you don't really go and implement saml, you deploy saml. you pick one service depending on your preferred language and go with it. I've worked both with apereo

you don't really go and implement saml, you deploy saml. you pick one service depending on your preferred language and go with it. I've worked both with apereo cas (java, was called jasig or something like that then) and simplesamlphp and they managed across multiple proprietary dialect with minimal effort, so those are good starting point