SuccessFactors LMS: What You Need to Know About the New Universal Admin UI

SAP SuccessFactors has rolled out new innovation in the first 2020 release, including universal updates to the admin interface (UI) within the Learning Management System (LMS). In this blog, we'll cover what to expect, commonly asked questions regarding how to navigate between the new and Flash-based UI and required next steps.

What to Expect

We understand this improvement may necessitate change management activities. Please note that you will be able to navigate to either the current or new admin interface for six months. Key milestones and dates are as follows:

HTML5 & Flash Concurrently Available
The HTML5 Learning Administration interface will be available alongside the existing interface.

• Preview – April 10, 2020
• Production – June 5, 2020

HTML5 Only
By the dates below, only the HTML5 Learning Administration interface will be accessible and, to avoid disruption, learning content should be built with non-Flash technologies.

• Preview – October 16, 2020
• Production – November 20, 2020

Note: Validated Learning customers key dates include:

• Sandbox Environment – May 21, 2020
• Preview – May 31, 2020
• Production – November 15, 2020

VSaaS customers must only use the new admin UI for validation as the Flash-based UI will not operate shortly after the production release as browsers drop support for Flash at the end of 2020.

FAQ

1. Is the new Admin UI opt-in or universal?
   The new admin UI is universal and will be available via a Learning Administration tile to all administrators with Learning Administration permission in the platform without any special configurations. The new admin UI is not an opt-in feature; the new interface will run concurrently with the existing Flash interface until the next release (from May 15th – November 20th for Production).

2. How do I access the Flash-based UI once the new admin UI is released?
   Check out this video on how to access this new UI. For written instruction on how to access it, review this KBA (S-User ID required). You can access the Flash-based UI through Admin Tools> Learning administration link and access to new UI will be available through a new tile on the platform home page. Both the new learning administration tile and learning administration access via Admin Center use the same RBP permission “Learning Admin Access Permission.” If a user has admin access via Admin Center, they will automatically get access to the new admin application. See the demo in the What’s New Viewer on help.sap.com illustrating how to navigate across both applications.

3. How long will I have access to the Flash UI?
   SaaS customers will be able to use both the new and the Flash-based admin UI until the next release at the end of the year. VSaaS customers must only use the new admin UI for validation as the Flash-based UI will not operate shortly after the production release as browsers drop support for Flash at the end of 2020.

4. Will changes made in the new UI be reflected in the Flash-based UI?
   An admin should never be performing actions in both interfaces simultaneously. However, a change made in either interface will be stored in the same database. Thus, a change made in one interface will be visible in the other. Admins should only be working in one interface at a time. So, making a change in one interface then exiting that interface and entering via the other interface they will see the change.

Required Next Steps

1) Review resources available in the SuccessFactors Community, develop a change management plan and understand how to navigate the new Learning Administration interface coming within the First Half 2020 Release.

2) Identify and update Flash-based content created by your organization by November 20, 2020.

Will the courses still work properly when you remove Flash dependency?
The Learning Administration Application is independent of Flash Content. Content that was authored in Flash must be re-authored as browsers may not support the content launch. As SAP does not touch any content owned by customers, customers must work with their content authors. If you have the source content, you may be able to re-export your Videos/Scorm packages as HTML5 based content. For PCM (Premium Content Management) Customers: Customers' Content Representative may assist with this task as they manage customers' content. See this KBA (S-ID Req).

3) Create a project plan to update your Flash based content to a non-Flash based version of content. Please also account for any users who may have launched, but not completed, Flash-based content.

Heads up! There are a plethora of terminology changes in an effort to align across the SuccessFactors Suite. Read more about the Learning Administration Terms here.

Questions?

We're here to help! Contact our team with additional questions, or if you're ready to engage for support, learn more about our SuccessFactors support options.