Architects / Events

Key Takeaways for Architects from TrailblazerDX ‘24

By Andrew Cook

In the complex and multifaceted world of Salesforce architecture, staying at the forefront of technological advancements and best practices is crucial. TrailblazerDX has long been a beacon for those of us who navigate the strategic and technical intricacies of designing robust, scalable, and innovative Salesforce solutions. This year’s event proved to be a goldmine of insights, strategies, and trends that are set to redefine the architectural landscape of Salesforce ecosystems.

For Salesforce Architects, TrailblazerDX is more than just a conference; it’s a vital checkpoint in the ongoing journey of professional growth and architectural mastery. Let’s not forget that it was at this event (albeit at the time called TrailheaDX) where Ruth the mascot for architects was unveiled, showcasing Salesforce’s commitment to the architect role. In this post, I’m going to go through the key takeaways from TrailblazerDX that all architects need to be aware of.

The Architecture of Einstein Copilot

Einstein Copilot is the talk of the town. Admins and developers all want to get their hands on it. All good architects will have taken a step back from this and thought about the larger impact these new tools may have – learning about the architecture behind Einstein Copilot will be a welcome addition for all architects.

Understanding where the Einstein 1 platform sits in relation to the UI and your existing data is vital for ensuring you architect your solutions correctly, only using the tools you need to use. 

What’s Next For Well-Architected?

Susannah Plaisted gave us some really exciting updates on Salesforce Well-Architected. It’s expanding to include some heavy hitters: Data Cloud, Financial Services Cloud, and Communications Cloud. This move is a game-changer because, until now, Well-Architected was all about getting the most out of Salesforce’s core platform. 

By bringing these specialized clouds into the mix, Salesforce is acknowledging that different industries have their own set of challenges and needs when it comes to data and customer management.

What this means for developers and businesses is pretty exciting. It’s not just about making apps anymore; it’s about making them smarter, more tailored, and more effective for specific sectors. Whether you’re handling massive data sets, navigating the complex world of financial services, or keeping up with the fast-paced demands of communications, Salesforce is aiming to give you a roadmap that’s designed just for you. 

It’s a sign that Salesforce is serious about supporting a wider range of industries with tools and guidelines that speak directly to their unique requirements.

Data Cloud Best Practices

Some really important practices around Data Cloud were also announced which Architects need to keep in mind. First and foremost is the importance of recognizing the System of Record for each data source, ensuring that data integrity and source reliability are maintained. 

Before leveraging data for segmentation, activation, analytics, or other purposes, it’s crucial to map the data from a Data Lake Object (DLO) to a Data Model Object (DMO). This process lays the groundwork for effective data utilization across various business functions.

Moreover, architects are advised to approach Salesforce Data Cloud with a strategic mindset rather than hastily executing tasks. It’s essential to use Party Identification methods to match data using external and third-party identifiers such as licenses, device IDs, and loyalty numbers, ensuring alignment with the specific use case in mind. 

Additionally, understanding the functionalities of different connectors and the timing considerations for data ingress (incoming) and egress (outgoing) is vital. This knowledge ensures efficient data flow management, facilitating seamless data integration and extraction processes tailored to organizational needs.

Salesforce Scale Testing

From an architect’s point of view, running a scale test in Salesforce is all about making sure the system can handle what’s thrown at it, without breaking a sweat. Imagine putting the Salesforce setup through a workout, simulating the real deal – loads of data, heaps of transactions, and a bunch of users all at it simultaneously. It’s about spotting where things might slow down or get stuck before they actually do. 

By doing this, architects can figure out the best setup, tweak things to run smoother, and ensure that as the business grows. Salesforce can then keep up, ensuring everyone using it gets a smooth ride without any hiccups.

With this in mind, it was really interesting to see guidance on creating your very own Scale Test Strategy. Covering the how, when, where, and why, the above diagram shows how simple yet effective getting a good strategy in place can make all the difference.

Summary

TrailblazerDX this year was a treasure trove for Salesforce Architects, offering fresh insights on everything from Einstein Copilot’s ‘nuts and bolts’ to expanding the Well-Architected framework with new clouds for different industries. It highlighted the need to get smart about using data with the Data Cloud and the importance of prepping Salesforce to handle growth without a hitch through scale testing. 

Do you have a favorite announcement that should have made the list? Let us know in the comments below…

The Author

Andrew Cook

Andrew is 14x certified and has worked in the ecosystem for 12 years.

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