Every time a customer registers on your website, logs in to your portal, or ticks a consent checkbox, that interaction generates data. The problem is that this data usually ends up scattered across your CRM, e-commerce platform, marketing tools, mobile apps, bots, and ERP. There is no single place connecting it all. SAP Customer Data Cloud (SAP CDC) solves that. It centralizes customer identity, consent, and preferences into one managed foundation. Your teams always work from a single, accurate picture of the customer. CTA
What is SAP Customer Data Cloud?
SAP CDC (formerly Gigya, acquired by SAP in 2017) is a customer identity and access management (CIAM) solution. It handles how customers register, log in, and manage their own data and consent. This applies across all of your digital channels.
As a digital receptionist, SAP CDC greets and recognizes your customers across your online presence – your website, your app, your online shop. The solution lets them in securely and remembers their preferences.
Think of it like a members' club. Instead of signing in separately at the restaurant, gym, and spa every time, a member shows their card once at the front desk and is recognized everywhere. SAP CDC is that front desk – but for your digital channels.
It also handles the paperwork. When a customer says "yes, you can send me emails" or "no, don't share my data," SAP CDC writes that down and keeps it safe. The system makes sure every part of your business follows those instructions. No sticky notes, no spreadsheets, no one forgetting to update the system.
Unlike most customer identity solutions, SAP CDC not only supports B2C companies but also covers B2B requirements, including managing access for distributors, dealers, and business partners, and handling hierarchical account structures and delegated administration. If your business works through a network of resellers or external partners, this matters.
SAP Customer Data Cloud (SAP CDC): what it Includes
SAP CDC consists of three components:
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SAP Customer Identity and Access Management for B2C (SAP CIAM for B2C) manages registration, login, authentication, and single sign-on (SSO) for end customers.
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SAP Customer Identity and Access Management for B2B (SAP CIAM for B2B) handles identity and access management for business partners and distributors. It does this not just for consumers.
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SAP Enterprise Consent and Preference Management centralizes consent collection, tracking, and withdrawal across all touchpoints. It provides a full audit trail.
How does SAP CDC fit into your SAP landscape
SAP CDC is part of the SAP Customer Experience (SAP CX) portfolio. It connects directly with other SAP CX solutions, such as SAP Sales Cloud, SAP Service Cloud, SAP Emarsys, and others. It also integrates with SAP Customer Data Platform (SAP CDP) to enrich customer profiles further.
SAP CDC vs. SAP CDP: what Is the difference?
People often mix up SAP CDC and SAP CDP – so let’s clarify the difference between those two:
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SAP CDC manages identity, access, and consent – who the customer is and what they've agreed to.
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SAP CDP enriches that customer record with behavioral and transactional data from multiple systems, building a complete 360-degree customer profile.
SAP CDC provides the essential layer for managing identity, access, and consent. SAP CDP then enhances this foundation by collecting and analyzing additional customer data, resulting in a more comprehensive profile. These solutions are designed to work together to provide a seamless experience.
Key capabilities of SAP CDC
- Self-service registration and login (including social login and SSO) management
- Two-factor authentication and risk-based authentication
- Centralized consent and preference management with full audit history
- Unified customer profile across B2B and B2C environments
- Account takeover protection and identity security
- Pre-built connectors to SAP and non-SAP systems, like SAP Emarsys, SAP Marketing Cloud, SAP Commerce Cloud, CRM, ERP, and others.
Who should use SAP Customer Data Cloud?
SAP CDC makes the most sense for companies that:
- Operate multiple digital channels (website, portal, mobile app, e-commerce) and need customer identity managed consistently across all of them.
- Need to manage consent at scale within different regions and compliance regulations.
- Work with external business partners or resellers who need controlled access to portals or systems.
- Are already using SAP CX solutions and want to connect customer identity data into that ecosystem.
Benefits of SAP Customer Data Cloud
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One customer profile across all your systems
A customer places an order in your e-commerce system, contacts support through a service portal, and signs up for a newsletter through your marketing platform. Each system represents only one piece of the picture – but without SAP CDC, none of them talk to each other. SAP CDC creates a unified customer profile that connects these identities, so every team works from the same accurate view of the same person.
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Less friction at login, higher conversion
Long registration forms, forgotten passwords, and separate logins for each channel push customers away before they've even done anything. SAP CDC supports social login, single sign-on (SSO), two-factor authentication, and magic links – so customers get in quickly and securely, no matter the channel they use.
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Consent managed automatically, across every touchpoint
When a customer updates or withdraws their consent, that change needs to reach every connected system immediately – not sit in a queue or get lost between teams. SAP CDC records consent centrally, logs every change with a timestamp, and propagates updates across your entire system landscape automatically.
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GDPR and data privacy compliance built in
SAP CDC is built to support GDPR, CCPA, and other data privacy regulations. Consent history is stored with full traceability, customers can view and manage their own data through self-service portals, and you have a clear audit trail ready if you need to demonstrate compliance.
Why choose ACBaltica for SAP CDC implementation?
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We fit the solution to your business, not the other way around Every company handles customer identity and consent differently. We don't apply a standard template and call it done. We always start by understanding your systems, processes, and compliance requirements – and only then design an implementation that actually fits.
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We know SAP CX end-to-end SAP CDC doesn't work in isolation – it connects with SAP SalesCloud, SAP Marketing Cloud, SAP Emarsys, SAP Service Cloud, SAP CDP, and more. We've worked with the full SAP Customer Experience portfolio for 20+ years and understand how all the pieces fit together. You won't get an SAP CDC specialist who has never touched the surrounding systems.
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One partner for the full project As an SAP Platinum Partner, we cover the entire project lifecycle: consulting, implementation, custom development, integration, and ongoing support. Already running SAP S/4HANA, SAP CDP, or other SAP solutions? We'll connect everything and make sure it keeps working cleanly after go-live.
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Senior expertise at a competitive price Our delivery center in Eastern Europe lets us offer senior-level SAP expertise at rates that are significantly more competitive than Western European or North American alternatives. You're not trading quality for price – you're getting both.
Want to know whether SAP CDC is the right move for your business? Contact us, and we'll take a straightforward look at your setup.
Frequently asked questions about SAP Customer Data Cloud
Yes. SAP CDC includes a dedicated B2B component that manages identity and access for business partners, distributors, and resellers. Since it supports hierarchical account structures and delegated administration, external partners can be given controlled access to your portals and systems without compromising security.
Yes. SAP CDC includes pre-built connectors for non-SAP CRM, ERP, and marketing platforms. If a pre-built connector doesn't exist for your system, we can help you develop custom integration using open APIs.
SAP CDC reduces the friction that causes customers to drop off. It supports social login, single sign-on (SSO), magic links, and two-factor authentication. With all those tools, customers can access your channels quickly and securely without filling out long forms or using multiple separate credentials.
SAP CDC doesn’t work as a separate solution – it needs to connect to your existing systems, match your compliance requirements, and fit your specific customer journey. A partner with end-to-end SAP CX experience ensures the implementation is correct from the start, integrated cleanly with surrounding systems, and built to scale.
Have more questions? Contact us!
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