Salesforce Developer Podcast

229: AsyncAPI and Event-Driven Architecture Using MuleSoft with Alex Martinez Oct 28, 2024

Join us as we discuss event-driven architectures (EDA) with MuleSoft's latest capabilities with Alex Martinez. The discussion will explore the integration of AsyncAPI specifications, which streamline the transition from REST to event-driven systems, enabling high-volume asynchronous communications and improved API lifecycle management.

The conversation highlights tools like Anypoint Studio and Anypoint Code Builder that simplify complex integrations using messaging technologies such as Kafka, Solace, and Salesforce Platform Events. Whether new to EDA or an experienced developer, this episode is packed with valuable information and resources to elevate integration strategies and deepen understanding of the future of software development.

Show Highlights:

Transitioning from REST to event-driven systems using async API specifications.
Exploration of MuleSoft tools like Anypoint Studio and Anypoint Code Builder for API design and management.
Benefits of using MuleSoft for integrating messaging technologies like Kafka, Solace, Anypoint MQ, and Salesforce Platform Events.
Importance of API governance for maintaining compliance and consistency across specifications.

Links:

Build Real-Time AI Experiences with MuleSoft - https://www.salesforce.com/plus/experience/dreamforce_2024/series/it_at_dreamforce_2024/episode/episode-s1e24
AsyncAPI Support to Implement Event-Driven Architecture - https://docs.mulesoft.com/release-notes/platform/event-driven-api

228: Retrieval Augmented Generation using Data Cloud with Dave Norris Oct 14, 2024

Australia's Dave Norris joins us in exploring the cutting-edge techniques of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and hybrid search methods. We delve into the limitations of traditional keyword searches in the face of unstructured data like PDFs and emails, which make up a significant portion of enterprise data. By using Data Cloud and hyperscalers like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, Dave shows how to transform chaotic data into intelligent search engines.

The discussion highlights the role of context in AI-generated responses, illustrating this with the challenge of summarizing meetings without enough information. The episode also examines the potential of hybrid search technologies such as Agentforce and vector search, emphasizing the importance of prompt engineering in refining data retrieval.

Through examples from Dreamforce and fictional companies, listeners gain insights into how these technologies enhance user experiences by combining semantic and keyword searches, showcasing the advanced potential of modern search innovations.

Show Highlights:

Discussion on the limitations of traditional keyword searches in data retrieval.
Insights into the use of Data Cloud for managing unstructured data via hyperscalers like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Examination of hybrid search techniques, including Agentforce and vector search technology.
Focus on the importance of prompt engineering to enhance AI responses and prevent hallucinations.
Introduction to hybrid search, combining vector and keyword search for improved precision and relevance.

Links:

Using Retrieval Augmented Generation in Data Cloud — https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.c360_a_rag_overview.htm&type=5

227: Dreamforce 2024 with Philippe Ozil Sep 30, 2024

In this episode, we dive into the latest innovations and updates unveiled at Dreamforce 2024 with Philippe Ozil. We explore the refreshed Lightning Design System (SLDS2), which enhances accessibility and themability without disrupting customizations. Discover the game-changing Local Development (beta), offering real-time component updates and seamless page state maintenance. We also highlight new mobile capabilities, including native feature plugins and the empowering AgentForce suite designed for specialized AI agents.

Learn about significant advancements in Salesforce tooling, the benefits of local development without deployment, and the introduction of Core Cloud, a new sample app rich with educational resources. Don't miss insights from the latest developer keynote and future trends in Data Cloud and Data Graphs.

Show Highlights:

Deep dive into Lightning Web Components Local Development version 2.
New mobile capabilities and native feature plugins.
Advancements in Salesforce tooling, such as local development benefits without deployment to an org and hub module reloading.
Exploration of Core Cloud, a new sample app for developers focusing on agents, prompts, and Data Cloud.
Overview of Data Cloud features, new color themes, and future trends

Links:

Developer Keynote: Build the Future with the Platform - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80reYTg9xXI
LWC Local Development Server (Beta) - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/sfvscode-extensions/guide/lwclocaldev.html

226: Winter ’25 Release Highlights with Mohith Shrivastava Sep 16, 2024

In this episode, we welcome back Mohith Shrivastava to delve into the groundbreaking features of the Salesforce Winter '25 release. We discuss Agentforce, Salesforce's innovative AI agentic solution that leverages tools like Flows, Apex, and Prompt Builder to autonomously execute tasks. The episode also highlights advancements in Agent Builder (fka Copilot Builder) for creating assistive and autonomous agents, and the introduction of Agentforce for Developers.

Further, we explore significant updates in Salesforce Data Cloud, including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities, vector search, and the much-anticipated beta release of Data Cloud sandboxes. Finally, we touch on the new local development feature for Lightning Web Components (LWC) that provide real-time previews and rapid iterations.

Tune in to learn how these Winter '25 updates can elevate your Salesforce development and data management capabilities.

Show Highlights:

Enhancements to Copilot Builder with new topic-based action categorization for assistive and autonomous agents.
A chat agent for Salesforce developers to explain code, write test cases, and generate documentation.
Upcoming features like Data Cloud sandboxes for secure testing and new dependencies between Data Cloud and Salesforce platform packages for ISVs.
Lightning Web Components (LWC) advancements, including local development for real-time previews and rapid iterations.
New Apex feature preventing collection modification during iteration to enhance code stability and consistency.

Links:

The Salesforce Developer’s Guide to the Winter ’25 Release - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/09/winter25-developers

225: Einstein Models API with Alba Rivas Sep 02, 2024

Alba Rivas, a passionate Salesforce Developer Advocate, shares her insights on the power of Salesforce's Models API. Discover how this API enables developers to seamlessly integrate large language models via REST API or Apex, eliminating the need for custom code or prompt templates. Alba highlights the critical role of the Einstein Trust Layer in ensuring data security, compliance, and efficient integration with external models. Gain knowledge on AI implementation, including maintaining audit trails, monitoring data for toxicity, and using human feedback for refining AI systems.

We also explore the flexibility and capabilities of the Models API, offering a centralized interface for developers, along with resources like Postman collections, codeLive sessions, and an upcoming Trailhead module to support your journey in mastering generative AI with Salesforce.

Show Highlights:

Discussion on the Einstein Trust Layer's role in ensuring security, data masking, and compliance for generative AI applications.
Comparison between using prompt templates and the Models API.
Importance of maintaining an audit trail.
Focus on the value of human feedback in refining AI systems and the benefits of a centralized interface for developers.
Insights into practical AI implementation and the flexibility offered by the Models API.

Links:

Postman Collection - https://www.postman.com/salesforce-developers/workspace~34382471-0c97-40e5-a206-f947271665c4/collection/onih7sc/models-apis-beta
Einstein Models API Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/einstein/genai/guide/models-api.html
codeLive: Exploring the New Models API (Beta) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf95_ghGeNI

224: MuleSoft Intelligent Document Processing with Akshata Sawant Aug 19, 2024

In this episode, we sit down with expert Akshata Sawant to discuss MuleSoft Intelligent Document Processing (IDP). Akshata delves into how IDP uses AI to extract and organize data from a variety of unstructured documents, such as purchase orders, invoices, and driving licenses, using AWS Textract for exact information extraction. The discussion highlights IDP's seamless integration with multiple systems via REST API endpoints and its application in automating the processing of daily invoices received via email.

Learn about IDP's ability to handle different document structures without needing multiple templates and the crucial role of human oversight when the AI's confidence ratio falls below 80%, ensuring accuracy and reliability. This episode offers a comprehensive look at how IDP can revolutionize document workflows, balancing automation with human intervention, and provides valuable resources for further learning.

Show Highlights:

Using AI to extract and organize data from unstructured documents
Integration of AWS Textract for exact information extraction and seamless integration via REST API endpoints
Accessing and using IDP through the Anypoint Platform with ease
Managing different document structures without multiple templates and the role of human oversight for accuracy

Links:

Getting Started with Intelligent Document Processing: Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi160vy7gg4
Getting Started with Intelligent Document Processing: Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGvAypuzAvw
How to Get Started With Intelligent Document Processing - https://blogs.mulesoft.com/dev-guides/how-to-get-started-with-intelligent-document-processing/

223: Data Cloud Summer '24 Features with Danielle Larregui Aug 05, 2024

What groundbreaking features are making waves with Salesforce Data Cloud this summer? Join us for a conversation with Danielle Larregui as she walks us through the latest advancements in the Summer '24 release. We discuss the innovative ability to virtualize data model objects on account records and the extended reach of Enrichments to include more standard and custom objects. Plus, Danielle introduces new connectors like the Heroku Postgres connector for seamless data integration from Heroku to Data Cloud.

And that's not all! We also caught up with René to talk about the buzz surrounding the AI Now Tour. These tours are a fantastic opportunity for those eager to get hands-on with Einstein and Data Cloud. Happy listening!

Show Highlights:

Detailed discussion on Data Cloud's new functionalities, including virtualizing data model objects on account records
Expansion of Enrichments to more standard and custom objects
New connectors, specifically highlighting the Heroku Postgres connector for seamless data integration
Feature Manager in Data Cloud setup, enabling access to beta connectors

Links:

Data Cloud Connectors Overview - https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.c360_a_sources_targets.htm&type=5
Why the Heroku PostgreSQL Connector for Data Cloud is Important for Developers - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/06/heroku-postgres-connector-for-data-cloud
AI NOW Tour - https://developer.salesforce.com/ai-now-tour

222: Generative AI and Einstein with Charles Watkins Jul 22, 2024

Could integrating generative AI revolutionize your business processes? Join us as we sit down with Charles Watkins, the newest Salesforce Developer Advocate, to unveil the transformative capabilities of Salesforce's Prompt Builder. Charles shares a compelling example from his own support background, illustrating how this innovative tool can streamline the summarization and categorization of support cases. Learn how Prompt Builder simplifies switching between large language models like OpenAI and Microsoft Azure, making advanced AI accessible without complex integrations.

We also decode Salesforce's cutting-edge Models API, currently in beta, offering a granular, controlled approach to generative AI. Charles discusses how the API can be harnessed to build chat-based conversational AI apps, embeddings, and more using REST API and Apex interfaces. Discover the security advantages of the Einstein Trust Layer, which ensures data privacy, and hear about the impressive response times of models like GPT-4. This episode is a treasure trove for developers eager to experiment with Salesforce's open-gen AI ecosystem. Don't miss this opportunity to get inspired and elevate your AI game.

Show Highlights:

The Prompt Builder tool for automating business processes like summarizing and categorizing support cases.
Simplified integration with multiple large language models such as OpenAI and Microsoft Azure.
The new Models API for creating chat-based AI apps, embeddings, and text generation solutions.
Benefits of the Einstein Trust Layer for enhanced security and data privacy.
The rapid response times of models like GPT-4 and the lack of a streaming API.

Links:

Applying Fundamentals of Prompt Engineering with Prompt Builder - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/07/applying-fundamentals-of-prompt-engineering-with-prompt-builder
Using Prompt Builder, Flows, and Apex to Summarize and Classify Cases Faster - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/06/using-prompt-builder-flows-and-apex-to-summarize-and-classify-cases-faster
Prompt Builder for Developers Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgIMQe2PKPSIarRb6ud6odVxB1gv-hbO8
Einstein 1 Studio Developer Center - https://developer.salesforce.com/developer-centers/einstein-1-studio

221: MuleSoft Anypoint Code Builder with Alex Martinez Jul 08, 2024

Join us as we welcome Alex Martinez to discuss the latest updates on Anypoint Code Builder (ACB), a new IDE based on Visual Studio Code, which is set to replace the old Eclipse-based Anypoint Studio. Alex sheds light on the significant release that occurred on June 4th, 2024, bringing notable improvements to DataWeave and MUnit. You'll hear about the benefits of transitioning to a modern IDE, the enhanced capabilities for running MUnit tests, and the introduction of the DataWeave Expression Builder.

Listen in as we explore the recent enhancements in the MuleSoft ecosystem, including the ability to select different Java versions within Anypoint Studio and Anypoint Code Builder (ACB). We'll discuss the dual flavors of ACB — local and web-based IDEs — and their respective advantages, such as ease of configuration and flexibility for specific projects. This episode promises an exciting look ahead at future updates and the ongoing evolution of MuleSoft tools, sure to spark your interest in revisiting and exploring these new capabilities further.

Show Highlights:

Overview of ACB as a Visual Studio Code-based IDE
Enhancements in DataWeave and MUnit within ACB
User-friendly features of the DataWeave Expression Builder
Dual options of local and web-based IDEs in ACB
Support for different Java versions in both Anypoint Studio and ACB
New features, including async API support and improved API kit configurations

Links:

MuleSoft Anypoint Code Builder (ACB) Release Notes - https://docs.mulesoft.com/release-notes/code-builder/acb-release-notes
Anypoint Code Builder June '24 Release Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiONnRuKRuJCtQBGW9Qcrp_tCMgBmg0-F

220: Data Cloud for Developers with Dave Norris Jun 24, 2024

What if you could use the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform your business operations? In this episode, we welcome Dave Norris to discuss the profound impact of Salesforce's strategic acquisitions — such as ExactTarget, Pardot, Heroku, and Slack — on the developer ecosystem. We cover the intricacies of integrating diversified data systems and emphasize the importance of centralized data management through MuleSoft.

We'll explore how Data Cloud handles structured and unstructured data, enhancing AI functionalities with tools like Prompt Builder and the newly released Data Cloud Vector Search. This episode sheds light on how grounding AI with enterprise-specific information can significantly boost productivity and deliver accurate, context-rich responses. Listen in for a detailed description of data and AI within the Salesforce ecosystem!

Show Highlights:

Centralizing data with MuleSoft and the role of Data Cloud in data ingestion, mapping, and security
Using AI capabilities like Einstein AI within the Salesforce ecosystem
Integrating structured and unstructured data using Data Cloud for enhanced AI functionality
Practical insights and use cases, including predictive AI in animal adoption data
General availability of Data Cloud Vector Search and its impact on semantic searching
Enhancing enterprise productivity by grounding AI with specific enterprise data for more accurate responses

Links:

Data Cloud + Einstein AI: The Developer’s Pocket Guide - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/05/data-cloud-einstein-ai-the-developers-pocket-guide
Bring Your Own Large Language Model in Einstein 1 Studio - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/03/bring-your-own-large-language-model-in-einstein-1-studio

219: Salesforce and AWS Unified Developer Experience with Philippe Ozil May 27, 2024

In this episode, we discuss the intricacies of integrating Salesforce with AWS alongside expert Philippe Ozil. We cover the capabilities of Salesforce Connect and its AWS adapters, which facilitate efficient data and event-driven integrations without the hassle of data replication. Hear the benefits of Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Athena, and the versatile GraphQL adapter, each serving unique use cases within Salesforce. As we wait to hear Philippe's insights from the CheckDreaming conference in Prague, we encourage you to continue your learning journey. Thank you for joining us and sharing in our passion for the evolving world of Salesforce development.

