If you are an SAP SuccessFactors customer with an interest in reporting and analytics, you're probably aware that SAP Cloud Identity Services, which includes IAS and IPS, is a pre-requisite to implement Report Stories (or 'Stories in People Analytics'). Whilst these terms are commonly used within wider IT work streams, they are less common in traditional SuccessFactors projects and so can cause confusion.
In this blog we answer common questions on Cloud Identity Services for SAP SuccessFactors customers. For other FAQs about Report Stories or Workforce Analytics, please check out their FAQ pages.
Think of Cloud Identity Services as single-sign-on (SSO) for SAP applications. It is really that simple--to connect to other SAP applications, you use Cloud Identity Services, much like how many organizations use a corporate identity provider (IdP) like Okta or Azure.
Here are some of the more commonly used Cloud Identity service terms that you need to know:
This is not an issue. Your corporate IdP configuration can be updated to communicate with IAS. Then users will connect to SuccessFactors via Okta, Azure, or your IdP just as they do today.
Authentication concepts and configuration are often unfamiliar to HR teams and there is a fair amount of complexity with these implementations. That said, the 3n Strategy team have the right skills and expertise and have completed Cloud Identity Services and Stories in People Analytics implementations for numerous customers.
This process does not need to be disruptive to your end users--IAS can be configured so that user's existing SuccessFactors password is reused.
After implementation you will manage passwords in IAS instead of SuccessFactors. Or if you have a corporate IdP, user management would continue in that system.
Once Cloud Identity Services are implemented, they typically run on their own. A recurring job syncs new hires into IAS so they can login, and removes terminated employees so their logins are disabled. Email alerts can be set up so administrators can quickly act if there is an issue.
If you want to take advantage of the modern reporting features of Stories yes, you need to implement Cloud Identity Services now. It is also required for Internal Career Site and SAP Work Zone for HR. Finally, it will be required for all SuccessFactors customers at a future date.
We offer a full complement of services required to activate and be successful with Report Stories, including implementing IAS and Cloud Identity Services. Please get in touch to find out more.