SAP SuccessFactors


What is SAP SuccessFactors?

SAP SuccessFactors is SAP’s cloud-based suite of human resources software. The SAP SuccessFactors suite is traditionally most known for its talent management tools and offers core HR capabilities through Employee Central and payroll capabilities through Employee Central Payroll.

While SAP still has many customers running its legacy on-premise SAP ERP HCM solution, SAP SuccessFactors is SAP’s primary focus for Human Capital Management (HCM) and Human Experience Management (HXM). As a result, SAP now focuses most of its HR technology innovation and development resources in the HR space on SAP SuccessFactors. Additionally, the vendor plans to end mainstream maintenance for SAP ERP HCM in 2027.

Modules and offerings within the SAP SuccessFactors suite include:

What is SAP SuccessFactors?

SAP SuccessFactors is SAP’s cloud-based suite of human resources software. The SAP SuccessFactors suite is traditionally most known for its talent management tools and offers core HR capabilities through Employee Central and payroll capabilities through Employee Central Payroll.

While SAP still has many customers running its legacy on-premise SAP ERP HCM solution, SAP SuccessFactors is SAP’s primary focus for Human Capital Management (HCM) and Human Experience Management (HXM). As a result, SAP now focuses most of its HR technology innovation and development resources in the HR space on SAP SuccessFactors. Additionally, the vendor plans to end mainstream maintenance for SAP ERP HCM in 2027.

Modules and offerings within the SAP SuccessFactors suite include:

  • SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central (Core HR)
  • SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll
  • SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Service Center
  • SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting
  • SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding
  • SAP SuccessFactors Performance & Goals
  • SAP SuccessFactors Compensation
  • SAP SuccessFactors Learning
  • SAP SuccessFactors Succession & Development
  • SAP SuccessFactors Workforce Analytics
  • Employee Experience Management with SAP Qualtrics

Key SAP SuccessFactors Considerations for SAPinsiders

  • SAP is focused on integrating SAP SuccessFactors and its other cloud applications into its broader set of offerings. This focus is especially of interest to organizations using a variety of SAP tools. As companies adopt cloud solutions, integration between those products and the rest of an organization’s technology stack can be a challenge. SAP CEO Christian Klein noted that SAP has been working to bring the same integration experience between SAP SuccessFactors and other apps that traditional SAP ERP HCM had with the on-premise SAP ERP suite of applications.
  • Managing cloud releases is different than on-premise releases. SAP SuccessFactors releases updates twice per year, and these updates often provide significant changes to functionality. Most changes are not mandatory, but customers seeking to get the most out of their cloud systems should implement updates where possible. Doing so requires a release management strategy to track the latest updates and encourage adoption. Most updates can be added to SAP SuccessFactors by opting in, a stark change from on-premise releases, which require more technical work.
  • Self-service is an important component of cloud HR tools like SAP SuccessFactors. The most successful companies in their HR strategies are utilizing self-service. For example, employee and manager self-service related to time and attendance and performance management are likely to create better employee experiences and generate more efficient HR processes by removing the reliance on an HR employee to complete related tasks and paperwork. In addition, there is a possibility for self-service in more HR areas such as onboarding and learning.

122 results

  1. The value of SAP SuccessFactors and Employee Central and Employee Central Payroll

    August 13, 2021

    Moving your HCM technology to the cloud presents an opportunity to digitally transform your business. This informative session will examine the business drivers that are leading companies to adopt SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central and Employee Central Payroll – discussing the benefits and results those companies are achieving as a result of this process and technology…

  2. SAP Q2 results CEO Christian Klein image

    HR Takeaways From SAP’s Q2 2021 Earnings Call

    Reading time: 3 mins

    SAP CEO Christian Klein met with investors this week to discuss the vendor’s Q2 2021 results. On the HCM front, integration and compliance were the key topics of interest. In this summary, learn: – How SAP is integrating its cloud solutions to meet the demands of current on-premise customers. – How tying HR to finance…

  3. Amy Wilson image

    How SAP SuccessFactors Brings the X-Factor to Human Capital Management

    Reading time: 8 mins

    Two years ago, SAP introduced the concept of human experience management (HXM), which focuses on putting people at the center of business. Amy Wilson, SVP Products and Design at SAP SuccessFactors, observes that “HXM allows us to recognize that people are more than just assets. They have the power to elevate or sink any sort…

  4. SAPPHIRE NOW HXM

    SAPPHIRE NOW Human Resources Day Focuses on Employee Experience

    Reading time: 5 mins

    By Craig Powers, Research Analyst, SAPinsider If you’ve ever been to Orlando for an in-person SAPPHIRE NOW event, you’ve experienced an intense week of meetings, sessions, major announcements, networking, and for many, a reunion. This experience has been greatly changed by the virtual nature of this year’s event, and while the usual way of engaging…

  5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Unifies People Data at 134 Companies with SAP SuccessFactors

    Reading time: 5 mins

    The leadership at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) wanted more insight into their employees, and more consistent reporting on their HR functions. The goal was to create a more unified human resources approach across the more 170 companies and 90,000 employees under its umbrella. MHI turned to SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central as its core HR system…

  6. SAP SuccessFactors Customers Share HR Transformation Stories at SAPPHIRE NOW

    Reading time: 5 mins

    Crocs, Microsoft, Grupo Perez, and Royal Mail Group discussed their efforts to improve employee experience through HR process and technology change during the SAPPHIRE NOW HR Keynote.

  7. Solution Roadmap | SAP SuccessFactors Core HR, Time Management, and Payroll

    This session will explore the latest SAP SuccessFactors solution roadmap. Join solution experts from SAP SuccessFactors to understand SAP’s vision for human experience management (HXM) and how that vision is being realized across Employee Central, Employee Central Time, and Employee Central Payroll. This session will help you understand the latest product roadmap and the functionality…

  8. A look at recent innovations in Core HR, Time Management, and Payroll

    This informative “reverse roadmap” session will highlight the most recent innovations and updates that SAP SuccessFactors has delivered across Employee Central, Employee Central Time, and Employee Central Payroll. You will learn about solution updates and innovations you may have missed and get up-to-speed on recent releases. Attend this session to understand the key functionality and…

  9. Employee Centric Workforce Management and your HXM Vision

    With everything your employees are dealing with today, you need to make it easy for them to accomplish the transactions needed to ensure they are accurately paid and can easily access important benefits like time off and leave. Simplifying tasks related to traditional time and attendance processes can have a huge impact to employees work…

  10. Core HR for an Agile Business

    Hear a real-world story of how SAP SuccessFactors solutions can help you harness innovation to place employees at the center of your business. Learn how you can better manage a global workforce, empower employees, run an agile business, and easily track attendance and payroll. This content is for SAPinsider Monthly Subscription, SAPinsider Annual Subscription, and…