SAP Fiori - Ordering by Swipe

As far as interfaces are concerned, SAP users haven't exactly had it easy up to now, emphasizes Jürgen West, who is responsible for Apsolut's development department as a partner.

In fact, traditional SAP GUI transactions are very complex to use, as they are designed to comprehensively handle complete business objects and include a lot of information and buttons that are not needed for every use case.

In addition, they often store the required information in separate locations, from which users must laboriously search for it when needed.

Clearly arranged tile optics

This has changed fundamentally with SAP Fiori apps. Today, users can already choose between several hundred apps developed by SAP based on SAP UI5 to provide SAP transactions broken down to typical, simple use cases.

The plan is to integrate the individual apps into a role-based launchpad with a clear tile look. This provides users with individual small modules with which they can trigger specific processes.

Even if very complex processes such as approval workflows, vacation requests or supplier inquiries are hidden behind this, they can be triggered and processed with just a few clicks.

For companies, SAP Fiori means accelerated processes and thus a noticeable reduction in costs.

These advantages are enhanced by the fact that Fiori apps run on both desktop PCs and mobile devices, whether tablet or smartphone.

Since the application interface adapts optimally to the hardware used, users can access the SAP functions they need at any time and from anywhere using their end devices.

That means concretely: They work even more productively on the move and save further working time because they can also complete certain tasks on the move.

Requesters and approvers benefit

The added value of Fiori - the Italian name for flowers - is also evident in SAP-based purchasing.

This applies to the transactional Fiori apps, in which programs and actions are executed, as well as to the analytical apps, with which key figures can be determined and monitored.

In addition, there are the info sheets that display contextual information and the most important aspects of central objects used in the context of individual business transactions.

For example, requesters benefit from being able to place their orders faster and easier with SAP Fiori, regardless of where they are.

"A vivid example of this is provided by the construction site worker who discovers on site that certain building materials are in danger of running out"

"Instead of having to return to the office to awkwardly boot up their own computer, this employee can open the Fiori app on their smartphone to shop and order the materials they need directly with a swipe.

By using the native functions of a smartphone, for example the camera, it can also scan the barcode of a material. This, of course, offers extremely high flexibility."

SAP Fiori enables similar advantages for approvers in the specialist departments, who can also issue approvals particularly quickly and easily when they are on the move.

Further efficiency gains with the Fiori mobile apps can be implemented, for example, if a warehouse worker labels his storage bins with a QR code containing all relevant information: Material, supplier, price, storage location and delivery point.

If supplies need to be ordered, the warehouse worker simply scans the existing QR code with his mobile device and sends his order directly to the supplier via the Fiori app.

In addition, Fiori analytic apps make it much easier for managers to keep track of the purchasing situation anytime, anywhere.

You have the option of quickly and easily obtaining evaluations and key figures, for example on suppliers, material groups and orders.

This enables managers anywhere in the world to respond to current business developments or short-term discounting or rebate opportunities with suppliers.

Requirements for an implementation project

Companies that want to introduce SAP Fiori apps for their purchasing should first define their specific requirements for the new solutions.

"Before the project begins, it must be clear exactly what employees will be empowered to do through Fiori deployment"

The results are mapped in a role concept that defines which users can access which Fiori apps.

The next step is to check whether the customer-specific requirements can be covered by SAP's standard apps. If not, it is possible to either adapt and further develop the SAP standard or program completely new apps.

For the development of your own Fiori apps, it is a great advantage that SAP offers various templates as basic templates. This means that creation does not have to start from scratch, but can be reduced to half the time usually required.

To support the implementation, SAP provides the browser-based development tool Web IDE, but another development tool can also be used.

Companies benefit from the fact that new Fiori apps can be programmed in this way within a few days, depending on their complexity.

Programmer

For the optimal implementation of Fiori projects in purchasing, it makes sense to hire an experienced Consulting partner who combines SAP technology expertise with process knowledge.

This partner should support a company in installing the Fiori apps, setting them up as part of customer-specific role and authorization concepts, and integrating them into the existing SAP system landscape using the SAP Gateway.

Furthermore recommend Consulting firmswho can additionally support their customers in entering the Fiori era with a range of courses.

One example of this is training courses that teach programmers the tools they need to develop and install their own Fiori apps in just a few days.

Cloud, on-premise or hybrid?

"The expertise of a consulting firm for SAP-based purchasing should also be relied upon by customers who are faced with the question of whether they would prefer to obtain Fiori apps as cloud, on-premise or hybrid solutions"

To do this, it is necessary to take a close look at the requirements that a company has, for example, in terms of data security or the protection of existing investments.

In this context, the SAP Hana Cloud Platform (HCP) will play an increasingly important role in the future. This is because the platform, which is based on in-memory technology, provides new services that make it easier to extend, customize, manage and implement SAP Fiori apps - in both on-premise and cloud environments.