Connect FileMaker with Salesforce

6. custom scripting for specialized integrations

In some cases, it may make sense to develop custom scripting solutions in FileMaker to meet specific Salesforce integration requirements. Custom scripting makes it possible to create customized workflows and functions that are tailored exactly to the needs of the company.

Example application for custom scripting

• Lead managementA company could create a custom script that automatically transfers new leads from FileMaker to Salesforce, taking into account certain rules and conditions, such as lead status or sales territory.

Advantages of integrating FileMaker/gFM Business and Salesforce

• Data consistencyIntegration means that customer data, orders and sales opportunities remain synchronized between the systems, ensuring a central and up-to-date database.
• AutomationRecurring tasks such as the transfer of leads or customer information can be automated, which reduces the time required and minimizes errors.
• FlexibilityBy using APIs, middleware or ODBC, you can design the integration flexibly and adapt it to the specific requirements of your company.
• Real-time data accessWith methods such as the ODBC connection or the use of the REST API, companies can access data in real time and thus make better decisions based on up-to-date information.

FileMaker sample script for the Salesforce REST API

Below is an example of a FileMaker script that connects to the Salesforce REST API and sends a request. This example shows how to authenticate and then retrieve or send records from Salesforce.

Prerequisites:

• Salesforce REST API URLThe URL you use to access Salesforce.
• Salesforce Client ID and Client SecretYou will receive this after registering your application in Salesforce.
• OAuth2 TokenOAuth2 is used for authentication to ensure secure access to Salesforce.

Example script for connecting FileMaker to Salesforce:

1. authentication and token retrieval

To establish a connection, you need an access token, which you receive from Salesforce via an OAuth2 request.

# Set the variables for Salesforce authentication
Set variable [ $client_id ; Value: "Your_Client_ID" ]
Set variable [ $client_secret ; Value: "Your_Client_Secret" ]
Set variable [ $username ; Value: "Your_Salesforce_username" ]
Set variable [ $password ; Value: "Your_Salesforce_Password" & "Your_Security_Token" ] # Password + Security Token combined
Set variable [ $auth_url ; Value: "https://login.salesforce.com/services/oauth2/token" ]

# Creating the cURL options for the authentication request
Set variable [ $postData ; Value:
"grant_type=password&client_id=" & $client_id &
"&client_secret=" & $client_secret &
"&username=" & $username &
"&password=" & $password ]

# Send authentication request to Salesforce
Insert from URL [ Selection ; Dialog: Off ; $auth_response ; $auth_url ; cURL options: "--request POST --data " & $postData ]

# Extract access token
Set variable [ $access_token ; Value: JSONGetElement ( $auth_response ; "access_token" ) ]
Set variable [ $instance_url ; Value: JSONGetElement ( $auth_response ; "instance_url" ) ]
Once you have received the Access Token, you can use it to access the Salesforce API.

2. retrieve data from Salesforce
In this example, we retrieve a list of accounts (customers) from Salesforce.

# Set the URL for the API request
Set variable [ $api_url ; Value: $instance_url & "/services/data/v50.0/sobjects/Account" ]

# Set the cURL options with the access token
Set variable [ $cURL_options ; Value:
"--header \"Authorization: Bearer " & $access_token & "\"¶" &
"--header \"Content-Type: application/json\"¶" &
"--header \"Accept: application/json\"" ]

# Send the GET request to Salesforce to retrieve account data
Insert from URL [ Selection ; Dialog: Off ; $response ; $api_url ; cURL-Options: $cURL_options ]

# Display the API response in the dialog (for example as JSON)
Set variable [ $formatted_response ; Value: JSONFormatElements( $response ) ]
Show custom dialog [ "API response" ; $formatted_response ]

3. processing the data in FileMaker

You can now process the data further and insert it into your FileMaker database.

# Example: Extract the first account name from the JSON response
Set variable [ $account_name ; Value: JSONGetElement ( $response ; "records[0].Name" ) ]

# Save the account name in a FileMaker field
Set field value [ Customers::Name ; $account_name ]

Explanation of the script

• AuthenticationYou send an OAuth2 request to Salesforce to obtain an access token. This token is used in all subsequent requests to authenticate Salesforce data.
• Data retrievalWith the Access Token, you send a GET request to Salesforce to retrieve account data. The response is returned in JSON format.
• Data processingThe retrieved data is saved in FileMaker. In this example, the first account name is extracted and inserted into a FileMaker field.

Adjustments:

• EndpointsYou can change the endpoints to access other objects such as leads, opportunities or user-defined objects.
• Error handlingIt is advisable to add error queries to ensure that the process remains smooth in the event of incorrect queries.
• Other fieldsYou can extract additional fields and save them in FileMaker, depending on your requirements.