SAP SuccessFactors to AD (Entra ID) Integration: What You Need to Know

Does your company use the SAP SuccessFactors human capital management (HCM) suite? Consider integrating it with on-premise Microsoft Active Directory (AD) or cloud-based Entra ID (Azure AD).

Once both systems are fully integrated, you can simplify user account management and provisioning for your IT teams. They no longer need to transfer data manually, which can reduce the security risk and boost operational efficiency.

In today’s article, we’ll teach you how to integrate SAP SuccessFactors into AD in six simple steps. But first, let’s look at the key components of this integration. Our Active Directory guides for other HR suites cover Workday and Oracle HCM, too.

What Is SAP to AD Integration?

As its name suggests, SAP to AD integration connects a popular HCM suite to Microsoft’s directory service.

SAP SuccessFactors is a cloud-based human resources platform powered by artificial intelligence. It helps companies manage various HR tasks like hiring, onboarding, benefits admin, and performance management.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Active Directory is an on-premise directory service used by IT teams to oversee user authentication, access, and permissions within an organization’s technological environment.

SAP can also connect to Microsoft Entra ID (formerly known as Azure Active Directory). This is a cloud-based system that helps IT departments manage digital identities and permission rights.

When you integrate SAP SuccessFactors into either Active Directory environment, you can sync information between the two systems in real time. You can also automate key business processes, like IT user management and access provisioning.

How Does the Integration Work?

There are three different ways to connect SAP to Microsoft Active Directory (Entra ID).

First, you can use the pre-built templates in SAP’s Integration Center. You can deploy them to build, run, or monitor the integration with Active Directory. However, you may find that these templates are limited to account creation and deletion.

If you want custom integration, you can use OData API tools to establish secure and direct communication between SAP and AD (Entra ID).

API stands for application programming interface. It allows you to access and exchange data between different systems. However, it can be difficult to set up, especially if you have a complex IT environment yet limited staff.

Fortunately, by using third-party connectors like ezOnboard, you can automate SAP to AD integration. You can save valuable time and enable your IT team to focus on more important tasks.

All you need to do is set the business rules you want the software to follow. Then, the system will instantly sync information and grant the appropriate user access based on pre-determined roles.

Common Applications of SAP SuccessFactors to AD Integration

When you connect SAP SuccessFactors to AD, you create opportunities to improve several HR and IT functions. Here are common use cases of this integration:

Onboarding New Employees

The integration automatically creates an account in Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) when the HR department adds new employee details to SAP.

It significantly speeds up the onboarding process, as IT teams no longer need to provision users manually.

In addition to creating new accounts, the integration can instantly assign roles and configure group memberships.

This automated process allows new hires to get started right away. It can positively impact productivity and give employees a smooth start on day one.

Handling Offboarding Processes

Integration can also automate offboarding workflows. When HR terminates an employee in SAP, the departing user’s AD accounts and permission rights are automatically disabled.

IT teams don’t have to worry about former employees retaining access to confidential company systems.

SAP SuccessFactors records the end or last date when an employee worked. Then, it can immediately trigger the deactivation of Active Directory user accounts.

Managing Employee Transfers and Role Changes

Employees frequently move between departments or take on new roles. Each change requires updating their access rights and permissions.

With SAP SuccessFactors to AD integration, the IT department can instantly update user permissions based on live role changes. This adjustment can include new group memberships, altered permissions, or access to different resources.

Everything is done in real time, so your team members have the right level of access without delay or the need for manual adjustments.

Assigning Appropriate Permission Rights

The integration can automatically assign permission levels according to the employee’s role as defined in SAP SuccessFactors. This ensures that employees have the right access based on their position from day one.

IT managers don’t have to adjust permissions manually, which can reduce mistakes and save valuable time.

This integration also makes it easier to enforce security policies and maintain cybersecurity compliance during onboarding.

Rehiring Former Employees

Rehiring former employees can be challenging if your IT department needs to re-enter previous data.

Fortunately, integration can automatically reactivate user information from past employment. This eliminates manual data entry, which can be both time-consuming and error-prone.

It also allows the IT team to quickly reinstate appropriate access without starting from scratch. The integration helps ensure consistency while reducing the time and effort involved in recreating profiles.

Plus, this automation keeps access management organized. This can benefit rehired employees, as they can get back to work faster with minimal disruption.