Show Highlights:

Overview of Salesforce Connect and its AWS adapters.
Benefits of virtualizing access to external data sources and their impact on developer experience.
Event-driven integrations using event relays to connect Salesforce events to Amazon EventBridge.
Upcoming features like managed subscriptions for PubSub API in the Salesforce Summer '24 release.
Practical tips for Salesforce developers to start experimenting with AWS integrations.

Links:

Integrating with AWS Thanks to Unified Developer Experience (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNNI_ApmTHA
Explore Unified Developer Experience Powered By AWS - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/trails/unified-developer-experience-powered-by-aws
Announcing the Salesforce Connect Adapter for GraphQL (blog) - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/08/announcing-the-salesforce-connect-adapter-for-graphql

218: Summer ’24 Release Highlights with Mohith Shrivastava May 13, 2024

Join us as we sit down with Salesforce maestro Mohith Shrivastava to unwrap the Summer '24 Salesforce release. We take a tour through the latest and greatest enhancements that are stirring up excitement in the developer community. From the seamless integration of Data Cloud with the Salesforce core platform to the introduction of static SOQL for Data Model Objects (DMOs), our conversation lights the path to simplifying the creation of test classes with the ability to mock SOQL queries.

Listen in as we uncover the revolutionary developments in Einstein Copilot for developers and how custom actions can now be extended and built using Apex, flows, or prompt templates. Wrapping up our discussion, we celebrate the quality of life improvements that are game-changers for developers.

Show Highlights:

Discussion on Data Cloud integration with Salesforce core and static SOQL for DMOs.
Introduction of the ability to mock SOQL queries, enhancing test class creation.
Insights into Einstein Copilot going GA, custom action capabilities, and improved analytics.
Monthly updates on Einstein 1 Studio features and quality-of-life improvements for developers.
Apex enhancements including cursors for async processing and deepened SOQL query levels.
New features for Lightning Web Components (LWCs) and enhancements to ISV packaging and APIs.

Links:

Read: The Salesforce Developer’s Guide to the Summer ’24 Release
RSVP: Release Readiness Live is back on Thursday, May 30 at 9 a.m. PST. Hear about the latest features from some of Salesforce’s excellent product managers and developer advocates.
Read: Summer ’24 Release Notes
Join: Salesforce Developers Trailblazer Community group

217: Einstein Copilot Custom Actions with Mohith Shrivastava Apr 15, 2024

Join us as we chat with Mohith Shrivastava, a Salesforce Developer Advocate who needs no introduction to the Salesforce community. Listen in as Mohith unravels the intricacies of Einstein Copilot custom actions and how this conversational AI assistant is revolutionizing the Salesforce experience by understanding an organization's metadata and data permissions. For developers, the excitement lies in custom actions — Mohith shares how these can be crafted using flows, Apex, and prompt templates to enhance productivity and user interaction.

Mohith explains the flexibility offered by Einstein Copilot's use of large language models, moving away from the rigidity of traditional chatbot implementations. We dissect how developers can think of their implementations as microservices, writing individual actions that the reasoning engine then seamlessly chains together.

Tune in and empower your Salesforce development skills with insights from one of the platform's most recognized advocates.

Show Highlights:

How developers can utilize flows, Apex, and prompt templates to build dynamic conversational interfaces.
The use of large language models for flexible, microservices-based approaches in chatbot design.
Technical details on extending Salesforce's AI capabilities using standard technologies for personalized user interactions.
Importance of proper architecture, understanding governor limits, and optimizing triggers for successful AI integration in Salesforce.
The potential of integrating external data and services to enhance Salesforce AI functionalities.
The importance of quality data and Data Cloud for improving AI experiences within Salesforce applications.

Links:

Build Custom Copilot Actions Using Apex - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/03/build-custom-copilot-actions-using-apex
Build Custom Copilot Actions using Apex - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XvyeiwNbDI
Extend Your Copilot with Custom Actions - https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.copilot_actions_custom.htm&type=5

216: Why Use MuleSoft with Data Cloud & Einstein Copilot with Akshata Sawant Apr 01, 2024

Join the conversation with Akshata Sawant from MuleSoft as we unlock the combination of MuleSoft's integration prowess and Salesforce Data Cloud. Hear Akshata’s takeaways from TrailblazerDX, where she delves into MuleSoft's transformative capabilities for data handling. It's a masterclass in leveraging the dynamic DataWeave for schema generation, tailored for developers grappling with diverse data formats. Experience firsthand how MuleSoft shapes the future of data integration, all while ensuring the highest security and compliance standards.

We then discuss MuleSoft APIs with Salesforce's Einstein Copilot. Don't miss out on this dialogue filled with the excitement of what's to come as we integrate Data Cloud, MuleSoft, and Einstein Copilot.

Show Highlights:

Data ingestion, querying, and record deletion through MuleSoft connectors, and schema generation with DataWeave.
The collaboration of MuleSoft APIs with Einstein Copilot to enable complex operations like data updates and automated email notifications.
Importance of built-in security and compliance in integrating third-party systems with Salesforce's AI capabilities.
The versatility of MuleSoft in handling various data formats and facilitating complex integration tasks.
Future discussions on the potential of integrating Data Cloud, MuleSoft, and Einstein Copilot for enhanced efficiency and operations.

Links:

Power Up Data Cloud with MuleSoft - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqvqfOjvHiY

Intelligent Integration with Copilot Actions, APIs, and MuleSoft - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhfliR2meoc

215: The Future of AI with Salesforce's Einstein 1 Studio & Data Cloud featuring Danielle Larregui Mar 19, 2024

Join us as we welcome the Data Cloud Queen herself, Danielle Larregui. Get ready to witness the groundbreaking power of Einstein 1 Studio as Danielle unveils its transformative capabilities within the Salesforce Data Cloud. Discover how developers can effortlessly create AI models using a no-code or low-code approach directly with their Data Lake data. We'll explore the practicality of generating predictions, integrating external AI platforms, and leveraging built-in tools for assessing prediction accuracy.

Brace yourself for the standout feature of 'Bring Your Own Model,' which allows seamless, real-time data sharing without the need for ETL processes. We'll discuss the availability of Snowflake's integration and the potential that lies with Google BigQuery. Imagine how these integrations can revolutionize your external data management, from segmentation to identity resolution.

Stay tuned to learn how Data Cloud Enrichment could further enhance your Salesforce CRM by leveraging the power of Data Cloud data.

Show Highlights:

Introduction of Einstein 1 Studio and Model Builder within Salesforce Data Cloud for creating AI models using no-code or low-code approaches.
How the "Bring Your Own Model" feature enables real-time data sharing with Salesforce Data Cloud without ETL processes.
How Data Cloud Enrichment allows Salesforce CRM records to be updated with Data Cloud data.
Remote Data Cloud, which could unify data management for organizations with multiple Salesforce instances.
Ability to use predictions made by AI models in Salesforce flows, Apex classes, and reporting within Data Cloud.

Links:

Bring Your Google Vertex AI Models To Data Cloud - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/11/bring-your-google-vertex-ai-models-to-data-cloud
Use Model Builder to Integrate Databricks Models with Salesforce - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/03/use-model-builder-to-integrate-databricks-models-with-salesforce

214: Salesforce Developer Sample Apps featuring Philippe Ozil Mar 04, 2024

Join us as we sit down with Philippe Ozil, a familiar face in the Salesforce Developer community, to chat about the exciting developments and enhancements to the Salesforce Developer Sample Apps. Philippe brings his passion for this area to the forefront, discussing the significant strides the team is making with the upcoming spring release.

Listen in as Philippe also sheds light on the open-source nature of the sample apps, which provides an invaluable opportunity for developers to get hands-on experience. We explore the progress in integrating mobile device native capabilities into Salesforce apps under the 'Nimbus' umbrella. Philippe's enthusiasm is contagious as he details the innovative uses of geolocation, QR code scanning, and OCR technology that are transforming the Dreamhouse app for real estate professionals on the go.

Whether you're a seasoned Salesforce Developer or just getting started, this episode is packed with knowledge that will surely inspire and inform your work.

Show Highlights:

Sample apps are open source, available on GitHub, and include full code coverage, unit testing, and continuous integration, exemplifying best practices for developers.
Introduction of the Lightning Record Picker Component and Workspace API for Lightning Web Components in the Spring release.
The importance of community contributions to the open-source sample apps.
Educational content such as introduction videos, trailhead badges, and documentation leverages sample apps for a comprehensive developer learning experience.

Links:

Salesforce Developer Sample Apps - https://github.com/trailheadapps
EBikes Lightning Web Runtime - https://github.com/trailheadapps/ebikes-lwc/tree/pozil/lwr-site
Sample Apps YouTube Series - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgIMQe2PKPSJcuCwM61dEc4jFG_jHqV2t
Trailhead QuickStart: Tour the Sample App Gallery - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/projects/quick-start-tour-the-sample-app-gallery

213: What's New with Lightning Web Components Featuring Alba Rivas Feb 19, 2024

Unlock the power of Salesforce's latest innovations with an exclusive look into the Spring '24 release as we sit down with Salesforce Developer Advocate Alba Rivas. Prepare to elevate your development skills with an array of new Lightning Web Components features, including the much-anticipated dynamic components and the transformative GraphQL wire adapter. Alba's enthusiasm is infectious as we discuss how these updates, inspired by community feedback, are reshaping the landscape of Salesforce development.

Our conversation with Alba spans from the technical intricacies of the new record picker component to the practical applications of the Workspace API, bridging the Aura and LWC divide. We also shed light on the critical instrumentation API, a tool that's arming developers with valuable user interaction insights.

Join us as we celebrate the continuous innovation of Lightning Web Components and provide you with the expert insights needed to stay ahead in the dynamic world of Salesforce development.

Show Highlights:

Introduction of dynamic components and the GraphQL wire adapter to simplify queries and enhance front-end development efficiency.
Examination of the new record picker component and its configuration options.
Overview of the instrumentation API, enabling developers to log user interactions for better insights into application usage.
Discussion on best practices for using dynamic components to maintain performance in Salesforce applications.

Links:

LWC Recipes GraphQL example - https://github.com/trailheadapps/lwc-recipes/tree/main/force-app/main/default/lwc/graphqlContacts
GraphQL Wire Adapter for LWC Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/graphql/guide/graphql-wire-lwc.html
codeLive: How to Work with the GraphQL Wire Adapter for LWC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTYEzizzyW0
LWC Recipes Dynamic Components example - https://github.com/trailheadapps/lwc-recipes/pull/897
Dynamic Components for LWC Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/lwc/guide/js-dynamic-components.html
codeLive: How to Work with Dynamic Lightning Web Components - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df7P22seEL8
LWC Recipes Workspace API example - https://github.com/trailheadapps/lwc-recipes/pull/897
Workspace API for LWC Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.api_console.meta/api_console/sforce_api_console.htm
Dreamforce 2023: From Aura to LWC: Harnessing New Features with Revamped APIs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVBjfTmKsOI
Custom Component Instrumentation API Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/component-library/bundle/lightning-logger/documentation

212: Mobile Platform Tooling with Ashwin Nair and Galen Lewis Jan 29, 2024

Join us for a journey into the tech universe as we explore the ins and outs of mobile app development with Salesforce's own Ashwin Nair and Galen Lewis. Listen in as Ashwin recounts his evolution from a sports game enthusiast to a product manager for Mobile Platform Experience, and Galen shares his beginnings with Scratch to his current role as an associate product manager for Mobile SDK.

This episode sheds light on the latest advancements in mobile developer tooling. Ashwin walks us through the exciting new features, such as the enhanced LWC offline test harness and the debut of the mobile offline onboarding wizard tool, alongside the Nimbus plugins that promise to revolutionize access to native device functionalities.

Tune in for an engaging blend of tech talk and personal anecdotes that underscore the vibrant community of developers and enthusiasts alike.

Show Highlights:

Introduction of new features in Salesforce's Spring '24 release, including the LWC offline test harness and mobile offline onboarding wizard tool.
Discussion on Nimbus plugins for Salesforce mobile development, enabling integration of native device functionalities like document scanning, NFC, and biometrics.
The capabilities and future updates of Salesforce's Mobile SDK, including native login, one-time passwords, and on-device AI functionality.
The importance of offline capabilities in mobile development for handling scenarios with limited network connectivity.

Links:

Ashwin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashwin-nair/
Test Harness Developer Documentation: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.mobile_offline.meta/mobile_offline/dx_harness_app_ux_home.htm
Introducing the Salesforce Offline App Onboarding Wizard: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/07/introducing-the-salesforce-offline-app-onboarding-wizard
Developer Docs: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.248.0.mobile_offline.meta/mobile_offline/dx_onboard_wizard.htm
Nimbus Plugins: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.mobile_offline.meta/mobile_offline/capabilities.htm
Galen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galenlewis/
Enabling Biometric Authentication in Mobile SDK Apps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WPW870GWdk
Mobile SDK Developer Guide: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.noversion.mobile_sdk.meta/mobile_sdk/preface_intro.htm
What’s New in Mobile SDK 11.0 and 11.1?: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/12/whats-new-in-mobile-sdk-11-0-and-11-1

211: Anypoint Code Builder with Simone Geib Jan 22, 2024

Join us in this episode with Simone Geib, Director of Product Management at MuleSoft, as she shares her serendipitous foray into the world of computer science. Listen in as Simone takes us back to her formative years in 1980s Germany and walks us through the trials and triumphs of entering a male-dominated field, her subsequent move into artificial intelligence, and the enriching experiences that shaped her path.

Explore the revolutionary world of cloud-hosted development environments with us, focusing on Anypoint Code Builder and the Anypoint extension for Visual Studio Code. Simone elaborates on how this tool offers developers a flexible and secure solution that fits perfectly into their workflows, regardless of location or device restrictions. She also sheds light on the integration of generative AI, which promises to transform how we approach initial flow designs.

Remember to connect with us for more developer insights and stories, and don't miss the chance to experience innovation and community at TDX ’24.

Show Highlights:

Simone’s unexpected discovery of computer science and her journey from learning MS-DOS to embracing AI at university.
Transition from a developer working with Visual Basic and C++ to a product manager role at MuleSoft.
Advantages of cloud-hosted development environments and the role of MuleSoft's community in the evolution of Anypoint Code Builder.
Preview of the Einstein for Anypoint Code Builder's generative AI pilot for flow designs from natural language prompts.

Links:

Simone at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonegeib/
Anypoint Code Builder: https://www.mulesoft.com/platform/api/anypoint-code-builder
Register to attend TrailblazerDX 2024

210: Spring ’24 Release Highlights with Mohith Shrivastava Jan 15, 2024

Uncover the future of Salesforce development with insights from Mohith Shrivastava in our latest episode, where we dissect the Spring '24 release highlights. From the time-saving beta feature Scratch Org Snapshots to the sleek new Null Coalescing Operator and the UUID system class in Apex, we're unpacking tools that promise to elevate your coding experience to new heights. These updates not only simplify workflows but also signify Apex's evolution towards contemporary programming standards.

