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Understanding CRM to iCampaign Sync Times and When to Use CRM Workflows for Time-Sensitive Campaigns (iCampaign)

Learn how sync timing between your CRM and iCampaign affects your automation, and when to use CRM workflows over iCampaign for time-sensitive results.

CRM to iCampaign Sync Times

When you make edits to records in your CRM, the timing for those changes to appear in iCampaign depends on the type of record:

  • New records: Updates reflect in iCampaign in real time

  • Existing records: Updates sync to iCampaign in 5-10 minutes

  • Manual sync (for new field mappings): Can take 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on data volume and queue load

When Sync Timing Matters for Campaigns

For time-sensitive campaigns that rely on "today" conditions (like Discharge Date = today), the 5-10 minute sync delay can prevent iCampaign workflows from triggering at the right time.

If a patient is discharged today but the CRM update hasn't synced to iCampaign yet, an iCampaign workflow checking "Discharge Date = today" may miss the trigger window entirely.
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Best Practice: Use CRM Workflows for Time-Sensitive Campaigns

For campaigns that need to trigger based on same-day events or other time-sensitive conditions, it's recommended to:

  • Create the workflow in your CRM instead of iCampaign

  • Configure the CRM workflow to send iCampaign emails directly

  • This eliminates sync delays since the workflow triggers immediately when the CRM record changes

Why CRM Workflows Work Better

  • CRM workflows trigger instantly when record conditions are met

  • No waiting for data to sync to iCampaign first

  • More reliable for "today" date conditions

  • Can still send branded iCampaign email templates

When to Use iCampaign Workflows vs CRM Workflows

Use iCampaign workflows when:

  • Timing is not critical (campaigns can run within hours of trigger)

  • Using complex subscriber segmentation features

  • Building multi-step automation sequences

  • Leveraging iCampaign's advanced template and personalization features

Use CRM workflows when:

  • Same-day triggering is essential

  • Working with discharge dates, admission dates, or other time-sensitive events

  • Need immediate response to CRM data changes

πŸ’‘ Tips & Notes

⚠️ Important: The 5-10 minute sync time applies to existing record updates. New records sync in real time.

πŸ’‘ Tip: For mixed campaigns, consider using CRM workflows for the immediate trigger and iCampaign workflows for follow-up sequences.
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