IDP: Bringing together a global workforce with a unified people experience solution
Explore IDP’s transformation with SAP SuccessFactors
When IDP Education Limited, a leader in international education services, wanted to streamline talent acquisition and onboarding processes in 31 countries, it required the right solution and right partner to get it done. With SAP SuccessFactors solutions and EPI-USE, IDP enhanced recruitment efficiency, data integrity, and the hiring experience worldwide.
| Industry | Region | Company Size | Partner |
| Higher education and research | Melbourne, Australia | >6,500 employees | EPI-USE |
of its preferred paid job boards integrated with its systems.
reduction in administrative effort for employee onboarding.
recruitment processes streamlined in one global process.
Group Manager, People Systems, IDP Education Limited
Enhancing recruitment efficiency across continents with SAP solutions
IDP Education Limited, a global industry leader in international education, was tasked with weaving a diverse collection of employee talent from more than 31 countries into a cohesive workforce. As the organisation expanded, its existing recruitment systems failed to keep pace. Fragmented and inconsistently applied across regions, these systems led to operational bottlenecks and a subpar experience for both candidates and hiring managers.
Each region had its way of handling recruitment, from raising requisitions to engaging with agencies, and communicating with candidates. This lack of standardisation meant IDP wasn’t leveraging its considerable global workforce effectively. Important data such as headcount, the status of new or replacement roles, and other critical people experience (PX) metrics were scattered and slow to collect, complicating budgeting and forecasting processes. The administrative burden was heavy, and the systems IDP used were manual and nonintuitive, making recruitment more of a chore than a strategic endeavour.
IDP’s drive to unify and streamline these processes led it to the SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting and SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding solutions. This move wasn’t just about adopting a new system; it was about transforming the recruitment approach to be as inclusive and efficient as the educational services IDP provided. The goal was clear: ensure that no matter where in the world a role was located, the recruitment experience would be uniform and uphold IDP’s high standards.
Group Manager, Talent Acquisition, IDP Education Limited
Connecting a global network through SAP and EPI-USE
As IDP’s global presence expanded, the need for a cohesive recruitment system became more urgent. The manual, region-specific processes were cumbersome, stifling strategic PX management across diverse locations. Choosing SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting and SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding was a strategic step toward efficiency, and partnering with EPI-USE ensured the implementation was smooth and the system tailored to meet its complex needs.
EPI-USE brought more than just technical expertise, working as strategic advisors to help IDP navigate the intricacies of deploying a global PX solution. From the outset, EPI-USE worked closely with IDP’s teams, ensuring alignment with project goals and facilitating comprehensive system training. This foundational work was crucial for building support across all levels of the organisation.
The following collaborative design phase was a game changer. Together, IDP and EPI-USE mapped out recruitment and onboarding processes that addressed the unique requirements of different regions while maintaining standardisation. This phase not only built a resilient system but also cultivated a network of change champions within IDP. These key personnel became advocates for the system, streamlining the transition in their respective regions.
As the new system rolled out, these change champions were instrumental in easing their local teams into the new processes. The rollout strategy took into account regional specificities and practical in-person and virtual rollout methods, informed by past client experiences and current global contexts.
The impact has been transformative. IDP now operates with a single source of truth for PX data, which slashes administrative overhead and boosts data integrity. The company’s recruitment and onboarding processes are not just faster but consistently excellent worldwide, reflecting its wider vision of a unified and inclusive global community.
Transforming recruitment outcomes with SAP SuccessFactors
In just over six months after going live with SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting and SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding, IDP witnessed a shift in its recruitment and onboarding processes across the globe. Initially targeting efficiency and transparency, the results exceeded expectations, significantly impacting the strategic management and knowledge base of its workforce.
Since the implementation, IDP has gained invaluable insights into its recruitment activities, as this data was previously fragmented and difficult to track through agencies. SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting offers a detailed view of where successful candidates are coming from, allowing IDP to optimise its recruitment budget more effectively. This shift from agency reliance to direct applications, spurred by strategic investments in its website, has not only reduced costs but also improved the quality of hires.
SAP SuccessFactors Onboarding has helped change how new employees are integrated into the company. The solution facilitates early setup, allowing IDP to streamline the onboarding process and better forecast the costs associated with new hires. It also provides a clearer picture of incoming employees by country, something that was previously a challenge due to data-handling errors.
The real-time data provided by SAP SuccessFactors has also enhanced IDP’s ability to manage and forecast budgeting needs accurately. The PX team can now see the actual incoming costs and adjust their strategies accordingly. This level of detail was not possible before and has led to more strategic financial planning and resource allocation.
Internally, the change has become the foundation for a more connected and informed PX environment and is leading to a cultural shift toward collaborative problem solving and shared best practices. Regions that were once siloed now share insights and strategies, contributing to a close-knit global workforce.
IDP’s journey with SAP SuccessFactors has not just been about integrating a new PX system; it has allowed the organisation to align its global workforce strategy with its operational needs and growth aspirations. As IDP continues to expand and evolve, SAP SuccessFactors will remain a crucial part of its toolkit, driving efficiency, transparency, and strategic alignment across all levels of the organisation.
Group Manager, People Systems, IDP Education Limited
Charting the future with SAP SuccessFactors at IDP
As IDP embraces the early successes of SAP SuccessFactors, the path ahead is rich with opportunities for further global integration and enhanced PX management. Previously limited to regional data, IDP’s corporate team can now access global metrics, paving the way for strategic improvements and more unified operations.
The journey ahead involves deep collaboration with regional teams to optimise resource allocation and potentially consolidate processes through shared services. This shift aims to boost efficiency and foster a more collaborative and cohesive corporate culture.
Looking forward, IDP is excited to explore new functionalities within SAP SuccessFactors, particularly the talent intelligence hub, deepening the understanding of workforce capabilities and helping tailor and enhance workforce management strategies.
Featured partner
EPI-USE is globally recognised as a leading independent SAP specialist, renowned for its expertise in designing, building, and deploying both on-premise and cloud-based SAP solutions. As a pivotal partner in IDP’s implementation of SAP SuccessFactors, EPI-USE’s deep industry knowledge and flexible approach proved instrumental in adapting the system to meet IDP’s complex and evolving needs.