What is SAP Fiori launchpad?

SAP Fiori launchpad is a shell that hosts SAP Fiori apps, and provides the apps with services such as navigation, personalization, embedded support, and application configuration. SAP Fiori launchpad is the entry point to SAP Fiori apps on mobile and desktop devices. It gives users the relevant information they need at a glance and centers on their needs and how they work. The new design of the launchpad displays a panoramic user interface. Users can focus on their daily work and still keep track of what's going on in other areas.

    

SAP Fiori Launchpad Features

SAP Fiori launchpad offers many key features that can be used by end users, administrators, and developers.

Key Feature	Use
Intuitive design and layout	A user interface that includes: Shell header and footer areas that provide icons and buttons for users to perform various actions, such as the search, a home page, SAP Jam interactions, and app navigation in the header. Home page, displaying app tiles and links arranged in groups—this is the end user's main working area. User Actions Menu that provides access to user-related information and actions including personalization, profile settings, an interaction history, and the option to contact support, or give end user feedback. Notifications that inform users about important business tasks and requests that require their timely action or knowledge. See: About the Launchpad and Using the Launchpad
Multi-device support	The responsive patterns and controls of SAPUI5 and the adaptive design of apps allows the launchpad to run on desktops, tablets, smartphones, and hybrid devices. The launchpad and its apps accommodate the resolution, image size, and scripting on-the-fly, as users switch between devices, allowing them to work how and where they want.
Flexible branding	Users can change the visual appearance of the launchpad by selecting a theme of their choice: SAP provides standard themes, such as SAP Quartz Light, SAP Belize, SAP Belize Deep, High-Contrast Black, and High-Contrast White. Organizations can create custom themes based on the standard SAP themes. See: Managing Your Settings and Adjusting the Visual Appearance of the Launchpad
Enhanced search capabilities	Using SAP Enterprise Search and the app finder tool, users can quickly find apps and objects relevant to their daily tasks. From here, users can add apps to their home page in the launchpad. See: App Finder and Searching for Business Objects and Apps
Cross-app and in-app navigation	Provides users with a vast array of navigation paths to move between their apps and perform their daily tasks. For example: Within apps using a hierarchical navigation menu. Between apps and the group selection bar at the top of the home page. Opening the home page from any app. Navigating to related apps. Navigating to home page groups and catalogs from anywhere in the launchpad using the All My Apps tool. Keyboard shortcuts to quickly navigate to different areas in the launchpad. See: Navigating Within and Between Apps, Usability Features in the Launchpad, and Setting Up Navigation
Personalized user experience	Allows users to personalize their own launchpad experience by: Adding, removing, renaming, and rearranging tiles in groups on the home page. Adding, removing, renaming, hiding, and moving groups. Changing the visual appearance and functionality of the launchpad. See: Personalizing the Launchpad
Key user adaptation	Key users can change the user interface of SAP Fiori apps directly in the launchpad, intuitively, and without having to write new code. See: Adapting SAP Fiori UIs at Runtime - Key User Adaptation and Enabling Key User Adaptation
Admin customizations and configurations	Determine runtime behavior and functionality for end users by customizing a multitude of global configuration options in the launchpad's design time, or by integrating supporting SAP products. For example: Creating and configuring tiles, catalogs, and groups using the SAP Fiori launchpad designer. Enabling the display of users' profile pictures or avatars in various controls in the SAP Fiori launchpad. Enabling UI adaptation by users at runtime. Enabling or disabling optional features for end users, for example, the ability to personalize the home page, give feedback, or contact support. See: Initial Setup of the Launchpad and Configuring the Launchpad
UI client integration	Integrate the launchpad with other UI clients, such as SAP Business Client, SAP Enterprise Portal, SAP Fiori client, and Web browsers. For example, you can run the launchpad embedded in the SAP Business Client, which allows you to call transactions in SAP GUI for Windows, and then gain additional features compared to those provided with SAP GUI for HTML. See: Integrating the Launchpad with Other UI Clients
Development	Develop and extend the launchpad by: Embedding apps that have been developed with various UI technologies into the launchpad; for example, SAPUI5 Fiori, Web Dynpro ABAP, and SAP GUI for HTML. Consuming launchpad services in SAPUI5 apps, for example to develop navigation across apps. Extending the functionality of the launchpad with custom features using APIs, such as adding new elements to the user interface.

Thanks

Rupesh Chavan