Disclaimer: The insights shared in this blog are based on my personal observations and learning. They may not apply universally, and I encourage readers to conduct their own research and make an informed decision before using this content for productive use.
Introduction
In the modern digital workplace, automation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Businesses are continuously looking for ways to connect systems, eliminate manual effort, and accelerate decision-making. SAP Build Process Automation offers a powerful platform for automating business workflows, while Microsoft 365 services—like Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Excel—are deeply embedded in everyday enterprise operations.
This blog explores how to securely integrate SAP Build Process Automation with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), enabling direct access to Microsoft 365 services through either the Microsoft 365 SDK or Microsoft Graph API. This integration opens up automation possibilities across a wide range of business functions—from reading and sending emails, to accessing SharePoint documents, managing Excel files, and interacting with OneDrive storage.
Business Challenge: Automating Cross-Platform Enterprise Processes
Enterprise workflows often span multiple systems and platforms—SAP for business logic, and Microsoft 365 for communication, document management, and collaboration. However, bridging these platforms typically requires manual data transfers, file handling, and task coordination. These repetitive, error-prone activities consume valuable time and create bottlenecks in business processes.
Key challenges include:
Limited out-of-the-box automation SDK for Microsoft services.Security and compliance risks due to manual authentication and permission handling.Lack of centralized access to documents, emails, spreadsheets, and collaboration data from within automation tools.
With this integration, organizations can:
Automate email operations without outlook.Interact with SharePoint and OneDrive to manage and retrieve files.Automate Excel data processing and reporting.Ensure secure and controlled access using Microsoft Entra ID authentication.
By embedding Microsoft 365 services directly into SAP Build Process Automation, businesses can streamline end-to-end workflows across systems, enhance productivity, and reduce IT overhead.
Azure App Registration in Microsoft Entra ID
Log in to the Azure Portal:
Navigate to https://portal.azure.com.
Open Microsoft Entra ID under Azure Services.
Image 1
From the left navigation pane, click on App registrations and then New registration.
Image 2
Image 3
Provide a Name for the app, choose the appropriate Supported account types, and set the Redirect URI type to Web.
Enter the following URI:
https://login.microsoftonline.com/common/oauth2/nativeclient.
Image 4
After registration:
Copy the Tenant ID and Client ID.
Generate a Client Secret by going to Certificates & Secrets.
These credentials are required for both Microsoft 365 SDK and Graph API integrations.
Image 5
Image 6
Method 1: Integrate Using Microsoft 365 SDK
Open SAP Build Process Automation Lobby and navigate to Control Tower > External Authentication.
Image 7
Click Create New Authentication, select Microsoft 365, and enter:
Tenant ID, Client ID, Client Secret
Choose the required Scopes based on your use case.
Image 8
Open the Desktop Agent on your local machine.
Image 9
Now Navigate to Settings → External Authentication → Select the Microsoft Authentication entry and Sign in using your user or technical account.
Image 10
Image 11
Image 12
If you’re a Global Admin, you can check Consent on behalf of your organization during the first login prompt.
Note: Individual users can also provide consent for their own accounts.
Image 13
Set this authentication entry as your Default Connection in the Desktop Agent.
Image 14
In your Process Automation Project:
Add the Microsoft 365 Cloud SDK as a dependency.
Image 15
Use built-in activities such as:
Search Emails (e.g., filter by folder: Inbox or by subject)
Send Email (e.g., specify recipient, subject, and body)
Image 16
Upon execution, you can validate:
Emails fetched from the inbox
Outgoing emails successfully delivered to recipients
Image 17
Image 18
Image 19
Image 20
Image 21
Method 2: Integrate Using Microsoft Graph API
For more advanced or customized use cases, you can use the Microsoft Graph API to interact with Microsoft services programmatically.
Permissions Setup:
Review and assign required permissions from Microsoft Graph API Reference docs.
Use Graph Explorer to test API calls and review responses.
If permissions require admin approval, click Grant admin consent for Default Directory.
Image 22
Image 23
Image 24
Image 25
Image 26
Image 27
Image 28
Generate Access Token:
Use your Tenant ID, Client ID, and Client Secret to form the authentication request.
Refer to standard OAuth 2.0 token generation flow (as shown in Image 29).
Image 29
Image 30
Call the Graph API:
Use the obtained Access Token to make API calls to endpoints such as:
https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/{UserID}/mailFolders(‘Inbox’)/messages
Fetch email data or other resources as needed (refer to Image 32 for sample response).
Image 31
Image 32
Conclusion: Unified Automation Across SAP and Microsoft Ecosystems
Integrating SAP Build Process Automation with Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 services delivers a robust foundation for enterprise-grade automation. Whether using the Microsoft 365 SDK for a plug-and-play experience, or leveraging Microsoft Graph API for advanced customization, this approach allows seamless access to:
Outlook – for reading, searching, and sending emailsSharePoint & OneDrive – for retrieving, storing, and managing documentsExcel – for accessing and automating spreadsheet-based operationsTeams & Calendar (optional) – for integrating communication and scheduling meetings
Security is built-in through OAuth-based authentication and consent management, ensuring compliance while enabling automation at scale.
By centralizing access and automating repetitive actions across Microsoft and SAP platforms, businesses reduce complexity, minimize errors, and free up valuable resources. This is more than a technical integration—it’s a strategic enabler for digital transformation.
