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Heroku Connect is a data synchronization service that bridges Salesforce and Heroku Postgres databases. It enables automatic, bidirectional data flow between your Salesforce CRM and PostgreSQL databases hosted on Heroku.
Heroku Connect operates by creating a real-time sync layer between Salesforce objects and PostgreSQL tables. When you configure a mapping, it automatically creates corresponding database tables that mirror your Salesforce schema. Changes in either system propagate to the other within minutes.
The service uses Salesforce's API infrastructure to poll for changes and apply them to your database. Similarly, database writes trigger updates back to Salesforce, maintaining consistency across both platforms.
Heroku Connect offers several powerful capabilities. It supports both read and write operations, allowing full bidirectional synchronization. The service handles schema changes automatically, updating database structures when Salesforce fields are modified.
Data mappings are configurable, letting you choose exactly which Salesforce objects and fields to sync. You can filter records using SOQL queries to sync only relevant data subsets.
Organizations use Heroku Connect to build custom applications that need Salesforce data without API rate limits. It's ideal for analytics dashboards, reporting tools, and customer portals that require direct SQL access to CRM data.
Development teams leverage it to create microservices that interact with Salesforce data using standard database tools instead of complex API integrations.
The main advantage is simplicity - you get Salesforce data in a SQL database without building custom integration code. This reduces development time and eliminates API governance concerns.
However, Heroku Connect has limitations. Sync delays typically range from 2-10 minutes, making it unsuitable for real-time applications. The service can be expensive at scale, and Heroku's platform restrictions apply.