In this episode, we discuss the substantial enhancements within Lightning Web Components, like the now widely available Workspace API and the transformative Lightning Record Picker component. We also say goodbye to tools such as the Ant Migration Tool and Workbench. Meanwhile, Salesforce Data Cloud is upping its game with new features and updates that integrate data with unprecedented ease.

Don't miss out on the excitement for what the future holds for Salesforce releases — join us for an episode brimming with expert knowledge and tips straight from one of Salesforce's very own developer advocates.

Show Highlights:

Apex language enhancements, including the Null Coalescing Operator for streamlined null checks and default value assignments and the UUID system class.
Updates to Lightning Web Components (LWC), along with performance improvements through component versioning and native JavaScript APIs.
Retirement of the Ant Migration Tool in favor of Salesforce CLI for deployment and org management.
Salesforce Data Cloud advancements with new features for data integrations.

Resources:

Read the blog: The Salesforce Developer’s Guide to the Spring ’24 Release
Follow the trail: Spring ’24 Release Highlights
Browse the release notes
Join the Salesforce Developers Trailblazer Community group to connect with the global developer community.
Join Release Readiness Trailblazers to stay up to date on the latest and greatest product enhancements and innovations across the Salesforce ecosystem.

209: Screen Flow Latest Features with Adam White Jan 09, 2024

Join us as we have a conversation with our guest, Adam White, Senior Product Manager of Automation at Salesforce. Listen in as he recounts the evolution of his gaming and tinkering with various consoles and his first computer, a Pentium 100, revealing how overcoming the challenges of early computing led to a love for problem-solving and technical mastery.

In this conversation, we explore the unconventional pathways to tech careers, emphasizing that a traditional background in technology isn't always necessary. The discussion navigates through career milestones, from the challenges of managing Salesforce single-handedly to embracing program management at Alarm.com and delving into the role of Atlassian tools in business applications. Our chat then takes a closer look at the latest features in Salesforce Flow, such as the advancements in reactive screen flows, allowing form building with conditionally disabled and read-only fields.

Listen in for an exciting conversation!

Show Highlights:

The influence of early gaming on developing tech skills and problem-solving abilities.
Transitioning from an economics and Spanish major to a tech enthusiast.
Challenges and triumphs of solo Salesforce administration and the benefits of low-code solutions like Salesforce Flow.
Latest features in Salesforce, including reactive screens and the repeater component for screen flows.
Discussion of the upcoming Salesforce features and the anticipation of how they will enhance user experience and developer capabilities.

Links:

Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declarativeninja/
Reactive Screen Components: https://admin.salesforce.com/blog/2023/flow-reactive-screen-components-ga-learn-moar-winter-24

208: The Global Salesforce Community with Christie Fidura Jan 01, 2024

Join us as we take a journey with Christie Fidura, Salesforce's director of Global Trailblazer Engagement, through her unexpected love affair with technology and the world of programming. We explore the elegance and universality of coding languages as Christie reflects on her transition from an English literature and Spanish student to teaching engineers at DuPont. This conversation reveals the hidden poetry in programming and the crucial role of technical communication in bridging the gap between users and creators.

Christie also highlights the significance of “Johnny Appleseed” figures who sow the seeds of knowledge and enthusiasm, fostering local communities. You'll learn the importance of nurturing personal connections within this expansive network and how we enable a transparent exchange between community members and Salesforce product managers through various platforms. Tune in to this episode for a blend of personal narratives and insights into the dynamic Salesforce ecosystem.

Show Highlights:

The growth and evolution of Christie’s relationship with technology.
The warm, familial nature of the Salesforce community, the global connections made, and the significant role of “Johnny Appleseed” trailblazers.
Christie’s experience with the London Salesforce admin meetup.
The importance of maintaining personal connections in the community and facilitating direct interactions between Salesforce product managers and community members.
Christie’s plans for 2024 with a focus on artificial intelligence and the role developers can play in guiding companies through AI implementation.

Links:

Christie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiefidura/
Salesforce Developers Community: https://salesforce.com/devcommunity

207: Organizing Dreamin' Conferences Dec 18, 2023

Join us as we chat with Julio, Laura, and Pedro, passionate members of the Salesforce community who have had their hands full organizing dreamOlé, Spain's premier Salesforce community conference. They regale us with stories of their beginnings in the Salesforce community, the hurdles they had to overcome in event organization, and the irreplaceable role the community has played in their personal and professional growth.

We also discuss the pivot to virtual event organization amid the pandemic and the resilience of dreamOlé. Wrapping up the conversation, Julio, Laura, and Pedro offer valuable insights on the significance of collaboration, enjoying the process, and the importance of a trustworthy team.

Show Highlights:

The challenges faced while organizing the conference and the support and learning they received from the Salesforce community.
The significance of dreamOlé in unifying the Salesforce community and fostering connections among its members.
Pedro’s journey from being an attendee at the inaugural dreamOlé to becoming a volunteer.
The essence of collaboration, the joy of the process, and the importance of a strong team in organizing such events.

206: Building Chatbots with Apex Dec 14, 2023

Join me and our guests Keegan Klauke and Subi Philip from MRE Consulting as we journey back in time to explore their early experiences with computers. Keegan shares his passion for computer hardware and programming, sparked by early video games, while Subi talks about his initial coding experience in high school. From their first encounters with the Commodore 64 to their entrance into the Salesforce ecosystem, their stories provide a unique look into the evolution of computer technology.

Listen in as we explore the integration of chatbots with Apex processes, discussing the different use cases for designing chatbots and the importance of AI in understanding customer intent. We address concerns about toxicity and hallucinations in chatbot behavior and how to prevent them. We also discuss the process of designing and testing chatbots within the Salesforce ecosystem, discussing the importance of mapping user questions to predefined intents and providing structured responses.

Whether you're looking to build modern chatbots within the Salesforce platform or simply interested in the evolution of technology, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Show Highlights:

The design and use of chatbots within the Salesforce platform.
The significance of leveraging AI in chatbot design to understand customer intent and prevent potential discrepancies.
The importance of mapping user interactions and providing structured responses to avoid incorrect or offensive chatbot responses.
The challenges of automating testing for chatbots are discussed, stressing the need for human intervention.
Insights for those interested in building modern chatbots within the Salesforce platform.

Links:

Keegan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keegan-klauke/
Subi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/subiphilip/
MRE Website Link: https://mre-consulting.com/technologies/salesforce/
Our MRE Blog Post on Chatbots & AI: https://mre-consulting.com/insights/improving-customer-experience-and-self-service-with-chatbots-ai/
Einstein Bot Developer Cookbook: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.bot_cookbook.meta/bot_cookbook/bot_cookbook_overview.htm
Chat LWC Pack: https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N3A00000FoirpUAB
Chat LWC Pack (GitHub): https://github.com/Colatabajonies/Chat-Lightning-Web-Component-Pack

205: Data, AI, and MuleSoft with Ajay Kumar Dec 04, 2023

Join us as we have a conversation with Ajay Kumar, Senior Manager for Solutions Engineering at MuleSoft, where we discuss his educational journey, how he transitioned into the MuleSoft and Salesforce ecosystem, and the vital role of continuous learning in technology.

We also explore the captivating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We discuss its evolution, current state, and the promising future it holds. Listen in as we share insights into generative AI, its increasing importance across industries, and its potential to enhance human IQ.

Additionally, we discuss the significant impact of AI on our daily lives and how it's revolutionizing industries, especially retail, through optimizing inventory management. Overcoming fear and hesitation towards AI, the necessity of staying relevant in the rapidly changing tech industry, and the irreplaceable human touch in AI are some of the captivating topics we touch upon.

Show Highlights:

The evolution and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including its transformative potential across various industries and its capacity to enhance human IQ.
Kumar delves into the concept of gendered AI, the current state of AI, and the future potential of artificial general intelligence.
The use of AI in the retail industry.
The role of MuleSoft in data integration.
The concept of having a personal AI 'co-pilot' in the future.

Links:

Ajay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj127/

204: B2C Commerce Cloud with Thomas Theunen Nov 27, 2023

Ready to jump into the captivating realm of coding and computer technology? This episode promises an intriguing exploration of the journey from early computing to the cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence in software development. Join us with Thomas Theunen, head of commerce at Forward, as he reminisces about his fascinating evolution from a curious child tinkering with his first computer to becoming a tech-savvy forward thinker.

Interested in how languages evolve in the world of coding? From Thomas’s maiden voyage with C Sharp, his engagement with Windows Phone applications, to his dedicated seven-year expedition with Java at an enterprise level, it's a rollercoaster ride through the tech landscape. Our discussion dives deep into the Salesforce ecosystem, JavaScript development, and the emerging uses of AI in speeding up workflows. Lastly, Thomas discusses the burgeoning B2C Commerce Cloud community and his invaluable contributions to it.

This isn't just an episode; it's a chronicle of a tech enthusiast's journey, making it a must-listen for all computer technology and coding enthusiasts!

Show Highlights:

Thomas’s professional journey with software development languages.
His experience transitioning into the Salesforce ecosystem, JavaScript development with BTC Commerce Cloud, and his evolution from a developer to an architect.
The role of AI in software development, how it has helped Thomas speed up his workflows, and the importance of human involvement in reviewing AI-generated solutions.
Thomas’ contribution to the B2C Commerce Cloud community, its growth over the years, and his insights into using React in development.
The transformative role of AI in workflow improvement, from aiding in code generation to simplifying unit tests.

Links:

Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-theunen-10905680/

203: MuleSoft API Experience Hub with Igor Androsov Nov 20, 2023

Join us as we chat with Igor Androsov, National Architect Director at Mills of Japan. Igor shares his introduction to Salesforce in 2008 and his active involvement in the Salesforce community. Hear how the global pandemic has influenced his work, leading to him joining Salesforce in 2020. Listen as he narrates his rich experiences within the Salesforce community in Japan, and how it has enriched his career.

We touch on Salesforce’s VTO program and MuleSoft tools. Igor shares his contribution to the Impact Labs and the Open Source Commons Projects, offering his Salesforce skills to aid nonprofits. He also explains how Salesforce Developers can start with MuleSoft and the available resources. Don't miss out on Igor’s intriguing discussion on the API Experience Hub.

Listen in today!

Show Highlights:

Androsov’s experiences with Salesforce community engagement and how global events like the pandemic shaped his career.
Salesforce's Voluntary Time Off (VTO) program.
The MuleSoft tools offering insight for developers on how to get started and the resources available.
Androsov's journey of learning and contributing to the Impact Labs and Open Source Commons Projects is highlighted.
Overview of API Experience Hub, a new tool from MuleSoft that allows users to create a branded experience for their APIs.

Links:

Igor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iandrosov/

202: The Future of Development with Stephan Chandler-Garcia Nov 13, 2023

Join us for an exciting discussion with Stephan Chandler-Garcia, Director of Strategic Content at Salesforce, as he takes us through his journey from composing music on a computer in his early school years to becoming a self-taught Salesforce Developer. Listen in as Stephan recounts his experiences of exploring computers, creating custom scenery for a computer game, and ultimately moving to the UK to start his career in the Salesforce economy, all without a college degree.

Stephan gives an intriguing insight into his project HowToDev_ a series aimed at helping people transition into Salesforce development. He also sheds light on the future of development, focusing on the role of AI, Data Cloud, and Hyperforce in the current Salesforce landscape.

Tune in to hear about Stephan's exciting journey, his contributions to Salesforce, and his vision for the future of AI in development.

Show Highlights:

Insights into the core object model, security, order of operations, and the impact of low code and no code tools in Salesforce.
The future of development and the role of AI, Data Cloud, and Hyperforce in the Salesforce landscape.
The importance of learning how to prompt AI tools, equating it to understanding how to use a search engine like Google.
Using pre-built and pre-configured AI applications.

Links:

Stephan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanwgarcia/
HowToDev_ on Salesforce+: https://www.salesforce.com/plus/series/howtodev_
Explore AI Innovation from Dreamforce 2023: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/10/ai-innovation-dreamforce-2023
Inside the Einstein Trust Layer: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/10/inside-the-einstein-trust-layer
An Introduction to Autonomous Agents: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/10/an-introduction-to-autonomous-agents

201: Test Automation using MaxTAF with Alex Delic Nov 06, 2023

Join us as we explore the journey of Alex Delic, Director at Code Development, from his earliest exposure to technology to his fascinating foray into coding. Listen in as we discuss his journey from playing with Raspberry Pi to coding professionally and his unexpected detour into archaeology during his university years.

Unpack how Salesforce's investment in automated testing can help reduce the burden of manual regression testing and expand beyond just Salesforce applications. Alexander shares his insights on the challenges of UI testing and how MaxTAF can create reusable components for test scripts. In the world of mobile applications, we discuss the benefits and challenges of automated testing.

It's an episode filled with nostalgia, progress, and personal anecdotes you won’t want to miss.

Show Highlights:

The concept of automated testing in application development.
The role of technologies like Sauce Labs and BrowserStack in providing solutions for automated testing of mobile applications.
The importance of regression testing and the need for rigorous, structured testing methods to catch regressions.
The open-source technologies like Selenium, UTAM, and Playwright, used for automated testing.
The challenges and possible solutions for mobile testing.

Links:

Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-delic-32375874/
MaxTAF: https://www.maxtaf.com/

200: 200 Episodes with Josh Birk Oct 30, 2023

Join us for a special celebration as we hit our 200th episode! Discover how the Godfather of Trailhead, Josh Birk, came to earn his title. Josh walks us through his journey from creating an application named 'Medals' on Node.js to kickstarting the innovative project of Trailhead. Listen in as he explains how he combined anonymous Apex and the REST API to gauge completion and how this led to the birth of the Trailhead platform.

Josh also shares the amazing stories from his 13-year journey at Salesforce. We also discuss his unforgettable three-city tour in India and how Trailhead provided people with the resources they needed to learn Salesforce and get certified.

As we reminisce about our past episodes, we're also excited about the road ahead. We'd love for you to be part of our upcoming 300th episode, so stay tuned!

Show Highlights:

The role of role-playing video games in maintaining mental health during the pandemic and how they influenced Josh’s professional career.
How Josh’s gaming passion led to the creation of 'Medals.”
Josh’s 13-year tenure at Salesforce.
The impact of Trailhead where it enabled many individuals to master Salesforce and earn their certifications.
Josh’s transition from the Salesforce Developer Podcast to Salesforce's Admin Relations.

Links:

Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirk/

199: Apex Mockery with Ludovic Meurillon Oct 23, 2023

Let's unveil the captivating world of computer sciences, engineering, and Salesforce with our accomplished guest, Ludovic Meurillon. Prepare to be immersed in Ludovic's fascinating journey from his early gaming days to becoming a software engineer at Salesforce. Discover how he navigated joining the company during the pandemic and how he's currently thriving as a developer. Learn about the groundbreaking ApexMockery project that Ludovic and his team have been diligently working on and how it's revolutionizing the way developers decouple their code from the database and the Salesforce platform.

We also discuss the intricacies of the Apex stub API and how it can be leveraged in Apex Mocking. You'll understand the key distinctions between unit testing and integration testing and the array of benefits Apex Mocking offers developers. This episode is packed with knowledge and skills that will enhance your Salesforce development journey, whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started.

