A timely opportunity for SAP and IGA integration
There’s a storm gathering around SAP — and every SAP customer is already feeling it. The retirement of ECC6 and the move to S/4HANA is forcing organizations to rethink processes and user experience. At the same time, transformation of GRC is on the horizon, with a new version arriving in 2026 ahead of end-of-maintenance for the current one in 2027. To complete the picture, SAP is no longer sealed inside the corporate network. SaaS modules and mobile access mean that users are engaging with SAP in new ways that demand fresh approaches to security and governance.
Each of these changes would be significant on its own. Together, they create a moment where long-standing challenges — such as integrating SAP into enterprise identity governance — can finally be addressed with less disruption and greater impact.
Why SAP and identity have remained separate
For many organizations, SAP and identity programs have progressed on parallel tracks. That’s not because of neglect but because there were reasonable explanations for doing so.
SAP access is notoriously complex, with hundreds of thousands of potential role combinations that identity platforms struggled to manage. Moreover, within SAP itself, GRC was the natural choice for user access, segregation of duties, and audit reporting. This approach worked well enough for auditors and SAP teams, leaving little appetite to involve identity systems in the same space, which created siloed processes.
Meanwhile, enterprise identity platforms focused on governing the whole of the IT estate, of which SAP represents a small, yet hugely significant, part. With the priority of implementing consistent security policies across all systems, SAP hasn’t always loomed large enough in the minds of Identity teams to demand dedicated time and attention.
Team-specific cultural dynamics reinforced the separation. SAP teams often worked with a high degree of independence, concentrating on keeping core business processes running smoothly. They were cautious about change that might introduce risk. Leaders shared that caution. Because SAP underpins revenue-critical operations, many were reluctant to integrate it into broader identity programs in case it disrupted the business.
These barriers are still present today. But with S/4HANA, GRC transformation, and the shift to cloud arriving together, the environment has changed. The disruption is happening anyway, so the opportunity for SAP teams to finally bring SAP and identity together is stronger than ever.
Why act now
With transformation already underway, SAP teams have a unique opportunity to fold identity integration into the wider SAP program. Acting now ensures efficiency of investment by avoiding the challenge of securing a separate budget. It also provides a cleaner start by preventing the inefficiencies of retrofitting integration later. It’s a chance to leave behind decades of accumulated complexity rather than carrying it forward into the SAP new environment.
The benefits of integration
When SAP is aligned with the enterprise identity program — through systems such as SailPoint — the benefits are both immediate and long-term:
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Faster productivity: New hires can be set up with the right access from day one, whether they’re in the office or working remotely.
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Simpler compliance: Job-based access models make approvals and reviews faster, clearer, and easier for auditors to trust.
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Efficiency and cost savings: Automating provisioning, approvals, and reviews frees IT teams and managers to focus on higher-value work.
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Flexibility: Standardized, role-based access makes it easier to scale operations, adapt to new markets, or integrate acquisitions without security delays.
These outcomes deliver efficiency and agility for the business while quietly strengthening security in the background.
Making integration work in practice
Successful integration isn’t just a technical project; it’s also about people and trust. SAP teams should start by exploring the pain points that cause the most frustration, for them and for Identity teams, such as user access reviews. Solving these problems early demonstrates the value of integration and builds momentum.
Other practical steps include:
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Phasing the rollout: Introducing integration gradually allows time to test and refine, while early wins encourage broader adoption.
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Mapping access to real roles: Aligning SAP access with clear business jobs (e.g., AP clerk, AP manager, or treasury) makes provisioning and approvals easier to explain and more intuitive for managers.
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Ensuring strong HR data: Reliable inputs are essential for automation to deliver consistent results.
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Working with SAP teams early: Positioning integration as a way to support their audit and compliance responsibilities — rather than replace them — helps to build trust and overcome resistance.
By respecting established processes while introducing efficiency, organizations can build the trust needed for lasting alignment.
Conclusion
SAP transformations are already underway. That inevitability creates a practical opportunity to integrate SAP into enterprise identity governance in a way that minimizes disruption, makes best use of investment, and sets the business up for greater agility, efficiency, and security in the years ahead.
Each of the changes driving this shift would be important on its own. The migration to S/4HANA requires organizations to simplify and modernize long-standing access models. The upcoming transformation of GRC is making teams re-evaluate how they approach compliance and controls. And SAP’s growing focus on the cloud changes how users connect and the risks to be managed. Taken together, these factors create the perfect storm. With disruption already in motion, the choice is whether to carry forward complexity or use this crossroads to build something stronger.
To explore this further, take a look at the benefits of extending IGA to SAP in this quick-guide, or contact us to discuss your specifics.
