Empower your Salesforce environment by automating document generation and eSignatures, ensuring secure, efficient, and personalized document workflows with ease.
Highlights
- Lightning Fast Document Creation: A user-friendly interface helps to customize and generate documents directly within Salesforce, and quick template adjustments simplify complex processes for long-term efficiency.
- Advanced eSignature Solutions: Streamline your eSignature processes with flexibility, while ensuring your digital document signings are secure.
- Efficient Bulk Document Generation: Harness the power to automate the creation of numerous customized documents with speed and simplicity.
In today’s fast-paced and digitally driven business environment, the management of documents and security of the eSignatures can be a complex and challenging task. Businesses often have a range of different needs, from eSignature requirements to fully flexible data merging and document generation.
This usually means that businesses look for advanced document generation and eSignature solutions with the ability to simplify these processes, while also integrating them directly within Salesforce. For both newcomers and seasoned Salesforce professionals, the allure of automating these essential functions is undeniable. This is where this transformative tool comes in, which is uniquely designed to merge Salesforce data into personalized documents and completely automate these manual tasks, making them more efficient, secure, and customized to each organization’s needs.
With advanced features, such as lightning-fast document creation through a user-friendly interface, sophisticated automation for bulk document generation, and powerful eSignature solutions that ensure security and compliance, it caters to a variety of needs.
This in-depth overview takes a deep dive into how PDF Butler’s focus on being a Salesforce-native and Salesforce-only solution offers an intuitive setup, and due to their Salesforce expertise, plays a pivotal role in automating document workflows – thereby improving compliance and delivering personalized experiences to end users.
Features
Document Generation
The true power of PDF Butler lies in its ability to not only merge Salesforce data from standard and custom objects with traditional document elements or with other ISV solutions, but also have the ability to create unique components for customers to match their needs, allowing for the creation of documents that not only contain text, but are also enriched with live Salesforce data.
This fusion ensures that each document is personalized and up-to-date, including the ability to have multi-language support, while also maintaining consistency in branding and information accuracy across all communications.
Prepare Salesforce Data to be Merged
Before you can merge your data into your document templates, PDF Butler first needs to know what data will be included. This is normally done through a query and PDF Butler has built a very intuitive interface to help build those queries. You first create a new Data Source record and then click on the SOQL Builder button.
The SOQL builder (which is part of creating a Data Source for the generated documents) provides you with a point-and-click capability for creating SOQL queries for the data you wish to pull through to your document.
It is very important that all of the fields you wish to include in your document are part of the SOQL query. Once you’ve selected the fields you wish to include, simply click Save and the SOQL query will be saved on the Data Source you created earlier!
NB: Advanced users (SOQL ‘wizards’) may wish to write out the SOQL query directly rather than use the SOQL builder.
Merge Salesforce Data into Different Documents
Leveraging the seamless integration between Salesforce and PDF Butler, transforming existing templates or Word files into dynamic, data-rich documents becomes very straightforward. You can create your first DocConfig within PDFButler and then jump straight into the document configuration page.
Users can effortlessly embed Salesforce data in their documents, be it information from a single record, multiple records, or a combination of related record data. This is done through creating different Config Types which store the merge fields you need to include in your document template.
A Config Type will make the link between data and the action to take on the MergeField in the Document Template. There are a number of different types available, such as Table, Rich Text, Address, and Picture, to name a few.
PDF Butler understands the importance of simplifying and streamlining the document creation process by providing the option to use your existing document templates, ensuring your corporate identity and branding are always front and center. The templates do not contain embedded logic, making updates as straightforward as editing a Word document and uploading it back to PDF Butler.
This approach not only preserves the integrity of your branding across all documents but also simplifies template management. This improves and speeds up not only the implementation but also the management of your document templates in the long term.
Once you’ve created the Config Types for each of the merge fields you wish to include and have added these merge fields to your document template, you’re ready to upload the template into PDF Butler.
Once uploaded, PDF Butler has a feature that scans the document for any potential errors and provides you with best-practice advice on what changes you should make. This can help prevent erroneous documents from being generated (and sent out) by highlighting these issues during the configuration process.
You may have several documents that will be used for different scenarios. The quantity of these documents will probably increase over time and you may have a requirement to use different documents for different departments and use cases. This is where PDF Butler’s Lightning Component comes in very handy.
You can add the Lightning Component to the Object’s Lightning Page and choose which specific DocConfig (the document configuration you created earlier) you wish to use for the component.
Using a combination of standard Salesforce functionality with the PDF Butler Lightning component, you can determine who can see the component. You can even have the component on the page multiple times but filter for different use cases and profiles to ensure that the right document generation is surfaced at the right time. Once this has been done, the component shows on the page.
