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Author's profile photo Murali Shanmugham

Building a central Launchpad using SAP Launchpad Service – Getting Started

[Update 2021]: Note that this asset was created before our branding changes related to SAP technology were announced on January 2021. Note that SAP Cloud Platform Launchpad was renamed to SAP Launchpad service, and SAP Cloud Platform Portal was renamed to SAP Cloud Portal service

[Update 2022]: Please note that this blog was published prior to the re-branding related to SAP Build portfolio, which was announced at SAP TechEd 2022. SAP Launchpad service and SAP Work Zone come together under the SAP Build Work Zone brand, with two editions: standard edition (formerly SAP Launchpad service) and advanced edition (formerly SAP Work Zone). You can learn more in this announcement blog post: SAP Build Capabilities Explained | SAP TechEd | SAP News Center

SAP Cloud Platform Launchpad service is a new service on SAP Cloud Platform (Cloud Foundry) which is primarily focused on the enabling customers achieve a central Fiori Launchpad. Thomas Hensel  has posted a blog “Boost user productivity and simplify access to business apps with SAP Cloud Platform Launchpad” introducing this new service.

It might appear to be similar to the existing Portal service which is also available in Cloud Foundry environment. Last year, I had posted a blog series on how one would build portal sites using the Portal service – Building Portal Sites on SAP Cloud Platform Cloud Foundry – Creating your first portal site. As you would have noticed, I had introduced the concept of the Central Entry point with the Fiori Launchpad in the blog series.

 

Building a central Launchpad using SAP Launchpad service on SAP BTP

Part 1 – Getting Started

Part 2 – Understanding the options around developing HTML5 apps in Cloud Foundry

Part 3 – Developing HTML5 apps

Part 4 – Integrating HTML5 apps with the Central Fiori Launchpad

Part 5 – Integrating 3rd Party apps with the Central Fiori Launchpad

Part 6 – Integrating chatbots with the Central Fiori Launchpad

Part 7 – Integrating with remote content providers

Part 8 – Enabling Notifications

Part 9 – Transporting Launchpad sites using SAP Cloud Transport Management service

 

What is the difference between the Portal and Launchpad service?

The key difference is that the freestyle capability has been removed from the Launchpad service. If you are looking to implement portal-like-scenarios (including collaboration and web contents), you should look at the broader SAP Work Zone service for building engaging, next-generation digital workplace.

If you are already using SAP Cloud Platform Portal (Cloud Foundry), you can continue to use it as all the enhancements for application integration are also delivered through portal service. The recommendation for new engagements is to either adopt the Launchpad service or SAP Work Zone depending on the requirements.

If you look at the roadmap, you will see these services tagged against each of the capabilities.

SAP Cloud Platform Launchpad service is also available both in Subscription and Enterprise Agreement models. You will be able to find the details in Service Catalog.

 

What is included within the Launchpad service?

As per the documentation, the below capabilities are included when subscribing to the launchpad service:

  • UI theme designer
  • HTML5 Applications managed by SAP Cloud Platform
  • SAP Cloud Platform Identity Authentication service (IAS)

What services do I need on SAP Cloud Platform to build and deploy HTML5 apps?

For all new engagements, ensure that you have the below services

  • SAP Cloud Platform Launchpad service – This service not only allow you to create a central Fiori launchpad, but is also required if you deploy HTML5 apps managed by SAP Cloud Platform.
  • SAP Business Applications Studio
  • Bandwidth
  • Custom Domains (Optional)

How to get started?

Aviad Rivlin has posted a blog announcing the availability of the Launchpad service in the Trial environment – “Start your free trial for SAP Cloud Platform Launchpad”.

When you get on to your trial environment, you can access the starter scenario to jump straight into the developer tutorials which will guide you on how to enable the service and setup a basic central Fiori Launchpad using URL tiles/apps.

In the next blog post, I will walk you through some of the recent changes with the way you develop HTML5 applications and how it is related to the Launchpad service.

 

Related blog posts

SAP BTP Launchpad service: Top 5 reasons to consider using it to extend SAP solutions

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      26 Comments
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      Author's profile photo Satya Kapaganti
      Satya Kapaganti

      Hi Murali,

       

      Really nice blog series which explains different types of apps integrations into cFLP.

      Quick question this, what is difference between Portal Service and Launchpad service ?

      Currently with CF portal service also we can integrate the Remote applications by selecting respective destination and cloud see similar operations (content management, Site Directory) in both Portal service and Launchpad service.

       

      Regards,

      Satya.

       

      Author's profile photo Murali Shanmugham
      Murali Shanmugham
      Blog Post Author

      Hi Satya, Thanks for your feedback. Portal service and Launchpad service will support the remote app integration and help achieve a central Fiori Launchpad. As mentioned in the blog, the key difference is that freestyle capabilities of building a site has been removed from the new Launchpad service.

      Author's profile photo Tamas Szirtes
      Tamas Szirtes

      Hi Murali,

       

      In the paragraph "What services do I need on SAP Cloud Platform to build and deploy HTML5 apps?" you don't mention application runtime. Does it mean that it is included in the launchpad service?

       

      Thx,

      Tamas

       

      Author's profile photo Murali Shanmugham
      Murali Shanmugham
      Blog Post Author

      Hi Tamas, The next blog post would give you the answer. I have explained the differences in that post. Let me know if its still not clear.

      Author's profile photo Tamas Szirtes
      Tamas Szirtes

      thx, Murali!

      Author's profile photo Aviad Rivlin
      Aviad Rivlin

      And in short, Developing HTML5 Applications is included in the Launchpad. Application Runtime is not mandatory anymore for UI5 development.

