SAP Identity Management 8.0 (IdM) will sunset in 2027. Although there will be an extended support period until 2030, now is the time to start planning a change. Implementation projects for new Identity Governance & Administration (IGA) solutions take several years to complete, across assessment, selection, deployment, and migration.
There are plenty of SAP IdM alternatives out there. Which one is right for your organization will depend on many factors such as:
- The size and complexity of your SAP environment
- The level of customization in your current IdM implementation
- Your wider enterprise estate and its needs
- Your allocated change budget
To help simplify your decision-making, we've provided an impartial assessment of the five leading options, informed by our experience working across both IAM (Identity and Access Management) and SAP domains. You can explore them in further detail in our SAP IdM Alternatives Guide, but this blog will give you an overview of the key facts and what to consider along the way.
Understanding Your Current SAP IdM Environment
SAP IdM encompasses many different key functions, including Identity and Access management, JML (Joiners, Movers, Leavers), system management and integration, attestation, reporting for audits, and SAP-specific integrations. For many organizations, SAP IdM is a key solution for:
- Handling 50 or more SAP systems simultaneously
- Delivering cost efficiency for SAP-led estates
- Supporting extensive custom scripting and coding
- Implementing highly specialized business logic
- Functioning as a "toolbox" rather than a rigid workflow
Understanding which core IdM capabilities are most critical to your organization will help you identify and prioritize essential features when evaluating replacement solutions.
Leading SAP IdM Replacement Options
To help you determine which solution best aligns with your specific requirements and make the right decision for your organization, we've examined the five leading SAP IdM alternatives in the marketplace, comparing their key features, characteristics, and optimal use cases.
You can explore these solutions in more detail in our SAP IdM Alternatives Guide, but here is a summary of the key points of each:
SailPoint ISC (Identity Security Cloud)
SailPoint ISC is a cloud-based SaaS identity governance solution, built on a multi-tenant architecture hosted by SailPoint, that encompasses identity lifecycle management, access request and approval, access certification, and policy management. It provides an intelligent and unified solution for managing and securing critical data and applications.
SailPoint ISC Potential Pros:
- Lower TCO (total cost of ownership) thanks to out-of-the-box, low-code configuration and functionality.
- Strong support for hybrid enterprises, effectively managing both cloud and on-premises environments, including legacy systems.
- Low infrastructure costs and subscription-based pricing and automatic upgrades managed by SailPoint.
SailPoint ISC Potential Cons:
- Gated customization; custom code must be reviewed and deployed by SailPoint.
- Lack of full control in multi-tenant architecture.
- Limited flexibility for highly specialized business processes.
SailPoint ISC is ideal if you… are an enterprise grade organization with hybrid infrastructure; want to lower OpEx, overheads, and maintenance; and don’t need highly-specialized customization, or have very complex SAP environments.
Entra ID is Microsoft’s cloud-based identity platform, commonly bundled in with Office 365 and Microsoft 365 subscriptions, including single sign-on; user and group management; basic identity provisioning; access request processes; and deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. It was initially promoted as an SAP IdM replacement by SAP as well as Microsoft, although this link isn’t official.
Entra ID’s Potential Pros:
- Cost-effective and user-friendly if you already have Microsoft investments and subscriptions.
- Wide range of out-of-the-box connectors for applications.
- Can be significantly cheaper than specialized IGA tools.
Entra ID’s Potential Cons:
- Cannot manage segregation of duties checks, or in-depth SAP hierarchical entitlements.
- Struggles with complex on-premise systems and SAP environments.
- Limited capability for custom business logic.
Entra ID is ideal if you… are an organization deeply integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem; require basic provisioning and prioritize single sign-on; and don’t have complex regulatory or auditing requirements, avoiding the need for significant additional investment.
SAP Cloud Solutions for Identity Management
SAP offers two complementary cloud services, which collectively represent their strategic direction for identity management. SAP Cloud Identity Services (SCI) handles authentication and basic provisioning, while SAP Identity Access Governance Cloud (IAG) provides access governance and compliance capabilities. IAG can connect with corporate identity providers like Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID as authoritative identity sources. Together, these services enable links between identity providers and SAP systems, risk analysis, segregation of duties, access certification, and governance across cloud and on-premise systems. Note that integration with third-party cloud applications is limited to those supporting SCIM 2.0 protocol, which can be added to IAG for risk analysis.
