Product Information
SAP Business ByDesign Cloud ERP mobile apps for smartphones
SAP Business ByDesign – SAP’s Cloud ERP for the midmarket – has been providing built-in mobility and collaboration capabilities since its very early days. Examples for this are the built-in collaboration, apps for mobile project management or self-service and approval apps which can be used either on iOS or Android smartphones, tablets or on desktop devices.
Since the general availability of the new Fiori HTML5 user interface (which can be also used on tablets) and the enhanced embedded analytics on SAP HANA we have put our focus since 1811 on bringing our smartphone apps on iOS (>=9.3) and Android (>=5.0) to the next level. The new app is available as free download on iTunes, Google Play and Tencent in China. It replaces the old (orange) ByDesign mobile app you might know from the past.
This blog features the following topics regarding mobility on smartphones:
- Analytics and customer 360
- Customer 360, contact, activity and lead management
- Service order and confirmation
- Employee self-services
- Manager approvals and administration
- Configuration and personalization of the mobile app
- Using the mobile screens on the desktop
- Building custom mobile apps
- Documentation and more materials
The following videos give you a good overview on the most important mobile apps:
1. Mobile analytics with KPIs, reports and Customer 360 view
- Define reports views and key performance indicators (KPIs) on e.g. customer and team key figures on the desktop
- Consume KPIs on the smartphone launchpad and with a separate KPI app
- Consume any report view on the smartphone by marking them as bookmark in the desktop
- Customer 360 view for most important facts, key figures and reports of an account
- Directly navigate to the last activity from customer 360 view
This means that managers and employees are able to define custom or to use sample KPIs from SAP and to adapt them to their needs for smartphone or desktop consumption e.g.:
- Marketing Generated Sales: Measure Campaign success by value of related sales orders
- Lead Quantity and Quality: Aggregates the number of leads for the current and previous years by lead status
- Projected Sales: Sales Target Achievement by Incoming Orders
- Service Requests Completed and more
2. Customer 360, contact and activity management
- See most important address information and trigger actions like calls and mails
- Get an overview on open business documents like opportunities, quotes and also the volume of sales orders
- See and interact with all contacts
- See and create task, call or appointment activities
3. Lead Management with hand-over to sales
SAP Business ByDesign lead management is also covered with our mobile app.
- Marketing, sales, service employees and managers are able to
- Create leads, qualify them and hand them over to sales with our without assigned accounts
- Sales employees can receive new lead with
- the “Leads in New Business” app
- See the list of activities e.g. appointment, tasks, phone calls etc.
Here is a quick demo for lead creation without account just by scanning a business card:
4. Service order and confirmation for service engineers
- Receive and confirm service orders either on the smartphone or on tablets
- See order, contact and item details
- Easy route planning using e.g. Google maps
More on the route planner on the desktop and how to configure it can be found here.
5. Employee self services for shopping cart, expense reporting and leave requests (new in 1902)
Here is a demo of the mobile intelligent expense report scan scenario which is under controlled availability since 21.02:
- Personalize access to expense reports on the smartphone launchpad
- Create and track expense reports
- Approvals can be done by the manager either on the smartphone or on the desktop.
- Browse product catalog, create and track shopping carts
- Approvals can be done by the manager either on the smartphone or on the desktop. Manager approvals and Time recording are separate smartphone apps.
Employees and managers are able to create and approve leave requests on smartphones. Manager approvals are done with the separate approval app.
6. Mobile approvals for managers and user administration
Since 2005 managers are able to launch the manager approval app inside the ByDesign mobile app and do not need to install the separate app anymore. Features of the stand-alone and embedded app are equal:
- Approvals as within ByD mobile app
- Approve purchase orders, expenses, quotes and more
- Swipe to accept or reject with flexible grouping of approvals e.g. by cost center, project, task or employee
- Add comments
Here is the list of approvals which are available on the smartphone:
- Customer Invoices and credit memos (new with 2011)
- Expenses
- Goods & Services Receipts
- Leave Requests
- Purchase Orders
- Purchase Order Items
- Purchasing Contracts
- Sales Orders
- Sales Quotes
- Service Orders
- Shopping Carts
- Supplier Creation Approvals (new with 21.08)
- Supplier Invoices
- Time Recordings
In addition you can also administer business and technical users using the ByD Mobile app if you have the “Application and User Management” work center assigned:
7. Personalization, configuration and adaptation of apps and KPIs for consumption on smartphones
The ByD mobile app provides access to various capabilities like reports, KPI, account and contact management, self-services and more. Prerequisite to use it is that your company gives you authorization to use those additional work areas in your corporate ByD system. If this is not the case you see only the parts for which you are authorized for per default (e.g. self-services). So please get in touch with your ByD system administrator to give you the right privileges and system credentials.
