3787383 - Onboarding with External HRIS: New Hire Data Transport to On-Premise SAP ERP HCM via Employee Central Integration - Onboarding

When SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding is implemented with on-premise SAP ERP HCM as the external HRIS, the data transport architecture for replicating new hire information from Employee Central to SAP ERP HCM requires clarification. Specifically, guidance is needed on whether Onboarding uses the standard Employee Central to SAP ERP HCM integration middleware available in SAP Integration Suite, or whether a separate transport layer or distinct OData entity set is required for Onboarding-sourced records. This KBA clarifies the scope boundary between the Onboarding-to-EC write and the EC-to-ERP replication step, and identifies the applicable integration content and support scope for each layer.

SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding

The integration architecture for this scenario operates in two distinct and sequential layers, each with its own scope and ownership. Understanding this separation is essential for implementation scoping and for routing technical questions to the correct support channel.

Layer 1: Onboarding writes to Employee Central

When an Onboarding process reaches completion, the new hire record is written to the standard Employee Central entity model. The entities written include PerPerson, EmpEmployment, EmpJob, and related foundation objects. This write is performed by the Onboarding product. From the moment the record lands in Employee Central, it is part of the standard EC data model and is indistinguishable from any other EC employee record in terms of replication behavior. No Onboarding-specific OData entity set or extraction pattern is involved in this layer.

Note: For implementations using an external HRIS such as SAP ERP HCM as the system of record, a lightweight Employee Central environment (EC Lite) is required as the foundation layer for Onboarding. The Best Practices content for this configuration is activated through the Upgrade Center. Refer to KBA 3098255 for the full architecture and prerequisites.

Layer 2: EC-to-ERP replication via SAP Integration Suite

Once the new hire record exists in Employee Central, the transport to on-premise SAP ERP HCM follows the same standard mechanism used for any EC employee master data change. The applicable integration content is the standard "Employee Central Integration to SAP ERP HCM" iFlow packages available in SAP Integration Suite. No separate Onboarding-specific transport layer is required. Onboarding-sourced records are processed by this content in the same way as records originating from other EC processes.

The standard SAP Integration Suite content for EC-to-ERP supports both batch/delta replication and event-driven triggering via the Intelligent Services Center, including new hire events. The content also includes a writeback step that returns the assigned Personnel Number from SAP ERP HCM to Employee Central after the personnel record is created. Configuration details for the ISC trigger, iFlow setup, and Personnel Number writeback behavior in an EC Lite context are within the scope of the EC Integration support component (LOD-SF-INT). For technical confirmation on those specifics, open a case with that component.

Implementation design guidance

The design decisions for this integration layer, including whether to extend an existing EC-to-ERP replication flow or build a dedicated flow, are within the scope of a certified SAP SuccessFactors implementation partner. The authoritative reference for the full architecture, data model, and supported design scenarios is the Implementation Design Principle documented in KBA 3098255 - IDP: SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding: External HRIS Integration (SAP ERP HCM)

The complete architecture, available Best Practices content packages, and activation steps are also documented in the Integration of an External HRIS with Onboarding topic in the Implementing Onboarding guide on SAP Help Portal: Integration of an External HRIS with Onboarding | SAP Help Portal 

Once the integration is designed, implemented, and activated, new hire records created through the Onboarding process are replicated from Employee Central to on-premise SAP ERP HCM through the standard SAP Integration Suite content. For questions specific to the iFlow configuration, ISC trigger setup, or Personnel Number writeback behavior, direct a case to component LOD-SF-INT.

• KBA 3098255: IDP: SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding: External HRIS Integration (SAP ERP HCM).
• Integration of an External HRIS with Onboarding | SAP Help Portal
• Implementation | SAP Help Portal

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