SAP Joule and SuccessFactors Gen AI – The AI Revolution for SuccessFactors

AI has been one of the most discussed technologies lately, with several AI-based tools being adopted across various industries. As a leader in technological innovation, SAP has developed its own AI solutions. In the latest SAP SuccessFactors release, SAP introduced several AI features specifically tailored for the HR field.

In this article, I will present the currently available tools, highlight some useful features and explain the SAP AI pricing model.

Additionally, I will include a checklist to help you assess whether your organization is ready for SAP SuccessFactors AI adoption.

SAP Joule for SuccessFactors

SAP Joule is an AI-based assistant developed for a wide range of SAP products. In recent releases, SAP has made it available in the SuccessFactors suite in the form of a chat interface. Joule uses natural language processing and is designed to enhance the self-service experience for both employees and managers without adding extra effort for HR. SAP has already introduced over 90 use cases for Joule, enabling it to support your employees at every stage of the employee lifecycle and across all SuccessFactors suite modules. SAP is strongly focused on developing AI for SuccessFactors, and each release introduces new features to the suite. SAP Joule is an AI-based assistant developed for a wide range of SAP products. In recent releases, SAP has made it available in the SuccessFactors suite in the form of a chat interface. Joule uses natural language processing and is designed to enhance the self-service experience for both employees and managers without adding extra effort for HR. SAP has already introduced over 90 use cases for Joule, enabling it to support your employees at every stage of the employee lifecycle and across all SuccessFactors suite modules. SAP is strongly focused on developing AI for SuccessFactors, and each release introduces new features to the suite.

There are three main types of Joule’s use cases:

Navigational

These are the cases when Joule assists in locating information or functions within the system. You will be provided with a link that redirects you to a location in the system relevant to the request.

Transactional

These are the cases when Joule helps you complete actions in the system without leaving the chat window. You can view and manage both your own information and that of your direct reports. Additionally, you can use certain system features to initiate processes, such as requesting feedback, or to complete tasks like approving time-off requests. Joule will prompt you to provide any necessary information to complete the selected action.

Informational

It’s possible to enhance Joule’s knowledge base by uploading internal company documents, such as the organization’s HR policies. This use case includes both helping the employee find the right document and locating specific information within it. The employee is provided with a summary of the requested information and a link to the source file.

 

 

SAP SuccessFactors Generative AI features

In addition to the Joule assistant, SAP has developed generative AI features that can support employees in various HR processes. These AI-assisted capabilities include:

• Writing, which can correct, enhance, modify and translate texts written by employees.
• Generating content based on specific context, such as interview questions generated based on the job description.
• Analyzing available data to generate summaries, insights and personalized recommendations.

The generative AI features can be used both with Joule and in the regular processes throughout the SuccessFactors suite. The AI Usage Acknowledgment Statement, which requires confirmation, is displayed before employees start using these features.

The example below shows how AI-assisted writing can be used in Joule’s transactional use case for giving feedback. The text is generated with a professional tone based on the input provided by the user.

SAP AI Units

SAP introduced a new pricing model specifically for AI-based products. It is based on their AI currency, called SAP AI Units, and the actual usage of the features. Joule can be used for free until the annual message limit is reached, while Gen AI features require SAP AI Units. The number of free Joule messages allocated to the customer is defined based on the number of SAP SuccessFactors licensed users. You can find the exact numbers in the table below.

When the annual Joule message limit is reached, the tool will begin requiring SAP AI Units, charging 7 Units per 10,000-message block. The pricing for SuccessFactors Gen AI is primarily based on the amount of generated content. Detailed metrics for each feature can be found in the table below.

SAP has prepared a tool that can estimate the cost of using SuccessFactors AI features in your organization: SAP AI Estimator

You can always review your organization’s consumption of SAP AI Units with the AI Units Consumption Dashboard in the SAP for Me portal. The link can be found in the AI Services Administration menu in the SuccessFactors instance.

 

SAP SuccessFactors AI Adoption Checklist

The following prerequisites need to be in place to start the SAP SuccessFactors AI adoption

Data Center

• Confirm that your SuccessFactors instance is hosted in one of the Data Centers supporting Joule. Please find the supported list here: Joule Supported Data Centers

Live with IAS and IPS on SAP CIS

• Confirm that your SuccessFactors instance is fully integrated with IAS, and that IPS is hosted on the SAP Cloud Identity Service infrastructure (the same URL as IAS).

Language

• Joule currently supports conversations in English (US) only. Please make sure this language option is enabled in your instance (Settings → Change Language).

SAP Joule License

• You will need a no-cost SAP Joule embedded entitlement (SKU 8017178). You can request this from your SAP Account Executive.

SAP AI Units License

• If you want to use the SAP SuccessFactors Generative AI features, you will need to procure SAP AI Units entitlement (SKU 8016532). You can request this from your SAP Account Executive.

SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Quick Actions

• If you have the SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central module implemented, please ensure that Quick Actions are configured in your instance, as they are required for the majority of Joule use cases in this module.

 

Summary

The AI revolution for SuccessFactors has already begun and is progressing rapidly with each release. HR teams, managers and employees can already utilize the power of AI with the SuccessFactors suite to streamline their tasks, and it seems that AI-assisted work will soon become the gold standard.

About the Author

Łukasz Szymankiewicz is a SAP SuccessFactors Solution Architect at Gavdi Group, based in Hamburg at our Gavdi Germany office. Lukasz has a strong background in HR working across a wide variety of industries and sectors over the past 7 years. He is currently leading a global rollout of “Joule the SAP AI for HR” at a leading global manufacturer in Denmark.

Our Offering

In recognising that AI will have a significant impact for SAP SuccessFactors customers, Gavdi Group now offers our complete suite of service and support for SAP Joule. When you choose services and support offerings from Gavdi Group, you can tap into personalised resources and on-demand experts. Maximise the value of your AI investment and accelerate user adoption with a personalised, proactive partnership. Explore our services and support offerings in the link below.

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