Get ready for an enlightening deep dive into the world of Salesforce development.

Show Highlights:

The ApexMockery project, its development process, and its role in revolutionizing how developers decouple their code from the database and the Salesforce platform.
The importance of the Apex stub API and its utilization in Apex Mocking for writing swift, efficient, and effective unit tests.
The difference between unit testing and integration testing, and the benefits of Apex Mocking for developers.
The evolution of the Apex Mockery library, its use in creating custom matches, and the application of the arrange, act, and assert pattern in testing.
The purpose and advantages of using the Apex Mockery library in Salesforce development.
The future of the Apex Mockery Library.

Links:

198: Forceea Data Factory with Nikos Mitrakis Oct 16, 2023

Listen in as we journey through the life and career of Nikos Mitrakis, Salesforce Developer and architect at Acmantix. This episode offers an insightful exploration of Nikos's journey, highlighting his passion for programming and how he found his way to Salesforce. Join us as Nikos discusses his open-source framework, Forceea Data Factory, an innovative tool he created that helps average developers create complex data.

Further along, we dive into the nitty-gritty of Forceea. We discuss its capabilities, including its ability to create static and serial data as well as complex reference data and outline its main use cases for developers and users in a sandbox environment. Hear about the benefits of using templates for modification and how the tool optimizes the process of creating complex data.

Tune in for a compelling conversation that showcases the evolution of programming and its limitless possibilities.

Show Highlights:

What Forceea Meets Tracking is and what its capabilities are
The uses of Forceea, especially for developers needing to create data for unit tests and users in a sandbox environment
The tool's efficiency in creating complex data swiftly and the advantages of using templates for modification are highlighted
The future of Forceea

Links:

Nikos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikosmitrakis/
Forceea Data Factory: https://github.com/Forceea/Forceea-data-factory
Dadela: https://github.com/Forceea/Dadela
Acmantix: https://www.acmantix.com/

197: Observability with Nikita Prokopev Oct 09, 2023

In this episode, we explore the technological journey of Nikita Prokopev, from his early fascination with DOS and PC games to his growth into a seasoned programmer. Listen in as Nikita reveals his transition into the Salesforce ecosystem, the evolution of the Salesforce platform, and how it shaped his professional trajectory.

Discover his motivations behind taking the entrepreneurial plunge and how he juggled multiple roles to make his venture a success. He underscores the importance of observability in the Salesforce platform and shares insights on how it can be utilized to improve performance and efficiency.

Nikita breaks down observability into various components and explains how it helps monitor the health of a system and prevent errors. Also, get valuable tips on how to maximize logging efficiency and performance to control data volume and avoid hitting platform limits. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of Nikita's journey in technology and valuable insights on Salesforce.

Show Highlights:

The challenges he faced in the early days of Salesforce.
The importance of observability in Salesforce.
How observability can help monitor system health and prevent errors.
How to maximize logging efficiency and performance to control data volume and avoid hitting platform limits are shared.
The transition from a passion project to a professional career in technology.

Links:

Nikita on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nprokopyev/
Pharos AI: https://pharos.ai/

196: Coffee and Business Tools with Mike Gerholdt and Gillian Bruce Oct 02, 2023

Remember the first time you received an email? The magic of instant communication transforming your work life? That's the journey we take you on as we explore the dynamic relationship between work and technology. From email evolution to instant communication tools like Slack, we’ll also tackle the unexpected mental emergency that a phone call can induce.

Come along for a fascinating snapshot into the ever-evolving world of work.

Show Highlights:

The transformation of work due to technological advancements.
The mental shift that occurs when an unexpected work phone call comes in and how it impacts our modern work routines.
The impact of remote work and video conferencing on work culture, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

Links:

Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegerholdt/
Gillian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliankbruce/
Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirk/

195: Winter ’24 Release Highlights with Mohith Shrivastava Sep 25, 2023

Listen in as Mohith Shrivastava, Lead Developer Advocate at Salesforce, and I unwrap the most anticipated features in the Winter ’24 release. We share our excitement for Dynamic Components in LWC, a feature that Mohith believes will revolutionize the game for ISV developers. We explore how Dynamic Components can store component definitions on the backend, allowing developers to render components at runtime and use dependency injection.

We continue our exploration with a look at how developers can use LWC recipes and the GraphQL wire adapter to create powerful table or grid views on the client side. The GraphQL APIs now support mutations and offer the potential for developers to use custom elements to incorporate third-party components and web standards for reusability. Plus, we discuss new mobile capabilities like document scanning, NFC, and biometric functionalities.

We shed light on how DataWeave, a MuleSoft data transformation language, can be used in Apex and the improvements made to Queueable Apex. We also look at Code Builder, a browser-based development platform that aims to make developing Salesforce applications more straightforward than ever.

Tune in and get a head start on what's coming in the Winter ’24 release!

Show Highlights:

The exciting features in Salesforce's Winter ’24 release, focusing on the game-changing Dynamic Components in LWC for ISV developers.
New mobile capabilities in the Winter ’24 release, including document scanning, NFC, and biometric functionalities.
Examination of the Winter ’24 DataWeave and Apex enhancements.
Overview of new features for Salesforce developers in the Winter ’24 release.
Introduction to Salesforce Code Analyzer, a new VS Code extension, and how it improves the quality of code reviews.

Links:

Mohith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohith-shrivastava-9a36464a/
Blog: The Salesforce Developer’s Guide to the Winter ’24 Release

194: Learning Salesforce with Teo Dawn Sep 18, 2023

Join us on a captivating journey as we talk with Teo Dawn, a 21-year-old Salesforce developer from the Yucatan, about his experiences. Teo recalls his early days with computers, being inspired by his older brother to pursue a career in software engineering, and how he won a scholarship through Rafael Hernandez's nonprofit organization. Continuing his story, Teo shares his path to becoming a certified Salesforce developer.

Listen as he delves into his Unity project, presented at Forcelandia, and his current internship experiences. In our chat with Teo, he also reveals his passion for music and how it has assisted him in his development career. He emphasizes the value of his piano skills in communicating tech topics to others, providing an unexpected bridge between the arts and technology. Make sure to tune in and discover more about Teo's journey in the Salesforce world and beyond!

Show Highlights:

Teo's journey from a childhood fascination with computers to becoming a Salesforce developer, including his scholarship from a nonprofit organization.
The guidance Teo received from his mentor Dr. Edgar Cambranes and the support from his brother.
Teo's passion for piano and how it helped him bridge the gap between arts and technology, as well as communicate tech topics to others.
Teo's current internship experiences and his future plans in the field of Salesforce development.

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teodorodawn/
Github: https://github.com/Teodoro-lab

193: Creating User Stories with Kate Lessard Sep 11, 2023

Join us as we chat with Kate Lessard, Delivery Team Manager at Arkus, about the critical role of user stories in collaboration and her unique journey into the Salesforce world. Starting her career in the fine arts, Kate made an unexpected transition into Salesforce consulting for nonprofits. In this episode, we have a discussion about the fundamentals of crafting compelling user stories.

We talk about identifying personas, setting acceptance criteria, and how user stories facilitate teamwork. Discover how tools like Chat GPT can leverage AI to define personas and how to dissect solutions into manageable tasks. We also dive into the nuts and bolts of using user stories to foster effective collaboration.

Learn how to pinpoint the atomic level of a good user story and the tools Kate recommends for tracking them. All this and more in this insightful conversation with Kate Lessard!

Show Highlights:

The importance of creating good user stories for effective team collaboration.
Detailed process of crafting user stories, including persona identification and setting acceptance criteria.
The role of background stories and 'jobs to be done' in enriching the user story creation process.
The importance of breaking down solutions into manageable tasks and the use of AI tools like Chat GPT in defining personas.
Kate's personal recommendations for tracking user stories and her unique approach to user story creation.
Discussion on leveraging acceptance criteria and creating backstories for personas to develop efficient user stories.

Links:

Twitter account: @SalesforceK8
LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salesforcekate/
User Stories with examples and a template - Max Rehkopf, Atlassian: https://www.atlassian.com/agile/project-management/user-stories
http://stormotion.io/blog/how-to-write-a-good-user-story-with-examples-templates/

192: The Role of Architects with Mike Topalovich Sep 04, 2023

Join us as we take an insightful journey with Salesforce Architect, Mike Topalovich, who uncovers his unique career path, starting from his early introduction to coding as a young child, and leading up to his current role in the Salesforce ecosystem. As he recalls his days writing script language programs, working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and using Siebel systems, you'll gain a better understanding of how technology can be used to simplify and enhance people's lives.

In our conversation, Mike also discusses the convergence of AI and architectural design. As we tackle the concept of 'move fast, break stuff', we consider its relevance and limitations. We also delve into how AI is transforming the design process and the potential for feedback loops to foster positive human-machine interactions. Mike also shares his perspective on the importance of UX design in creating positive user experiences. This is an episode brimming with lessons, insights, and stories that are bound to resonate with developers, architects, and technology enthusiasts alike.

Show Highlights:

Mike’s emphasis on user experience and technology's potential to simplify lives, illustrated by his stint with Siebel Systems.
The intersection of AI and architectural design, and its implications in terms of innovation, risk management, and enhanced design processes.
The potential threats of AI and quantum computing in the hands of state actors.
Mike's thoughts on UX design principles, psychological safety, political safety, and their application in creating secure and efficient systems.

Links:

LinkedIn account: https://linkedin.com/in/topalovich

191: Composable Commerce with Nat Pavic Aug 28, 2023

Welcome to a futuristic ride through the world of composable commerce and technology with our distinguished guest, Nat Pavic, a senior manager of product management for Commerce Cloud. Nat, with a remarkable background in coding, programming, physics, quantum computing, and biophysics, is currently navigating the path of innovation for Commerce Cloud. He unravels the concept of composable commerce and reveals how this new approach provides unprecedented freedom and flexibility to customers, revolutionizing the e-commerce landscape.

We delve into the realm of group shopping and digital experiences, studying innovative applications like Slack’s group dressing room. The discussion leads us to witness the transformative potential of VR and AR in enhancing online shopping efficiency. We close with an exploration of the growing trend of shoppable ads and their potential to revolutionize media revenue. Don't miss this enlightening journey into the future of commerce!

Show Highlights:

In-depth exploration of headless and composable e-commerce platforms, emphasizing the shift towards 'commerce anywhere' and the role of being an API-first company.
Discussion on group shopping and digital experiences.
Examination of the potential of VR and AR in the realm of online shopping.
Analysis of the trend of shoppable ads and their potential to revolutionize media revenue.
Conversation around AI's potential in e-commerce, specifically in terms of predictive AI, generative AI, and their roles in enhancing shopping experiences.
Case studies and practical applications of the concepts in various industries, including retail, travel, and the media sector.

Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatalijaPavic
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natpavic/

190: GPT for Developers with Bhanudas Tanaka Aug 21, 2023

Settle in for a fascinating voyage through time with our guest, Bhanudas Tanaka, who has experienced the transformative journey of computer programming from its early days right up to the AI-powered present. Let's whisk you into an intimate conversation where Bhanudas recounts how he reignited his mathematician father's passion for programming, a story that's sure to inspire.

But what does the future of programming hold? Not one to rest on past laurels, Bhanudas shares his insights on the seismic shifts brought about by AI in the programming landscape. Think of metadata-aware tools and AI agents that monitor the org continuously - the future of Salesforce development is here. Bhanudas details the minimum skills required to jump onto the AI bandwagon and the importance of a hands-on approach. He paints an exciting picture of the potential of GPT and Flow GPT in generating code and metadata, opening up a world of possibilities. Join us as we navigate the riveting evolution of programming and AI through the eyes of Bhanudas.

Show Highlights:

Discussion on Bhanudas's professional programming experiences, including creating a shipment manager for a local shipping company.
Overview of the significant evolution of language models and AI over the past three decades, with a focus on the progression from text-based Eliza to current AI capabilities.
Insights on AI's potential to revolutionize Salesforce development.
The future of AI in Salesforce and the potential of GPT and Flow GPT to generate code and metadata.
The changes in how we interact with technology, from searching in Google to prompting AI systems, and the possible future developments in this area.

Links:

Julián on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/juliandavidduque
Bhanudas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhanudastanaka/

Other Resources:

Terranox - https://terranox.co/
Purple Mai’a Foundation - https://purplemaia.org/olona-consultancy/

Resources Recommended By the Guest:

People to watch, follow, and digest:

Eliezer Yudkowsky - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd0yQ9yxSYY.
Also interviewed by Lex - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaTRHFaaPG8
Andrej Karpathy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCc8FmEb1nY
Sam Altman - Lex interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Guz73e6fw

Content creators he loves:

Two Minute Papers - https://www.youtube.com/@TwoMinutePaper
Lex Fridman - amazing guests, very deep and thoughtful - https://www.youtube.com/@lexfridma
Asianometry - tech + Asia, lots of history, well written - https://www.youtube.com/@Asianometry

189: Practical DevOps with Rob Cowell Aug 14, 2023

Join us as we welcome Rob Cowell, a renowned DevOps advocate, on a journey through his personal and professional life in the world of programming and Salesforce. Starting with his early experiences tinkering with a Sord M5 computer, Rob shares how he transformed his passion for programming into a fulfilling career. We trace his evolution from working with Microsoft Access to .NET, C Sharp, and ultimately Salesforce and Apex, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the fast-paced tech industry.

Transitioning into his current role, Rob pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to be a DevOps advocate. Emphasizing the significance of communication, collaboration, small incremental changes, and automation, he discusses how a commitment to quality is integral to delivering excellent results. The episode also explores the role of a Salesforce DevOps engineer and how to adopt the required skill set.

Tune in to glean invaluable insights from Rob's vast experience and deep knowledge of the Salesforce ecosystem.

Show Highlights:

The role and importance of Salesforce DevOps in delivering quality results efficiently.
The key components of Salesforce DevOps include communication, collaboration, small incremental changes, and automation.
The transition from traditional development stacks into Salesforce and the unique elements of the platform.
The role of a Salesforce DevOps engineer and how to adopt the necessary skill set.
The introduction of Rob Cowell's project, 'Shirt Force,’ which combines humor and philanthropy by creating Salesforce-themed t-shirts and donating the profits to charity.
Insights into continuous improvement and the importance of adapting DevOps to your way of working.

Links:

Julián on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/juliandavidduque
Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-cowell/
Rob's Twitter/X: @RobSalesforce

Other resources:

Gearset: https://gearset.com/
DevOps Launchpad free training and certs: https://devopslaunchpad.com/
Shirtforce: https://shirtforce.org/
His work on the demoscene: https://demozoo.org/sceners/32053/

188: MuleSoft for Salesforce Developers with Akshata Sawant Aug 07, 2023

Strap in for a journey that takes you from the vibrant streets of Mumbai to the bustling tech scene of London, led by none other than Akshata Sawant, Senior Developer Advocate at Salesforce. We had the pleasure of delving into her career, starting from her time as a Newellsoft ambassador to her current influential role at Salesforce, where she's truly making a difference by connecting with community groups across the globe.

