Agentforce Era: Why Workflow Rules and Process Builder are rapidly fading into history

The Salesforce landscape is changing rapidly, and with the rise of Agentforce, the sun is finally setting on Workflow Rules and Process Builder. Built on a foundation of Agent Actions, Agentforce exclusively leverages Flow and Apex. Since Workflow Rules and Process Builders cannot be leveraged by Agent Actions, this signals a pivotal shift in automation on the Salesforce platform that will motivate many organizations to finally make the switch. 

In this post, we’ll explore three key reasons why Agentforce spells the end of Workflow Rules and Process Builder. Plus, we’ll introduce how Hubbl Diagnostics can supercharge your transition to Flow, making your org ready for the Agentic era.

1. Agentforce's dependence on modern automation tools.

Agentforce integrates deeply with Salesforce's advanced tools, including AI-driven Agent Actions. These actions require robust, scalable, and flexible automation that only Flows and Apex can provide. Why is that?

• Complex Logic: Flows can handle multi-step, conditional automations that Workflow Rules and Process Builder can't match.
• Performance: Flows are optimized to work seamlessly with large datasets and high-complexity use cases.
• Future-Proofing: Salesforce has made it clear that Workflow Rules and Process Builder are being retired, with Flows positioned as the go-to automation tool. Salesforce has already deprecated the ability to create new workflows. And as of Summer ‘23, you can no longer create new Process Builders. Agentforce aligns with this strategic vision, ensuring compatibility with the future of Salesforce automation.

2. Unified automation for seamless experiences.

Agentforce promotes a unified automation strategy, which relies on Flows to ensure smooth integrations and consistent user experiences. Workflow Rules and Process Builder operate in silos, often creating conflicts or redundancies. Here’s why Flows are the better fit:

• Single Source of Truth: Flows provide a unified environment where automations can coexist with less chance for conflict.
• Easier Maintenance: With everything in one place, troubleshooting and updates are simplified.‍
• Advanced Features: Flows allow for dynamic screen interactions, complex decision trees, and seamless integration with external systems—all crucial for Agent Actions.

3. Apex enables extensibility for complex use cases.

While Flows are great for most automations, certain scenarios require the precision and extensibility of Apex. Agentforce's reliance on Flows and Apex ensures that both simple and complex needs are met, while older tools like Workflow Rules and Process Builder are left behind due to their limited capabilities.

• Custom Logic: Apex allows for the creation of custom solutions that go beyond declarative automation.
• Integration-Ready: Agentforce uses Apex to power integrations with third-party systems, creating a flexible ecosystem that Workflow Rules and Process Builder can't support.
• Scalability: For high-performance applications, Apex ensures that Agent Actions remain fast and reliable, even under heavy workloads.

Get Agentforce-ready with Hubbl Diagnostics.

Migrating to Flow might seem daunting, but Hubbl Diagnostics makes it easy—and fun! Our tool analyzes your Salesforce org, identifies outdated Workflow Rules and Process Builder automations, calculates the ROI of migrating those legacy automations and provides actionable recommendations to transition to Flow. Best of all, as you convert legacy automations to Flow, you can track your progress over time, including how it relates to other orgs making the transition, visualizing  the process in an engaging and motivating way for your team.

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TL;DR

Agentforce is setting a new standard for automation on Salesforce, and the retirement of Workflow Rules and Process Builder is an inevitable step in that evolution. By embracing Flows and Apex, your org can unlock the full potential of Agent Actions and thrive in the Agentic era. The good news is that Hubbl Diagnostics makes it easier than ever to make the transition and track your progress.