SAP Fiori Launchpad

What is SAP Fiori Launchpad?

SAP Fiori Launchpad serves as a central hub for accessing and launching SAP applications and business processes. It is built on modern web technologies, providing a responsive and intuitive user interface across multiple devices. The Launchpad allows users to access relevant information, perform tasks, and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) in a single, personalized, and role-based dashboard. With its simple and consistent design principles, SAP Fiori Launchpad enhances user productivity, engagement, and overall satisfaction.

The SAP Fiori launchpad is a SAPUI5-based application that serves as an application container (also known as a shell) for several SAP Fiori apps.

It acts as a portal to all of these application kinds, as well as related analytical insights, which may be seen or accessed on a variety of devices using an adaptable design paradigm, as illustrated in the diagram.

The SAP Fiori launchpad includes additional services like as navigation, customization, embedded help, bookmarking, app setup, alerts, use analytics, and user information in addition to the shell that enables access to apps and insights.

Tiles and links on the launchpad indicate access to various apps and analytical insights, which are used to launch the respective applications within the launchpad shell. The diagram below displays the first row of tiles (for example, Manage Sales Orders, Track Sales Orders) and the second row of links (for example, Create Sales Order, Sales Order Fulfillment).

The SAP Fiori launchpad shows a tiled homepage. Each tile represents a business application that may be launched by users. The launchpad is role-based, with apps categorised according to the user’s needs and only those programmes that the user has access to appearing in his launchpad. Each app represents a single action for a single job. This is a trend away from monolithic solutions and toward activity-based applications and role-based business process simplification. Tile, app finder, corporate search, and alerts are just a few of the features included in the Launchpad. SAP UI5 technology, a JavaScript application framework, is used to create Fiori apps.

Individual users receive different views from the depending on their roles and personalizations. These roles are often based on segregation of duties (SoD) compliance; that is, they are similar to a job description in an organisation for an employee, manager, or purchaser, and they give just the information necessary for the user to do their daily activities. Let’s take a look at the role of the SAP Fiori Launchpad, as well as the many variations and major components.

Functions

In the past, the launchpad was a single entry point option for accessing a single product (or a couple of related products, such as SAP ERP and SAP SRM, both based on SAP NetWeaver), but it evolved into a central entry point option with a motivation to integrate multiple cross products,When used as a shell, the SAP Fiori Launchpad not only allows you to start and access various UIs from one location, but it also allows you to share preconfigured SAP Fiori Launchpad content and roles.

The launchpad often provides as a starting point for all of the Fiori business processes coverage that the user may access from a user perspective. On tiles, it displays a variety of application tiles/links as well as analytical data such as counters, key performance indicators (KPIs) via graphs, and charts.

Users usually get domain-specific information and activities via an analytical or drilldown-based app as a second step before moving on to the object-level transaction to perform operations on business objects.

SAP Fiori for HANA Suite

SAP’s development of HANA in-memory, high-performance database has eliminated the bottleneck in data transfer from disk to the central processing unit in traditional databases. SAP HANA saves money by running on many terabytes of memory. As a result, using SAP HANA to access apps is no longer a concern.

SAP Fiori for Suite on HANA takes use of HANA’s efficiency, allowing complicated analytical processes like predictive analysis to be completed in real time and data to be accessed without delay. When migrating to SAP HANA, the general system responsibilities in the SAP Fiori system landscape remain unchanged.

The launchpad in a client still uses the SAP Web Dispatcher to connect to the FES. The capabilities of the BES, which is now a SAP Business Suite on HANA, have changed.

In addition to traditional and transactional apps, a Suite on HANA (SoH) now includes analytical and fact sheet apps, as well as Fiori search on back-end data. HANA enterprise search is also available in the SAP Fiori launchpad with Suite on HANA.

Variants of SAP Fiori Launchpad

On SAP Business Suite or SAP S/4HANA, the launchpad can be used (On-premise Solutions)

On a SAP NetWeaver or ABAP platform, this variant of the launchpad is implemented as part of the SAP UI component and is commonly started by Transaction /UI2/FLP from the relevant client or via a launchpad URL provided by system administration.

