With the announced end of maintenance for SAP Identity Management (SAP IDM) in 2027, one thing is certain: the era of traditional on-prem user management is coming to an end. This gives us the opportunity to establish identity management as what it has long been: a central design element for security, user experience and operational scalability in hybrid system landscapes.
However, replacing SAP IDM is not a purely technical migration. Those who set the right course now will establish Identity & Access Management as an integral part of their overall digital architecture.
🧩 Identity management is a strategic design object
Identity is not just an entry ticket to the system – it is a carrier of authorisation, responsibility and security. In many organisations, IAM has historically tended to be ‘co-operated’ – out of technical necessity. With the imminent switch to modern platforms such as SAP Cloud Identity Services (IAS/IPS), Microsoft Entra ID or third-party solutions, IAM is now moving to the centre of strategic IT governance.
An architecturally clean identity foundation is a basic prerequisite for everything that builds on it: Cloud security, automation, zero trust, role-based access – and not least for user-friendliness and audit security.
🛠 The transformation is an architecture project – no tool change
Experience from transformation projects shows: A successful replacement begins with a clear target image, not with the first technical implementation. Above all, this means not migrating 1:1, but rethinking. Processes, role models and integrations must be re-evaluated, responsibilities sharpened and systems modularised.
Key best practices have emerged in our project guide on identity architecture:
- Proxy-first approach with IAS before Entra ID: centralised control, uniform policies, consistent MFA.
- Consciously designing hybrid coexistence: On-prem IdPs such as ADFS or SAP SSO do not disappear overnight – they need to be integrated, not ignored.
- Separation of internal and external identities: clear assignment of identity types, access paths and ownership.
- Centralised enterprise apps per SAP application: granularly controllable policies, clearly documented claims.
- Governance matrix instead of Excel chaos: centrally maintained overview of applications, attribute flows, authentication models and responsibilities.
📊 The transformation package – from stocktaking to implementation
It is precisely because the replacement of SAP IDM is so complex that a structured transformation model is recommended – such as the Transformation Package for SAP IDM Replacement. It ensures that all relevant areas are examined: from the initial technical situation to the organisational target architecture to the productive migration.
This is not just about tools, but also about sound decision-making processes: Which apps require federation, which can be operated on a provisioning basis? Where does IAS as a proxy make sense, where not? Which MFA strategies are effective and when? Who manages guest access and who manages the role system? Last but not least, everything stands and falls with proper documentation.
🔐 Identity Governance ≠ Access Control
A central misunderstanding of many IAM projects lies in the equation of technical access with governance. But without governance, there is no scalability: Who is authorised to change, audit and approve what and when? Which roles apply globally, which locally? Governance does not start with technology – it starts with clarity.
Responsibilities, decision-making processes and sustainability are therefore also part of the target picture. Only then will IAM become an enabler – instead of a bottleneck.
🎯 Conclusion: Those who only replace will lose – those who shape will win
2027 sounds a long way off – but it’s not, if you realistically assess the scope of the project and the relevance of the topic. The exit from SAP IDM is a unique opportunity to strategically reposition the topic of identity: more secure, more scalable and more future-proof than before.
With a clear vision, tried-and-tested patterns and structured governance principles, the transformation can not only succeed, but also create real added value – far beyond the mere technology change. We will be happy to help you with our expertise – why not get in touch with us now?
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