Regarding successfactors

[Former Member]

Hi all,

I have quite a few questions as to how successfactors is with SAP :

1. There are 2 models possible in SFSF

-first one - SAP On- Premise (consisting  Core HR, PA/OM, Payroll, etc. as well as Talent mgmt/E-recruiting/LSO.....)

                 SAP On-Demand (Cloud) - ( SUCCESSFACTORS - Employee central , Performance & goals, Compensation, Learning)

                 Interface is available between the two. So how does this interface work! Does the client need to have traditional/On-Premise talent management as a                  pre- requisite. Also what tools are used for this interface configuration, if any! Can we customize anything for the interface in this scenario!

-Second(hybrid)  - SAP On-Premise - PA/OM, Successfactors - Talent mgmt. I think there is an FTP interface with some reports to transfer data between SAP HCM and Successfactors.

Please valid my points and comment more. Please let me know if there are any more models possible!

Regards,

Bharat

[lukemarson · Accepted solution]

Hi Bharat,

There are two models for SuccessFactors:

• Hybrid
• Full Cloud HCM

Hybrid is using SAP HCM for core HR and SuccessFactors BizX for talent management. Full Cloud HCM is using the entire SuccessFactors BizX suite (with or without SAP HCM as system of record).

Integration between SAP HCM and SuccessFactors BizX is available in a number of methods:

• Flat-file
• Middleware usingSAP NetWeaver PI or, as of March 2013, SAP HANA Cloud Integration
• Dell Boomi AtomSphere (for Employee Central only, including SAP Cloud Payroll)
• Social-Media ABAP Integration Library (for SAP Jam only)

The first two options leverage Integration Package 1.0 for SAP HCM and SuccessFactors, although custom integration using both platforms without SAP's standard content is also possible. Standard integration only exists for basic org and employee data and part of the Compensation process. Recruiting process content will be released in March as Integration Package 2.0 for SAP HCM and SuccessFactors. Additional content will be released on an ongoing basis.

Best regards,

Luke

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thanks Luke. This helps me.

So how do we design, implement and deploy SuccessFactors Business Execution (BizX) suite. I mean what tools are used for this! (I mean like ABAP workbench, IMG) and what programming language do they use! Is Successfactors changing anything on their side to accommodate the integration in cloud.

Regards,

Bharat

[lukemarson · Accepted solution]

Hi Bharat,

SuccessFactors BizX is configurable in the Provisioning part of the solution, but it is not programmed. There is some customization done via XML, but SuccessFactors are moving away from this.

SuccessFactors is not deployed, since it is a cloud solution. SuccessFactors PS will create an instance for the customer and activate the relevant items in Provisioning, although only trained and certified consultants are allowed access to this at a customer.

Implementation follows SuccessFactors' own methodology (Empower), which is similar to the ASAP methodology. There is a split of work between the partner and SuccessFactors because some items cannot be performed outside of SuccessFactors because they "own" the system.

Best regards,

Luke

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thanks a lot Luke.

So let us take the scenario of Hybrid model and we are trying to implement Performance & Goals. So as SAP did not provide any interface for this module how do we build the interface!

As per me we would use the same integration programs available today (via FTP). So we can add any desired custom fields to the standard interface and pass it across to the server.( As you might be knowing we can do this only upto 15 fields, if we use of these fields for one module only we don't have a choice to add more for subsequent modules.)

The interesting thing now would be : How does SFSF accept these fields and fit it into their own data model.

Also how would the result be generated (Except for Compensation) and then how can we design the return or backward integration.

Any thoughts in this direction would be really helpful.

Regards,

Bharat

[lukemarson · Accepted solution]

Hi Bharat,

First, you need to pick a technology (flat-file, SAP NetWeaver PI, etc) and then you need to work out which fields you need to send from SAP HCM to SuccessFactors BizX and then which fields you need to send from SuccessFactors BizX to SAP HCM. Of course, your team needs knowledge of what fields are in SuccessFactors, but your SuccessFactors Professional Services colleague can help you with this.

Your SuccessFactors PS colleagues should be able to assist you with the data transfer back to SAP HCM as they have experience of this.

Best regards,

Luke

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the information Luke. So are there any pain points or issues during the SFSF implementation! Can you share your experiences!

Regards,

Bharat

[lukemarson · Accepted solution]

Hi Bharat,

You might it frustrating having SuccessFactors run most of the project, but this is just a change in mindset to how projects are delivered. A customer might not always be so happy that they cannot have crazy features created or customize the system to an enormous level.

I recommend that you bring someone onto the project that is strong in change management and communications, risk management, and project management. Creating the change and risk strategies require experience otherwise the project will fail and the blame will go to whoever defined inadequate strategies.

As always, remember that an implementation is about supporting customer processes, not about implementing technology.

Best regards,

Luke

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Luke,

I am working as an ABAP consultant. Have knowledge on ABAP HR. Can I learn Successfactor?

Regards,

Pravanjan