleaning, status updates, and error handling to maintain an organized and error-free database.

Example: A nonprofit organization automates its data cleanup process, ensuring that outdated volunteer records are archived every quarter. By using Sliced Bread ETL’s automation features, the organization keeps its database manageable and ensures faster data processing for active records.

Automate your data load schedule with Sliced Bread ETL.

3. Optimizing API Usage for Better System Performance

For businesses that integrate Salesforce with other platforms, efficient API management is key. Sliced Bread ETL allows users to control API calls by structuring and batching data flows, minimizing the number of API calls and helping keep the system responsive.

Implementation Tip: Review API usage and adjust the batch sizes and schedules to avoid excessive API calls. With Sliced Bread ETL, administrators can schedule data syncs to run at intervals that align with API limitations, reducing the risk of slowdowns.

Example: A financial services firm using API integrations for real-time stock updates was experiencing system slowdowns. By using Sliced Bread ETL to group and batch data transfers, they reduced unnecessary API calls, which improved system speed and response times.

Customize your data load based on the API usage with Sliced Bread ETL:

4. Simplifying Reports and Dashboards for Faster Access

Reports and dashboards are valuable tools for tracking performance, but they can slow down if loaded with too much data or complex filters. Simplifying data views, along with scheduling report updates during off-peak hours, can improve dashboard speed and accessibility.

Implementation Tip: Limit the number of records and filters in dashboards and reports. Schedule large report processing during non-peak hours to reduce system strain.

Example: A healthcare provider streamlined their reporting by filtering records to show only active patient cases, which significantly improved dashboard load times. This allowed staff to quickly retrieve patient information and improved workflow efficiency.

By applying these advanced techniques and using tools like Sliced Bread ETL, organizations can handle large datasets more efficiently, automate essential maintenance tasks, and keep their Salesforce systems running smoothly. 

FAQ: Advanced Techniques for Salesforce Performance Optimization

Below are frequently asked questions on Salesforce performance optimization, maintenance, and efficiency techniques to help keep your Salesforce system responsive and efficient.

1. Why does Salesforce performance slow down as data volume increases?

As data grows, it requires more processing power to retrieve and display information. Large datasets, complex automation, and high API usage can lead to Salesforce performance issues. Regular data cleanup and Salesforce maintenance are essential for keeping the system running smoothly and preventing slowdowns.

2. What are the main bottlenecks that affect Salesforce performance?

Common challenges include large data volumes, complex workflows, and external data syncs. These issues can slow down Salesforce performance, especially if they aren’t optimized or monitored regularly.

3. How can I manage large datasets in Salesforce for better performance?

Use Salesforce efficiency techniques like regular data cleanup and archiving, which reduce unnecessary load on the system. Data management tools like Sliced Bread ETL help remove duplicates, archive outdated records, and automate updates, which keeps Salesforce optimized and fast.

4. What are the benefits of using tools like Sliced Bread ETL for Salesforce optimization?

Sliced Bread ETL simplifies Salesforce performance optimization by automating data transfer, cleaning, and integration. It handles various data formats (CSV, Excel, XML, JSON, and NDJSON), making it ideal for complex data imports and real-time updates, helping businesses maintain a high level of accuracy and performance.

5. How can I improve API usage efficiency to avoid Salesforce performance issues?

Optimizing API usage involves batching and scheduling API calls strategically. Tools like Sliced Bread ETL help by structuring data flows and syncing during off-peak hours, reducing API overload and improving Salesforce optimization.

6. How often should I perform data cleanup for optimal Salesforce performance?

Regular data cleanup, ideally every quarter, is vital for Salesforce maintenance. Removing duplicates, archiving old records, and standardizing data fields keeps the system efficient and helps avoid performance issues.

7. What’s the best way to simplify complex workflows in Salesforce?

Regularly reviewing workflows is a key Salesforce efficiency technique. Combine similar automation rules, streamline conditions, and remove outdated processes to keep the system responsive and avoid unnecessary load on resources.

8. How can I troubleshoot and resolve performance issues in Salesforce dashboards and reports?

To improve Salesforce performance in dashboards, limit data fields and records. Salesforce’s monitoring tools track load times and help identify areas for optimization. Scheduling heavy reports during off-peak hours is also a helpful Salesforce performance optimization technique.

9. How can I monitor Salesforce performance effectively?

Use Salesforce’s built-in monitoring tools to keep track of key performance metrics like load times and End Processing Time (EPT). Routine monitoring helps identify issues early, and third-party tools can provide additional insights for advanced optimization.

10. What should I consider when importing large datasets into Salesforce?

Before importing, clean your data and ensure it aligns with Salesforce field mappings. Running a test import can help catch errors early. For complex data formats (like JSON or NDJSON), Sliced Bread ETL is ideal for automating field mapping and data transformation, reducing the risk of performance issues.

Conclusion: Ensuring Long-Term Salesforce Efficiency and Reliability

Optimizing Salesforce performance is an ongoing commitment that goes beyond initial setup. As organizations grow and data demands increase, Salesforce requires regular Salesforce maintenance, structured data management, and proactive optimization to handle larger datasets, more complex workflows, and frequent integrations with other systems. Without routine upkeep, Salesforce can experience slowdowns, which can impact productivity and the user experience.

Key elements for maintaining strong Salesforce performance include regular data cleanup, simplifying workflows, and managing API usage. Using tools like Sliced Bread ETL makes these tasks easier by automating data transfers, standardizing data formats, and streamlining data syncs. This approach minimizes manual work, allowing teams to manage large volumes of information with ease while ensuring data accuracy.

With a proactive maintenance strategy and effective optimization techniques, organizations can keep Salesforce responsive and reliable over the long term. This enables teams to focus on their core tasks without interruption, improving operational efficiency and supporting overall business goals.

By prioritizing consistent maintenance, utilizing practical tools, and focusing on performance best practices, Salesforce can remain a valuable asset that evolves alongside the organization, fostering continued success and customer satisfaction.

About Author: 

Dorian Sabitov is a 5x Certified Salesforce Administrator and Developer with extensive experience in customizing Salesforce to the client's needs. He started his journey in IT as a CRM admin and kept his focus on Salesforce ecosystem. He loves exploring new integrations in Salesforce and spotting alternative ways to optimize business processes inside the CRM. He is currently working as a full-time Salesforce developer and contributing content to the SFApps.info educational portal.