Connect to SAP SuccessFactors Data Using the Script Function in Claris FileMaker Pro

Claris FileMaker is a low-code database application development tool that enables users to create custom apps for managing and organizing data. It combines a powerful relational database engine with an intuitive interface, allowing both technical and non-technical users to design and deploy applications across desktop, web, and mobile platforms.

In this article, we'll explore how to use the CData ODBC Driver for SAP SuccessFactors and FileMaker scripting to connect to SAP SuccessFactors data.

Create an ODBC Data Source for SAP SuccessFactors

If you have not already, first specify connection properties in an ODBC DSN (data source name). This is the last step of the driver installation. You can use the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure ODBC DSNs.

You can authenticate to SAP Success Factors using Basic authentication or OAuth with SAML assertion.

Basic Authentication

You must provide values for the following properties to successfully authenticate to SAP Success Factors. Note that the provider will reuse the session opened by SAP Success Factors using cookies. Which means that your credentials will be used only on the first request to open the session. After that, cookies returned from SAP Success Factors will be used for authentication.

• Url: set this to the URL of the server hosting Success Factors. Some of the servers are listed in the SAP support documentation (external link).
• User: set this to the username of your account.
• Password: set this to the password of your account.
• CompanyId: set this to the unique identifier of your company.

OAuth Authentication

You must provide values for the following properties, which will be used to get the access token.

• Url: set this to the URL of the server hosting Success Factors. Some of the servers are listed in the SAP support documentation (external link).
• User: set this to the username of your account.
• CompanyId: set this to the unique identifier of your company.
• OAuthClientId: set this to the API Key that was generated in API Center.
• OAuthClientSecret: the X.509 private key used to sign SAML assertion. The private key can be found in the certificate you downloaded in Registering your OAuth Client Application.
• InitiateOAuth: set this to GETANDREFRESH.

When you configure the DSN, you may also want to set the Max Rows connection property. This will limit the number of rows returned, which is especially helpful for improving performance when designing reports and visualizations.

Connect and Sync SAP SuccessFactors data with FileMaker Using Scripts

In this section, we walk through the steps to connect live SAP SuccessFactors data to FileMaker using the CData ODBC Driver for SAP SuccessFactors and the Script function. During the initial import, FileMaker brings in all data from the external data source. From the second import onward, it updates only the data that has changed in the external source (a differential update). You can also replace the data in the current record order and schedule these differential updates for automated syncing.

You can download and install the latest version of FileMaker Pro for your Mac/Windows/Linux systems from this link.

Connect and sync SAP SuccessFactors data with FileMaker using scripts

Scripting in FileMaker automates complex tasks and workflows by running a sequence of actions with a single command. By using scripting to integrate with SAP SuccessFactors, you can automatically connect to, import, update, and replace SAP SuccessFactors data within your FileMaker applications, streamlining data management and improving efficiency.

First-time importing and adding SAP SuccessFactors data using script

In this section, we'll use scripts to import SAP SuccessFactors data into FileMaker by following these steps:

1. Open FileMaker Pro. Navigate to Create from the left panel and select Blank > Create.

2. Enter a filename of your choice and click Save.
3. In the Manage Database window, go to the Tables tab and create or rename the table where you want to display the SAP SuccessFactors data.

4. In the Fields tab, create and add the fields you want to use in the table.

5. In the Relationships tab, add table relationships if there are multiple tables, then click OK.

6. To reopen and modify the table structure, go to File > Manage > Database.
7. Navigate to Scripts > Script Workspace.

8. Select New Script to open a new script workspace.
9. From the Steps panel on the right, select Records > Import Records > Insert into Script.

10. In the Specify Data Source dropdown, choose ODBC Data.
11. Select CData SAPSuccessFactors Sys from the Select ODBC Data Source window, and click Continue. Enter your SAP SuccessFactors credentials and click OK.

12. In the Specify ODBC SQL Query dialog, enter the SQL query in the SQL text editor to import the desired SAP SuccessFactors data.

13. Alternatively, select Query Builder to open the SQL Query Builder window. Choose the target table from the Tables section and relevant columns from the Columns section. Click Insert into SQL Query after each selection to auto-generate the query. You can also manually edit the query using WHERE and ORDER BY clauses or the designated tabs. Click OK to finalize the query.

14. Click OK.
15. In the Specify import order option, click Specify and enter the SAP SuccessFactors credentials.

16. In the Specify Import Order window, define the import order for the target fields you added earlier. Select Add between the source and target fields to insert the SAP SuccessFactors data as new records in the table. Click Import.

17. The script now appears in the workspace. Click Run to execute the script and process the import.

18. FileMaker imports the SAP SuccessFactors data as a table.

Update or Replace Imported SAP SuccessFactors data Using a Script

After importing the SAP SuccessFactors data into FileMaker, use scripts to update or replace any changes made in SAP SuccessFactors by following this process:

1. Go back to the Script Workspace by following the steps mentioned in the earlier section.
2. Select the existing script, click the settings button, choose Specify under Specify Import Order, and re-enter the SAP SuccessFactors credentials to authenticate.

3. In the Specify Import Order window, choose Update between source and target to update the imported SAP SuccessFactors data. This updates the target's found set with SAP SuccessFactors data values from selected fields when the match fields have the same values. You must define at least one match field in the mapping and select the checkbox Add remaining data as new records. Click Import.

4. Alternatively, choose the Replace option instead of Update, based on your use case. This replaces the selected fields in the target's found set with SAP SuccessFactors data in the current record order. Click Import.

5. FileMaker adds the script to the workspace. Click Run to execute the script and process the import query.
6. FileMaker imports the updated or replaced SAP SuccessFactors data as a table.

Get Started Today

Download a free 30-day trial of CData ODBC Driver for SAP SuccessFactors to integrate SAP SuccessFactors data into Claris FileMaker and work with SAP SuccessFactors data in your FileMaker applications.

Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.