Why Choose a Salesforce-Native Billing Management Solution?

A Salesforce-native billing management solution is a billing and invoicing app built on the Salesforce Platform, featuring the same technological foundations. It allows Salesforce users to bill and invoice using customer data on Salesforce, the leading cloud customer relationship management (CRM) platform worldwide.

For companies that are already using Salesforce, this is one way to streamline the entire business lifecycle—from winning deals and delivering services to nurturing customer success, managing financials, and securing renewals—all on a single, unified platform.

Read on below as we discuss how to determine whether a billing solution is Salesforce-native, how it benefits Salesforce users, and how to choose the right one for your services business.

Does Salesforce Have a Billing Tool?

Yes. Salesforce has the Salesforce Billing add-on and Salesforce-native billing solutions, each with different specifications and specializations. This gives you options, allowing you to choose a solution that best fits your company’s technological structure, billing needs, and organizational goals.

For example, the Salesforce Billing add-on is designed for companies with straightforward sales-to-billing processes and sales-driven revenue. In these companies, invoicing, payment collection, and revenue tracking happen right after closing a deal.

But some companies have more complex billing processes. They may have operations-driven revenue models or are seeking Salesforce billing systems with full professional services automation (PSA), ERP, or PSA + ERP functionalities. This is where Salesforce-native options step in.

How to Know Whether a Billing Solution Is Salesforce-Native

A Salesforce-native billing management solution shares the same database, customer record, security model, and user interface as Salesforce. This enables full integration, giving users a tight and seamless user experience and the ability to maximize the CRM platform’s existing capabilities.

Take note: not all billing software that works on Salesforce is native to the platform. Non-native solutions use middleware, APIs, and other external connectors to sync with Salesforce, but they aren’t developed using Salesforce’s tools and technology infrastructure.

5 Benefits of Salesforce-Native Billing Software

Many businesses use Salesforce-native billing solutions to optimize their Salesforce CRM. Native billing apps empower businesses to create one billing center for their front and back office, rather than have billing data spread across disparate systems.

By using invoicing apps native to Salesforce, finance teams get a master customer record complete with billing data and customer interactions with that data, making invoicing, billing, auditing, and compliance a breeze.

Below are other benefits businesses get from choosing Salesforce-native billing solutions:

1. Bridge the gap between Salesforce CRM and your PSA or ERP system.

• Invoices are created directly from the CRM, eliminating CRM/billing discrepancies.
• The system auto-generates associated General Ledger and Accounts Receivable entries with each invoice.
• Entries can be exported to your PSA/ERP system for posting, with the option for complete automation using the Salesforce Platform or third-party integration tools.

2. Empower sales, customer service, and delivery teams.

• Manage ordering, invoicing, cash application, and collections within the Salesforce Platform.
• Provide full visibility of customer billings to sales, customer service, and delivery teams, improving customer service and reducing disputes.
• Empower teams to assist with collections effectively.

3. Bill quickly and expedite collections.

• Automate your billing process, generate invoices accurately, and reduce payment processing time.
• Accommodate one-time bills, recurring bills, payment schedules, and batch invoicing while ensuring sales tax compliance.

4. Turn any revenue-generating activity into an invoice.

• Easily turn any activity tracked on the Salesforce Platform into a bill using simple point-and-click mapping tools and more.
• Automate accounting entries for seamless integration with legacy PSA/ERP systems or real-time posting to Salesforce-native accounting systems.

5. Manage and scale easily using Salesforce-compatible tools and interface (for IT departments).

• It’s native to the platform, offering ‘clicks, not code’ customization and integration.
• Master one toolset instantly, with unified data and consistent processes, workflows, and security.

How to Choose the Right Salesforce-Native Billing Solution for Your Business

Your business is unique, so the right Salesforce-native billing solution must align with your companies’ needs and goals. Here are three factors to consider when choosing a solution:

1. Industry specialization
   
   Some solutions’ core strengths make them ideal for product-based companies, and some make them ideal for services-based businesses. For example, Certinia’s billing management solution is optimized to address the nuances of professional services and can tightly integrate billing, resource allocation, project management, and time tracking.
   
2. Billing complexity
   
   Does your company use a sales-based billing model or operations-based billing model? In a sales-based model, revenue is recognized after a sales closure, so invoicing and billing are often straightforward. Product-based organizations often have this kind of billing system.
   In an operations-based model, revenue is recognized after operational events, so billing can be milestone-based, usage-based, or multi-tiered. Professional services often have this kind of billing model.
   
3. Billings models offered
   
   If your business offers a variety of billing models, make sure your billing solution can handle them. There are solutions that can handle a mix of different billing models, from subscription-based billing and usage-based billing to time-and-materials (T&M) billing, fixed-fee billing, and services billing—all on one app.
   

Centralize, Streamline, and Automate Billing with the Right Salesforce-Native Solution

With the right Salesforce-native billing solution, services businesses can close deals more quickly, invoice promptly, ensure swift customer payments, and establish an end-to-end audit trail—all on the Salesforce Platform. The right solution will also help you optimize your Salesforce CRM according to your business’ unique needs.

Built native to the Salesforce Platform, Certinia Services Billing is ideal for professional services with complex billing needs. It is designed to integrate with your operational data, project and resource management systems, and financials, making it a flexible and comprehensive solution for high-growth and enterprise services businesses.

With Certinia billing and invoicing on Salesforce, you can:

• Create accurate invoices with a single click
• Generate invoices from opportunities, quotes, or custom objects
• Customize invoice formats for email or printing
• Simplify integration between cloud and on-premises PSA/ERP systems
• Integrate seamlessly with your existing cloud accounting systems or your preferred PSA/ERP system
• Offer finance, sales, and service teams a comprehensive 360° view of the customer
• Reduce resources required for billing and accounts receivable inquiries
• Enhance visibility with comprehensive account and revenue reporting on the Salesforce Platform

Learn more about how you can benefit from Certinia’s cloud billing software that connects intuitively with the world’s leading CRM.

Optimize Cash Flow and Accelerate Billing Processes with Certinia Billing on Salesforce

33-50%

Improved days sales outstanding (DSO)

50-100%

Improved close times

1 Click

Reporting in seconds, not hours