We dive deep into the robust capabilities of MuleSoft’s transformation from a simple API integration tool to a comprehensive automation suite. We also shine a light on Akshata co-authored book, "MuleSoft for Salesforce Developers," which is a must-read for anyone interested in this space. Whether you're a seasoned developer or a tech newbie, this episode's got insights and conversations that you just can't afford to miss!

Show Highlights:

Akshata’s work as a MuleSoft ambassador and her current role as Salesforce's Senior Developer Advocate.
Deep dive into MuleSoft’s evolution from a simple API integration tool to a comprehensive automation suite.
Akshata's co-authored book, "Mulesoft for Salesforce Developers," offering insights for anyone interested in this field.
The potential game-changers from MuleSoft's Anypoint Platform, such as AI capabilities and a Visual Studio Code plugin.
The capabilities of MuleSoft and the value of the platform for Salesforce developers.
The Anypoint platform's offerings and potential future developments.

Links:

Twitter account: https://twitter.com/sawantakshata02
Linkedin account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshatasawant02/
Github account: https://github.com/devrelakshata
MuleSoft for Salesforce Developers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MuleSoft-Salesforce-Developers-practitioners-integrations/dp/1801079609/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mulesoft+for+salesforce+developers&qid=1687466406&sprefix=mulesoft+%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-1

187: File and Event Security with Jagannathan Padmanabhan Jul 31, 2023

Get set for an illuminating episode with our special guest, Jagannathan Padmanabhan, a security advocate within his current role as a Technical Architect at Salesforce. Jagan brings to the fore how he leverages Salesforce to tackle customer challenges and his fervor for platform security. He imparts his wisdom on the zero trust security model and the principle of least privilege, both key aspects in maintaining a safe platform.

Prepare to be enthralled as Jagan unveils the intricate workings of event-driven architecture within Salesforce. He walks us through the various events that transpire when a user logs in, accesses a list view, generates reports, or logs out. By the closure of our engaging conversation, you'll have a deeper comprehension of file and event security in Salesforce - a pertinent skill in this digital age. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!

Show Highlights:

Discussion on Salesforce's zero trust security model and the principle of least privilege.
Explanation of the role of Salesforce Shield in platform security.
In-depth exploration of event-driven architecture within Salesforce.
Introduction to the Event Monitoring add-on license, file events, and transaction security policies.
How developers can use condition builders or Apex classes to send notifications and alerts.
Importance of file and event security in Salesforce and its practical application in solving customer problems.

Links:

Real-time event monitoring: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.real_time_event_monitoring_overview.htm&type=5
Linkedin account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagansalesforce
FileEvents developer blog post: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/06/using-fileevents-to-strengthen-file-security

186: Coffee with the Admin Evangelists Jul 24, 2023

Get ready for a lively discussion with our good friends and fellow admin evangelists, Mike Gerholdt and Gillian Bruce. Listen in as we tackle opinionated launches in the tech world and beyond, drawing from our experiences and personal thoughts. From the strange matrix of Coke Zero being the New Coke formula to the interesting fact that everyone has an opinion about Vision Pro, we share our insights and perspectives on how these launches draw attention and incite people's opinions.

We explore the long-rumored Apple car, the standardized dongles and charging ports, and the irony of gasoline pumps having a standard-size nozzle. Join us as we delve into the world of self-driving cars and how current roads are built for humans, not machines. Join us as we appreciate the diversity of experiences and opinions, building a deeper understanding of product appeal and consumer behavior.

Show Highlights:

Opinionated product launches, including Coke Zero, Google Glass, and Vision Pro.
Deep dive into the tech world with a focus on the rumored Apple car and the standardization of charging ports.
Exploration of self-driving cars, roads built for machines, and the future of technology.
Debate on controversial tech launches like Tesla’s Autopilot and McDonald's McRib.
Examination of the role of public opinion in product launches and its impact on the product's success and accessibility.
The possibilities and challenges of AI in future product launches.

Links:

Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegerholdt/
Gillian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliankbruce/
Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirk/

185: Data Cloud with Danielle Larregui Jul 17, 2023

Navigating through the tech world can feel like stepping into a labyrinth, but our guest Danielle Larregui has found her own unique path. Now a senior developer advocate for Marketing Cloud at Salesforce, Danielle shares her experiences that have transformed her from an accidental admin to a ‘casual teacher’ of developers. We chat about her intriguing journey into the tech world, her engaging first public speaking experience, and how she embraces each new challenge as an opportunity for growth.

We also dive deep into the world of customer data platforms (CDPs). Our conversation with Danielle is inspiring and packed with insights, offering a fresh perspective on the evolving tech industry.

Show Highlights:

Danielle’s journey from an "accidental admin" to a senior developer advocate for Marketing Cloud at Salesforce, discussing her career trajectory and experiences.
The role of customer data platforms (CDPs) in consolidating customer data from disparate sources to provide a comprehensive view of the customer journey.
How Salesforce's Commerce Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and Data Cloud can be used together to create intelligent, data-driven marketing campaigns.
The significance of data in modern society and the differentiation between data lake objects and data objects.
Exploration of Danielle's work with Marketing Cloud, including her projects involving AMPScript, server-side draw script, and the platform's REST and SOAP API.
Discussion on the role of Data Cloud in AI and its future prospects.
Introduction to Salesforce's Data Cloud, its structure, and its difference from standard Salesforce objects.
Insight into the connection between Data Cloud and Tableau and how they work together for data analysis.

Links:

Danielle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DnLarregui
Danielle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-larregui-1567b973/

184: AI Conversations with Greg Bennett Jul 10, 2023

Join us in an enlightening discussion with Greg Bennett, a Director of Conversational Design at Salesforce. We cover how he applies his knowledge of interactional social linguistics and discourse analysis to create more natural and intuitive interactions with generative AIs. He also shares anecdotes from his tenure at Microsoft working on Cortana and how his insights from different writing systems in Japanese inform the design of chatbot dialogues.

In the second part of our discussion, Greg takes us through his path to Salesforce and how he made the business case for starting conversation design there. He provides insights into the careful design of prompts for models and model providers and the role of context in conversational AI. We then switch gears to explore the future of conversational design, the relevance of prompt engineering, and the exciting possibilities of generative AI.

Listen in as we unpack the evolution of conversational interfaces, the future of human-AI interaction, and the emerging vernacular of AI slang.

Show Highlights:

Greg's journey to Salesforce and his role in pioneering conversation design, particularly the design of prompts for models and model providers.
The significance of context in conversational AI is discussed, along with the future of conversational design and the emerging discipline of prompt engineering.
The potential of generative AI and its impact on Salesforce's user interface.
The evolution of conversational interfaces, human-AI interactions, and the development of AI slang.
The importance of prompt writing and its transformation into a fundamental skill for conversational AI is discussed, with insights into the system of prompt orchestration.

Links:

Greg on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabennett45
Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gab45/

183: Next Gen Slack Development with Jeremiah Peoples Jul 03, 2023

Get ready for an incredible journey as we chat with Jeremiah Peoples, a Senior Developer Advocate for Slack at Salesforce, and explore his fascinating career path. From his earliest computer encounters to joining the Air Force and teaching himself to code, Jeremiah's story will inspire you to chase your dreams. Learn how he became a freelance YouTuber and ultimately landed his dream job at Slack, where he now shares his unique perspective on the power of Slack as a development platform and its potential to make the other 98% of software more efficient.

But that's not all - we'll also dive deep into the world of building modular Slack applications. Jeremiah walks us through the new tools available for Slack developers, the starting point of the Slack CLI, and the different ways you can trigger a workflow. Discover the magic of Block Kit, a tool for building surfaces with JSON, and how modularity can be used to create powerful applications. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that will leave you eager to explore the endless possibilities of Slack development!

Show Highlights:

Exploring the world of building modular Slack applications, including the new tools available for Slack developers.
The three main pillars of modular Slack applications: functions, workflows, and triggers.
The different ways to trigger a workflow in Slack, including event triggers, shortcut triggers, webhooks, and scheduled triggers.
The upcoming features for Workflow Builder, including conditional logic and a greater contribution to the ecosystem of apps in Slack.

Links:

Twitter account - https://twitter.com/we_the_peoples
Linkedin account - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-peoples-7b2a65185/
The next generation Slack Platform: https://api.slack.com/automation

182: SFDX-Hardis with Nicolas Vuillamy Jun 26, 2023

Join us as we chat with Nicolas Vuillamy, CTO at Cloudity, about his journey from programming on a Commodore 64 at the age of 10 to becoming a professional developer at 16. Listen in as he shares his experience of discovering Salesforce and how the Trailblazer community played a crucial role in his growth. Nicolas talks about the inception of SFDX-Hardis, an open-source project designed to help developers and administrators implement CI/CD processes efficiently, filling the gap between expensive homemade pipelines and third-party tools.

In this episode, we explore how SFDX-Hardis allows administrators and developers to perform complex tasks with simple commands without needing extensive knowledge of Git or SFDX. Nicolas also highlights the importance of having a release manager with Git expertise to handle more complicated tasks like conflicts. Hear the story behind the creation of a purging flow versions command and how feedback from colleagues contributed to the SFDX-Hardis roadmap.

Don't miss this fascinating conversation with Nicolas Vuillamy and learn more about the powerful SFDX-Hardis project!

Show Highlights:

What SFDX-Hardis is and how it works.
What the role of a release manager with Git experience is.
The importance of the project being open source
How new features are handled

Links:

Nicolas on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-vuillamy/
Nicolas on Github: github.com/nvuillam
Nicolas on Twitter twitter.com/NicolasVuillamy
Nicolas' blog: nicolas.vuillamy.fr/
SFDX-Hardis: https://sfdx-hardis.cloudity.com/

181: Generative AI and Developers with Sridhar Raghavan Jun 19, 2023

Listen in as Sridhar Raghavan, a Senior Director of Product Management at Salesforce, shares his journey from working in speech recognition two decades ago to generative AI today. We explore his early memories of playing Pac-Man on his dad's computer in the mid-90s, his break from Salesforce to pursue his own startup, and his strategy to get kids away from digital devices and into reading with AI.

Discover how Salesforce is pushing the boundaries of AI-assisted code generation for developers. We discuss parameter sizes, Salesforce's open-sourced 16 billion parameter model, and the importance of customizing and updating language models. Learn about the GPT (Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) acronym and how it is used to create the wiring necessary for a language model to become a learning engine.

Don't miss this fascinating conversation with Sridhar Raghavan!

Show Highlights:

Sridhar's strategy to get kids away from digital devices and into reading and how AI can help make reading more fun and engaging.
How Salesforce open-sourced a 16 billion parameter model.
The importance of customizing and updating language models.
What the open source project CodeGen is and how it is used to generate code in six popular programming languages.
How Salesforce is enhancing CodeGen to generate Apex code, LWC, and flows.

Links:

Sridhar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sridharraghavan/

180: Evangelist Coffee with Mike and Gillian Jun 12, 2023

Join us for a virtual coffee catch-up as we discuss our activities since the last Trailblazer DX conference, as well as the upcoming Salesforce release, along with a friendly debate on coffee versus tea. We share our excitement about sharing information about releases and share some tips on how to best prepare for it.

In the second half of this episode, we explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating content and the need for critical thinking despite AI's ability to summarize content. We also discuss the difficulty of using AI to create content such as jokes, blog posts, and even fantasy stories. Finally, we share our experiences with ChatGPT, Bard, and Simon and Garfunkel even make an appearance! Don't miss this engaging and informative episode!

Show Highlights:

Covering Salesforce releases
AI's potential for content generation, critical thinking, and joke/story creation
Crafting quality submissions for CFPs

Links:

Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegerholdt/
Gillian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliankbruce/
Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirk/

179: Cactusforce with Marisa Hambleton, Extended Pt. 2 Jun 05, 2023

We are back with part two of our interview with Marisa Hambleton. In part one, we discussed entrepreneurship, its pros and cons, and how the pandemic created new challenges for her.

In part two, we get into the beginning days of Cactusforce and how it organically grew from a group of developers at Happy Hour to a conference with hundreds of participants in just a few short years. She also discusses how their conference had to pivot from in-person to virtual in 2021 and how they were able to allow participants to interact with the speakers and be involved.

If you missed part one, go back to episode 178 and start there. Otherwise, enjoy part two!

Show Highlights:

How Happy Hour amongst developers turned into a conference
How people may not be dedicated to one technology
The content Marisa curated at Cactusforce conferences
How to solve dense problems and get advanced developers on stage
How Cactusforce has grown since 2020 and managed virtual conferences in 2021

Links:

Twitter account: https://twitter.com/marisahambleton
LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisahambleton/
Cactusforce: https://www.cactusforce.com/
Shirts: https://www.cactusforce.com/products
Marisa’s company, MH2X: https://www.mh2x.com/
More about Marisa: https://www.marisaforce.com/

178: Cactusforce with Marisa Hambleton, Extended Pt. 1 May 29, 2023

In this episode, we have a conversation with Marisa Hambleton, owner of MH2X, which helps companies achieve their strategic goals through technology by building solutions and providing consulting services. Although presented with the opportunity to work for a corporate firm, Marisa chose the entrepreneurial route.

This episode is part one of a two-part interview. In part one, we discuss Marisa’s early years and how she was introduced to Salesforce. We also talk about why she chose to own her own company and the pros and cons of entrepreneurship.

Get to know Marisa in this episode, and don’t miss part two in episode 179!

Show Highlights:

How Marisa was introduced to Salesforce
The incentive to stay in a world of entrepreneurship
Marisa’s advice for others who want to branch out on their own
Sticking with entrepreneurship and knowing when it’s not working
How the pandemic has created new challenges and solutions for her

Links:

Twitter account: https://twitter.com/marisahambleton
LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisahambleton/
Cactusforce: https://www.cactusforce.com/
Shirts: https://www.cactusforce.com/products
Marisa’s company, MH2X: https://www.mh2x.com/
More about Marisa: https://www.marisaforce.com/

177: Custom Property Editors with Alicia Teo May 22, 2023

In this episode, we have a conversation with Alicia Teo about Custom Property Editors and how you can use them to create powerful user interfaces to configure your web components. Alicia started as an intern at Commerce Cloud while pursuing her MBA and is now a Product Manager for Experience Builder here at Salesforce.

On the Experience Builder team, Alicia makes creating websites quicker and easier for admins. Custom Property Editors enable developers to create components that are even easier to use than Experience Builder, leading to fewer user errors and fewer complaints.

Enjoy!

Show Highlights:

What custom properties are
The problem Custom Property Editor is meant to solve
The new lightning property types and their benefits
How to override the date time picker with a new more robust one
What needs to be done to a lightning web component to make it a Custom Property Editor
The possibility of reusing the code

Links:

Alicia’s Twitter Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-teo/
Custom Property Editor Docs: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/component-library/documentation/en/lwc/lwc.use_flow_custom_property_editor_lwc_example

176: Salesforce IDE and Code Builder with Ananya Jha May 15, 2023

Ananya Jha is a Product Manager working on the IDE experience here at Salesforce. This means she gets to dive into all the cool new features that Salesforce releases in its extensions and eventually serves you through VSCode and Code Builder.