How to Integrate SAP SuccessFactors into AD (Entra ID)?

Integrating SAP SuccessFactors into Active Directory doesn’t have to be complex. You can follow these six simple steps to establish a smooth and secure connection between the two systems:

1. Set Up SAP SuccessFactors

The first step is configuring your SAP SuccessFactors account for the integration with Active Directory.

You need admin permissions to create user identities and retrieve OData APIs. Go to the Admin Center and type Manage Permission Roles in the search bar.

Next, select the same setting from the search results. You should create a new permission role by adding a role name and description for the user.

Under the Permissions window, click Manage Integration Tools and check the Employee Central API box. This allows you to read and edit using the OData API.

In the same Permissions pop-up box, you can choose which attributes the user account can read from SuccessFactors. Click on Done and Save Changes.

Then, you can add a permission group for each API user account. To do this, return to the Admin Center and select Manage Permission Groups.

From this Manage Permission Groups window, click Create New and enter a category name for API users. Then, a drop-down menu will appear where you can select and add employees to the group.

Once you have created the Permission Group, you can click Done to complete the process.

2. Prepare Active Directory

After you configure SAP SuccessFactors, it’s time to set up Active Directory. Log into an AD account with a Cloud Application Administrator account.

Next, search for SuccessFactors to Active Directory User Provisioning under the New Application gallery.

Then, you can add the software, select Provisioning, and change the provisioning mode to Automatic.

Once you’ve switched the mode, you can create AD user accounts and include them in organizational units (OUs) and security groups. Make sure they align with the roles and API usage permissions in SuccessFactors.

If you need to enable user provisioning in the on-premises Active Directory, you should download the Provisioning Agent. To start this, you should click the information banner that will pop up after setting the provisioning mode to automatic.

Transfer the downloaded agent installer to the server host. Then, you can successfully complete the agent configuration.

3. Connect SAP SuccessFactors to AD

Now, you’re ready to link SAP SuccessFactors to AD (Entra ID).

With your Admin AD user account, go to the Active Directory User Provisioning app that was previously created.

Then, complete the Admin Credentials section by entering the tenant URL, AD domain and container, notification email, SuccessFactors API user account name, and password.

You can select the Test Connection button to establish the integration. Once everything works smoothly, you can click Save. But if the connection fails, you can double-check if user credentials are valid.

Once you have successfully saved user account data, you can expect the Mappings section to display the default mapping rules.

4. Configure Attribute Mapping Between Systems

Attribute mapping is important after connecting SAP to Active Directory. This ensures that every SuccessFactors attribute, like job title or department, is correctly aligned with the corresponding AD element.

Go to the Provisioning tab under Mappings. You should select Synchronize SuccessFactors Users to On-Premises Active Directory to access the Source Object Scope field.

Under this field, you can choose which users will be provisioned in AD. The default scope is all users in SuccessFactors. However, you can always change this setting by defining a set of attribute-based filters.

For example, you can limit the users to be provisioned based on their ID numbers. You simply need to specify or filter the values.

After entering data in the Source Object Scope field, you should edit the Target Object Actions field. This defines what actions Active Directory performs.

While Create and Update are the most common tasks, you can also filter other provisioning actions, such as Delete.

You can even define how SAP attributes map to Active Directory elements. You can choose from three mapping types: direct, constant, and expression. The final choice mainly depends on your integration needs.

5. Test the Connection

After mapping attributes, you can run a series of tests to ensure that new user data from SAP is automatically reflected in AD.

This involves creating, updating, and deactivating user accounts to confirm that the integration behaves as expected.

Testing helps you identify issues before you fully deploy the integration across your organization.

It’s important to address these problems right away to avoid syncing problems that can result in downtime or security risks.

6. Launch the Integration

Once you’ve confirmed that data synchronization works smoothly, it’s time to launch the integration.

Go to the Provisioning tab in the Entra admin center. Then, select Start Provisioning to begin the initial sync. Depending on the number of users you need to sync, this can take several hours.

You can always check the same Provisioning tab to know which actions the integrated system has already done.

For example, you can see in the provisioning log which specific users are being transferred from SAP SuccessFactors to Active Directory.

Once the initial sync is complete, you can access an audit summary report. It lists all relevant information during the integration. These include the number of users in the provisioning service and other technical information.

