SAPUI5 is a leading UI development toolkit used to build responsive, enterprise-ready web applications. When paired with the SAP Cloud Platform (SCP), SAP’s cloud-based development and runtime environment, SAPUI5 applications gain access to scalable services, secure backend integration, and cloud-native capabilities.
This article explores how to effectively integrate SAPUI5 applications with SAP Cloud Platform, covering deployment, connectivity, authentication, and best practices for building cloud-ready Fiori apps.
SAP Cloud Platform offers:
- Managed infrastructure and runtime for SAPUI5 apps.
- Connectivity services to securely connect to on-premise and cloud backends.
- Identity Authentication Service (IAS) for secure single sign-on (SSO).
- Development tools like SAP Business Application Studio for seamless app lifecycle management.
- Additional services (e.g., workflow, analytics, machine learning) to enhance apps.
Integrating UI5 apps with SCP helps enterprises deliver scalable, secure, and cloud-enabled solutions.
SAPUI5 apps can be deployed on SCP as standalone applications or as part of SAP Fiori Launchpad for SCP.
- Use SAP Business Application Studio or SAP Web IDE for development and deployment.
- Package the app into a Multi-Target Application (MTA) archive for cloud deployment.
- Deploy to SCP's Cloud Foundry environment or Neo environment, depending on your SCP landscape.
SAP Cloud Platform provides connectivity services to securely access backend systems such as SAP S/4HANA, SAP ERP, or third-party APIs.
- Configure destinations in SCP cockpit to define backend endpoints.
- Use the Connectivity service in the Cloud Foundry environment to route requests securely.
- In SAPUI5, consume backend OData services via configured destinations, enabling seamless data integration.
¶ 3. Authentication and Authorization
SCP uses the Identity Authentication Service (IAS) and XSUAA (XS UAA) for user authentication and authorization.
- Enable OAuth 2.0 or SAML-based SSO for smooth login experiences.
- Integrate SCP authentication tokens with SAPUI5 apps to secure APIs.
- Configure role-based access controls for fine-grained security.
Deploy your SAPUI5 apps to the SAP Fiori Launchpad on Cloud Platform, which offers a unified entry point with features like personalization, theming, and app catalogs.
- Register your UI5 app as a tile on the launchpad.
- Use FLP site designer on SCP to manage and configure the launchpad.
- Create your SAPUI5 app using SAP Business Application Studio or local IDE.
- Ensure it consumes backend services via relative URLs or destination aliases.
- Log into SCP Cockpit.
- Navigate to your subaccount → Connectivity → Destinations.
- Define destination with backend URL, authentication type, and proxy settings.
- Define an
mta.yaml file specifying modules, resources, and dependencies.
- Include your SAPUI5 app as a module and the destination configuration.
¶ Step 4: Build and Deploy
- Use Cloud MTA Build Tool or SAP Business Application Studio’s build pipeline.
- Deploy the MTA archive to SCP Cloud Foundry environment.
- Bind your application to the XSUAA service in SCP.
- Configure OAuth scopes and roles in your app manifest and security descriptor.
- Open the SAP Fiori Launchpad or direct URL.
- Authenticate via SCP’s Identity Authentication Service.
- Enjoy seamless, secure, and cloud-enabled SAPUI5 experience.
- Use destination aliases to decouple backend URLs from the app.
- Leverage environment variables and application router to handle routing and authentication.
- Implement error handling and fallback mechanisms for network or backend failures.
- Optimize app size and load times to improve cloud user experience.
- Monitor app health and usage using SCP monitoring tools.
Integrating SAPUI5 with SAP Cloud Platform empowers organizations to develop scalable, secure, and enterprise-ready web applications that leverage cloud-native benefits. By combining UI5’s rich user interface capabilities with SCP’s connectivity, authentication, and deployment services, developers can deliver seamless, modern SAP Fiori applications in the cloud.
Mastering this integration is a key step toward digital transformation and cloud-first strategies in the SAP ecosystem.