07 December 2021

SAP FIORI without developer

SAP FIORI is modern, intuitive to use and individually configurable. We show you how end and key users can adapt the apps to their needs and where the limits lie.

The trend in the IT world is toward low-code, no-code applications: Such applications are user-friendly, quick to learn and can be personalized without a developer. This is also the case with SAP FIORI - a clear interface designed to simplify working with SAP software.

Since 2014, SAP FIORI has been part of the scope of licenses for licensed SAP software and can already be used in ECC systems. However, experience shows that some of the product's functionalities are unknown to many or are not used to their full extent. As a strategic product of SAP, FIORI is being continuously developed and should gradually replace the classic GUI. So if you are not using FIORI today, there is probably no way around it in the future. Take advantage of the benefits offered by FIORI applications today!

What is FIORI?

SAP FIORI is a collection of user-friendly applications. These applications are called up in the web browser and used instead of the GUI transactions. For example, when you create a purchase order, you no longer call transaction ME21N in the SAP GUI, but open the corresponding Fiori app with one click. Why you should do this? Think about purchase order entry in the SAP GUI: how many of the fields, tabs and buttons displayed do you actually use? And what was your first thought when you first saw a document in the SAP GUI? That's how many users feel: The SAP GUI interface is very confusing and you feel lost in the first moment. In the second, perhaps, too. In a FIORI app, you only see the fields and information you actually need for document entry or processing. With the standard apps, SAP already provides a much clearer interface, but you can also further customize it, for example, hide fields you don't need or add new ones.

How FIORI works

The user accesses the required FIORI apps from the so-called FIORI Launchpad - the start page of his Fiori application. Frequently used Fiori applications are displayed to the user in advance via so-called groups in the launchpad. The user can easily display additional apps from the APP Finder on the start page. The required apps are not only displayed to the user on the desktop screen, but can also be used on mobile devices: Thanks to the clarity of the apps, using them on a smartphone or a tablet is very convenient and easy.

Customize FIORI as end user

The role of a user is also regulated in FIORI via authorizations. As an end user, you have various options to adapt the required applications to your needs. In your user settings, for example, you can assign default values to certain fields, such as plant or warehouse number. When you call up a FIORI app, only the documents and data that match the set values are then automatically displayed. If you ever want to see all documents, you can simply delete the filter from the overview and display all data.

Furthermore, as an end user you can create your own tiles from standard FIORI apps, which already show you their filter results in the start screen - without having to open the app itself.

Furthermore, the user can customize the displayed filters and columns of each app and save this as his own view - comparable to variants and layouts in the GUI. Organizing apps in their own groups, showing and hiding FIORI apps according to their own needs, and even changing the Fiori Launchpad design are also among the functionalities available to the end user.

Customize FIORI as a key user

A key user is also allowed to make deeper adjustments that are not readily possible in GUI. They can show and hide fields in the standard apps, insert customer-specific fields into the applications and change the layout of the standard applications. Hard to believe, but you really don't need to be a developer to do this, and it doesn't require extensive training: the change mode displays the options available for editing the fields. The rest is a piece of cake.

In the area of reporting, FIORI provides new tools with which the key users can create and design customer-specific applications for the end users. Thus, own reports / queries can be created.

The result can then be easily illustrated to the user via ready-made diagrams. The whole thing is then even made available to him via his own FIORI app.

The key users are the know-how carriers in all companies. They know best for which processes their own customer enhancements bring added value. With FIORI, they no longer have to wait for the busy developers for the implementation and can carry out such enhancements themselves to a certain extent: They could just as easily create new Z-fields and create BAdI implementations on their own.  

In SAP naming, the definition of a key user only corresponds to advanced authorizations regarding customization options. Whether these tasks are reserved for key users or in-house IT consultants remains a company definition.

Customize FIORI as a developer/admin

What exceeds the capabilities of the end and key users falls under the responsibility of the developers and admins. This includes creating custom FIORI apps and custom FIORI Launchpad themes, enhancing FIORI apps where key user tools are not sufficient, customizing the appearance of the FIORI Launchpad, and other developer and admin specific tasks. 

FIORI or GUI?

It is important to know that with the use of Fiori, the familiar GUI transactions are still fully available to you. This allows you to gradually introduce the application in your company without the need for extensive employee training.

If you are not using FIORI today, there will be no way around it in the future. Take advantage of the benefits offered by FIORI applications today!

Matthias Lebschy, Consultant MM & MRP CONSILIO GmbH Contact me

Further Informations

Learn more about FIORI in Inventory Management

Learn more about SAP FIORI