SAP Apps
Fiori apps are the individual task-focused applications users run, transactional, analytical and fact-sheet apps that together deliver the S/4HANA experience. Knowing the app types and how to find them is essential.
Fiori apps come in types: transactional apps create and process business objects, analytical apps show real-time KPIs on CDS and HANA, fact sheets give a 360-degree view of one object, and overview pages combine cards. The Fiori apps reference library lists every standard app with its OData services, role and catalog; build custom apps only where no standard one fits.
- Watch out: Building custom apps when a standard one exists.
The app types
- Transactional apps: create, change or process business objects (e.g. Create Purchase Order).
- Analytical apps: real-time KPIs, dashboards and drill-downs powered by CDS/HANA.
- Fact-sheet apps: a 360° view of an object with links to related objects.
- Overview pages: card-based dashboards combining insight and action.
Finding apps: the reference library
The SAP Fiori apps reference library lists every standard app with its technical details, required OData services, business role, catalog, and backend product version. It is the go-to resource for discovering apps and setting up access correctly.
Standard vs custom apps
Most needs are met by standard apps; where they are not, developers build custom Fiori apps (UI5, usually on CDS/OData via the RAP model). Prefer standard or lightly-adapted apps to keep the core clean and upgrades smooth.
Why it matters
Understanding app types helps you match capability to need, transactional for doing, analytical for insight, fact sheets for exploration, and the reference library ensures you can find and enable the right ones.
Common pitfalls
- Building custom apps when a standard one exists.
- Not using the Fiori apps reference library.
- Missing required OData services for an app.