How to Connect Oracle HCM to AD (Entra ID)
Chad Burggraf5 min read
Do you want to sync information from Oracle Human Capital Management (HCM) to Microsoft Active Directory (AD) or Azure Active Directory (now known as Entra ID)?
To do so, you should learn how to connect these two systems. Once fully integrated, you can automatically update user account details between two platforms without manual intervention.
In this article, we’ll outline the steps you must follow to connect Oracle HCM to AD. We’ll also explore the benefits of this integration below. If you run PeopleSoft instead, you’ll find it among our HR-to-AD walkthroughs.
Why Should You Integrate Oracle HCM to AD?
Integrating Oracle HCM with on-premises AD or cloud-based Entra ID (Azure Active Directory) brings multiple benefits to your business. Below are key reasons why this integration is valuable:
Simplify User Management
As IT leaders, you know that managing user accounts across different systems can be complex and time-consuming.
By integrating Oracle HCM with AD, you can automate the process of creating, updating, and deleting user identities. This means that when an employee is added to Oracle HCM, their account is automatically created in AD with the appropriate permissions.
Similarly, when employees leave, their access can be promptly removed. This ensures that only current staff have access to your systems.
Thanks to this automation, you can simplify identity lifecycle management. You don’t have to deal with manual data entry, which is prone to human errors.
Increase Efficiency
Since integrating Oracle HCM with Microsoft AD automates business processes, it reduces both IT and HR workloads. They can spend less time on manual tasks, such as resolving IT onboarding tickets, and more on strategic activities.
Automated workflows also mean all employee information is synchronized between systems. There’s no need for duplicate data entry, which increases your staff’s efficiency.
Improve Security
Another benefit of integrating Oracle HCM Cloud with Azure AD is improved security.
By simplifying identity lifecycle management, you can enforce strong authentication policies and monitor access more effectively. For example, if an employee’s role changes, their permission rights can be immediately updated across all systems.
You can also assign users to security groups, distribution lists, or organizational units. Doing so ensures that only authorized employees have access to sensitive data. It minimizes the risk of security breaches and threats.
Reduce Costs
Connecting Oracle HCM Cloud to Active Directory may seem costly and extensive. However, it offers significant cost savings down the line.
This integration saves precious time and effort. It reduces the need for manual intervention, which can be labor-intensive and error-prone.
It can also prevent costly security breaches and operational inefficiencies. This translates to a healthier bottom line for your organization.
How to Connect Oracle HCM to Active Directory (Entra ID)
Below are the steps to follow to connect Oracle HCM to an on-premises Microsoft Active Directory or a cloud-based Azure Active Directory.
1. Verify Synchronization Requirements
Before starting the integration, you must check if Oracle HCM Cloud and AD meet the necessary synchronization requirements.
First, decide how worker data will leave Oracle HCM Cloud. Because it’s a SaaS application, Oracle HCM Cloud can’t write to your directory directly. A sync service, script, or identity product reads worker data from Oracle and writes it to AD or Entra ID.
Next, set up two service accounts. One is an Oracle HCM Cloud integration user with the roles it needs to run extracts or call the REST APIs. The other is an Active Directory account with rights to create and update users in the relevant OUs.
You should also modify network settings and firewall configurations so the sync service can reach both Oracle’s cloud endpoints and your domain controllers.
Then, confirm if both systems can communicate effectively.
Verifying these requirements early on will help avoid potential problems during the integration.
2. Configure Oracle HCM
The next step involves setting up how Oracle HCM Cloud will hand over worker data. Oracle gives you a few options:
- HCM Extracts: Build an outbound extract that selects workers and the attributes you need. Through its built-in BI Publisher integration, it can produce CSV or XML output and deliver it to a location such as an SFTP server.
- HCM REST APIs: Have your sync service read worker records directly from the workers resource in the Oracle HCM Cloud REST API.
- Oracle Access Governance: If you already use Oracle’s identity products, Access Governance can treat Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM as an authoritative source and provision accounts to Active Directory or Entra ID.
Whichever you choose, limit it to the workers and fields the directory actually needs.
3. Prepare Active Directory
After configuring Oracle HCM, you can prepare your Active Directory environment for integration.
Set up the necessary organizational units and security groups within AD to correspond with the user data from Oracle HCM.
Verify if AD is configured to accept information from Oracle HCM. Doing so ensures a seamless data transfer.
4. Map and Sync User Attributes
The extract or API output only contains raw worker data. To fit it to your business environment, you must implement attribute mapping.
This involves defining how worker attributes in Oracle HCM correspond to those in AD. Common map fields include account names, email addresses, and department details.
For example, the worker’s person number in Oracle HCM can be mapped to the employeeID attribute in AD, so each account stays tied to the right worker.
After mapping, don’t forget to sync the information. You can do this by making API calls or using file-based extraction to automate data sync.
5. Test Thoroughly
Before going live, you should test both systems to ensure the synchronization works as expected.
You can create test workers in a non-production Oracle HCM Cloud environment and point the sync at a test OU in AD.
Then, check if changes are accurately reflected in AD. For example, you can update or remove IT access to confirm that the integration can handle all possible scenarios.
6. Establish the Connection Between Oracle HCM and AD
After successful testing, you can finally integrate Oracle with Active Directory.
Use a secure and reliable connection to protect data transfers over the internet.
You should also set the synchronization schedule based on your organization’s needs. For example, you can schedule the extract or API pull to run hourly or daily.
7. Review and Maintain the Integration
Regularly review the integration between Oracle HCM and AD to maintain a smooth connection.
You can monitor synchronization logs or conduct regular audits. Then, address any errors that may arise.
You should also update configurations and systems as needed. Doing so lets you benefit from the latest features and security patches.
Automate Oracle HCM to AD (Entra ID) Integration with ezOnboard
ezOnboard seamlessly integrates an organization’s HR software (such as Oracle HCM) with on-prem Active Directory or cloud-based Entra ID.
It automatically updates employee details when changes are made in the HR platform.
With ezOnboard, you can transform the traditional, often cumbersome, onboarding and offboarding processes into more efficient and error-free operations.
To get started, request a demo or check the ROI calculator to see how much money ezOnboard can save you.
FAQs About Oracle HCM to AD
What is Oracle HCM?
Oracle Human Capital Management is a suite of cloud applications that helps businesses manage every human resource process.
It provides tools for recruiting, talent management, payroll, and workforce management. Oracle HCM helps most customers simplify HR processes and improve efficiency.
Is Oracle HCM and Oracle Fusion the same?
Not exactly. Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications is Oracle’s cloud suite, and it includes ERP, EPM, SCM, CX, and HCM. Oracle HCM Cloud (Oracle Fusion Cloud HCM) is the human resources part of that suite.
So when people say “Oracle HCM,” they usually mean Fusion Cloud HCM. Oracle’s older on-premises HR products, such as PeopleSoft HCM and E-Business Suite HRMS, are separate products. Oracle HCM Cloud can connect to Microsoft Active Directory using tools like ezOnboard.
What are the integration requirements when connecting Oracle HCM to AD?
To integrate Oracle HCM with AD, you should properly set up both systems. Start by choosing how worker data leaves Oracle, such as HCM Extracts or the HCM REST APIs, and setting up an integration user for it. Then, prepare on-prem AD or cloud-based Entra ID to receive information from the HR platform. You can also map and sync user attributes for accurate data transfer.