Cannot find an application in IAM Information System

The primary way that I look for applications in SAP S/4HANA Cloud Essentials systems is by using the IAM transaction.

All of the applications available in your system are there – so if I know the application name (from a Test Script, Blog, HELP portal etc.) – I go into the IAM area – set my ‘main entity’ to ‘Application’ – and search.

So in the above screenshot – I’m looking for the application ‘Import Sales Orders’ – and I find it and see what Role is required to use it.

However, in another system (as a consultant, you may be working with multiple systems including demo & test clients) – the application doesn’t show up:

This is strange because on the same release, both systems should have access to this standard app.

There’s actually a simple reason for this though – which is that the default display criteria under main entity is Application – Business Role.
That is, it will only show me applications that have a business role assigned to it. For applications introduced to SAP S/4HANA Cloud after your business roles were set up, this connection may not exist.

The simple fix and what I’d say as a best practice to see what apps exist in your system then, is under Main Entity – Application, set your search area to ‘Application – Business Catalog’.

All applications that SAP introduces that you can connect to a business role (and therefore use explicitly) will have an assigned business catalog – and therefore this is the best way to view all the applications available in your SAP S/4HANA Cloud system.

(P.S. Next steps to access the application after you’ve found it via Application – Business Catalog, is to access the app ‘Maintain Business Roles’ and assign the Business Catalog ID to an appropriate business role)

That’s it! Short and sweet – just in case you need to troubleshoot something like this when you encounter it.

Cheers,