Automate contacts in iluminr
Keep your contacts accurate without the manual work - iluminr supports two automation approaches to suit different organisations.
Automating your contact data removes that dependency on human intervention and gives you confidence that the right people will be reached when it matters.
iluminr offers two automation approaches. Which one of these fits your organisation, depends on where your contact data lives, and what you need to keep in sync.
Option 1 — Microsoft Entra Directory Sync
Best for: Organisations using Microsoft 365 / Entra ID, particularly those running Microsimulations where email-based participation is the primary contact method.
Connect your Microsoft Entra (Azure AD) tenant directly to iluminr. iluminr will automatically pull your Entra user records on a regular schedule and create new contacts in your account — no phone numbers required, no IT scripting needed.
When this works well:
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Your organisation is Microsoft-first and Entra is your source of truth for staff
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You run microsimulations and need participants provisioned quickly from your directory
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You want a self-serve setup that an Admin can configure without involving a developer
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Phone numbers are not a requirement for your contact records
Learn more at: Connect Microsoft Entra for Directory Sync
Note: In the initial release, Entra sync is additive — it creates new contacts but does not yet update or deactivate existing ones. If you need updates and removals, speak to your Customer Success Manager or consider the Contacts API.
Option 2 — Contacts API
Best for: Organisations pulling contact data from multiple sources, or those needing full control over what gets synced, updated, and removed - including mass notification use cases.
The iluminr Contacts API lets you build an automated pipeline from any data source (your HRS/HCM platform, Active Directory, a third-party system, or a combination) into iluminr. Updates run at a frequency you define, and the API supports creates, updates, and removals.
When this works well:
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Your contact data lives across multiple systems
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You need to sync phone numbers and other rich contact fields for mass notifications (SMS, voice)
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You require updates and deactivations — not just new contact creation
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You have technical resources available to build and maintain the integration
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You need precise control over data mapping and sync logic
Setup is guided by the iluminr Customer Success team, who will validate your data types, formats, and test the integration in a UAT environment before go-live.
Learn more at: Automate contact updates with the Contacts API
Not sure which to choose?
If you're unsure which option is right for your organisation, reach out to your Customer Success Manager - they can review your setup and recommend the best path.
| Entra Directory Sync | Contacts API | |
| Setup | Self-Serve via Settings | Assisted by iluminr |
| Data source | Microsoft Entra / Azure AD only | Any system/s |
| Creates new contacts | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Updates existing contacts | coming soon | ✔️ |
| Removes/deactivates contacts | coming soon | ✔️ |
| Mobile number sync | Depends on Entra attributes | ✔️ |
| Multiple data sources | ✖️ | ✔️ |
| Great for Microsimulations | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Great for Mass Communications | Depends on Entra attributes | ✔️ |
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