Using Salesforce Connect & OData for Real-Time SAP Data Access
Introduction: Why Real-Time SAP Data Matters
In today’s data-driven enterprise, real-time access to ERP data is not optional—it’s a strategic necessity.
Sales teams, finance departments, and operations leaders all rely on up-to-date SAP information to make fast, accurate decisions.
According to Yomai.io, integrating Salesforce Connect with OData unlocks seamless, real-time data sharing between SAP and Salesforce. This combination enables businesses to view live ERP data directly within Salesforce without duplication or delays.
What Is Salesforce Connect and How Does It Work?
Salesforce Connect lets users view and interact with external data as if it were native to Salesforce—without copying it. Instead of importing records, it creates External Objects that reference live data through a connection like OData.
Key Advantages of Salesforce Connect
- No need for ETL or data replication
- Real-time visibility of external data
- Minimal storage usage inside Salesforce
- Unified experience in Lightning pages and reports
According to Salesforce, Connect reduces integration time by up to 50% compared to traditional data synchronization.
Understanding OData: The Backbone of Real-Time Connectivity
OData (Open Data Protocol) is an open standard that defines how to query and manipulate data using REST APIs.
It’s natively supported by SAP via SAP Gateway, making it the ideal bridge between ERP and CRM systems.
Why OData Matters
- Standardized: Works consistently across platforms like SAP, Microsoft, and Salesforce.
- Lightweight: Uses simple HTTP verbs (GET, POST, PATCH, DELETE).
- Queryable: Supports filtering, sorting, and pagination via URL parameters.
- Secure: Compatible with OAuth 2.0 and SAML authentication.
When Salesforce Connect uses OData, it can read, query, and update SAP data in real time, without storing a single record locally.
How Yomai.io Delivers Real-Time SAP Access in Salesforce
Yomai.io extends Salesforce Connect capabilities with intelligent OData orchestration, enabling enterprises to deploy real-time data access in a fraction of the time.
Yomai’s Integration Flow
- Expose SAP OData Services – SAP Gateway publishes data entities (e.g., Orders, Customers) as REST endpoints.
- Establish Secure Connection – Yomai handles OAuth 2.0 authentication and SSL encryption between SAP and Salesforce.
- Map and Model Data – Yomai automatically maps SAP fields to Salesforce External Objects using AI-assisted mapping.
- Enable Real-Time Views – Salesforce users access SAP data instantly via standard UI components like reports, dashboards, and record pages.
This architecture ensures zero data duplication, full compliance, and instant visibility into ERP operations.
Benefits of OData-Based Real-Time Integration
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Live Data Access | View SAP data instantly in Salesforce without replication. |
| Lower Storage Costs | External data doesn’t consume Salesforce storage. |
| Enterprise Security | All data remains within SAP, under existing access controls. |
| Performance at Scale | Query optimization and caching ensure fast, stable performance. |
| Compliance Ready | Centralized data governance simplifies audits and security reviews. |
With Yomai.io, companies can deploy real-time SAP–Salesforce connectivity up to 3x faster than with manual OData configurations.
Real Use Case: Retail Chain Gains 40% Faster Fulfillment
A global retail chain needed live access to SAP inventory data from Salesforce to enable faster order processing.
Using Yomai.io’s OData-powered Salesforce Connect integration, the company achieved:
- 40% faster order fulfillment due to real-time stock visibility
- Elimination of nightly batch jobs, cutting synchronization time from hours to seconds
- Unified reporting, combining SAP logistics and Salesforce customer data in one dashboard
“Our sales reps now see exactly what’s in stock, live. It completely changed how we manage customer expectations.” – Retail Operations Manager
Performance and Scaling Considerations
For enterprises managing millions of records, performance is critical.
Yomai.io optimizes OData queries through:
- Intelligent Query Filtering: Fetches only required fields to minimize payloads.
- Smart Caching: Stores temporary query results to reduce SAP system load.
- Connection Pooling: Manages concurrent requests efficiently under heavy use.
- Adaptive Throttling: Dynamically regulates API call frequency to prevent overload.
For in-depth guidance, see High Performance Data Sync for SAP–Salesforce.
Global Integration and Governance
In multinational environments, Yomai.io provides multi-region support, enabling localized OData connections compliant with regional data laws (GDPR, PDPA, etc.).
Each connection can operate within its geographic boundary while maintaining a unified integration layer.
Learn more in Global SAP–Salesforce Integration Best Practices.
FAQs
1. What is OData and why is it ideal for SAP–Salesforce integration?
OData is an open protocol that allows standardized access to SAP data over HTTP, enabling Salesforce to query ERP data in real time without replication.
2. Does Salesforce Connect store SAP data inside Salesforce?
No. It displays SAP data as external objects, meaning the data stays in SAP and updates dynamically.
3. How does Yomai.io secure data transmission?
Yomai uses enterprise-grade security: OAuth 2.0 authentication, SSL encryption, and token-based access control.
4. Can I customize the SAP data view in Salesforce?
Yes. You can define custom external objects, filters, and Lightning layouts to tailor how SAP data appears to users.
5. What’s the performance impact on SAP systems?
Minimal. Yomai’s query optimization and caching reduce SAP load while maintaining real-time response times.
Key Statistics and Insights
- 60% of Salesforce enterprises use Connect for external integrations (Salesforce, 2024)
- 50% reduction in integration time with OData (OASIS, 2023)
- 30% faster decision-making in companies adopting real-time ERP–CRM data sharing (Gartner, 2025)
- Up to 3x faster deployment with Yomai.io’s automated setup (Yomai internal data, 2025)
Conclusion: Real-Time ERP–CRM Integration Made Simple
Salesforce Connect and OData have transformed how enterprises access SAP data—turning complex integrations into real-time, secure, and transparent connections.
Yomai.io takes this foundation further, adding automation, AI mapping, and scalable orchestration to deliver enterprise-grade results in days, not months.
Experience live ERP data in Salesforce today.
👉 Contact Yomai.io to explore your real-time integration options.