Managers and employees are able to personalize which apps and KPIs appear on the smartphone launchpad. To do this users have to:
- Activate personalization mode
- Add or remove a tile by clicking on the plus or x icon
- Add or remove an app by tapping on the pin icon
- Similarly mashups and KPIs can be added
- Save and stop the personalization mode
- Apps like Accounts, Field Service etc. only appear if the desktop work centers have also been assigned to the user
Here you find a blog which explains this in more details.
Furthermore you can also use the Key User Adaption and Personalization Mode on the Desktop to adapt the mobile screens. With this you can enable e.g. to use extension fields on the mobile user interfaces or introduce custom work center lists.
–
To access this you need to logon on your desktop and use a special UI parameter “&sapbyd-agent=MBLHTML” in the URL:
https://my123456.sapbydesign.com/sap/ap/ui/repository/SAP_UI/HTMLOBERON5/client.html?app.component=/SAP_UI_CT/Main/root.uiccwoc&rootWindow=X&redirectUrl=/sap/byd/runtime&sapbyd-agent=MBLHTML
To configure the KPIs in the separate KPI app users have to do the following:
- Open the KPI app which can display more KPIs which are not directly embedded into the launchpad
- Click the gear icon to select which KPIs are relevant
- Check the KPIs needed and confirm with save.
In addition users can configure any report view and selection combination to be shown on the smartphone. To do so users need to do the following steps:
- Open the report on the desktop
- Show bookmark page
- Click on the plus icon and enter name and description which will appear on the mobile
- Select “On Mobile” and confirm with Save
- Afterwards the bookmark will be displayed in the reports app on the smartphone.
Finally the ByDesign system administrator can decide to activate fingerprint as authorization method in the default or any other security policy.
- Administrators can activate in the common task for ”Security Policy” app passwords
- Users can enter a local password which enables to use fingerprint for future logins
8. Simulate the mobile app on the desktop
You can also simulate using the mobile app on your desktop. You just need to add the suffix “/mobileClient.html” as extension to your ByD system URL and switch to developer tools in Chrome or Firefox:
https://my1XXXXXX.sapbydesign.com/sap/public/ap/ui/repository/SAP_UI/HTMLOBERON5/mobileClient.html
9. Mobile app development and extension
In addition to developing freestyle apps using SAP Cloud Platform or any other tool set partners and customers can extend and build own mobile apps using the SAP Cloud Application Studio:
- Here you can learn in a video how to build custom mobile apps or extend standard apps
- Here you can read more from my colleagues Alex Patterer which has provided the mobile solution template.
- Download the mobile solution template “Mobile Bulletin Board Solution Template” to learn and get started
10. Documentation and more
- PartnerEdge ByDesign Powerpoint (Login is required)
- Demos on the other mobile apps (e.g. manager approval)
- Help: SAP Business ByDesign Mobile Overview
- Help: SAP Business ByDesign Mobile app for smartphones
- Help: SAP Time Recording App
- Help: SAP Manager Approvals App
- More about all SAP Cloud ERP solutions can be found here.
Disclaimer
This blog, or any related document and SAP’s strategy and possible future developments, products and or platforms directions and functionality are all subject to change and may be changed by SAP at any time for any reason without notice. The information in this blog is not a commitment, promise or legal obligation to deliver any material, code or functionality. This blog is provided without a warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. This blog is for informational purposes and may not be incorporated into a contract. SAP assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this presentation, except if such damages were caused by SAP’s intentional or gross negligence.
All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates, and they should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions.
Great overview Jan Matthes - thanks!
Thanks for the great and informative overview Jan Matthes
I am really looking forward to the first hands-on of the new app.
Alexander
A great intro, Jan. Really looking forward to seeing this app Generally Available
Do we have an estimated date on when the app will be released to use?
Hi Adriel,
unfortunately we are not allowed to commit any dates for releases as our plans might be changing at any point in time. Nevertheless I can tell you that we are still on schedule to deliver in 2018 the first version of the app – and there are not so many releases left ;o).
Thanks again for your patience and understanding!
Cheers
Jan
Just to finally answer the original question and close this thread: as communicated by Jan Matthes in his blog update, the app is available for Android and iOS as free download on iTunes and Google Play now and can be used starting from SAP Business ByDesign 1811 onwards.
Hi Jan,
The Service order and confirmation for service engineers app looks amazing. Looking forward to test and show it to potential customers.
regards,
David
Hello,
This is a key requirement for the service industry. I have two new customers that are already asking for the date on when the app will be leveraged. I really look forward to this !
I am also excited for the mobile confirmation. I’ve been waiting for this for years. It’s a huge enhancement to really round out the field service capability in ByD without having to leverage a partner. Great work, Jan!!!
when the “self-services” app will be released?
Hi Nava,
the shopping cart and expense report apps are new and available with 1811.
PS: I've just added screenshots for shopping cart as well.
