About data management
Learn how to get data into Sovos SAF-T.
The critical first step in SAF-T compliance is to get your financial data into Sovos SAF-T. SAF-T offers multiple import methods designed to accommodate different technical environments and business needs.
Many organizations use multiple import methods because their SAF-T data comes from various sources. For example, a company might use the SAP Framework for core financial data while complementing it with manual import for transactions that occur outside of SAP, such as specialized tax adjustments or data from subsidiary systems.
Automated integration
- SAP Framework
- Specialized middleware for SAP environments handles complex data structures, extracts directly from SAP tables, and manages the intricacies of SAP's architecture while minimizing performance impact on production systems.
- API Integration
- REST API connectivity enables real-time or scheduled data transfers with immediate validation feedback, perfect for organizations with modern system architectures or existing workflow automation.
- SFTP Automation
- Scheduled secure file transfers automate the extraction and upload process, ideal for organizations preferring file-based integration with automated processing.
Manual methods
- Direct Upload
- Browser-based file upload for occasional imports or special situations, supporting multiple file formats with immediate validation feedback.
- Manual SFTP
- Secure file transfer for larger datasets or when automated scheduling isn't needed, providing flexibility for ad-hoc data imports.
Choosing your import method
The best import method depends on several factors:
- Regular, ongoing compliance
- Automated integration methods (SAP Framework, API, SFTP Automation) provide consistency, reduce manual effort, and minimize errors.
- Occasional or special reporting
- Manual methods (Direct Upload, Manual SFTP) offer flexibility for one-time submissions, system migrations, or handling unique data sources.
- Complex ERP environments
- The SAP Framework is specifically designed to handle the complexities of enterprise systems without requiring extensive technical expertise from finance teams.
- Modern, API-enabled systems
- REST API integration provides real-time capabilities and seamless workflow integration.
File format support
Sovos SAF-T accepts multiple file formats to accommodate different source systems. All formats support UTF-8 encoding and follow product specifications to ensure proper processing and validation.
SAF-T accepts XML and CSV files, and TXT files for certain specific cases. For convenience, files may be imported within a ZIP archive; however, each ZIP may include only one valid file. Importing a ZIP with multiple valid files or unsupported file types will result in validation errors.
Next steps
Assess your technical environment and data sources.
Choose the appropriate import method based on your needs.
- Review detailed setup guides for your selected method:
Manual Import for file-based uploads and special situations
Multiple Systems Integration if you need to consolidate data from various sources