      Author's profile photo Ross Goodman
      Ross Goodman

      In my trial account when I search for the launchpad service in the subscriptions I am told "There are no services available". Not a heartwarming response!! In the Digital Experience category there are only 3 services available to me Doc Management - App, Portal, and Web Analytics. What do I need to update to get the Launchpad service to show up?

       

       

      Cheers,

       

      Ross Goodman

      Author's profile photo Murali Shanmugham
      Murali Shanmugham
      Blog Post Author

      Hi Ross,

      I am not sure why you don't see it. I created a new trial account this morning and could see it in my account.

      Author's profile photo Neha Rane
      Neha Rane

      Hi Ross,

      You can try these steps -

      enter your trial account--> entitlement -->entity assignment -->select subaccount--> go -->configure entitlement --> add service plans --> select launchpad --> add service plan --> click save.

      After this check in subscription.

      Author's profile photo Atul Shrivastava
      Atul Shrivastava

      Hi Murali,

      Is SAP Workzone generally available for use or trial? I was not able to find it anywhere?

      Author's profile photo Murali Shanmugham
      Murali Shanmugham
      Blog Post Author

      Its generally available. Not yet available in trial. You can find the detail including a demo video here https://www.sap.com/products/workzone.html?btp=52c3f2b4-3493-4512-a41f-2fb84a422ebf

      Author's profile photo David Hayward
      David Hayward

      Any update on trial availability for Workzone  Murali Shanmugham?

      It will be much easier for us to build and sell a business case if we can quickly PoC something in trial.  This is something we have managed to do with great effect for the Launchpad service recently

      Thanks

      Author's profile photo Murali Shanmugham
      Murali Shanmugham
      Blog Post Author

      Hi David,

      I don't have any dates to share as to when Work Zone will be made available in Trial. I do understand that it becomes easy to sell a business case when you can quickly do something with it.

      Author's profile photo Ramon Lee
      Ramon Lee

      Hi Murali,

      Is this new Launchpad service PWA compliant and support offline capability via Fiori Client?

       

      Regards,

      Ramon

      Author's profile photo Murali Shanmugham
      Murali Shanmugham
      Blog Post Author

      Hi Ramon,

      The Launchpad service does not offer an offline capability. Please note that SAP Fiori Client is being removed from the App Store

      SAP Note 2992772 - Removal of SAP Fiori Client From Public App Stores

      https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/2992772

      Author's profile photo ANJITHA V A
      ANJITHA V A

      Hi Murali,

      "The key difference is that the freestyle capability has been removed from the Launchpad service."

      Saw a comment like above in the blog. Is the freestyle capability really removed?

      Author's profile photo Murali Shanmugham
      Murali Shanmugham
      Blog Post Author

      Yes, that's right.

      Author's profile photo Himanshu Mohanty
      Himanshu Mohanty

      Hi Murali,

      We have configured SAP BTP Launchpad Service URL, however the same is quite long with vague random numerics to it,

      Is there a way, we create an alternate url for it and map the original url ? If so, please suggest how can it be acheived..

      Regards,
      Himanshu

      Author's profile photo Jakob Ruf
      Jakob Ruf

      Hi Himanshu,

      you can go into the Site Manager --> Click on the settings for a site (gear icon) --> Edit mode --> Change "Site Alias" to whatever you want to have instead of the vague random numbers

      Regards

      Jakob

      Author's profile photo Himanshu Mohanty
      Himanshu Mohanty

      Hi Jacob,

      Thanks for your response.

      I did try it out but seems, its not actually what i was looking for, let me try to reframe my query.

      For example, my Launchpad Service url is as :
      https://xxxxxx.launchpad.cfapps.ca10.hana.ondemand.com/site?siteId=xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx#Shell-home

      i wish to access this as
      https://abc.himanshu.com or say whatever to as new domain url for that matter

      Is there a way to achieve it ?

      Regards
      Himanshu

      Author's profile photo Jakob Ruf
      Jakob Ruf

      Hi,

      ah I see. Yes, there is also a solution for that but it is not as easy to configure and cheap as the other solution.

      It's called Custom Domain (https://help.sap.com/viewer/product/CUSTOM_DOMAINS/Cloud/en-US) and has to be licensed (or added a Entitlement) separately

       

      Regards

      Jakob

      Author's profile photo Himanshu Mohanty
      Himanshu Mohanty

      Thanks Jakob.

       

      Hi Murali,

      Do you have any clue how can this be achieved ? Incase you already made a blog around this scenario, can you please share the link.

       

      Thanks
      Himanshu

      Author's profile photo Murali Shanmugham
      Murali Shanmugham
      Blog Post Author

      Hi Himanshu,

      You would need to investigate the use of Custom Domains on BTP. Here is a blog post  which you can refer to.

      Author's profile photo urue tet
      urue tet
      Hi Murali,

      Which is the best way to learn SAPUI5/SAP Fiori? Can you suggest to me

      Author's profile photo Rohit Gera
      Rohit Gera

      Hi Murali,

       

      This blog is almost 2 Years Old, can you please tell me which is the best Service if we will go to BTP.

       

      SAP Cloud Platform Portal OR SAP LaunchPad Service or SAP Build Work Zone.

       

      Thanks.

      Regards,

      Rohit Gera

      Author's profile photo Jakob Ruf
      Jakob Ruf

      Hi Rohit,

      SCP Portal is legacy and should not be used any more. SAP BTP Launchpad Service was rebranded to "SAP Build Work Zone, standard edition". This is your best bet as a starting point and is the strategical platform

      Kind regards

      Jakob