How to Import Salesforce Objects in Informatica 10.5
Informatica PowerCenter is a powerful ETL tool widely used for integrating data from various sources, including Salesforce. Importing Salesforce objects into Informatica 10.5 is a common task, enabling you to leverage Salesforce data in your data warehouse or other business applications. This guide will walk you through the process step by step, covering essential aspects like connecting to Salesforce, selecting objects, and defining mappings.
Understanding the Process
Before we dive into the specifics, let's break down the core concepts:
- Salesforce Object: These are the fundamental building blocks of Salesforce data. Examples include Accounts, Contacts, Leads, Opportunities, and custom objects you might have created.
- Informatica PowerCenter: This is the ETL tool responsible for extracting, transforming, and loading data.
- Connection: You'll need to establish a secure connection between Informatica PowerCenter and your Salesforce instance.
- Mapping: This defines the flow of data from Salesforce to your target system. It involves selecting Salesforce objects, defining transformations, and specifying the target table structure.
Steps to Import Salesforce Objects
1. Configure Salesforce Connection
- Open Informatica PowerCenter Designer: Launch the Informatica PowerCenter client application.
- Create a New Connection: Navigate to the "Connections" area and click "New."
- Select "Salesforce" as the Connection Type: Choose the Salesforce connection type from the dropdown.
- Provide Connection Details: You'll need the following:
- Salesforce Instance URL (e.g., "https://yourinstance.salesforce.com")
- Username (Salesforce user with appropriate permissions)
- Password
- Security Token (Optional, usually required if two-factor authentication is enabled)
2. Define a Source Definition
- Create a New Source Definition: Go to the "Source Definitions" area and click "New."
- Choose "Salesforce" as the Source Type: Select the Salesforce source type.
- Connect to Salesforce: Choose the Salesforce connection you created in the previous step.
- Select Objects: Browse the list of available Salesforce objects and select those you want to import.
3. Design the Mapping
- Create a New Mapping: Go to the "Mappings" area and click "New."
- Add Source and Target: Include the Salesforce source definition you created and your target system (e.g., a database, flat file, or another data source).
- Map Fields: Connect the fields from your Salesforce objects to the corresponding fields in your target system. You can use transformations to handle any data conversions or modifications necessary.
4. Test and Validate
- Test the Mapping: Run a test load to ensure that the mapping is functioning correctly and data is flowing as expected.
- Validate Data Quality: Inspect the imported data in your target system to verify that the data is accurate and complete.
5. Schedule the Workflow
- Create a Workflow: In Informatica PowerCenter, create a workflow that executes the mapping on a schedule (e.g., daily, hourly, or on demand).
Tips and Best Practices
- Salesforce Permissions: Ensure that the Salesforce user you are connecting with has the necessary permissions to access the objects you want to import.
- Data Volume: For large data sets, consider using incremental loading to optimize performance.
- Transformation Rules: Use transformations like expressions, filters, and aggregations to manipulate data according to your business requirements.
- Error Handling: Implement error handling mechanisms to capture and manage any errors that occur during the data import process.
- Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation of your Salesforce connection, object selection, mapping, and workflow configurations.
Example Scenario
Imagine you want to import all the "Lead" data from Salesforce to a MySQL database for further analysis.
- Connection: Create a Salesforce connection using the instructions above.
- Source Definition: Define a source definition for the "Lead" object from Salesforce.
- Mapping: Create a mapping that connects the "Lead" source object to a MySQL table with the same structure.
- Workflow: Set up a workflow that executes the mapping daily, bringing in the latest Lead data from Salesforce.
Conclusion
Importing Salesforce objects into Informatica 10.5 is a straightforward process, allowing you to leverage Salesforce data in your data integration projects. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively connect to Salesforce, define your data extraction, and seamlessly load it into your target system. Remember to pay attention to security, permissions, data volume, and transformation rules to ensure successful and efficient data integration.