Subject: SAP S/4HANA Cloud
SAP Fiori has revolutionized the way users interact with SAP applications, offering a user-centered design that is simple, responsive, and role-based. In the context of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, developing custom Fiori apps allows organizations to tailor their business processes and user experiences beyond the standard offerings. This article provides an overview of how to approach custom Fiori app development in an S/4HANA Cloud environment.
SAP Fiori is the design language used across all SAP applications, providing a consistent and intuitive user experience across devices. Fiori apps are typically web-based and are built using SAPUI5, a UI development toolkit based on HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript.
While SAP S/4HANA Cloud comes with a rich library of standard Fiori apps, businesses often need to:
In-app extensibility refers to making changes directly within the S/4HANA Cloud system using tools embedded in the platform. It allows users to:
Tools: Custom Fields and Logic, Custom Business Objects, UI Adaptation at Runtime
Side-by-side extensibility involves building applications on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) that integrate with S/4HANA Cloud via APIs. This is useful when:
Tools: SAP Business Application Studio, SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP), SAP Fiori Elements, OData Services
Fiori Elements enable rapid development of apps using metadata-driven UIs. They provide standardized templates such as:
These templates accelerate development and ensure UX consistency without manually coding the UI.
Requirement Gathering
Choose Development Approach
Model Data
Design UI
Integrate with S/4HANA Cloud
Test and Deploy
Manage Lifecycle
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| SAP Business Application Studio | IDE for developing Fiori and full-stack apps |
| SAP Fiori Tools | Simplifies development within BAS or VS Code |
| SAP Web IDE (deprecated) | Legacy tool for Fiori app development |
| SAP Launchpad Service | Launchpad for managing and accessing Fiori apps |
| SAP API Business Hub | Discover and test available APIs |
Developing custom Fiori apps in SAP S/4HANA Cloud is essential for businesses seeking flexibility and tailored solutions. By leveraging SAP’s extensibility frameworks and design principles, developers can build applications that enhance productivity, simplify tasks, and maintain compliance with SAP’s upgrade strategy. Whether through in-app tools or side-by-side development on SAP BTP, Fiori app customization is a powerful enabler of digital transformation.