Before we continue, let’s have a review of the terminologies you have learned so far.
Terminology Review
| Foundation Objects | Core structure predelivered by SAP SuccessFactors to hold company information. The structure can be XML or MDF-based. |
| Legacy Foundation Objects | Foundation Objects that are XML-based. These are the HRIS-elements found in Corporate Data Model. In MDF tools, Legacy Foundation Object is simply referred to as Foundation Object. |
| MDF-Based Foundation Objects | Foundation Objects that have been migrated to Metadata Framework. |
| Generic Objects | Any MDF-based object or data structure regardless if it’s standard predelivered by SuccessFactors or custom. |
The standard Foundation Objects predelivered by SAP SuccessFactors are customizable. However, some customer requirements may be too complex for the standard objects. This is when Metadata Framework (MDF) is used to create a custom object in Employee Central. This is only possible with MDF, not the Corporate Data Model.
These custom objects can maintain and store additional information and attributes for the company and people in the organization. For example, a customer that needs to add more hierarchy levels in the organization than SuccessFactors can deliver will create a custom object to provide an accurate representation of their organization in Employee Central.
Custom objects are configured with these common characteristics:
- It may or may not be effectively dated.
- It may or may not be secured.
- It may or may not be associated with another object.
- It may or may not be available for self-service.