The History of It All
What's the Point?
Salesforce has provided us with a means to create a custom
word document using Merge Fields. If any
of you have used this technique in the past, you know the pains that come along
with it. Once your document is setup
with its merge fields, you can essentially generate a custom Word document from
whatever specific Salesforce record you want under the Activity History related
list. Distribution is just a matter of
sending out an email with the attached merge document. Doing this process in bulk (or against
multiple records) is a different story and much more time consuming.
Conga has provided us with a more sophisticated way do
accomplish these time consuming tasks.
Below, I'll overview each of Conga's current applications and their
uses.
Conga Composer
This is the backbone of most of Conga's other applications,
which those add-ons allow for an even more enjoyable experience. It specializes in creating custom documents
in various different formats such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and PDF.
Conga Composer + Conductor (add-on)
This paid add-on is well worth every cent. Using a custom object to retain specific
criteria (much like SF's report builder), you're able to populate a custom
document for each record in that specific criteria and then distribute those documents
out. All with the click of a button.
Conga Composer + Workflow (add-on)
This paid add-on works in conjunction with SF's
Workflow Rules using their Outbound Messages as a way to work together with
Conga. As an example, a Salesforce WFR
would execute when a field gets changed and send an outbound message to Conga
letting Conga know to create a custom document against the data on the record that WFR
was executed from and then deliver that custom document whoever needs to
receive it. Essentially, this helps
close the gap and furthering expanding on our favorite word
"automation".
Conga Composer +Mail Merge (add-on)
This free add-on provides a much better way to create those
custom documents using your existing Salesforce data and provides a means for
delivery as well. All within one
interface versus the several steps you have to go through with the
out-of-the-box Salesforce method.
Conga Composer + Quick Merge (add-on)
This free add-on goes hand in hand with the Mail Merge
add-on. By using a custom object, you're
able to save all the criteria and setting that you configured while doing your
Mail Merge. Using the Quick Merge
add-on, you're able to execute a Mail Merge at anytime with the click of a
button which recalls all of your saved criteria and settings. A huge time saver for those tasks that need
to be done a regular basis.
Conga Courier
This is a separate entity in relation to the Conga
Composer. This application provides a
means for dynamically generating reports and sending them out to who they need
to go to. Best part of all: you're able
to send to anyone, regardless if they exist inside of Salesforce or not. A huge win on many levels.
From working within the Salesforce realm for several
years and within many different industries, it's all too apparent why Conga
exists today. They are the that integral
puzzle piece for many businesses. If you
haven't checked them out yet, I would strongly recommend it if any of the above
products fit into any of your current business problems.
If your business or organization would like help integrating Conga and Salesforce, please feel free to contact Snapptraffic Consulting at 800-422-6490
or visit us online at www.snapptraffic.com.
This free add-on provides a much better way to create those
custom documents using your existing Salesforce data and provides a means for
delivery as well. All within one
interface versus the several steps you have to go through with the
out-of-the-box Salesforce method.
Conga Composer + Quick Merge (add-on)
This free add-on goes hand in hand with the Mail Merge
add-on. By using a custom object, you're
able to save all the criteria and setting that you configured while doing your
Mail Merge. Using the Quick Merge
add-on, you're able to execute a Mail Merge at anytime with the click of a
button which recalls all of your saved criteria and settings. A huge time saver for those tasks that need
to be done a regular basis.
Conga Courier
This is a separate entity in relation to the Conga
Composer. This application provides a
means for dynamically generating reports and sending them out to who they need
to go to. Best part of all: you're able
to send to anyone, regardless if they exist inside of Salesforce or not. A huge win on many levels.
From working within the Salesforce realm for several
years and within many different industries, it's all too apparent why Conga
exists today. They are the that integral
puzzle piece for many businesses. If you
haven't checked them out yet, I would strongly recommend it if any of the above
products fit into any of your current business problems.
If your business or organization would like help integrating Conga and Salesforce, please feel free to contact Snapptraffic Consulting at 800-422-6490
or visit us online at www.snapptraffic.com.
