Okta and SuccessFactors: Streamlining the Employee Experience

In today’s ever-expanding SaaS applications, managing user identities and access across multiple platforms can become an absolute labyrinth for IT teams. This is where the seamless integration of Okta and SuccessFactors shines a beacon of efficiency.

What are Okta and SuccessFactors?

• Okta is a leader in cloud-based identity and access management (IAM). It simplifies logins, strengthens security, and automates user lifecycle management across various apps and systems.
• SuccessFactors is a comprehensive Human Experience Management (HXM) suite from SAP. It manages everything from core HR functions to recruiting, performance management, payroll, and more.

Why Integrate Okta and SuccessFactors?

1. Centralized User Management: A single source of truth for user data simplifies management. Changes in SuccessFactors (hirings, promotions, etc.) automatically trigger account creation, updates, or deactivation in Okta and downstream apps.
2. Enhanced Security: Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), reduce password proliferation, and gain tighter control over user access to resources.
3. Improved User Experience: Single Sign-On (SSO) provides frictionless access to SuccessFactors and other apps. No more juggling multiple passwords!
4. IT Time Savings: Automate account provisioning and de-provisioning, freeing IT resources for more strategic work.

Setting Up the Integration

While the specifics may vary, the general steps involved are:

1. Add the SuccessFactors App in Okta: Locate the SuccessFactors app within Okta’s rich catalog and add it to your organization.
2. Configure API Authentication: Provide SuccessFactors API credentials (username, password, Base URL) to allow Okta to communicate with the SuccessFactors instance.
3. User Provisioning: Decide how you want user accounts to be handled:

• • SuccessFactors-Driven: SuccessFactors is the master for creation, updates, and deactivations. Okta mirrors these actions.
  • Okta-Driven: (Less common) Okta can become the master user data source.

1. Custom Mapping (Optional): Map SuccessFactors attributes to Okta profiles if you need specific data to flow between the systems.

Beyond the Basics

• Leverage Okta Workflows: Design automated processes based on SuccessFactors events (e.g., email notifications onboarding tasks in other apps).
• Progressive Profiling: Capture additional user information in Okta beyond the standard attributes from SuccessFactors.
• Advanced Security Policies: Enforce granular access controls based on group membership, device context, network location, and more.

The Bottom Line

The Okta and SuccessFactors alliance brings efficiency, security, and a better user experience to your organization’s core HR and IT processes. By tightly coupling these powerful platforms, you optimize the employee journey from day one and empower IT to focus on value-adding activities.