Clicking either of the available buttons will generate the document with the merge fields you set up earlier.
Furthermore, PDF Butler document generation also supports other file types such as Word, Excel, PDF, and PowerPoint, offering an additional layer of customization. This process underscores the flexibility and efficiency of using PDF Butler for document generation, catering to the diverse needs of businesses looking to enhance their Salesforce document management workflow.
Automation Is Key
Having set up and prepared document generation capabilities using PDF Butler, you may find that you do not wish to wait for users to click a button.
If you’re looking for efficiency gain, harnessing the power of Salesforce automation using Lightning Flow to streamline document creation will lead to significant improvements. PDF Butler supports this process by making its features available to Lightning Flow – simplify the creation of documents, while also ensuring consistency and relevance by automatically pulling in the required Salesforce data at predefined times, all based on the specific criteria you set in your Lightning Flow.
Simply create your flow with the desired entry criteria (such as an Opportunity reaching “Closed Won” or a quote reaching the negotiation stage where terms and conditions need to be sent over) and then add the Apex action to your flow, making sure you choose the “Call PDF Butler” Apex action within it.
Set your input values as you would when adding the input values to the Lightning Component, confirming which DocConfig you wish to use, and the “Call PDF Butler” Apex action will generate the document for you automatically.
Batch Document Generation
BULK Butler enhances your capacity to quickly create numerous dynamic and personalized documents, including invoices, contracts, reports, and price lists, with unmatched speed and efficiency. This solution allows for the effortless automation of document generation processes. It also gives you the option to either eliminate the necessity for intricate coding by using Salesforce Lightning Flows, or to customize your own programmatic logic and complete the batch document generation via Apex.
Batch Document Generation via Apex
BULK Butler allows you to create your own programmatic method of generating documents in bulk by providing you with the Apex Class and methods you need to do so. BULK Butler even provides you with the documentation to get you started, which can be found in the BULK Butler Academy.
Batch Document Generation via Salesforce Flow
For those users who either aren’t as up to date with Apex or would just prefer to use a declarative method, BULK Butler also allows you to generate documents in bulk using Lightning Flow. This can be done using variables in a screen flow – for example:
Alternatively, you can create List variables via Flow, which allows you to pass on a list of, for instance, IDs to be processed by BULK Butler:
Document Signing (SIGN Butler)
The essence of SIGN Butler, PDF Butler’s eSignature functionality, is its seamless integration with Salesforce, enabling the execution of digital signatures directly within your documents. This capability ensures secure and efficient signing processes, enhancing the experience for both the sender and the recipient. With PDF Butler, every digital signature is embedded in a manner that guarantees the document’s integrity, compliance, and legal validity, while also offering a streamlined experience that supports quick approvals and transactions.
Plus, PDF Butler has more advanced features, such as ID and Liveness Verification, which enables signers to authenticate their identity by scanning their government-issued ID and undergoing a facial scan via camera. This allows individuals to verify their identity, ensuring a secure and trustworthy transaction process.
Automated Multi-Signer Routing
SIGN Butler optimizes deal closure by introducing automated routing for documents that require multiple signatories. This feature, coupled with timed expirations and automated reminders, ensures that documents are signed in a timely manner, reducing delays in the sales process.
Interactive Document Completion
The platform enhances document accuracy and completeness by enabling signers to fill out any missing information directly within the signing process, which updates the corresponding field in Salesforce, thereby increasing overall efficiency and reducing the need for follow-up corrections.
Salesforce-Integrated Data Storage
Unique in its integration with Salesforce, SIGN Butler ensures that all signed documents and associated data are stored directly within your Salesforce organization, offering an added layer of security and simplifying data management.
Flexible Signing Experience
With SIGN Butler, the ability to send and sign documents is not confined by location or device, offering the ultimate convenience for users who need to manage document signing remotely and across different platforms.
Use Cases
As PDF Butler is built natively on the Salesforce platform, it can cater to a wide variety of different use cases, industries, and functional areas, regardless of which Salesforce Cloud they may be using that is built on force.com. This will allow businesses to significantly enhance their operations, whether in sales, customer service, or any scenario requiring efficient data management and document generation and processing.
Accelerated Sales Cycles With Automated Document Creation
PDF Butler’s no-code document generation platform empowers sales teams to produce personalized and data-rich proposals, quotes, and contracts directly from Salesforce. This automation ensures not only speed but also accuracy – reducing the time from lead to deal closure and elevating customer satisfaction.
