Integration Center : Design your inbound ( to SuccessFactor) integration in few clicks
SF has added the “inbound integration” feature in integration Centre ( i think around Q1 2017). SAP Documentation has nicely explained the steps need to be followed to create an inbound integration.So I would suggest going through the SAP documents as a prerequisite to follow this blog.
In this blog, I will explain the steps to be followed to upload cost centers data in SuccessFactors Employee Central using IC. The Cost Center object is generally sourced in Finance system and in most of the project, it is quite likely to have an integration between Finance system and HR system to integrate the cost Centers. Instead of using middlewares( e.g Dell Boomi, SCI[ formerly HCI], Mulesoft etc..), IC can be used to build this simple integration in probably 30 minutes.
Step 1: Check EC Configuration to view the list of fields
Once the EC design has been finalized for the Cost Center object, find out the list of fields ( Specifically the mandatory fields) Cost Center object need. There are several ways to view the list of fields ( e.g via “Configure Business objects”, heck in OData API, use “manage data” to view existing cost centers). Here, I am using “manage Data” to view the list of fields, under “Create New” select “Cost Center” to view the list of fields.
Step 2: Prepare the input file
As explained in the SAP How to guide document, the inbound IC need an input file using which mapping with the target API will be done. Based on list of fields ( from Step 1) input file has been prepared ( I’ve added 2 cost center rows)
Step 3: Mapping
- Upload the sample CSV file
- under operation, choose “Upsert Multiple” from the drop-down
- under Purge Type, choose ” Incremental Purge” from the drop-down
- Complete the mapping of source fields ( derived by IC from sample file column header) with FOCostCenter API fields.
- Adjust the date format and other mappings as required.
Step 4: Schedule and Run the Integration
- add the server details
- add file and the folder name from where the file will be picked up
The final screen shows an overview of the Integration
Before running the IC don’t forget to upload the sample file in SF SFTP Server.
Step 5: Monitoring
- IC has picked up the file successfully
- 2 records processed successfully.
Step 6: Verify if data created in SF
go to “manage data” and search the newly created Cost Center. Eureka !!! – both the cost centers are created successfully in EC.
Using this inbound CSV integration feature, many of the integrations ( specifically the foundation objects) can be done easily using IC. These IC reports can be configured to send an email upon completion of the Job.
Very well explained Biplab.
I hope this is good for Initial data load. What are your thoughts on daily job to sync data from SAP to EC. Which middleware or no middleware options do you suggest?
Regards,
Sachin Dhingra
Hi Sachin,
Thanks.
It should work fine for Initial as well as periodic incremental loads. Middlewares are obviously equipped with better monitoring and error handling frameworks which IC is lacking. But for this kind of simple integrations, i would bet for IC.
Regards
Biplab Das
Hi Biplab,
Can you please describe how is it possible to check the content of the input file, for example if SF ID is in the file which should be on 6digits but it's shorter in the file so the Integration should skip it (we need an error message) instead of insert a new employee record with a new (wrong ID) to the system ?
Thanks for your advices.
Best regards
Gabor
Hi Gabor,
Sorry for the late response.
Records which has incorrect data, will not be processed by IC, it will give error, however other correct records will be processed. You can see the error message in the message monitoring. In case you want to introduce advance error handling( e.g you want to send an email with error record stating the reason of the failure), then i guess IC is not the correct tool. SCI, Boomi, Mulesoft etc.. should be used
Regards
Biplab Das
HI Biplab,
Very precise and informatiove blog. I had a doubt how can we use Authentication keys instead of Username and password to connect with the external SFTP server?
Thanks Husain,
You can connect external SFTP Server as well. You have to first click on"Click to manage Authentication Keys" to generate the key and then in the Authentication Key field choose the Key created ( you might need to click on the refresh button on the right).
Hello Biplab,
Your post is very informative. Thank you for posting this.
I'd like to know its possible to hire an employee through Integration Center inbound interface.
If yes, have you done it before?
Thanks.
KR,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Yes, it should be possible. Having said that, I would recommend using middleware( Dell Boomi, SCI, Mulesoft etc..) for Hire integration as such tools has more transformation /error handling capabilities.
Regards
Biplab
Hi Biplab,
Thanks for the Information!!
We are trying to import the email address but unable to handle the IsPrimary field.
we are following below scenario.
We need to import Business email as Primary irrespective of what data is there in System(as if someone has maintained their personal email as Primary system will not allow to import two primary emails)
Can you please suggest any steps to proceed.
Regards,
Dipika
Hi Dipika,
Have you tried adding records for all possible email types and leaving the IsPrimary field "blank" before updating the "Business email" with the IsPrimary field as "true"?
KR,
Chris
Hi Biplab,
Really a well expliained Post for Integration Centre.
Actually I want to Hire the employees using Integration centre.
Can you please throw some light on that , also if we want to replicate the data from Local EC to another Global EC (EC- Employee Central) Successfactors.
How can we do it , the data load will contain the New Hire information present in Local EC which is to be transferred to Global EC via Integration Centre.
Would request you to let us know how it can be achieved using IC.
PS: Supposingly the process flow will have different CSV templates to be created like Cost Center in above example for other portlets as well like Job Infromation , Employment info, Email Info.
Thanks and Regards,
Anant
Hi Anant,
You can do a hiring action through IC.
Below are the portlets that you need to update in order to do a successful hire.
1) User
2) Biographical Information (PerPerson)
3) Personal Information (PerPersonal)
4) Employment Details (EmpEmployment)
5) Job Information (Empjob)
6) Compensation Information (EmpCompensation)
7) Compensation (EmpPayCompRecurring)
Also, make sure to set the Job Information Event and Even-Reason fields to "H" and "HIRNEW" values respectively.
KR,
Chris
Hi Biplab,
Thank you for the good explanation. Its really helpful.
I was doing Position delimitation with IC but can't understand where to put the following checks: Any thought will be very helpful.