In the digital age, user experience (UX) plays a crucial role in the adoption and effectiveness of enterprise software. Recognizing this, SAP revolutionized its approach to UX by introducing SAP Fiori—a modern design system and user interface paradigm tailored specifically for SAP applications. Understanding SAP Fiori is fundamental for anyone involved in SAP UI design, development, and implementation, particularly when working with SAP Fiori Design Guidelines to create consistent and intuitive business applications.
SAP Fiori is SAP’s design language and user experience framework that delivers a simplified, role-based, and responsive user interface across devices. It transforms traditional SAP transactions into easy-to-use applications that focus on the needs and workflows of end-users.
SAP Fiori is not just a new UI skin but a comprehensive design philosophy that emphasizes:
Before SAP Fiori, SAP’s interface was largely transaction-oriented, with complex screens designed primarily for functionality rather than usability. This created challenges in user adoption and productivity.
SAP Fiori emerged in 2013 as part of SAP’s strategy to enhance user experience by applying modern design principles and leveraging web technologies like SAPUI5, HTML5, and CSS. Today, Fiori apps serve as the primary interface for SAP S/4HANA and many cloud solutions.
SAP Fiori Design Guidelines define how to create applications that adhere to SAP’s UX standards, ensuring a coherent and productive user experience. These principles include:
Each Fiori app is designed for a specific user role, focusing on the tasks and processes relevant to that role. This avoids unnecessary complexity and streamlines workflows.
Fiori apps adapt fluidly to different screen sizes and input methods, providing an optimal experience on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
By prioritizing essential functions and minimizing distractions, Fiori apps reduce cognitive load and accelerate task completion.
A consistent visual language, interaction patterns, and navigation models make Fiori apps easy to learn and use across different SAP systems.
SAP emphasizes not only usability but also a pleasant experience, including visual appeal, smooth animations, and user-friendly feedback.
To support diverse business needs, SAP Fiori offers different app types:
SAP Fiori apps are primarily built using SAPUI5, SAP’s HTML5 framework that supports responsive design and rich user interfaces. Backend services typically use OData protocols to communicate between UI and SAP systems.
The SAP Fiori Launchpad serves as the central entry point, offering a personalized, role-based home screen where users can access all their Fiori apps with single sign-on capabilities.
SAP Fiori marks a paradigm shift in how SAP applications are designed and consumed. By embracing the SAP Fiori Design Guidelines, developers and designers can build applications that not only meet business needs but also delight users with a seamless, intuitive experience. Whether you are developing new apps or redesigning existing ones, understanding SAP Fiori is essential for delivering modern SAP solutions that drive business success.