In the realm of data analytics and business intelligence, the ability to tailor reports to meet specific organizational needs is invaluable. SAP Lumira, a versatile self-service data visualization tool within the SAP ecosystem, provides not only a wide range of built-in visualization options but also the flexibility to enhance reports using custom widgets. Custom widgets empower users to deliver highly interactive, personalized, and insightful reports that go beyond standard charts and graphs.
Custom widgets are user-defined visualization components or interactive elements that can be integrated into SAP Lumira reports and dashboards. Unlike predefined charts, custom widgets allow developers and power users to design bespoke visual elements or controls tailored to unique business requirements.
These widgets can range from advanced charts, interactive filters, sliders, or even embedded external content — all designed to improve user experience and provide deeper insights.
SAP Lumira supports custom widgets primarily through its extensibility features and integration with SAP Lumira Designer (formerly SAP Design Studio), which provides scripting and SDK support.
Steps to Enhance Reports with Custom Widgets:
Identify the Need for a Custom Widget
Understand what functionality or visualization is missing from default options. For example, you might want a specialized gauge or a geographic heat map not available by default.
Develop the Widget
Using SAP Lumira Designer’s SDK and scripting capabilities, create the custom widget. This often involves:
Test the Widget Locally
Validate the widget functionality with sample data to ensure accuracy and responsiveness.
Deploy the Widget into SAP Lumira Designer
Import the custom widget into your Lumira Designer project, enabling it to interact with datasets and other visual components.
Integrate the Widget into Reports
Place the custom widget alongside existing visualizations, configure parameters, and link interactions like filters or drill-downs.
Publish and Share
Distribute enhanced reports and dashboards with embedded custom widgets to end-users via SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform or SAP Analytics Cloud.
A manufacturing company may require a custom widget to visualize machine downtime with real-time alerts and color-coded status indicators. Using a custom widget, analysts can create a visual control that shows live updates, thresholds, and maintenance schedules—far more interactive and actionable than traditional charts.
Custom widgets in SAP Lumira represent a powerful way to extend the capabilities of standard reports, making them more interactive, relevant, and insightful. By leveraging SAP Lumira Designer’s extensibility and SDK, organizations can build bespoke visualizations tailored to their unique business needs, thereby unlocking greater value from their data analytics initiatives.
As businesses continue to demand more personalized and interactive data experiences, mastering custom widgets in SAP Lumira will be a key skill for SAP analytics professionals seeking to drive innovation and improved decision-making.