¶ Creating and Managing Custom Business Client Extensions
Subject: SAP-Business-Client
The SAP Business Client (SAP BC) is a unified environment that consolidates various SAP user interfaces — including SAP GUI, Web Dynpro, and SAP Fiori — into a single, role-based desktop interface. One of its most powerful features is the ability to create and manage custom extensions, allowing businesses to tailor the client experience according to specific user roles and operational requirements.
This article walks you through the essentials of developing and managing custom business client extensions, enabling a more personalized and efficient SAP user interface.
SAP Business Client extensions are custom plug-ins or configurations that enhance the client’s capabilities or customize its appearance and behavior. These extensions are used to:
- Integrate third-party tools and applications.
- Create role-specific UI enhancements.
- Add custom menu items or toolbar buttons.
- Modify navigation and content rendering behavior.
- User-Centric Experience: Tailor the interface for specific job roles or departments.
- Improved Productivity: Provide direct access to relevant tools and information.
- Branding & Consistency: Customize themes, logos, and color schemes to reflect company identity.
- Simplified Access: Integrate different SAP and non-SAP applications in one unified client.
- Navigation Extensions: Modify or extend how users navigate between applications or launch transactions.
- Shell Plug-ins: Enhance the overall shell by adding menus, icons, or notifications.
- Custom Tiles: Add new static or dynamic tiles to the launchpad area.
- Branding Extensions: Customize the look and feel of the SAP Business Client interface.
- SAP Business Client SDK (Software Development Kit): Provides APIs and templates for building plug-ins.
- Microsoft Visual Studio (for .NET-based extensions): Often used for Windows-native plug-in development.
- SAP GUI and NetWeaver Backend: Required for testing and deployment.
- SAP Fiori Launchpad Designer: For customizing tiles and target mappings.
Clearly identify the need — whether it's to streamline navigation, enhance UI, or integrate external tools.
Install:
- SAP Business Client
- Visual Studio with .NET Framework
- SAP Business Client SDK
Use the SDK to:
- Create a new class implementing the required interface (e.g.,
ISapShellPlugin)
- Add event handlers, UI elements, or logic
- Sign the DLL if required for deployment
Example (C# Shell Plug-in):
public class MyCustomPlugin : ISapShellPlugin
{
public void Initialize(ISapShellContext context)
{
MessageBox.Show("Welcome to the customized SAP Business Client!");
}
}
- Register the extension DLL in the Windows registry or via group policy.
- Update the SAP BC configuration files (e.g.,
sapshortcut.ini) to include the plug-in.
¶ Step 5: Test and Validate
- Test functionality within the Business Client.
- Ensure compatibility with different SAP systems (e.g., ECC, S/4HANA, Fiori).
¶ Managing and Deploying Extensions
- Group Policy Deployment: Distribute plug-ins across corporate users using IT policies.
- Version Control: Maintain version history and rollback capabilities for updates.
- Security and Governance: Validate extensions to avoid performance or security risks.
- Performance Monitoring: Use SAP tools to evaluate extension impact on system responsiveness.
- Keep It Lightweight: Avoid unnecessary dependencies that could slow down the client.
- Ensure Compatibility: Test thoroughly across SAP GUI and Web applications.
- User Feedback: Gather input from end-users to refine functionality.
- Documentation: Maintain clear documentation for IT support and future development.
Customizing SAP Business Client through extensions empowers organizations to offer tailored and streamlined user experiences that align with business needs. With the right development and management strategies, extensions can significantly enhance usability, productivity, and engagement.
Whether integrating business-critical tools or customizing user navigation, mastering Business Client extensions opens a new dimension of flexibility within the SAP ecosystem.