Cheers
Jan
Hi Jan
Nice article
Im testing the new app for a customer, and I have two questions
Thanks in advance
Hi Luis,
thanks for you feedback. Here are my answers:
Cheers
Jan
Hello Jan,
When is it going to be release the new version of Active Sales for IPADs?
Hi Ana,
there are no plans for a new version of it. Reason is that majority of our customers use either our desktop UI on IPads or use Windows tablets with our standard UI.
Cheers
Jan
Hi Jan,
I have been testing the app and noticed that the Notes section on the Customer Account Edit screen, only shows a small portion of the note.
In the previous version of the SAP ByD app, if you held down on the note text, it would show the rest of the note that was hidden.
It seems that this feature does not currently work. Is this something that will be resolved?
Once of my customer heavily used the previous app and specifically look at the notes maintained on the customer master.
Do you have a date of when the previous version of the app will be deprecated?
Best regards,
Adriel Negrete
Hi Adriel,
we do not have a date by when we will deprecate the old app. Please create a ticket for the issue with the notes field.
Cheers
Jan
Hey Jan,
thanks for the overview, it looks like a good implementation! we've just got the announcement internally and for a change I really wanted to like SAP because I think you're finally starting to make innovative partnerships and development.
I'm unable to comprehend how I get a disallowed_useragent error upon login due to your oauth/openid integration. Nobody in Enterprise should be logging in with username and password anymore these days. We shouldn't have to deal with generic my1234567.sapbydesign web adresses anymore either.
Google announced more than two years ago how OAuth interactions should be going forward. We're in 2018 and you've decided to do the OAuth implementation via an embedded browser WebView. Please get it right as we can't roll the mobile version out otherwise. We simply cannot rely on outdated login methods that are jeopardizing security.
18.39.1 on Android.
Thanks,
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
thanks for your feedback and I’m not sure if I understand your question. Login using single-sign-on (SSO) is supported.
Benjamin Klehr Pramod Sidlaghatta Jaiprakash : Can you please provide more details?
Cheers
Jan
Hey Jan,
on Android you use SAP NetWeaver in an embedded Browser where one is to select the IdP. We authenticate via G Suite against our IdP and WebView is explicitly not supported due to usability and security reasons.
See here for more information: https://developers.googleblog.com/2016/08/modernizing-oauth-interactions-in-native-apps.html
Happy to file a ticket regarding this with more informations as well if you can point me into the right direction. Same applies to iOS and while some SSO providers might allow the behaviour I think you should really aim to make your implementation as secure as possible.
Thanks,
Kevin
Hi Jan,
Quick Question - any support for Microsoft Intune in the new mobile app?
cf https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Enterprise-Mobility-Security/SAP-Fiori-Mobile-8211-Microsoft-Intune-Integration-is-Here/ba-p/249819
Thanks,
Hi Matt,
there is nothing specific that we offer with the apps - the apps are normal iOS/Android apps. So if you use Intune to manage your Android and iOS devices I do not see issues in using our apps on those devices but I not an expert on this nor am I aware of customers using it.
Cheers
Jan
Hi Jan,
Do we know what additional functionality is on the road map for the new SAP ByDesign Mobile App?
Will we be able to to create, view, and accept Leads?
Best regards,
Adriel Negrete
Hi Adriel,
we have plans to extend the mobile CRM capabilities but unfortunately I'm not allowed to disclose details and by when we want to deliver it. I will update this blog as soon I can share details.
Cheers
Jan
Hi Jan,
Thank you! At least I am happy to hear that there are plans in the future for this.
Best regards,
Adriel Negrete
Hi Jan,
When I am in the service confirmation and try to do an ad hoc direct goods issue, there is no place for me to select the LOA. Will this be added to the floorplan? If not, I cannot submit and close my ticket.
I really love all of the enhancements to this app.
Thanks!
Laura
Hi Laura,
our proposal would be to use the abilities to extend our predelivered mobile apps using sap cloud application studio. We plan to make this available soon.
Cheers
Jan
Thanks for the great and informative overview.
Hello Jan,
I need to know how to develop SAP Business ByDesign custom mobile apps in 2020 because I have already followed to develop like your video but it's not successful. Do you have any suggestions or solutions to develop a mobile app?
Thank you and Best Regards,
Anuphap
Hi Anuphap
Did you use the following blogs?:
In addition you find here a free online training for ByDesign Cloud Application Studio:
Cheers
Jan
Hello Jan
I do following your video at the same but it's not working. In the application, the WoC that I set to Mobile HTML tag does not appear on the application. I don't know why.
If I access right the WCF of Mobile, it appears but has the errors. Like this Picture
Thank you and regards,
Pek
Email: canuphap@netizen.co.th
Alexander Patterer Can you have a look?
Hi Jan,
I already fix this problem.
I just change preview pane to false in OWL Screen for mobile.
In the application, it does not support preview pane.
Thank you and regards,
Anuphap
great!