SF-Data-Arch Master Data Management Practice Question
Universal Containers maintains customer master data in Salesforce and a legacy ERP. The data architect needs to ensure that when a customer's address is updated in Salesforce, the change is automatically reflected in the ERP within 15 minutes. The ERP does not support outbound calls. Which Salesforce feature should be used to achieve this near real-time synchronization?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that Scheduled Apex or Outbound Messages can achieve near real-time synchronization, when they actually introduce delays or require specific external endpoints.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Change Data Capture with a middleware subscribing to the change event stream
Change Data Capture provides a near real-time stream of record changes that an external middleware can consume and use to update the ERP. It is the most direct and scalable way to synchronize address changes without requiring the ERP to call Salesforce. Scheduled jobs and outbound messages introduce latency or require specific endpoints, while Platform Events add an unnecessary layer.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Platform Event published by a Process Builder on Account update
Why it's wrong here
Platform Events can be published by Process Builder, but Process Builder cannot be triggered on all field changes without careful configuration and may hit limits. More critically, Platform Events are for internal Salesforce communication or external subscribers via CometD; they do not directly update the ERP. A middleware would still be needed, making this less direct than CDC.
- ✗
Scheduled Apex job that queries modified Accounts and calls the ERP API
Why it's wrong here
A scheduled Apex job runs at defined intervals (e.g., hourly), not within 15 minutes reliably. It also requires Salesforce to make outbound calls to the ERP, which may be blocked by network restrictions or not supported by the ERP's API. This approach introduces latency and potential failures.
- ✓
Change Data Capture with a middleware subscribing to the change event stream
Why this is correct
Change Data Capture (CDC) publishes change events for Salesforce records, including Address changes on Account. A middleware can subscribe to the CDC event stream and update the ERP. This satisfies the near real-time requirement and works with an ERP that cannot make outbound calls because the middleware initiates the update to the ERP.
- ✗
Outbound Message on the Account object
Why it's wrong here
Outbound Messages are SOAP-based notifications sent when a workflow rule or approval process triggers. They are not designed for high-volume data synchronization and do not support near real-time updates for all address changes. Also, they require the external system to expose a SOAP endpoint, which may not be feasible for a legacy ERP without outbound capability.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Salesforce exam blueprint
This SF-Data-Arch practice question is part of Courseiva's free Salesforce certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SF-Data-Arch exam.