In this episode, we talk about the current state of Code Builder, the Salesforce IDE, and some of its great tools that can benefit you. We also discuss the advantages of using a repository as a source of truth when using Code Builder or Salesforce IDE, PMD’s relationship with IDE, and the Apex Replay Debugger.

Show Highlights:

The core desktop experience with Salesforce IDE
What the Code Builder technology looks like and how it can be accessed today
Other tools inside the IDE Ananya recommends for people to track conflicts and changes
Ananya’s favorite extensions and tools
Query Builder and how it works within the IDE
How the Apex Replay Debugger Works

Links:

175: External Services with Andrea Guzman May 08, 2023

Andrea Guzman is a Product Manager for External Services here at Salesforce. In this episode, we get an overview of the current state of External Services, which allows you to easily wrap API calls for both Flow and Apex. We learn how Andrea became involved with Salesforce and product management, the advantages of Flow versus Apex and vice versa, internal use cases, and more.

We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Show Highlights:

What the day-to-day looks like as a Product Manager at Salesforce
The elevator pitch for External Services
What is the Open API spec and how it plays into External Services
The structure for a developer and an admin to register these services
How Named Credentials work
What happens to your code if Twilio changes their API

Links:

174: HappySoup.io with Pablo Gonzalez May 01, 2023

Pablo Gonzalez is a Salesforce Architect at Salto, a small Israel-based start-up that does DevOps for business applications like NetSuite, Zendesk, JIRA, Workato, and of course, Salesforce. Pablo is involved in all discussions of decision-making at Salto regarding Salesforce. Whether marketing, blog posts, product features, engineering, how we solve certain problems, the API, or anything that has to do with Salesforce, he has a say in it.

In this episode, we talk with Pablo about his project, happysoup.io, and another of his projects, Not Another CI (NACI), and other topics for continuous delivery and integration.

Show Highlights:

How Pablo became self-trained in engineering.
What is happysoup.io, and where the idea came from.
What deployment boundaries are and how happysoup.io works with them.
What the deployment options \
Pablo's other project, Not Another CI (NACI)
Things to think about before building out pipelines when designing for CI

Links:

173: A Developer Carbon Dashboard with Tyson Read Apr 24, 2023

In this episode, we have a conversation with Tyson Read, a Product Manager here at Salesforce, on the impact that administrators' and developers' implementations are having on the environment. We discuss his project and how he is sharing this information through dashboards and guides.

Salesforce is a net zero company, so we are already offsetting all our emissions due to our data centers. In this discussion, our goal is to spread awareness as to what kind of cost there is so that others can understand what they can do about it.

If you’d like to learn more, feel free to reach out to Tyson on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Show Highlights:

Salesforce’s overall efforts in sustainability so far.
How to make small changes to fix our carbon footprint.
The equation between the cost of doing business and implementation.
The numbers developers will see if they start tracking carbon with a code.
How are carbon dashboard might work
The roadmap to sustainability at Salesforce.

Links:

Follow Tyson on Twitter
Follow Tyson on LinkedIn

172: From Aura to LWC with Greg Whitworth Apr 17, 2023

Greg Whitworth is a Senior Director of Product Management here at Salesforce. Greg started with Standards Committees in 2011 before getting involved in web platform testing and CSS Working Group, then Open UI. Today, Greg focuses his efforts on MWC, LWR Node, and standard web platform browser engagement.

In today’s episode, we talk with Greg about some distinctions between our old component framework Aura and our new, modern framework, Lightning Web Components (LWC). We dive into how the evolution of web standards at Salesforce is driven, the different styling of LWC, Aura’s file structure compared to LWC, and much more!

Show Highlights:

Aura in relation to the rest of the Salesforce frameworks.
Greg’s experience with JavaScript.
How Aura’s eventing compares to LWC.
What GraphQL is and how it compares to other API endpoints.
Strategies to start moving an org into an LWC.
How the language is continuing to evolve and improve the developer experience.
What is on the roadmap.

Links:

171: Modern Salesforce Integrations with Raj Advani Apr 10, 2023

Raj Advani is the Senior Director of Product Management here at Salesforce. Raj has held a variety of different roles at the company, beginning with an Engagement Manager when he started 17 years ago. He now owns many of the event driven architectures for Salesforce, including Change Data Capture and Platform Events.

In this episode, we have a conversation with Raj about various integration solutions on the platform. We discuss what Change Data Capture and Platform Events are, the advantages of a Pub/Sub API, and more!

Show Highlights:

Some of the internal features using Platform Events.
Moving toward a bus centric world in Platform Events.
The filtering conditions in Change Data Capture.
The benefits of event driven architecture.
The options for a distinct integrations from Salesforce.
How Pub/Sub API plays into the event architecture.

Links:

170: Apex Kit with Kevin Poorman Apr 03, 2023

Kevin Poorman is a Salesforce Architect over at Chief. He is joining us in this episode to talk about one of his newest projects, Apex Kit. Apex Kit is a library of tools that all help developers do repeated actions accurately and securely.

In our conversation, Kevin and I talk about his backstory and some of his career history. We also dive deeper into Apex Kit and get a full understanding of it. Enjoy this intriguing conversation with Kevin Poorman!

Show Highlights:

Where the idea for Apex Kit came from.
How Apex Kit works.
The connection between Apex Recipes and Apex Kit.
What promises in code are.
How promises get built into Apex.
What polyfills are and how they work within Apex Kit.
The function of Ouroboros in Apex Kit.
The difference between a ULID and a UUID and a use case for a ULID.

Links:

Twitter account - @Codefriar
Linkedin account https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpoorman/
Github account https://github.com/codefriar/
Apex Kit: https://github.com/codefriar/ApexKit

169: Your Job Search with Chelyn Briand Mar 27, 2023

Chelyn Briand is a Salesforce Partnerships Manager with many years of experience in recruiting and helping people get hired for jobs they want. She also helps people clean up their LinkedIn profiles so it better shows their skills and can catch the eye of recruiters.

It is undoubtedly a challenging climate for those looking for a job in tech right now. Chelyn shares some excellent tips on how to stand out and get the job you want and not just the job you need.

We hope you enjoy this quick conversation with Chelyn.

Show Highlights:

The Supermoms organization that Chelyn is involved with
What you can do to take a step back and be more successful in your job search
Focus on your day-to-day goals – rather than a job title
We all have a personal brand (whether you like it or not)
LinkedIn’s relevance for the developer architect community and how you can leverage your profile

Links:

168: Nebula Cache Manager with Jonathan Gillespie Mar 20, 2023

In this episode, we have a conversation with the lead software engineer here at Salesforce, Jonathan Gillespie. Jonathan develops in Apex and Liightning Components and works in the internal org, Gus. He has been on the podcast before, but he’s back to discuss the follow-up to his Nebula Logger project – the Nebula Cache Manager.

We talk about how Platform Cache works, how it works with Apex, and how it can make your life as a developer better. Jonathan also shares the three specific limits that led him to start thinking about better cache strategies.

Listen in to learn how the new Nebula Cache Manager can be a benefit to you.

Show Highlights:

What Nebula Logger is.
What happens when we have a static variable in Apex.
The difference between organizational and session platform caches.
The expiration of an organization.
How Jonathan handles an org with no Platform Cache.
The things Jonathan wanted to give back to a developer from a utility point of view.

Links:

167: Move Fast, Don't Break Things with James Simone Mar 13, 2023

James Simone is a lead software engineer here at Salesforce. James works under the helm of the agile organization, where his team helps build tools for all of the engineering teams to measure their productivity and happiness. James’ team is making it possible to move fast without breaking anything at Salesforce.

In this episode, we talk about many philosophical concepts of software engineering. This includes agile and pure programming, mob programming, recursion and refactoring, and more. We also go into creating a future-proofed framework and even bring in the movie Midnight in Paris.

Listen in to learn how to move fast without breaking things in software engineering.

Show Highlights:

The tools involved in tracking agile
What James finds interesting about the Ruby ecosystem
Timing and efficiency versus safety
Where YAGNI comes into play
What makes for a good unit test

Links:

166: Getting Things Done for Developers with Jason Atwood Mar 06, 2023

Jason Atwood is the co-founder and CEO of the business consulting company Arkus Incorporated. In this episode, we talk about how he progressed from running a carpet company in Africa to becoming a Python developer to getting involved with Salesforce. We also discuss how he formed Arkus. However, our primary focus for this episode has less to do with computer coding and more to do with helping people reach their goals.

Our focal point for this episode is on how to get things done and what that means for developers. We discuss a couple of acronyms that pertain to one’s success and how Jason helps other people and business owners check off their to-do lists and realize their goals.

Show Highlights:

What the GTD methodology is.
How Jason helps people work through exercises and create new habits.
How GTD improves work performance and mental health at Arkus.
Jason’s favorite resources for people who want to get things done.

Links:

165: DevOps Center with Karen Fidelak Feb 27, 2023

Karen Fidelak is the Product Manager for DevOps Center here at Salesforce. DevOps Center is a new product at Salesforce that provides an end-to-end experience to help low code and industry-pro developers manage their changes and releases while developing on the Salesforce platform. Through DevOps, developers of all kinds are able to work together when they have been incompatible in the past.

In this episode, we talk with Karen about DevOps Center, what it means to admins and developers, and some of its details and implementations. We discuss the goal of bringing everything together and the modern best practices to provide a better and easier-to-use, more modern interface.

Listen in to learn more!

Show Highlights:

How Karen got into product management and with Salesforce.
What the day-to-day looks like for Karen at Salesforce.
What DevOps Center is and how it helps all types of developers.
The three benefits of leaving change set behind and moving forward with DevOps are.
How GitHub integration works.
Where CI CD comes into play with DevOps.

Links:

164: Apex Hours with Amit Chaudhary Feb 20, 2023

Amit Chaudhary is a principal technical architect at InfoServices. In 2016, Amit had just moved to the United States and was working from home, so he created a group for developers to connect to make friends in his new city. This grew into a program and community that he now calls Apex Hours.

In this episode, we discuss Apex Hours and how it has become a community-driven program. Salesforce experts create content every week for other developers to learn from. They believe that everyone has something to learn from each other and are growing in their technical skills together.

Listen in to learn more from Amit on Apex Hours and how they are impacting the developer community.

Show Highlights:

What Amit does as the principal Salesforce architect.
How Apex Hours organically came into existence.
What led Amit to provide Sales Cloud-focused material through Apex Hours.
Amit’s tips for people who are interviewing in the Salesforce ecosystem.
What the Salesforce inspector Chrome extension is.
What exciting content and events are upcoming from Apex Hours.

Links:

Twitter account: twitter.com/amit_sfdc
Linkedin account: linkedin.com/in/amitchaudhary21/
Apex Hours website: apexhours.com/

163: Code Analyzer with Roopa Mohan Feb 13, 2023

Roopa Mohan is the principal software engineer for the Code Analyzer team here at Salesforce. She loved computers when she was introduced to them in sixth grade and decided she wanted to do coding. The only company she applied to work at, Salesforce, hired her.

In this episode, Roopa shares information about how Salesforce Code Analyzer came to be and what is in its future. She discusses how it works, who it works best for, and other tools that it works well in conjunction with.

Listen in to learn more about Salesforce Code Analyzer and how it can be used in your operations.

Show Highlights:

What Code Analyzer does for its clients, and who the target audience is.
What PMD and its counterpart ESLint are.
The customization options for PMD and the code analyzer’s role in the customization.
What Code Analyzer 3.0 does for retired JavaScript libraries.
What might be the future regarding developer tooling and AI technology.

Links:

Twitter account: @rmohan_sfdc
Linkedin account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roopa-mohan-21a85b20/
Github account: @rmohan20

Links related to Code Analyzer:

Public documentation: https://forcedotcom.github.io/sfdx-scanner/
Open-source repo: https://github.com/forcedotcom/sfdx-scanner
Blogs:

162: Demystifying CDP with Greg Kihlström Feb 06, 2023

Greg Kihlström is the Principal and Chief Strategist at GK5A, a marketing consultant agency in Arlington, VA. He’s a consultant to many C-level types and an expert in marketing. He also hosts The Agile Brand podcast and is the author of 11 books.

CDP has become a popular subject since the launch of Salesforce Genie, and in this episode, Greg shares a plethora of information about it. We talk about what CDP is, what the moving parts are, what it means to technical architects and developers, and more.

Greg is an insightful resource in the marketing and branding space. Listen in to learn from someone who is immersed in marketing and knows the ins and outs of CDPs and CRMs.

Show Highlights:

What an agile brand is and how it works with marketing and branding
What CDP stands for, and what it does
What the data points are that we apply back to the CDP
If there are regulations surrounding CDP for consumer privacy
What type of companies benefit from a CDP, and the risks of not using it
How Greg thinks generative AI impacts marketing

Links:

Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom
The Agile Brand podcast: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast
Agile Guide on CDP: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/agile-brand-guide-to-cdps
GK5A website: https://www.gk5a.com

161: Apex Tips and Tricks with Oleh Mykytyn Jan 30, 2023

Oleh Mykytyn is the strategic relationship director at the Salesforce partner company Red Tag. Oleh has always had a knack for computers and coding and fit right in with Salesforce after winning a hoodie in 2014 for finishing five badges. In 2017, Oleh was a part of the team that began the Salesforce Developer Group in the Ukraine. Recently, Oleh had a presentation on Apex and record triggered flows, where he discussed which is better.

In this episode, we dive into Oleh’s latest presentation topic, beginning with the question, do we need both Apex and record triggered flows? Oleh answers when it’s best to use Apex over Flow, which one’s faster, which one’s better to maintain, and more. We also touch on use cases for wrapper classes and Oleh’s role on the Salesforce product advisory board.

Show Highlights:

Do we need both record triggered flows and Apex triggers?
When it’s best to use Apex over Flow.
If Apex is faster than Flow.
Which is better to maintain.
How easy is it for a developer to pick up the modern version of Flow?
How Apex and Flow interact with each other.
Use cases for wrapper classes.
Oleh’s role on Salesforce’s product advisory board.

Links:

160: Enabling a Community with Rafael Hernandez Jan 23, 2023

Rafael Hernandez is a specialist leader at Deloitte and an avid member of the Salesforce community around the world. However, especially in Mexico where students don’t always have the same opportunities in web development, and consulting. Rafael has committed to providing learning opportunities for college kids so they may get involved and be successful within the Salesforce economy.

In this episode, Rafael discusses how coding came easy to him and when he was introduced to Salesforce. He goes into how he started a community within Salesforce and how he teaches students to be consultants by teaching them soft skills.

Rafael is so passionate about what he offers that it almost sounds too good to be true. Listen in to get a sense of Rafael’s excitement for his charitable causes and how he is preparing college students for adulthood.

