Conga Composer vs Ascendix Composer

In this article, we’ll examine two Salesforce-based document generation software solutions: Conga Composer and Ascendix Composer. We’ll look at their features, pricing, and functionality to help you choose the best document generation solution for your organization.

What is Conga Composer?

Let’s start with a brief intro: Conga Composer is a document generation solution mainly used within Salesforce to help businesses create sophisticated documents, presentations, and reports.

Conga Composer enables Salesforce customers to customize, streamline, and scale document generation and reporting for Salesforce.

File formats Conga Composer supports: PDF, HTML Email, DOCX, PPTX, XLSX

Setup: Can be installed via AppExchange.

Target industries: No limitations.

Main focus: Generation of printable materials.

Supported CRMs: Conga Composer supports Salesforce natively and can integrate with other CRMs via manual setup using OData (Open Data Protocol).

Number of document templates in the library: 23 templates for various domains.

Note: While Conga is recognized for its suite of 13 digital software tools that integrate into a unified platform for Revenue Lifecycle Management (RLM), for the purpose of this comparison, we will focus solely on Conga Composer.

What is Ascendix Composer?

Ascendix Composer is a document generation tool designed for organizations and professionals without deep technical expertise. It enables users to create printable materials (e.g., reports, flyers, brochures), email templates for future campaigns, and simple one-page websites. Ascendix Composer can automatically populate document templates with data from any standard or custom object within Salesforce and send them via email.

File formats Ascendix Composer supports: PDF, Email, HTML landing pages.

Setup: Ascendix Composer can be installed via AppExchange.

Target industries: Ascendix Composer is industry agnostic and can be adapted to any industry-specific object model.

Main focus: The tool is primarily used for preparing marketing materials, like brochures, emails, HTML landing pages, and generating reports.

Supported CRM: Salesforce

Number of document templates in the library: 40+ templates for different business domains.

Conga Composer vs Ascendix Composer: Features Comparison

We’ll analyze both solutions based on their setup specifications, editing features and document delivery.

Conga Composer vs Ascendix Composer: Setup Process

Setting up Conga Composer can be a bit of a journey. It involves delving into advanced settings in Object Management within Salesforce, including customizations like fields, page layouts, and compact layouts. For those not particularly tech-savvy, navigating these settings without in-depth Salesforce knowledge can be quite daunting.

On the other hand, Ascendix Composer stands out for its simplicity. Just download it from AppExchange and activate. No complex configurations or advanced settings required.

Bottom Line: If you prefer a straightforward, hassle-free setup, Ascendix Composer is the way to go. Conga Composer, while powerful, is better suited for users with advanced Salesforce knowledge.

Conga Composer vs Ascendix Composer: Document Generation Workflow

Generating documents with Conga Composer involves several steps:

• You start by creating a document template in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. This template includes placeholders (like > and << ClientName >>) where data from Salesforce will be inserted.
• Once your template is ready, you upload it to Salesforce. This makes it accessible for Conga Composer to use.
• You then set up a “layout element” in Salesforce. This is a configuration that defines which template to use, which Salesforce fields to pull data from, and additional settings such as the output format and file naming conventions.
• Configure the Conga Composer button and its parameters, specifying the template, Salesforce fields to pull data from, and options like output format and naming conventions.
• Bind dynamic fields using custom syntax for data retrieval.
• Generate and review the document.

Conga also offers add-ons like Quick Starts, Conga Batch, Conga Trigger, and RESTful APIs for optimized document generation. However, these add-ons require additional setup and costs, making it more challenging to get started.

In contrast, Ascendix Composer simplifies the document creation process:

• Select or create a template in Ascendix Composer from a library of predefined templates.
• Optionally configure the “Composer” button in the searching/filtering interface for document generation from objects like Account, Contact, Lead.
• Bind dynamic fields from Salesforce using data binding algorithms to automatically populate templates with the required data from Salesforce.
• Trigger document generation from our powerful filtering engine for group reporting or directly from a record for individual record reporting.
• Receive the generated document.

 

Bottom Line: Ascendix Composer, as an alternative to Conga Composer, offers a simpler workflow with fewer setup steps, automated data binding without custom syntax, and all necessary features included without additional add-ons or costs. It provides predefined templates and automated data population, making the process straightforward and efficient compared to Conga Composer.

Conga Composer vs Ascendix Composer: Document Preview Options

Once you’ve generated a document, previewing it is the next crucial step. Both Conga Composer and Ascendix Composer offer distinct methods for this functionality.

Conga Composer

Conga Composer provides two main ways to preview documents:

• Option 1: Preview via Layout Element

In Conga Composer, you can preview the document directly from Salesforce using a “layout element.” This setup involves creating a configuration rule beforehand, which tells Conga Composer which template to use and what data to include. The preview appears in the same format as your template, which helps ensure it looks as expected before finalizing.

 

•  Option 2: Preview as a Downloaded Copy

Alternatively, you can preview the document by downloading it to your computer. Open it using software like Microsoft Word or Excel, depending on the file format you choose. To do this, you need to access the Conga Composer editor, select the “Preview” option, and then review the document in your preferred application.

Ascendix Composer

Ascendix Composer also offers 2 options for document preview:

• Option 1: Preview from Ascendix Composer

You can trigger a preview directly within Ascendix Composer. This opens the document in a new browser window in HTML format, allowing you to review it easily.

 

• Option 2: Preview from Searching/Filtering Interface 

You can also preview documents from our searching/filtering interface. Like the first option, this will open the preview in a separate browser window. Both methods allow you to see the document in HTML format, and if it’s a PDF, it will closely resemble the final output.

Ascendix Composer also offers additional features such as generating an editable HTML file with CRM data and sending test emails for email templates directly from the preview.

