SAP Fiori Elements as a low-code framework
Soon after the introduction of SAPUI5 and SAP Fiori, SAP recognized the need to increase developer efficiency. Certain requirements for SAP applications, such as entering data in forms and displaying data in list form, occur again and again. With Smart Controls, SAP created the option of controlling applications via metadata in the SAPUI5 framework. It did not matter whether this metadata was delivered with the application or provided by the backend system at runtime. Input forms and tables in particular could be developed very efficiently in this way. SAP Fiori Elements is the next evolutionary stage of Smart Controls, so to speak. With this framework, not only individual views can be controlled via metadata, but also entire applications. Developers can use a wizard to create a framework application and provide the remaining information for building and controlling the app via metadata. SAP provides five floor plans for this purpose, which experience has shown to cover around 80% of use cases for SAP business applications are covered. This means that developers can develop standardized applications in a fraction of the time previously required. However, SAP Fiori Elements not only reduces development time, it also improves the maintainability of applications. The introduction of SAP Fiori Elements aims to simplify and accelerate the development of Fiori apps by relieving developers of the technical challenges and usability issues that can arise during the free development of Fiori apps. The framework is designed to reduce development time and effort, regardless of whether you are already an experienced SAP Fiori developer or not.
Advantages of SAP Fiori Elements
The use of SAP Fiori Elements offers a variety of advantages that revolutionize the development of Fiori apps. Here are some of the most important benefits at a glance:
Accelerated development and maintainability
The use of SAP Fiori Elements not only reduces development time, but also improves the maintainability of applications. Developers can develop standardized applications in a fraction of the time previously required. The framework also enables the generation of an SAP Fiori app at runtime from an existing OData API with additional metadata. This results in very little UI development, as navigation, filtering, editing, saving etc. are handled by SAP Fiori Elements.
Simplified customizations and central changes
With SAP Fiori Elements, discussions about changes to apps are a thing of the past. A different column layout or adjustments to OData entities that are used in several apps only need to be adjusted in one central location. All apps adapt automatically and changes to the UI code are a thing of the past.
Consistent user experience and design guidelines
The development of Fiori apps usually requires compliance with design guidelines for a consistent user experience, which means a great deal of effort in the preparation and realization of the app. SAP Fiori Elements allows developers to quickly and easily develop Fiori apps for the specialist area without having to overcome these hurdles. Fiori apps become fundamentally available in hours, not days. The framework connects predefined page types to the backend system via OData services and uses them to build a UI in accordance with the SAP Fiori design guidelines.
Easy customization and analysis of business data
The Fiori Elements framework is specifically designed for capturing and analyzing business data. The SAP Fiori apps that can be created with it retrieve the data independently from the connected SAP systems. Using the ready-made templates, they ensure a professional analysis that optimally highlights the key content. In addition, Fiori Elements enables a visual representation of the data, which makes it easier to gain an overview of all the values. With Fiori Elements, users can adapt the content to their requirements themselves without the need for the IT department.</p
Conclusion
SAP Fiori Elements offers an efficient and standardized way to develop Fiori apps, regardless of the technical challenges and usability issues that can arise in the free development of Fiori apps. By using metadata and floor plans, SAP Fiori Elements makes it possible to reduce development time and improve the maintainability of applications. Developers can therefore quickly and easily develop Fiori apps for the specialist area without failing due to the hurdles mentioned. Fiori apps thus become fundamentally available in hours, not days. The framework is an important development in the area of low-code and no-code development and offers developers the opportunity to concentrate on the business logic instead of having to deal with technical details. Overall, SAP Fiori Elements provides an efficient and standardized way to develop Fiori apps and allows developers to focus on the business logic instead of having to deal with technical details. By using metadata and floor plans, the framework reduces development time and significantly improves the maintainability of applications. It is therefore an important development in the area of low-code and no-code development and offers developers the opportunity to quickly and easily develop Fiori apps for the specialist area.
Optimize your SAP Fiori Elements applications with cobicon! Our SAP consulting company offers specialized solutions to develop user-friendly and efficient Fiori interfaces that support and improve your business processes.