SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is an XML-based standard that supports communication of user data among various applications, called service providers (SPs).An identity provider (IdP) makes security assertions consumed by SPs. A single IdP can perform user authentication for many SPs. A particular SP and an IdP can establish a circle of trust by providing each other with metadata in an XML format defined by SAML specifications, so that the SP accepts users authenticated by the IdP.
The NetSuite SAML Single Sign-on feature is based on the SAML v2.0 specifications. For information about these specifications, clickhere. Any SAML 2.0-compliant application can serve as the IdP for SAML access to NetSuite.
The SAML Single Sign-on (SSO) feature supports inbound single sign-on access to NetSuite using authentication from a third-party IdP. This feature allows users logged in to an external application to go to NetSuite without providing further authentication. A user who accesses NetSuite using SAML SSO is directed to their NetSuite Home page. Administrators can use role-based permissions in NetSuite to control which users have SAML SSO access to NetSuite.