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Author's profile photo Former Member
Former Member
April 29, 2013 2 minute read

Choosing the Right User Interface

As a consultant at SAP I get the opportunity to work with several customers in different locations around the world.  While these customers are in different industries using various SAP modules and technologies there is one universal question that I am asked on a consistent basis.

How do I know which SAP User Interface Technology to use?
At SAP we have approximately 22 different User Interfaces to choose from.  Yes, you read that correctly—22!  Recently, SAP has had to make changes to adapt to changing user demands.  Let’s face it, the world that we live in today is much different than it was even five years ago.  The world has gone mobile, we want to be able to use business applications on our Internet Browsers, Tablet devices and Smartphones.  In answer to these demands, SAP has created new User Interface platforms(SAPUI5, Personas, etc.) and improved upon existing solutions in our portfolio(Web Dynpro for ABAP).  Customers are excited about these innovations and have been adopting them into their landscapes.  Despite the praise over our improved User Interface portfolio, there is still confusion over  how to select the right one.  This blog series will break down the various SAP Technologies and provide a use-case for each.  It is my hope to provide insight and share my expertise with some of SAP’s newer technology innovations.

In the following video, I sat down with Ana Ammann, Sr. Director of SAP Global Services Marketing to discuss some of the considerations you will want to take into account when selecting the right User Interface

YouTube Video

 

To recap the message I deliver in the video, the good thing is that there are strategies that we can use to determine which UI to select by using a use-case scenario.  The first and most important question you must ask yourself is:  Will the technology solution that I choose make life easier for the users? That is imperative when making your choice, and the answer should be a resounding YES if the implementation is to be successful. 

After answering that question, we look at the following criteria:

  • What type of user is going to be using this? Is it a person well versed and experienced in  SAP or is it someone who demands a casual look and feel?
  • What device will be used to access the application? Desktop, Internet Browser or Mobile?  Many of our technologies are geared towards one or two of these options.
  • Does the solution meet all design requirements such as custom branding or themes?
  • How will the solution be maintained? Do my developers have the experience to support it, or will I need to get resources from the outside?
  • Security and authorization considerations, how will the user login?  Is this enough to meet my needs or are there additional products needed to support my requirements?

In the upcoming series I will tackle these questions and more with a focus on SAP’s newer technologies and innovations.

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      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Technical Limitations must have been considered too before you decide the UI. For example - Client Side Validation cannot be done using SAP GUI or ABAP Webdynpro.