SAP Cloud Solutions Potential Pros:
- Strong integration with SAP applications and designed specifically for SAP environments.
- Centralized, simplified SAP identity connections.
- CIS is included with SAP licenses, so could be effectively free.
SAP Cloud Solutions Potential Cons:
- Primary focus on SAP systems leading to limited enterprise-wide capabilities.
- Less scope for customization compared to SAP IdM.
- Lack of maturity compared to specialized IGA tools or SAP's on-premise GRC.
SAP Cloud Solutions is ideal if you… are an SAP-centric organization looking for an integrated, cloud-based solution within the SAP ecosystem; have moderate complexity in your SAP landscape; and want to maximize existing SAP investments.
Saviynt IGA is a cloud-native platform with a strong focus on security and compliance. It encompasses the management of identity lifecycles, access requests and privileged access, along with role-based access control, and compliance and audit reporting. These functions deliver protection across a wide range of identities, including human users, machines, and workloads.
Saviynt IGA Potential Pros:
- Comprehensive identity management through a converged identity model that combines IGA, PAM and cloud security in a single platform.
- User-friendly experience and flexible deployment.
- Advanced analytics for intelligent recommendations and approvals.
Saviynt IGA Potential Cons:
- Potentially high licensing and implementation costs (based on users and requirements), although these can often be negotiated.
- Relatively high training commitment to fully utilize functionality.
- Cloud-native architecture means it isn’t ideal for complex hybrid environments.
Saviynt IGA is ideal if you… require a single interface for IGA and PAM features; are looking to consolidate technologies or licenses into a single platform; and don’t rely on complex hybrid environments.
One Identity IGA is a flexible identity governance platform with certified SAP connectors that provide deep integration for both on-premises and cloud SAP environments. Its comprehensive range of functions span role-based access control and reporting, through to management of access requests, privileged access, and identity lifecycles.
One Identity IGA Potential Pros:
- Deep SAP integration through certified connectors for both ABAP-based and cloud systems.
- Strong support for hybrid environments spanning on-premises and SAP cloud solutions.
- Advanced customization options with robust compliance monitoring for SAP.
One Identity IGA Potential Cons:
- Interface may require more technical expertise compared to alternatives.
- Extensive customization options can increase implementation complexity.
- Best results typically require a dedicated technical IAM team.
One Identity IGA is ideal if you… have complex SAP environments spanning both on-premise and cloud deployments; maintain a technically proficient IAM team; require deep SAP integration including license management features; and have significant on-premises SAP footprints needing continued support.
Expert Support for Your SAP IdM Transition
This is not an easy decision to make, and it’s a very important one to get right for the future of your organization, both inside and outside SAP. The migration from SAP IdM requires careful planning and consideration of numerous factors, from your current system's complexity and customizations to your long-term identity governance strategy. With implementation timelines spanning several years and the 2027 sunset date approaching, organizations that begin their assessment and planning now will be best positioned to leverage this transition as an opportunity for business transformation, enhancing security while enabling more efficient, streamlined identity processes across the enterprise.
Turnkey, as an experienced expert in both SAP and identity, is here to help with a combination of:
- IAM Maturity Assessment: we can evaluate your current identity management practices objectively, prioritize recommendations based on your specific needs, and create a clear roadmap toward solution selection, improvement, and transition.
- Vendor-agnostic advice: we provide an unbiased opinion of the solutions available based on technical and business factors, guide your approach to implementation, and help you with practical implementation experience.
- SAP and IAM expertise: our expertise in both SAP and identity management domains, allied to our ability to bridge traditionally siloed teams, uniquely places us as an ideal end-to-end partner for SAP IdM replacement.
Ready for The Next Step?
If you’re ready to start the transition, contact Turnkey for an initial consultation on your SAP IdM migration needs, or to schedule your IAM maturity assessment.
Still don’t have all the information you need? Read our SAP IdM alternatives buyer’s guide for a more detailed view of the potential solutions available and the key questions to ask of your organization along the way.
