CHANGE SETS SALESFORCE
For enterprise customers, Salesforce provides an array of solutions that are invaluable in streamlining operations and increasing efficiency. Change sets are one such solution that facilitates moving configuration and code changes between Salesforce environments. Whether you are copying metadata, releasing a new version of a Salesforce application, or rolling back a botched update, change sets can save a significant amount of time and money. To start off, let’s break down what is involved when it comes to deploying configurations and code changes to a Salesforce environment. First, changes must be tested and approved in a non-production environment, such as a sandbox. Second, changes must be then manually copied to a target salesforce environment via the Salesforce user interface. Lastly, changes must be approved and deployed to the target environment once they are verified. When utilized correctly, change sets can simplify and expedite the process of transporting changes between Salesforce environments. Essentially, they act as a “collection” of changes made in a certain Salesforce setup. The ability to group changes logically helps Salesforce administrators to package and transfer changes en masse, streamlining the process of approving and deploying changes. At a technical level, what makes change sets so powerful is their ability to directly upload data into Salesforce using a graphical user interface. Administrators can quickly and easily create change sets and specify the objects, code, and configurations to move. Once the data is received, it's validated chunk-by-chunk and deployed accordingly. This saves significant amounts of time and eliminates potential errors due to manual entry. In addition, when applied in the right scenario, change sets can have tremendous cost savings. For example, in an application with frequent updates, change sets allow administrators to quickly deploy changes, eliminating the need to manually deploy and validate iterative changes. This saves expenses from prolonged testing and eliminates bugs due to confusion or missed steps in the process. However, it’s important to note that change sets are not an entirely foolproof approach. When configurations change often and the target environment differs from the source environment, change sets become difficult to manage. This is because, when the source and target environments do not match, change sets cannot accurately determine what should be deployed. In addition, change sets do not capture changes to relationships between objects and can fail when attempting to move certain objects such as custom tabs or lightning components. Overall, when used correctly, change sets offer a tremendous boost in efficiency, both in terms of time and cost savings. For organizations looking to maximize their return on investment, change sets provide an invaluable solution for getting changes from source to target environment with minimal effort. However, utilizing change sets effectively requires careful planning and consideration of both the source and target environments. With the right tools and preparation, organizations can reap the full benefits of change sets, including cost savings and peace of mind.
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