SAP Fiori has revolutionized the way users interact with SAP systems by delivering a simple, role-based, and consistent user experience. However, developing effective Fiori applications requires adherence to best practices that ensure apps are scalable, maintainable, performant, and user-friendly.
This article outlines the essential best practices every SAP Fiori developer should follow to build high-quality enterprise applications.
SAP Fiori apps are built on a set of design principles focused on simplicity, coherence, and responsiveness. Developers should:
- Use SAP Fiori Design Guidelines to ensure consistent UI/UX.
- Keep interfaces clean and intuitive.
- Maintain role-based and task-focused designs.
- Prioritize responsive design for accessibility across devices.
¶ 2. Leverage Fiori Elements and Annotations
Wherever possible, use Fiori Elements — a framework that accelerates app development by generating UIs based on metadata annotations:
- Reduces manual coding and development effort.
- Ensures standardization and consistency.
- Allows for rapid customization through annotations.
¶ 3. Modular and Component-Based Development
- Develop using SAPUI5 component-based architecture to promote reusability.
- Break complex apps into smaller, manageable components.
- Encapsulate functionality for easier testing and maintenance.
- Use component preload files (
Component-preload.js) to reduce network requests.
- Implement lazy loading for views and modules.
- Optimize OData calls with batch processing and selective querying.
- Minimize DOM updates by using data binding efficiently.
- Separate business logic, UI, and data handling.
- Keep controllers lean by delegating reusable logic to utility classes or services.
- Use models appropriately — JSONModel for client-side data, ODataModel for backend integration.
¶ 6. Implement Robust Error Handling and Validation
- Provide clear, user-friendly error messages.
- Validate user inputs both on the client side and backend.
- Use SAPUI5’s built-in validation controls and mechanisms.
¶ 7. Ensure Accessibility and Internationalization (i18n)
- Make apps accessible by following accessibility standards (WCAG).
- Use SAPUI5’s i18n framework to support multiple languages and regional formats.
- Test apps for different locales and input methods.
- Use SAP Business Application Studio or Visual Studio Code with SAP Fiori tools extensions.
- Employ version control systems like Git.
- Automate builds and deployments with CI/CD pipelines.
- Implement proper authentication and authorization.
- Sanitize inputs to prevent injection attacks.
- Use HTTPS and secure data transmission protocols.
- Follow SAP’s security guidelines for OData services and front-end apps.
¶ 10. Thorough Testing and Continuous Improvement
- Develop unit tests with QUnit.
- Use OPA5 for end-to-end testing.
- Perform performance testing and UI responsiveness checks.
- Gather user feedback and iterate based on real-world use.
Adhering to these best practices in SAP Fiori app development helps build applications that are user-centric, scalable, maintainable, and secure. By leveraging SAP’s frameworks, design principles, and development tools, developers can deliver exceptional enterprise solutions that enhance productivity and user satisfaction.