Show Highlights:

How Rafael got started in coding and joined Salesforce.
When and why Rafael began the community portion of Salesforce.
How he teaches students soft skills and prepares them to be consultants.
What happens after people graduate from his class.
The benefit of pairing students with nonprofits in Mexico.
What the Kerrnandez Foundation is, and how it started.
How Rafael’s book, “¡Soy Adulto! (¿Ahora Qué?)” came to be.

Links:

Rafael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafablazer/
Rafael on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rafablazer
Rafael's website: https://rafahernandez.org/
Kerrnandez Foundation: https://www.kerrnandez.org/

159: Supertokens with Rishabh Poddar Jan 16, 2023

Rishabh Poddar is the CTO and co-founder of SuperTokens, an open source user authentication service. Rishabh has always been fascinated with computers and began coding when he was 12 years old. Programming came easily to him, and he loved doing it, so he went to school for computer science and made it his career.

In this episode, we have a conversation about creating SuperTokens and how they work compared to other authentication techniques. Rishabh shares how to prevent impersonation, the architecture of SuperTokens, tips for JavaScript developers, and more.

Show Highlights:

Rishabh's earliest memory with a computer.
Why he created an operating system from scratch.
What got Rishabh interested in authentication.
What a rotating refresh token is.
What SuperTokens core strength is.
How passwordless authentication works.
What cross origin resource sharing (CORS) is.
What the SuperTokens business model us.

Links:

Rishabh on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rishpoddar
Rishabh on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishabh-poddar-b64b73129/
Rishabh on Github: https://github.com/rishabhpoddar

158: Ethics by Design and Data Ethics with Rob Katz Jan 09, 2023

Rob Katz is the VP of Product Management for our Office of Ethical and Humane Use of Technology here at Salesforce. He got into product management as he was getting ready to finish up his MBA and came to work for big companies like Amazon and Alexa.

In this episode, Rob and I are talking all about ethics. We discuss Ethics by Design, data ethics when it comes to building applications, and even more. Tune in to get a deeper understanding of the ethics of technology.

Show Highlights:

Rob’s winding career journey.
What he worked on at Alexa as the dedicated privacy project manager.
What he does in his current role at The Office of Ethical and Humane Use of Technology.
The lifecycle of Ethics by Design.
Examples of well-intended designs that ended up having unintended consequences.
What developers should think about in regards to ethics when building a new application.
What consequence scanning workshops are.

Links:

Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertskatz/
How to Run a Consequence Scanning Workshop - https://medium.com/salesforce-ux/how-to-run-a-consequence-scanning-workshop-4b14792ea987
What is Ethics by Design? https://www.salesforce.com/blog/what-is-ethics-by-design/
Responsible Marketing / Responsible Personalization - https://www.salesforce.com/blog/responsible-marketing-principles/
New Research Reveals 4 Ways Businesses Can Maximize Trust & Savings with Personalization - https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/salesforce-ethical-data-management-report/
Data Ethics in our Help & Training Documentation - https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.c360a_ethics.htm&type=5

157: Ethical AI with Kathy Baxter Jan 02, 2023

Kathy Baxter is the Principal Architect for Ethical AI Practice here at Salesforce. Ethics and AI is a complex topic but Kathy is truly an expert. She started researching it in 2016 when she first learned how toxicity and bias can end up creeping into AI.

Today, Kathy is joining us to talk all about Ethical AI. In our conversation, we also discuss how technical products can use ethics and AI. Join us to learn all about this interesting facet of our industry.

Show Highlights:

How Kathy got into this line of work.
What an AI-first company is.
How toxicity can creep into chatbots.
Why ethical AI is so important in a company like Salesforce.
Unique things Salesforce uses AI for.
AI considerations developers should think about from the beginning of the development of an application.
Where AI can’t replace human intuition.

Links:

Kathy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/baxterkb
Kathy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathykbaxter/
Kathy on Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@baxterkb
Responsible Creation of AI Trailhead: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/responsible-creation-of-artificial-intelligence
Building Ethical and Inclusive Products Trailmix: sfdc.co/EthicalandInclusiveProducts
Salesforce Trusted AI Site & Resources: salesforceairesearch.com/trusted-ai
AI Ethics Maturity Model: sfdc.co/EAIMM

156: JavaScript and Careers with Lisa White Dec 26, 2022

Lisa White is a Software Engineer over at TaskRay. Over the years, Lisa has tried out a variety of careers and had to make many career decisions. Throughout her experiences, she learned JavaScript and eventually found her way to TaskRay.

In this episode, I sit down with Lisa to talk about her journey. She tells us the story of how she got into software engineering, learned JavaScript, and developed her career from there. She also gives some great advice for those who are junior developers looking to get into this field.

Show Highlights:

How Lisa got exposed to tech and Salesforce.
Why her career shift felt like an identity shift.
Her experience with Hack Reactor.
How she morphed her JavaScript and React skills into Apex and LWC.
Advice for junior developers.
What made her want to talk about Javascript and date time at Dreamforce.
Why third party data libraries are so helpful.
Tips for those who want to get onstage at Dreamforce.

Links:

Lisa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lmbel
Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitelisab/
Lisa on Github: https://github.com/whitelisab
Lisa's website: https://www.whitelisab.com/

155: Replay! Salesforce Saturdays with Jessica Murphy Dec 19, 2022

On this episode, we are pleased to welcome Jessica Murphy to the show. We talk about Jessica’s journey into discovering development with Salesforce and the influence others have had on those experiences, as well as sharing those experiences with Salesforce Saturdays. She is a co-conspirator of Salesforce Saturdays in Phoenix since 2015 with two other women with the goal of helping other developers find success.

Salesforce Saturdays occur around the country in various coffee shops and sometimes office locations, as a casual environment to educate and empower people. Their success stories are amazing, as some people have attended Salesforce Saturdays and then gone on to accomplish their goals. They also encourage people to give back. For example, they had an attendee come back to hire others at a Salesforce Saturday when he was looking for employees. There are always new people who want to learn Salesforce, so it is an exciting environment, and all are welcome. Just come – you don’t need any special qualifications! The door is open for you to join a Salesforce Saturday near you.

Show highlights

Jessica’s journey to becoming a woman in technology
The profound influence education has had on her life and the confidence it has given her
Introduction to Trailhead and how it ties into your commitment to making yourself better
The opportunities presented through Salesforce that have had an amazing impact on Jessica
People learn things different ways, so there are various hurdles to learning Salesforce
The evolution, impact and growth of Trailhead and all the options available that it is supporting
Ways you can participate in Salesforce Saturday. Your help is valuable! Everyone is a leader in this group setting and we support each other

Resources

The many shout outs for this episode

154: Guest Host! A Brief History of Salesforce Characters with Domenique Buxton Dec 12, 2022

Today, we’ve got a guest host! I’m partnering with my partner in crime, Mike Gerholdt, as he’s taking over the host seat and interviewing our good friend and colleague, Domenique Buxton.

Domenique is the VP Executive Creative Director for Trailblazers and Trailhead. She has also played a major part in the development of Salesforce characters, something that has built connection and meaning within the Salesforce community.

Throughout Mike’s conversation with Domenique, they discuss the history of the Salesforce characters, including how they came to be, why they were created, and more!

Show Highlights:

The origin story of Salesforce characters.
Why they created the characters the way they did.
How the characters have evolved over the years.
How the characters got connected with a deeper purpose.
Where community feedback has been crucial in the development of Salesforce characters.
Some of Domenique’s special memories from events.
The teamwork that brought the characters to light.

Links:

SaaSy breaking it down
Domenique: @LittleIglooo
Salesforce Admins: @SalesforceAdmns
Gillian: @GillianKBruce
Mike: @MikeGerholdt

153: Being a Trusted Advisor with David Schach Pt 2. Dec 05, 2022

David Schach is joining us again! We started our conversation on being a trusted advisor last week and are finishing it off today in part two.

David is a Salesforce Application Architect over at Spot On. He consults on all things Salesforce and has a wide range of experience with it. Therefore, he has some great tips and tricks to share. Tune in to learn more of them along with how to become a trusted advisor.

Show Highlights:

What the basic database theory is.
David’s favorite tools he’s pulled off GitHub.
Why “prettifying” code is so helpful.
Why negative testing is so important.
The difference between being dependable and being trusted.

Links:

David on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dschach
David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschach/
David on GitHub: https://github.com/dschach

152: Being a Trusted Advisor with David Schach Pt 1. Nov 28, 2022

David Schach is the Salesforce Application Architect over at Spot On. As a Salesforce consultant, David has practically seen it all. He has dealt with a variety of situations over the years that have equipped him to understand Salesforce at a unique depth.

In this episode and next week’s, David is sharing his best practices and tips. He’s also going to tell us some of his favorite “war stories” from his years of Salesforce consulting. Tune in to learn from his incredible wisdom.

Show Highlights:

David’s history in computing and even going to med school.
How he got into data loading and model metrics.
How he started down the architecture path from there.
How influential open source has been for both of us.
A few of David’s implementation horror stories.

Links:

David on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dschach
David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschach/
David on Github: https://github.com/dschach

151: RAD Women & Forcelandia with Angela Mahoney Nov 21, 2022

Angela Mahoney is the Executive Director of RAD Women. She also helped found this organization and has played a major part in its growth. Angela is currently assisting with a cool project of teaching Salesforce at a university in Mexico.

In this episode, Angela and I dive into the history behind RAD Women. She shares how it was formed and what they’re doing today. Finally, we discuss the origin of the tech conference Forcelandia.

Show Highlights:

More about the Salesforce project Angela’s helping out with in Mexico.
How she got involved with technology at Salesforce.
Why she wanted to get involved in the Salesforce community.
The origin story and mission statement of RAD Women.
What has contributed to RAD Women’s regional growth.
Why Angela wanted to create a community conference.
How Forcelandia is distinct from other community events.
What Angela does outside of RAD Women.

Links:

Angela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelamahoneymba/
Angela on Twitter: https://twitter.com/icloudsf
Rad Women: http://radwomen.org/
Forcelandia: http://forcelandia.com/
Josh's keynote, The Pool at Nowhere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkXefNpFbOA

150: B2C and B2B Solution Architecture with Shoby Abdi Nov 14, 2022

Shoby Abdi is the Director of Architect Success here at Salesforce. He started his career as an intern at Lions Consulting Group. It was there that he first heard about Salesforce and got involved with it.

In this episode, Shoby and I talk all about the B2C and B2B Solution Architect program including the enablement that goes along with it. We also discuss the certifications that Shoby helped create.

Show Highlights:

More on Shoby’s career background.
How he got into architecture.
The difference between a solution architect and a technical architect.
All about Shoby’s current role.
What the enablement with Solution Architect looks like.
Challenges the multi-cloud strategy presents.
What it takes to build a certification.
The major differences between B2C and B2B.

Links:

Shoby on Twitter: http://twitter.com/shobyabdi
Shoby on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/shobyabdi
B2B Solution Architecture on Github: github.com/b2bsolutionarchitectprogram
B2B Workshops: https://trailheadacademy.salesforce.com/classes/arc801-Design-and-implement-b2b-multi-cloud-solutions

149: Mental Health and Illness with Katie Villanueva Pt 2 Nov 07, 2022

Katie Villanueva, Senior Salesforce Administrator, is joining us again today! We started our conversation on mental health in the workplace last week and, in this episode, we’ll finish it up.

Katie has a long history with mental health and illness. She has grown and learned a lot over the years and she now supports others through a mental health and illness forum. Tune in to learn how to handle mental health in the workplace, how you can help others with mental illnesses and improve your own mental health, and all about the forum Katie created.

Show Highlights:

Katie’s “CRM” mindset.
The stigma around mental health in our society, especially in the tech industry.
Why respect for ourselves and others is so crucial.
What mindfulness is.
How Katie structures her routine to improve her mental health.
The origin story of her community forum.

Links:

Katie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Catptains_Log
Katie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-villanueva-36138914a/
Mental Health and Illness Group: https://sfdc.co/tb-mental-health-illness

148: Mental Health and Illness with Katie Villanueva Pt. 1 Oct 31, 2022

Katie Villanueva is a Senior Salesforce Administrator. She is also the creator of the Mental Health and Illness forum on Trailblazer. Katie has been on a long journey with mental health and has learned so much along the way.

In this episode, Katie and I discuss her mental health history and her various experiences with it. She also shares some things we can do to optimize our mental health. You don’t want to miss this one.

Show Highlights:

Katie’s history in radio and how she transitioned from that to Salesforce.
When she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The long journey that led to her diagnosis.
The three types of bipolar disorder.
The difference between mental health and mental illness.
How Katie manages her anxiety.
The experience she had meeting Charlie Isaacs.

Links:

Katie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Catptains_Log
Katie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-villanueva-36138914a/
Mental Health and Illness Group: https://sfdc.co/tb-mental-health-illness

147: Supermums with Heather Black Oct 24, 2022

Heather Black is the CEO of Supermums. She started out in social entrepreneurship and made the jump to being a CEO when she was 26. Eventually, this morphed into Supermums, the company she created and now runs.

In this episode, Heather and I talk about her long history with social entrepreneurship and what that term means. We also talk all about Supermums and how it runs today. Finally, Heather explains how she has created a healthy work-life balance.

Show Highlights:

The first business Heather started.
What social entrepreneurship is.
How Heather got into social entrepreneurship and moved into the role of CEO.
What her first year as a CEO was like.
Her journey of leaving her first company and founding Supermums.
What they do over at Supermums and who it’s directed at helping.
Why Heather wanted to start a podcast.
All about the book The Unseen Wounds of Women.
Why it’s important to be an authentic leader.

Links:

Supermums on Twitter: https://twitter.com/supermumsglobal
Supermums on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/supermumsglobal
Supermums website: www.supermums.org

146: GraphQL with Ben Sklar Oct 17, 2022

Ben Sklar is a Senior Product Manager here at Salesforce. Though he started college as a pre-med major, he quickly shifted his interests after taking a Coding 101 course. He went on to pursue Computer Science and even to do research at Vanderbilt University and Hamilton College.

Today, Ben and I are talking about GraphQL. GraphQL is a new standard which provides significant performance and organizational benefits to API calls as opposed to REST. Specifically, we’re discussing how Salesforce is implementing it and how you can use it. Join us!

Show Highlights:

How Ben got into web technology and front-end engineering.
How he got introduced to Salesforce and what he does in his current job here.
An overview of GraphQL.
The key limitation of REST that GraphQL is trying to solve.
The two main ways to use GraphQL APIs.
How lightning web components fit into all of this.
More things on the roadmap for GraphQL.

Links:

Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-sklar/

145: Managing Static Code Analysis with Tiago Ruivo Oct 10, 2022

Tiago Ruivo is a Senior Regional Success Architect here at Salesforce. He started his career in computer science and was introduced to Salesforce through pure luck as a customer. Eventually, he made the jump over to working for Salesforce and, over time, progressed from being a junior developer to holding his current role.

Today, Tiago and I are talking about one of my favorite subjects: static code analysis. Throughout the episode, Diego walks us through how to run it, how to manage it, and how to operate it with your teams.

