Introduction
Salesforce admins often face issues where emails logged via Einstein Activity Capture do not trigger the expected field updates. This can leave leads and contacts with outdated information and frustrate efforts to automate processes. The problem typically arises from using flows that are not correctly set up to handle the data from logged emails. Understanding the gap between intended automation and actual outcomes is key to resolving the issue.
Real-world Experience
Consider the case of an admin struggling to sync email activity with lead updates.
I have EAC enabled, and while my emails are being logged automatically, my flow never updates the picklist on my Lead record. It's really frustrating trying to get this to work with Flow.
This example mirrors a common pattern where promising automation fails to deliver, leaving many admins looking for a more reliable solution.
Einstein Activity Capture Solution
A careful review of community insights shows that the key challenges include misconfigured flow triggers and the use of formula fields. The issue often happens when using fields like LastActivityDateTime or LastEmailDateTime without proper conditions. A sound approach is to adjust the Record Triggered Flow on the ActivityMetric object to run only when the right fields update. Below are the steps needed to resolve this issue:
Verify ActivityMetric Configurations
Check the ActivityMetric object settings to ensure that fields like LastEmailDateTime or LastActivityDateTime update correctly when an email is logged. Confirm these fields capture the right data for your flow.
Update Flow Entry Conditions
Modify your Record Triggered Flow to fire only when the relevant fields (e.g., LastEmailDateTime) change. This reduces false triggers and ensures the flow runs only on genuine email events.
Isolate Lead/Contact Records
Add a decision element in your flow to check if the ActivityMetric record relates to a Lead or Contact. Use simple criteria to verify record type before executing the field update.
Test in Sandbox Environment
Run your updated flow in a Scratch Org or Sandbox. Verify that picklist updates trigger only after logging an email, and adjust settings if delays or false triggers occur.
Limitations to Consider
This approach may face limitations like processing delays, sometimes taking up to five minutes to trigger the flow. Moreover, using formula fields as triggers can cause occasional misfires. While it resolves the basic issue, scalability might be a concern when dealing with overlapping activity types, and further tweaks may be necessary.
Alternative Solution
It can be really annoying when Einstein Activity Capture doesn't update records as you need. DryMerge offers a helpful alternative for these issues. DryMerge is an AI-native app that connects with Salesforce and your email and calendar systems, ensuring your data is updated correctly. It takes information from unstructured emails and events and makes sure the right fields in Salesforce are filled in, stopping delays and missed updates. With its AI features, DryMerge picks the important details for your tasks, helping you keep your information accurate and current.
EAC vs. DryMerge Comparison
| Feature | Einstein Activity Capture | DryMerge |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Object Sync | Automatic sync to custom objects isn't supported | Emails, calendar events, and anything else can be synced to your custom objects in Salesforce |
| Email Attachments | Attachments are not captured or saved to Salesforce | Email attachments are captured and saved in Salesforce however you need |
| Multiple Email Accounts | Cannot connect to both Gmail and Outlook simultaneously | Connects to both Gmail and Outlook simultaneously |
| Unstructured Data Processing | Limited ability to extract and organize meaningful data from unstructured email content | AI processing of unstructured email content to extract key details and create structured records |
| Data Enrichment | Basic activity logging with minimal data enrichment capabilities | Intelligent enrichment that pulls contact details, action items, and key insights from communication data |
By addressing these key limitations of Einstein Activity Capture, DryMerge offers a comprehensive solution that empowers your team with superior data handling capabilities. From intelligent processing of unstructured data to advanced enrichment features, DryMerge transforms your communication data into actionable insights while providing the flexibility to work with custom objects and multiple email accounts.
Tired of Einstein Activity Capture issues?
We'd love to show you how DryMerge handles emails, calendar events, and unstructured data extraction more reliably and accurately than Einstein Activity Capture.