After the successful launch, you should continuously monitor the integration to ensure ongoing functionality.

Why Should You Integrate SAP SuccessFactors with Active Directory?

Here are the top reasons you should integrate your SAP SuccessFactors HCM software with Microsoft Active Directory (Entra ID):

Automate Employee Onboarding and Offboarding

When you integrate SAP SuccessFactors with Active Directory, you can automate the creation and removal of user accounts as new employees join or leave the company.

The integration quickly gives new hires the right access to the necessary tools and resources. It’s among the best onboarding practices for a smoother transition to your company.

Meanwhile, outgoing employees have their access instantly revoked. This no-touch offboarding process ensures users depart your company with a positive experience.

Improve Data Consistency Across Systems

With the integration in place, you no longer need to worry about mismatched or outdated employee data between enterprise applications.

Every update made in SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central, such as a change in job title or department, is reflected automatically in Active Directory.

This ensures data consistency across both platforms and avoids potential confusion.

Enhance Security

Another benefit of connecting SAP to AD is improved security.

This integration can automatically remove user accounts and revoke access rights when employees leave the company. It can protect confidential company information against unauthorized access.

It also allows you to move beyond basic authentication practices to more secure methods, like multi-factor authentication (MFA). This ensures that only the right employees can access the correct resources.

Increase IT Efficiency

Managing accounts and provisioning for every new employee can overwhelm IT teams, especially in larger organizations.

When you integrate SAP into Active Directory, the process becomes more efficient. This allows you to allocate IT resources to more strategic tasks.

Save Money

Lastly, integration can save your business money by reducing errors related to manual data entry.

It can also automate tasks, which frees your IT employees to focus on more important areas of your organization.

They no longer need to manually copy and paste user details or track organizational changes. The automated system automatically handles all routine tasks for your IT department.

Seamless SAP SuccessFactors to AD (Entra ID) Integration with ezOnboard

Want to reap the benefits of SAP SuccessFactors to AD integration, but your IT team lacks time and the necessary resources? Consider automating the process with ezOnboard.

This software solution seamlessly integrates an organization’s HR software (such as SAP SuccessFactors) with traditional Microsoft AD and cloud Entra ID. It automatically updates the directory from SuccessFactors employee information based on pre-defined rules, freeing your IT team to do more with less.

By choosing ezOnboard, your organization can reduce manual workloads, improve data accuracy, and maintain security compliance effortlessly.

Whether you’re looking to transform onboarding workflows or update permissions in real time, you can rely on ezOnboard’s automated tools.

To get started, request a demo or check the ROI calculator to see how much money ezOnboard can save you.

FAQs About SAP SuccessFactors to AD

What is SAP SuccessFactors?

SAP SuccessFactors is an all-in-one HCM suite that helps businesses manage recruiting, onboarding, and performance. It streamlines HR processes by providing tools for talent management, employee engagement, and workforce planning.

SAP SuccessFactors also offers an Integration Suite to further boost operational efficiency. This allows you to connect the HCM platform to other third-party apps and systems like Microsoft Active Directory.

What are the benefits of SAP SuccessFactors and Active Directory integration?

Integrating SAP SuccessFactors with AD (Entra ID) simplifies onboarding and offboarding, enhances security, and ensures data consistency across systems.

The integration can also improve operational efficiency. It can save businesses significant money by reducing the need for additional staff and minimizing human-related errors.

Who can benefit from integrating SAP SuccessFactors with AD?

Both IT and HR teams, along with new employees in your company, benefit from integrating SAP SuccessFactors with AD (Entra ID).

IT departments can do more with less as the integration automates user provisioning and access management tasks. They can focus on other important tasks, such as enhancing security and maintaining industry compliance.

HR staff enjoys the reduced manual workload involved in employee management. The SAP HCM suite makes it easier to prioritize core human resources tasks instead of sending routine emails to IT about new or departing users.

Finally, employees themselves benefit from a smoother onboarding and role change process. They can enjoy instant access to the necessary tools, boosting their productivity.

What are the best practices when connecting SAP SuccessFactors to AD?

If you want to maintain a successful connection between SAP and Active Directory, you must thoroughly test the integration before full deployment.

Other best practices include implementing automated workflows and conducting regular audits to ensure accurate user account data transfer.