Enhanced Patient Engagement in Healthcare
In healthcare, PDF Butler can be used to generate personalized patient communications, treatment plans, and consent forms. The seamless integration with Salesforce Health Cloud ensures data privacy and compliance, helping businesses be HIPPA compliant, while the eSignature feature supports remote consent, accelerating patient care pathways and improving patient experiences.
Optimized Operations in Manufacturing and Logistics
Manufacturing and logistics companies can utilize PDF Butler for generating custom reports, work orders, and shipping documents. As many manufacturing businesses use a large volume of images in their day-to-day operations, PDF Butler is uniquely equipped to handle this due a custom-built feature that optimizes images. By automating these processes, businesses can reduce manual errors, improve operational efficiency, and ensure seamless communication across the supply chain.
Efficient Project Management and Reporting
For project management, PDF Butler streamlines the creation of progress reports, project plans, and stakeholder updates. By automatically pulling project data from Salesforce, project managers can produce detailed, up-to-date documents that reflect current milestones, budget statuses, and team performance. This not only saves time but also ensures accuracy and consistency in communications with clients and internal stakeholders.
Impact
These examples represent just a glimpse of the potential applications of PDF Butler. With its powerful document generation and eSignature capabilities, PDF Butler enables businesses across various sectors to automate their document workflows, improve compliance, and deliver personalized experiences, thereby achieving faster results and operational excellence with clicks, not code.
Setup
Getting started with PDF Butler involves a few straightforward steps to ensure your team is ready to maximize its comprehensive document generation capabilities. PDF Butler offers a 30-day trial that will allow you to get started quickly. The first step is completing the installation of the PDF Butler managed package from the AppExchange listing. In addition, the PDF Butler Academy has an extensive collection of knowledge articles, providing you with step-by-step instructions, as well as comprehensive videos that help you get started quickly.
Licensing
Once the app has been installed, you will need to enable users in your Salesforce environment to access PDF Butler by assigning PDF Butler licenses. Navigate to Setup > Apps > Packaging > Installed Packages in Salesforce. Here, under Package Name, locate PDF Butler and click on Manage Licenses to assign or remove licenses as needed.
Permission Assignment
Users also require the PDF Butler permission set to access the application fully. There are a number of permission sets based on each user’s job function.
Once the licenses have been assigned to users, Navigate to Setup > Users > Choose specific User > Permission Set Assignments. Here, click Edit Assignments, allocate the appropriate PDF Butler permissions sets, and click on Save.
Admin Registration
Once the licenses and permission sets have been assigned to users, you will also need to register the application with PDF Butler to ensure that everything will work properly.
Here’s a handy video to help, but essentially, it’s a case of creating a username and password, as shown below:
These initial setup steps lay the groundwork for PDF Butler to become an integral part of your document generation strategy. After it has been installed, you can also follow the Knowledge Base (available on the PDF Butler Academy) for more details on how to configure and use the solution.
Support
As mentioned above, PDF Butler offers the PDF Butler Academy for immediate support and expert assistance – a one-stop shop with written documentation and user guides, tips and tricks, as well as FAQS. In addition to this, PDF Butler has an average 5-star rating on the Salesforce AppExchange, in large part due to its competent and responsive support team.
The PDF Butler University portal is another user-friendly option for further learning, providing you with access to the courses you have been signed up for.
Pricing
Each customer is provided with the option to choose PDF Butler’s natively-built document generation product or combine it with other products, such as SIGN Butler, Collaboration Butler, and FORM Butler. Regardless of choice, each of the products has a 30-day free trial so you can ensure it’s a good fit for your company and the use cases you intend to fulfill.
PDF Butler offers a default plan that is based on a “per user per license” basis. For other pricing structures, such as license per document, per envelope, communities, and batch, customers will need to get in touch with PDF Butler directly for a customized quote. Further details can be found on the PDF Butler AppExchange listing.
Summary
In the landscape of Salesforce-enhanced document generation and signing, PDF Butler aims to simplify the way businesses manage documents by seamlessly merging Salesforce data into personalized documents and facilitating a streamlined eSignature process. This dual capability not only streamlines document workflows but also ensures a flawless user experience – for both internal users crafting the documents and external clients interacting with them.
The platform’s no-code approach allows for intricate customization and flexibility, enabling organizations to create complex documents and signature processes swiftly, without the need for extensive technical knowledge. With PDF Butler, companies have at their disposal a comprehensive solution that evolves alongside their Salesforce implementation, promising an ever-improving platform to meet specific organizational needs.
To fully appreciate its capabilities, consider a demo or trial to see how PDF Butler’s intelligent features can simplify and enhance your own Salesforce document generation and eSignature strategy.