Alternative to S-Docs for Salesforce Document Generation

Alternative to S-Docs for Salesforce Document Generation

Document generation is an almost universal need for businesses and nonprofits leveraging the Salesforce platform as a CRM and beyond. Companies want to build quotes, contracts, invoices, product sheets, and many other documents off the data they manage through Salesforce, in as few steps as possible. This document compares six of the most popular tools available on the appexchange today. A summary table highlights core attributes, including basic technical capabilities. In addition, each tool is further described in more detail with an emphasis placed on the user experience for both the admin setting up the template as well as the end user generating documents from records.

S-Docs

Overview: 

S-Docs is currently the only document generation tool that is fully Salesforce native. This means that it is built entirely on the platform, leading to fewer security considerations as no data is moving off Salesforce in any way. In addition, no API calls are required for the solution to work, conserving Salesforce limits for other uses. S-Docs convinces with its simplicity. Everything required for one template to work can be set up on the same page, divided into multiple tabs. Along with the simplicity come limitations on formatting and data on multiple objects, though some of that can be circumvented by editing the template source code or writing SOQL queries. 

Best for: Companies with restrictions on using 3rd party connected apps, simple document generation requirements or admins comfortable writing their own queries/updating html. 

Admin User Experience: S-Docs does not have a setup wizard available, however getting started is quick for standard objects. After installation, the admin has to add a custom button to the objects they want to use S-Docs on. Templates are set up using a Template Editor. Depending on the output format, the document template is either created directly online (for Word, PDF, HTML) or in the MS Office Suite (for Docx, Excel, Powerpoint) and then uploaded. Unlike most other tools, there is no need to create a separate data model or mapping, everything is handled in one interface. The online Editor can be challenging and requires some trial and error to get the correct formatting in place, and formatting options particularly for tables are limited. Working with custom objects requires additional configuration steps. The UI for the admin still looks like Salesforce Classic, not yet in line with Lightning Design System. 

Template Setup Effort: Despite the initial setup being more manual than for other tools, it only took me about a day to get from zero to a working template with S-Docs. The online Template Editor was not always responsive and required some trial and error, slowing the process down somewhat. 

End User Experience: The end user clicks the S-Docs button on the record, and then selects the template which they want to use, with an option to edit the template before sending as an email. The UI matches Lightning Design System.

Titan

Overview: Titan’s MS Word Add-in provides a fantastic user experience when creating templates. It’s incredibly easy to use, there is no need to separately build out a data model or otherwise define which objects you want to work with, fields and tables can simply be added in as you go. Subsequently defining how the records are related is also easy, and no SOQL statement, scripting or other code is required to set up even advanced logic for a template. A preview option allows for quick testing of the template, before publishing it. Setting up delivery methods and establishing the full connection to Salesforce is a little more challenging, as the admin has to navigate their online Titan account, which is primarily geared towards form creation. Finding the options relevant to document generation can be challenging. The same applies to the support documentation, which is extensive (though it primarily consists of videos) and can be hard to navigate. 

Best for: Companies with webform needs in addition to document generation needs taking advantage of the full Titan offering. Admins wanting a pure clicks-not-code experience with extensive video guidance. Could be a good fit for non-admins setting up the template in MS Word, and admins only supporting in the online setup steps.

Admin User Experience: Titan provides a very quick access to the templates itself. Rather than first having to set up a solution, package, or similar, they only need a Titan account, the add-in in Word, and can then start directly building out the templates. The MS Word Add-in is incredibly easy to use and fits in visually, too. Titan is a true clicks-not-code tool, even for advanced logic. There is no need to copy-paste merge fields or write SOQL queries to filter results. The Add-in also provides an option for previewing the template. Once the template is set up, it can be published to the Titan account. This is where the setup becomes more challenging, as the user interface contains a multitude of options that are not relevant to document generation, making it harder to navigate. The admin follows a few general setup steps in the Titan account, then needs to set up various pieces for each individual template. Similar to FormStacks Documents, a mapping has to be set up, though in Titan this can be largely automated. In addition, collaborators have to be set up per template in order to allow Salesforce users access. Depending on the desired automated delivery method (storage, email, e-signature), further setup is required, though the end user may also select these methods manually when generating documents.

End User Experience: The end user clicks a Generate Document button from the starting record. They can then select the relevant template, and either view/download it or choose from a range of options, including Download, Email, or attaching the document. The UI is in line with Titan and does not clash with Lightning Design System.