Disclaimer: The insights shared in this blog are based on my personal observations and learning. They may not apply universally, and I encourage readers to conduct their own research and make an informed decision before using this content for productive use. IntroductionIn the modern digital workplace, automation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Businesses are continuously looking for ways to connect systems, eliminate manual effort, and accelerate decision-making. SAP Build Process Automation offers a powerful platform for automating business workflows, while Microsoft 365 services—like Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Excel—are deeply embedded in everyday enterprise operations.This blog explores how to securely integrate SAP Build Process Automation with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), enabling direct access to Microsoft 365 services through either the Microsoft 365 SDK or Microsoft Graph API. This integration opens up automation possibilities across a wide range of business functions—from reading and sending emails, to accessing SharePoint documents, managing Excel files, and interacting with OneDrive storage.Business Challenge: Automating Cross-Platform Enterprise ProcessesEnterprise workflows often span multiple systems and platforms—SAP for business logic, and Microsoft 365 for communication, document management, and collaboration. However, bridging these platforms typically requires manual data transfers, file handling, and task coordination. These repetitive, error-prone activities consume valuable time and create bottlenecks in business processes.Key challenges include:Limited out-of-the-box automation SDK for Microsoft services.Security and compliance risks due to manual authentication and permission handling.Lack of centralized access to documents, emails, spreadsheets, and collaboration data from within automation tools.With this integration, organizations can:Automate email operations without outlook.Interact with SharePoint and OneDrive to manage and retrieve files.Automate Excel data processing and reporting.Ensure secure and controlled access using Microsoft Entra ID authentication.By embedding Microsoft 365 services directly into SAP Build Process Automation, businesses can streamline end-to-end workflows across systems, enhance productivity, and reduce IT overhead. Azure App Registration in Microsoft Entra IDLog in to the Azure Portal:Navigate to https://portal.azure.com.Open Microsoft Entra ID under Azure Services.Image 1From the left navigation pane, click on App registrations and then New registration.Image 2Image 3Provide a Name for the app, choose the appropriate Supported account types, and set the Redirect URI type to Web.Enter the following URI:https://login.microsoftonline.com/common/oauth2/nativeclient.Image 4After registration:Copy the Tenant ID and Client ID.Generate a Client Secret by going to Certificates & Secrets.These credentials are required for both Microsoft 365 SDK and Graph API integrations.Image 5Image 6Method 1: Integrate Using Microsoft 365 SDKOpen SAP Build Process Automation Lobby and navigate to Control Tower > External Authentication.Image 7Click Create New Authentication, select Microsoft 365, and enter:Tenant ID, Client ID, Client SecretChoose the required Scopes based on your use case.Image 8Open the Desktop Agent on your local machine.Image 9Now Navigate to Settings → External Authentication → Select the Microsoft Authentication entry and Sign in using your user or technical account.Image 10Image 11Image 12If you’re a Global Admin, you can check Consent on behalf of your organization during the first login prompt.Note: Individual users can also provide consent for their own accounts.Image 13Set this authentication entry as your Default Connection in the Desktop Agent.Image 14In your Process Automation Project:Add the Microsoft 365 Cloud SDK as a dependency.Image 15Use built-in activities such as:Search Emails (e.g., filter by folder: Inbox or by subject)Send Email (e.g., specify recipient, subject, and body)Image 16Upon execution, you can validate:Emails fetched from the inboxOutgoing emails successfully delivered to recipientsImage 17Image 18Image 19Image 20Image 21Method 2: Integrate Using Microsoft Graph APIFor more advanced or customized use cases, you can use the Microsoft Graph API to interact with Microsoft services programmatically.Permissions Setup:Review and assign required permissions from Microsoft Graph API Reference docs.Use Graph Explorer to test API calls and review responses.If permissions require admin approval, click Grant admin consent for Default Directory. Image 22Image 23Image 24Image 25Image 26Image 27Image 28Generate Access Token:Use your Tenant ID, Client ID, and Client Secret to form the authentication request.Refer to standard OAuth 2.0 token generation flow (as shown in Image 29).Image 29Image 30Call the Graph API:Use the obtained Access Token to make API calls to endpoints such as:https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/{UserID}/mailFolders(‘Inbox’)/messagesFetch email data or other resources as needed (refer to Image 32 for sample response).Image 31Image 32Conclusion: Unified Automation Across SAP and Microsoft EcosystemsIntegrating SAP Build Process Automation with Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 services delivers a robust foundation for enterprise-grade automation. Whether using the Microsoft 365 SDK for a plug-and-play experience, or leveraging Microsoft Graph API for advanced customization, this approach allows seamless access to:Outlook – for reading, searching, and sending emailsSharePoint & OneDrive – for retrieving, storing, and managing documentsExcel – for accessing and automating spreadsheet-based operationsTeams & Calendar (optional) – for integrating communication and scheduling meetingsSecurity is built-in through OAuth-based authentication and consent management, ensuring compliance while enabling automation at scale.By centralizing access and automating repetitive actions across Microsoft and SAP platforms, businesses reduce complexity, minimize errors, and free up valuable resources. This is more than a technical integration—it’s a strategic enabler for digital transformation. Read More Technology Blog Posts by SAP articles
#SAP
#SAPTechnologyblog
