sf-agent-framework/sf-core/tasks/middleware-evaluation.md

AI Agent Orchestration Framework for Salesforce Development - Two-phase architecture with 70% context reduction

# Middleware Evaluation

## Purpose

Evaluate and select appropriate middleware solutions for Salesforce
integrations, considering functionality, scalability, and total cost of
ownership.

## Instructions

1. **Requirements Gathering**
   - Document integration landscape
   - Identify transformation needs
   - Define orchestration requirements
   - Assess volume and performance needs
   - Determine security requirements

2. **Middleware Options Analysis**
   - MuleSoft Anypoint Platform
   - Dell Boomi
   - Informatica Cloud
   - Jitterbit
   - Azure Logic Apps
   - AWS Integration Services
   - Custom middleware solutions

3. **Capability Assessment**
   - Connectivity and adapters
   - Transformation capabilities
   - Orchestration features
   - Error handling and retry
   - Monitoring and alerting
   - Security features

4. **Technical Evaluation**
   - Performance benchmarking
   - Scalability testing
   - Reliability assessment
   - Deployment options
   - Development complexity
   - Maintenance requirements

5. **Cost Analysis**
   - License costs
   - Implementation effort
   - Training requirements
   - Operational costs
   - Support costs
   - TCO calculation

6. **Recommendation Development**
   - Score evaluation criteria
   - Compare alternatives
   - Identify best fit
   - Document rationale
   - Plan implementation
   - Define success metrics

## Input Requirements

- Integration requirements
- System inventory
- Data flow diagrams
- Performance requirements
- Budget constraints
- Skill availability

## Output Format

- Middleware Evaluation Report:
  - Executive summary
  - Requirements analysis
  - Vendor comparison matrix
  - Technical assessment
  - Cost analysis
  - Recommendations
  - Implementation roadmap

## Evaluation Criteria

- **Functional Fit**: Feature coverage
- **Technical Capability**: Performance, scale
- **Ease of Use**: Developer experience
- **Total Cost**: TCO analysis
- **Vendor Stability**: Market position
- **Support Quality**: SLAs, resources

## Key Capabilities

- Pre-built connectors
- Data transformation
- Process orchestration
- API management
- Event processing
- Error handling
- Monitoring tools

## Best Practices

- Define clear requirements
- Conduct proof of concepts
- Consider future needs
- Evaluate vendor roadmap
- Check reference customers
- Plan for skills development
- Consider hybrid approaches