ERP Integration Architectural Considerations for Lead to Invoice
When you evaluate Salesforce Billing as part of a lead-to-invoice solution, consider the
other systems necessary to perform billing functions such as payments and revenue recognition
reporting. You’ll also need to define the scope in which you use Salesforce Billing to integrate
with an ERP. (Salesforce Billing Managed Package)
Required Editions
Available in: All Salesforce Billing Editions
Invoice and Invoice Line Record Data Generation
The most critical lead-to-invoice integration point falls on the invoice and invoice line
objects. These objects integrate with an ERP system, which then performs payments,
adjustments, revenue recognition reporting, A/R, and financial reporting.
The invoice and its related Salesforce records contain all the information needed to
determine what the customer is charged, when payment is due, and what to recognize for
revenue. The invoice also drives A/R and supports financial reporting. Salesforce Billing
generates all relevant invoice data including dates, quantities, and totals for calculating
tax and customer presentation. Salesforce stores this data and then passes it to the ERP
system for actual data.
For example, you could use Salesforce Billing for the creation of invoice and invoice line
data, then send that information downstream to an ERP system for the next billing processes
and balance management. In this scenario, Salesforce is the source of invoice charge
information while the ERP system is the master for payments, adjustments, and the invoice and
account balance.
Tax Management
Lead-to-Invoice solutions don’t require tax calculation in Salesforce. Salesforce Billing
provides flexible options for calculating tax via Salesforce native tax, third-party tax
integrations, or in the downstream ERP system.
Salesforce’s native tax engine and third-party integrations calculate and apply tax during
invoice posting. Salesforce Billing then sends the invoice lines downstream to the ERP for
digital or printed presentation and distribution. Invoice lines are also sent to the general
ledger.
If you don’t calculate tax in Salesforce, Salesforce Billing sends invoice data downstream
to the ERP for tax calculation. Tax information will not appear in Salesforce unless the
integration sends it back.
Invoice Presentation & Distribution
The invoice presentation process takes Salesforce-generated invoice data and formats it
into a digital or printed format for the customer. Like taxation, invoice presentation and
distribution doesn’t need to happen in Salesforce. However, Salesforce can still support it
using a third-party tool.
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