Bottom line: Conga Composer and Ascendix Composer both offer robust document preview options, albeit through different methods. Conga Composer allows previews directly from Salesforce using a layout element or by downloading a copy to review in applications like Microsoft Word or Excel.

Ascendix Composer offers in-browser previews displaying documents in HTML format that closely resemble the final output.

Additionally, Ascendix Composer provides features like generating editable HTML files and sending test emails directly from the preview.

 

Conga Composer vs Ascendix Composer: Document Delivery

After finalizing a document, the next critical step is delivering it to the intended recipient. Both Conga Composer and Ascendix Composer provide a variety of options for sending, signing, and saving documents, ensuring you have all the necessary tools to complete each transaction efficiently.

Conga Composer

• Email: Send documents directly via email to specified recipients, either as an attachment or within the email body.
• Secure Storage:

1. Upload to cloud storage services such as Salesforce, Google Drive, Box, or SharePoint.
2. Send to e-signature platforms like DocuSign or Adobe Sign for streamlined approval and signing processes.

• Physical Copies: Send documents directly to a printer for hard copy generation.

Ascendix Composer

• Download: Available when a Composer tab is added to the object’s layout within Salesforce. PDF conversion occurs during the download process.
• Email Attachment: Send the document directly as an email attachment.

Bottom line: Conga Composer and Ascendix Composer both offer comprehensive document delivery options to ensure smooth transactions. Conga Composer supports direct email, secure storage, e-signature platforms, and physical copies.

Ascendix Composer provides efficient downloading and email attachment features. Both solutions offer flexibility to customize delivery methods according to workflows and user preferences, guaranteeing effective document delivery.

Functionality and Usability Rating

When assessing document generation solutions, the functionality and usability rating is pivotal in determining how effectively a tool serves an organization.

For a transparent assessment, we applied a simple ranking system, where 1 shows availability of a specific functionality that requires NO ADDITIONAL setup efforts, 1* stands for specific functionality that requires ADDITIONAL setup efforts, 0 stands for functionality absence.

Conga Composer

In terms of usability, Conga Composer loses 9 points out of 16 in total.

• Templates: The selection of templates is quite limited, and finding the right one can be challenging.
• Editor: Conga Composer editor is quite difficult to use and doesn’t resemble any standard document editor. It’s not suitable for creating attractive documents, only for setting up data mapping.
• Mapping: The mapping process requires learning specific syntax, making it far from user-friendly.
• Loop Settings: To set up data repetition for all selected records, you also need to know the syntax.
• Dynamic Elements, Maps, Conditions, Calculations: For dynamic images, maps, conditions, and calculations, you must learn the syntax or hire Salesforce developers to configure the extraction of images/maps, etc.
• Mailchimp: Conga Composer doesn’t have integration with Mailchimp.

Conga Composer’s usability is impacted by numerous add-ons that necessitate additional setup and incur extra costs. Moreover, it demands deep technical knowledge, particularly in understanding special syntax for template creation. In contrast, Ascendix Composer simplifies the process with a user-friendly “select from dropdown” approach for mapping data.

On the other hand, the functionality rating tells a different story.

Ascendix Composer

In terms of functionality rating, Ascendix Composer loses 3 points for input/output document formats variations, document delivery, automation of document generation.

• Input Formats: Currently, Ascendix Composer doesn’t offer the option to upload and modify existing files (i.e., mapping data to them). Users must recreate the template design from scratch within Ascendix Composer.
• Output Formats: For printed formats, Ascendix Composer only supports PDF output. Currently, no outputs in Excel, PowerPoint, or other formats are available.
• Delivery: Ascendix Composer lacks the capability to deliver the generated files to other locations automatically. There is no option to save the file directly in Salesforce, send it for signature, or store it on Google Drive. The only available option is to download the file.

Bottom line: When evaluating document generation solutions, Conga Composer and Ascendix Composer both exhibit strengths and shortcomings.

Conga Composer offers a more comprehensive functionality set but struggles significantly with usability due to its complex setup requirements and technical demands, especially in learning specific syntax for mapping and other tasks. It lacks integration with Mailchimp, limiting its overall utility.

Conversely, Ascendix Composer excels in usability with a straightforward “select from dropdown” method, making it accessible for non-technical users. The solution also has an integration with Mailchimp that offers an extended mass email capabilities to users.

However, it falls short on the functionality front, notably lacking in input and output document format variations, automation features for document delivery, and the ability to save or send generated files directly from the system.

Essentially, Conga Composer may appeal to those needing complex functionality and willing to invest in technical setup, while Ascendix Composer is more suitable for users prioritizing ease of use and straightforward document generation.

Conclusion

In the realm of document generation solutions, both Conga Composer and Ascendix Composer offer competitive features but cater to different organizational needs. Conga Composer, deeply integrated with Salesforce, boasts versatile document formats and robust automation capabilities. However, its steep learning curve and the need for specialized syntax for data mapping make it a complex tool to master, often requiring the help of Salesforce developers.

On the other hand, Ascendix Composer shines in its user-friendly design, making it accessible for users without deep technical expertise. This tool simplifies data mapping with intuitive dropdown selections, ensuring a smoother user experience. Nevertheless, it falls short in functionality, particularly with limited input/output formats, lack of automated document delivery, and the inability to modify existing templates.

Ultimately, the choice between Conga Composer and Ascendix Composer depends on your organization’s priorities—whether it’s the depth of functionality and automation, or ease of use and accessibility. Businesses with complex document generation needs and technical resources may find Conga Composer more suitable, while those looking for straightforward, user-friendly solutions may prefer Ascendix Composer.

If you need assistance with your current document generation software, schedule a call with us or book a demo of Ascendix Composer to explore what it can offer particularly for your business.