Six reasons why Web Dynpro is Better than Design Studio in SAP S/4HANA Cloud

In the past SAP S/4HANA Cloud users had two options. Either choose the red or the blue pill: Design Studio versus Web Dynpro.

The decision has been made. Since the 2102 release the Design studio apps are deprecated. Instead, the multidimensional reports will be used with Web Dynpro apps in the future. Besides performance improvements, there are many advantages, that simplify saying goodbye to the Design Studio. This blog highlights 6 reasons why you can be optimistic about the new Web Dynpro era.

1. Filter bar always on top
2. Filter measures
3. Additional dimensions from data source /new
4. Variants + bookmarks
5. Excel + PDF Export
6. More helpful query information

The functions are demonstrated using the “Journal Entry Analyzer” app.

1. Filter bar always on top

With the Design studio it was always quite complex to filter. You could filter in the prompts and had to display them again via “Show prompts”. Or you had to configure the filter bar yourself. In the Web Dynpro the relevant filters are always available on top. The Navigation Panel can be shown if desired. Here you can also filter directly by the dimensions by activating “show filter”.

2. Filter measures

Furthermore, you can filter key figures with Web Dynpro. With different operators the user can influence the result set, a very useful filter possibility.

      3. Additional dimensions from data source

Next, the users can use dimensions in Web Dynpro that are not contained in the query itself, but in the data source based on it. This offers key users new possibilities in the design of custom analytical queries. Because not all dimensions have to be contained in the query itself.

4. Variants + bookmarks

In Design studio it was possible to maintain different variants of the reports. In Web Dynpro two levels of variants can be maintained. The first one saves the main filters, that were maintained by the user.

Within the second level, the bookmarks, the user can save the customizing, that was done directly in the data analysis. E.g. measure filters, drilldowns, additional attributes etc. That means working with variants is now more flexible.

Variants, that were maintained in Design Studio, must be recreated in Web Dynpro.

5. Excel + PDF Export

Besides of the Excel-Export, in Web Dynpro it is possible to export the report in PDF format. With “PDF Export Settings” the concrete output can be defined.

If the export to MS Excel should be basic without formatting, it can be edited easily using the “Clear Formats” function.

6. More helpful query information

In my opinion, the query information in Web Dynpro is more helpful than in Design Studio, because the InfoProvider name is available.

In comparison to the technical name, this information can be used in the View Browser in order to find the data source.

There are even more reasons, which should be considered:

• The Navigation Panel can be hidden (more space on the screen)
• Available for Desktop and Tablet devices
• Fulfills SAP’s Accessibility Standard
• Offers Exception Reporting
• Offers for (onPremise) customers the option to define via BADI own field name mappings
• Offers for (onPremise) customers the option to change via BADI the IBN navigation parameters

Summary:

As a huge fan of the Design Studio first I was shocked about the deprecation. But after working with the Web Dynpro app for a while I must admit that it’s much better. It makes the life of users a lot easier with improved filter options. Users don’t have to add every dimension manually to the custom query anymore, the variant management is more flexible, as well as the export options. And most importantly the performance is much better.

In case you have any questions, please use the  SAP S/4HANA Cloud Q&A area. You are also welcome to provide your feedback in the comment section below. Thank you.

Good-bye Design Studio!

Welcome Web Dynpro!