Show Highlights:

More about Tiago’s background and career history.
How he describes his current role.
What static code analysis is and where it falls in the development cycle.
What the term “shift left” means.
What static code analysis is good at catching and what it’s not good at catching.
The tools that make up static code analysis.
The first steps to take when you run code analysis.
Best practices for making your own set of rules with static code analysis.
Where you can learn more about all of this.

Links:

Tiago on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiagoruivo/
PMD: https://pmd.github.io/
ES-lint: https://eslint.org/
SFDX Scanner: https://forcedotcom.github.io/sfdx-scanner/

144: Salesforce Saturdays with Steph Herrera Pt. 2 Oct 03, 2022

If you tuned into last week’s podcast, you heard from Steph Herrera. She is the co-founder of PepUp Tech and helped launch Salesforce Saturdays. All in all, her efforts have made a major impact in the Salesforce community.

Steph is back today for part two of our conversation. Throughout the episode, we talk more about Salesforce Saturdays and how Steph keeps it running with its now 60 chapters. We also discuss a topic that both of us are very passionate about: stress and burnout.

Show Highlights:

What Merivis is and Steph’s involvement with it.
The keynote Steph did at Dreamforce 2017.
Her tips for anyone preparing to give a keynote.
How mental health came onto her radar.
Why stress and burnout can become such a problem for people in the tech community.
All about the mental health panel Steph is doing.

Links:

Steph on Twitter: @steph_herrera_
Steph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph360/

143: Salesforce Saturdays with Steph Herrera Pt. 1 Sep 26, 2022

Steph Herrera is the co-founder of PepUp Tech and has a long history in the Salesforce community. After starting out at Dell, Steph developed a passion for computers and eventually coding. From there, she got involved with a variety of projects like Maris.

However, what Steph is most famous for is something that has made an indelible impact on our community, Salesforce Saturdays. Tune in to dive into the story behind Salesforce Saturdays, what it looks like today, and much more from Steph.

Show Highlights:

How Steph ended up in tech.
How she got introduced to Salesforce and decided to make it the backbone of her career.
Steph’s story of co-founding PepUp Tech.
What PepUp Tech is doing right now.
Where the idea for Salesforce Saturdays came from.
How they keep it structured with 60 chapters running.

Links:

Steph on Twitter: @steph_herrera_
Steph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph360/

142: Nebula Logger with Jonathan Gillespie Sep 19, 2022

In keeping with our discussion of open-source software, today we will be speaking with Jonathan Gillespie, a software engineer here at Salesforce who is responsible for building the Nebula Logger. Jonathan is a proponent of open-source software for its many benefits, from community sourcing to expert knowledge and transparency.

Frustrated with the limitations of proprietary software, Jonathan began experimenting with open-source as a more robust alternative. In my discussion with Jonathan, he fills us in on the reasons he has embraced open-source and why it can be helpful to other developers. He also discusses his current project, Nebula Logger, what led him to begin his work on it, and how it can be used to monitor and report logging data.

Show Highlights:

What led Jonathan to embrace open-source software
The benefits of open-source software
The origin story of Jonathan’s work on Nebula Logger
How the rise of automation has impacted developers

Links:

Jonathan on Linkedin - https://linkedin.com/in/jongpie/
Jonathan on Github - https://github.com/jongpie/

141: OSS Software with James Simone Sep 12, 2022

James Simone is a Lead Software Engineer here at Salesforce. One of his great passions in life is open-source software. That is exactly what we will be talking about today.

James was inspired to get into open-source software to help people share code in a more easily indexable, searchable format. This is even what led him to work here at Salesforce. In this episode, James teaches us how we can use open-source software, how to get into it, and some of the projects that he likes.

Show Highlights:

How James came to work for Salesforce.
What extreme programming is and where it came from.
Why enterprises should support open-source software.
How second-generation packaging affected Salesforce projects.
How to navigate licensing and fair use when working with open-source software.
All about Nebula Logger and the logging problem it solves.
What Apex Rollup is.
How to get involved in Nebula Logger and/or Apex Rollup.

Links:

James on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrwordsmith
James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrwordsmith/
James on Github: https://github.com/jamessimone
Joys Of Apex: https://jamessimone.net/blog/joys-of-apex/

140: DevOps with Kevin Boyle Sep 05, 2022

Kevin Boyle is the CEO of Gearset. Today, I sit down to talk with him all about his journey of building out Gearset and developing it into what it is today. We also discuss DevOps in general throughout our conversation.

Kevin’s life trajectory was mostly set from the moment he was first introduced to gaming and coding and was instantly hooked. He went on to do an internship with Microsoft which set his career in stone. Tune in to learn more about his history and what he’s doing now with Gearset.

Show Highlights:

What Kevin’s experience at Microsoft was like.
How he went from that to working with DevOps.
How Salesforce’s approach to metadata layers changed his thinking about DevOps.
The pitfalls of an org-centric model.
Qualities that make for a good DevOps practice.
Common misconceptions around DevOps.
When Kevin decided to start his own company and why.
The importance of surrounding yourself with a great team of people as an entrepreneur.

Links:

Kevin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevfromireland?lang=en
Kevin on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinfromireland/
Kevin on Github: https://github.com/kevfromireland

139: Burnout and Stress with Drew Tauber Aug 29, 2022

Drew Tauber is a Salesforce Engineer over at Clear. He is joining us today to discuss somewhat of a hot topic: burnout. Burnout is being talked about more and more in our society and brought to more and more people’s attention. We want to dedicate an entire episode to furthering the conversation on it.

Throughout our discussion, Drew and I talk all about stress, burnout, and anxiety. We also discuss how these things can affect us in the workplace. Finally, we chat about what to do if you are experiencing burnout.

Show Highlights:

How Drew became a coder and got involved with Salesforce.
His current role in the Salesforce community.
The early signs of burnout.
How the early pandemic contributed to Drew’s burnout.
How burnout leads to an unhealthy work environment.
The steps Drew took to recover from burnout.
How he prioritized socializing and exercising in his recovery.
What he does now to prevent burnout.
Communication boundaries he’s implemented.
Why he decided to start doing presentations on burnout and stress.

Links:

138: Business Builders with Nico Pouilloux Aug 22, 2022

Nico Pouilloux is a principal ISV technical evangelist here at Salesforce. He has worked for a variety of companies throughout his career but eventually came to realize that he wanted to work for a B2B software company. This brought him to Salesforce.

In this episode, Nico and I discuss his work as an ISV technical evangelist. We also get into his advice for ISVs and the Business Builders program he has helped develop. Join us!

Show Highlights:

What Nico’s current role looks like.
How he keeps up with all the latest developments.
How he helps founders of new businesses get on the market.
The evaluation process he goes through when founders bring in their ideas.
A simple explanation of the Business Builders program.
The communal features of Business Builders.

Links:

Nico on Twitter: https://twitter.com/npouillouxsf
Nico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/npouilloux/
Nico on Github: https://github.com/nicopollux

137: Salesforce & Slack with Daniel Peter Aug 15, 2022

Daniel Peter is the Salesforce Practice Lead over at Robots & Pencils. Having had some incredible experiences throughout his life (including starting as a self-taught programmer, studying marketing in college, and taking some time mid-career to go on “sabbatical” and travel), Daniel brings a unique perspective to our show.

In today’s conversation, Daniel and I talk all about his time in the Salesforce ecosystem and what his current job looks like. We also get into the weeds a bit with the Slack and Salesforce integration. Tune in to hear all of this and more.

Show Highlights:

Daniel’s history with computers.
Why he decided to get a business degree and how it has benefited him.
How he describes his current job.
Why the designer role is so important.
The benefits of Block Kit.
How Slack can be used for more than communication.
How the Slack and Salesforce integration can bring back some of the magic for developers.
Daniel’s developer story with Slack.
Slack integrations he has worked on and their use cases.
Event structure in Slack.

Links:

Daniel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/danieljpeter
Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieljpeter/
Daniel on Github: https://github.com/danieljpeter

136: Salesforce Architecture & Community with Paul McCollum Aug 08, 2022

Paul McCollum is a Salesforce Technical Architect over at Accenture. Though he pursued various interests in college, he eventually came to pursue a degree in Computer Science. From there, he began his first job as a Unix programmer and then found his way into architecture.

In this episode, we talk about just that: all things architecture. Paul shares some cool concepts with us regarding application design, UX, and big-picture architecture as well as what’s coming up for architecture in the future. Tune in to hear it all.

Show Highlights:

Paul’s long history with computers and architecture.
How he discovered Salesforce.
Why the overlap between user interface and big-picture architecture is important.
The level of planning and documentation an application owner can do without a designer.
The rising importance of technical designers.
Architecture blind spots Paul sees on the horizon.
A hack that allows flow to work with infinite records.
How Paul started getting involved in the Salesforce community and his current role in it.

Links:

135: Health Cloud Development with Cal Smith Aug 01, 2022

Cal Smith is a Senior Technical Architect and Associate Director for Cognizant. Cal has a long history with computers. He got his start in engineering school and has since done everything from animation to writing assistive software for the visually impaired. We discuss all of this (and more of Cal’s background) in our conversation today.

Throughout this episode, Cal also gives us a great overview of Health Cloud. We talk about its development and one of the unsung heroes of the platform: Omniscript. Tune in to hear all of this and more.

Show Highlights:

How Cal got involved with Salesforce and creating communities.
How he got started with Health Cloud.
A typical use case for Health Cloud.
What a validated machine means.
How deletion of records is prevented within Health Cloud.
What Omniscript is all about and what it does.
Cal’s work and involvement with Dallas GiftForce.

Links:

Cal on Twitter: http://twttiter.com/CloudMech
Cal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Cloud-Mech/
Cal on Github: https://github.com/crmprogdev

134: Mental Health Matters with Joe Sterne Pt. 2 Jul 25, 2022

Last week we began a two-part interview with Joe Stern, a consultant and program manager here at Salesforce. Joe is passionate about advocating for those with neurodiversity and has made it his goal to increase conversations about mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. We started our conversation last week learning about Joe’s journey after being diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and some of the challenges that have followed from this diagnosis. Now, he coordinates support for mental health in the workplace to help others process similar obstacles more effectively.

In the second half of our interview, we’ll discuss some of the outlets that Joe has found helpful when taking care of his own mental health. From activities like networking on Animal Crossing, to creating Mental Health Matters resource groups at work, to finding a passion for roasting coffee, Joe has discovered that sometimes the simplest form of therapy is finding something that brings you joy and leaning into it.

Show Highlights:

Finding therapeutic relief for mental health in unlikely places
How socializing with others from the workplace in ways that do not involve work can boost both group morale and individual happiness
The importance of setting up workplace resources for mental health support
Why it is so important to find a hobby you love and stick with it

Links:

Joe on Twitter twitter.com/mrjoesterne
Joe on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/jamesjosephsterne
Joe on Github https://github.com/joesterne

133: Mental Health Matters with Joe Sterne Pt. 1 Jul 18, 2022

Joe Stern is a consultant and program manager here at Salesforce. Though he has many interests—outdoor camping and shoe drops to start—Joe’s passion lies in being an advocate for those with neurodiversity. As someone diagnosed with ADHD at an early age, Joe has grown to appreciate the importance of addressing the impact that mental health can have on one’s ability to function successfully both in and out of the workplace. Now, he coordinates support for mental health in the workplace for others.

In the first part of this two-part episode, we begin our discussion with Joe about his path to becoming a developer and how neurodiversity has affected the trajectory of his life. We also discuss some of the trials he’s faced in the workforce and how getting therapeutic support for his mental health has positively impacted both his performance at work as well as his other various hobbies and responsibilities.

Show Highlights:

How to define neurodiversity
Where to find a community and resources for those that identify with neurodivergence
Challenges of learning how ADHD can impact your work life
Warning signs that mental health is negatively impacting your work life
Benefits of finding treatment or help for mental health issues

Links:

Joe on Twitter twitter.com/mrjoesterne
Joe on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/jamesjosephsterne
Joe on Github https://github.com/joesterne

132: Slack, Salesforce & Community with Meighan Brodkey Jul 11, 2022

Meighan Brodkey is a Director of Technical Architecture at Vorys. With a background in language and religious studies, she had a fairly smooth transition over to coding. She saw it as the technical version of translating numbers and letters.

Today, she not only works in technical architecture but is also heavily involved in the Salesforce community. She works a lot with other women in tech and within the Ohana Slack workspace. She is joining us on the show today to talk about all of these things, Slack integrations, and what she does in her current role.

Show Highlights:

Meighan’s college journey and first coding experiences.
How she got involved with Salesforce and became an architect.
Her passion for connecting people.
The various communities she is involved with.
What got her into Slack and the work she’s done with Slack integrations.
The basic structure of Slack apps.
What the block kit builder is.
A quick overview of GDPR.

Links:

Meighan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/meighansf
Meighan on LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/meighanbrodkey
Meighan on Github: https://Github.com/meighan
Meighan's blog: https://meighanrockssf.com
Join Ohana Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/salesforceohana/shared_invite/zt-1atj9vqqu-tJvNMMzizu9ZvQ5YQPK0bw

131: Salesforce Architecture with Ian Varley [Extended] Pt. 2 Jul 04, 2022

If you joined us last week, you met Ian Varley. Ian is a Principal Architect here at Salesforce who has extensive experience with Salesforce CRM and multi-tenant architecture. He also comes from a musical background which has helped him develop his coding skills.

Last week, you heard part one of our conversation on Salesforce architecture. We split our discussion up so you could listen to it in full. Today in part two we talk all about metadata and why it is so important. We also get into one of Ian’s favorite topics - cognitive bias in technology.

Tune in to finish the extended version of my discussion with Ian Varley.

Show Highlights:

The value of deeper semantic integrations of data.
How meta-databases physically work.
How unique IDs are generated.
What an instance is.
Why some IDs are 15 characters and some are 18.
Why awareness of cognitive bias is important.
The software Salesforce created to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Links:

Ian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefutureian
Ian on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianvarley/
Brains Considered Harmful: http://bit.ly/brains-considered-harmful

130: Salesforce Architecture with Ian Varley [Extended] Pt. 1 Jun 27, 2022

Ian Varley is a Principal Architect here at Salesforce. He joined us a while back on the podcast to talk about Salesforce architecture. We had to edit that conversation down so much that I wanted to bring it back and share it in full with all of you. We’ll split it up into two episodes over the course of two weeks.

In today’s segment, Ian and I discuss his long history, experience, and knowledge with Salesforce. More than anything, we get into his experience with the inner workings of Salesforce CRM and multi-tenant architecture.

Tune in to hear his rich thoughts on all of this and more.

Show Highlights:

How Ian got interested in computers.
Why people with music backgrounds are often so good at code.
How Ian came to work at the core engineering team at Salesforce.
What the architecture platform was like when Ian joined Salesforce.
What multi-tenancy is.
How grouping individual software services within Salesforce works.
All of the things that multi-tenant service providers take care of for customers.
What microservices are.
The benefits of monoliths.
What Salesforce Core includes.

Links:

Ian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefutureian
Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianvarley/

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