The launchpad commonly registers OData services with a SAP Gateway frontend component (IW FND – Information Worker Foundation), and then consumes the data services using the business enablement provisioning (IW BEP) component. The launchpad is a SAPUI5-based application that only uses a few OData services.

Transaction PFCG role assignments are used to assign launchpad content to users. The content on the launchpad is also available.

Users are assigned launchpad content via Transaction PFCG role allocations. And tools like the launchpad designer and the launchpad content management are used to create launchpad content.

SAP Enterprise Portal’s Fiori launchpad

This launchpad version is built on a multichannel portal framework page (referred to as SAP Fiori framework page) that provides the SAP Fiori launchpad experience within the SAP Enterprise Portal environment. The SAP Fiori launchpad content is managed and modelled using the SAP Enterprise Portal roles concepts and content directory structure.

Fiori launchpad via SAP Launchpad service on SAP BTP

This version of the launchpad is deployed as a software as a service (SaaS) launchpad or portal service by SAP BTP (previously known as SAP Cloud Platform) and is accessed via a site URL provided by system administrators.

The SAP Fiori launchpad content is modelled using site manager and assigned to users via SAP BTP roles.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Personalized User Experience: SAP Fiori Launchpad offers a personalized experience tailored to each user’s role and responsibilities. Users can customize their Launchpad by adding or removing tiles, arranging them based on their preferences, and bookmarking frequently used applications. This flexibility empowers users to access the information and applications that matter most to them, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
2. Role-Based Dashboards: The Launchpad provides role-based dashboards that display relevant applications and information based on the user’s specific role within the organization. This targeted approach ensures that users only see what is necessary for their job functions, eliminating unnecessary clutter and reducing cognitive load.
3. Intuitive Navigation: SAP Fiori Launchpad offers a consistent and intuitive navigation experience across all applications. The Launchpad utilizes a tile-based interface, where each tile represents an application or a specific task. Users can simply click on the tile to launch the corresponding application, making navigation quick and easy. The search functionality further simplifies finding specific applications or content within the Launchpad.
4. Responsive Design: The Launchpad is built with a responsive design, ensuring optimal user experience across various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. The interface automatically adjusts to fit the screen size, providing a seamless and consistent experience regardless of the device being used. This flexibility enables users to access SAP applications and perform tasks on the go, improving mobility and productivity.
5. Integration and Consolidation: SAP Fiori Launchpad integrates and consolidates various SAP applications and processes into a unified platform. It brings together multiple systems, modules, and functionalities, allowing users to access all relevant information and perform tasks from a single entry point. This simplifies the user experience, reduces the need for multiple logins, and streamlines business processes.

Use Cases of SAP Fiori Launchpad

1. Employee Self-Service: SAP Fiori Launchpad enables employees to access self-service applications, such as leave requests, timesheets, travel expenses, and performance reviews. Users can conveniently submit requests, view approvals, and track the status of their tasks, enhancing employee satisfaction and reducing administrative burdens.
2. Sales and Customer Relationship Management: The Launchpad provides sales representatives and customer service teams with easy access to CRM applications, allowing them to manage customer interactions, track sales activities, and view customer information in real-time. This improves customer engagement, streamlines sales processes, and enhances overall customer satisfaction.
3. Analytics and Reporting: SAP Fiori Launchpad offers interactive dashboards and analytical applications, empowering users to access real-time data, perform ad-hoc analysis, and generate meaningful reports. This supports data-driven decision-making and enables users to monitor key metrics, track performance, and identify trends or anomalies.
4. Supply Chain and Manufacturing: The Launchpad provides supply chain managers and manufacturing teams with visibility into inventory levels, production schedules, and logistics information. Users can efficiently track shipments, manage procurement processes, and collaborate with suppliers, ensuring smooth supply chain operations and optimized manufacturing processes.

Conclusion

SAP Fiori Launchpad revolutionizes the user experience of SAP applications by providing a personalized, intuitive, and user-friendly interface. By consolidating various applications into a single platform and offering role-based dashboards, the Launchpad enhances productivity, engagement, and user satisfaction. Whether it’s employee self-service, sales and customer management, analytics, or supply chain operations, SAP Fiori Launchpad simplifies access to critical information and tasks, driving efficiency and enabling businesses to thrive in the digital era.