ARAVINDA BOYAPATI
SAP Mobility
SAP NetWeaver Portal on Device. How it can be done ?
Feb 2nd
Please go through below SDN Wiki & blogs to explore more information in this area
http://wiki.sdn.sap.com/wiki/display/EP/SAP+NetWeaver+Portal+on+Device
http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/index?rid=/library/uuid/105a7704-36ec-2e10-9abe-fd230e673fb2
Code Exchange:
https://cw.sdn.sap.com/cw/groups/portal-on-device
SAP App Store:
https://store.sap.com/sap/cpa/repository/store/Page.html?app.inport=Mobile
Thanks
Thanks
Aravind
Portal on Device – why it makes so much sense
Nov 21st
| Capability | Mobile Web App | Native App |
| Performance of Code Execution | Medium | Fast |
| Performance of UI Rendering | Fast (hardware accelerated) | Fast |
| Multi-threading | Yes (by HTML5 Web Workers) | Yes |
| Full-duplex communication between Browser and web Server | Yes (by WebSocket) | Yes |
| Direct P2P Communication | Not yet (pending on support for ConnectionPeer API) | Yes |
| Cross-domain server access | Yes (by Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) | Yes |
| Geolocation | Yes (by Geolocation API) | Yes |
| Accelerometer | Yes (by DeviceOrientation API) | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes (by DeviceOrientation API) | Yes |
| Compass | Yes (by DeviceOrientation API) | Yes |
| Image Processing – Pixel manipulation & interaction | Yes (by HTML5 Canvas) | Yes |
| Image Processing – Vector Graphics | Yes (by SVG) | Yes |
| 3D Graphics | Limited (pending on support for WebGL) | Yes |
| Offline execution | Yes (via HTML5 Offline Web Applications) | Yes |
| Local storage and Database | Yes (by Web Storage and Web SQL Database /Indexed Database API. Size limitation per domain applies, e.g. on Mobile Safari: 5MB for Web Storage and 50MB for Web SQL DB) | Yes |
| Local File Access | Limited (supported on Android via File API) | Yes |
| Contacts | No | Yes |
| Audio and Video | Yes (by HTML5 Video and Audio) | Yes |
| Camera and Microphone | Supported on Android (by HTML Media Capture API). | Yes |
| Media Recording and Streaming Media | Not yet (pending on support for Stream API). | Yes |
| Push Notification (when web page is open) | Yes (by Server-Sent Events) | Yes |
| Push Notification (when web page is closed) | Not yet (pending on support for Web Notifications API) | Yes |
Latest developments in SAP Portal for Mobility
Aug 31st
This is a very good presentation from John Polus & Claudia on feature direction of SAP Portal in mobility world. Looks like SAP is going to provide some integration between Sybase Unwired platform for consuming services (may be BMO’s) which are deployed in SUP platform.
SAP UI Strategy & Roadmap – New
Aug 31st
The SAP User Interfaces Roadmap gives a brief insight in SAPs short, mid and longterm strategy and roadmap towards the different major UI Frameworks and Technologies. This is the first version of this document, further (updated) versions with even broader scope will follow.
Please also refer Chapter 5. User Interface and User Experience Guidelines for Best-Built Applications
Enterprise Mobile Apps Development Native (Vs) Web Based
Jun 2nd
I was attended one of the round table discussion on Native (Vs) Web based mobile application development happened at SAPPHIRE /ASUG 2011 ad I would like to share same in my blog.
It was pretty interesting topic and definitely should think about before developing your enterprise mobile app. This is also one of the hot topic in web and the most of the traditional web developers think that what I am going to lose if I develop my app using HTML 5 with CSS etc.. I am sure below comparison can help to answers some of the questions
In new SAP Sybase Unwired platform 2.0 , we have now option of creating Hybrid Apps using HTML 5 & CSS which runs with in a container and works exactly same way as native apps. This could be another best option to think about if you don’t want to go for native apps development.
SAP Portal is also can be used as a mobile gateway by developing and deploying a mobile web app using JTML 5, JQuery, CSS and leverage existing SAP Portal security, roles, navigation. SAP showcased demo on same at SAPPHIRE 2011 on same topic.
SAP Portal 7.3 and also the new Portal capabilities are generally available since May 30, 2011
Jun 1st
http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/weblogs?blog=/pub/wlg/24874
AUSG Webcast: SAP Portal 7.3 Ramp-Up Experience, Quick Comparison between EP 7.0 and 7.3 (04/06/2010) Participant Questions
May 12th
AUSG Webcast: SAP Portal 7.3 Ramp-Up Experience, Quick Comparison between EP 7.0 and 7.3 (04/06/2010) Participant Questions
Q)how wide spread is your delegated portal page development with WPC? Is it something you give to just certified Super Users, or is it more widespread?
Ans) End users can personalize their page (like iGoogle). For page creation and managing content is typically done by the content managers
Q) how does EP7.3 compare to latest version of Websphere portal?
Ans) This is not something that I can answer. You can have a look at the Gartner reports and other companies which are having such comparisons.
Q) Please confirm the applications that are written in Java (not webdynpro for java) and that create .par files will need to be re-written to WebDynrpo for java in order to generate ear files?
Ans) SAP NetWeaver Portal 7.3 does not support any more the PAR (Portal Application) notion but rather we have moved to the industry standard of Web Achieves and from now on, instead of PAR files we support WAR files. We have an automatic migration tool in EP 7.3 to migrate PAR files to WAR files.
Q) will the 7.3 version support visual composer?
Ans) Yes, You can create Visual Composer model using NWDS (or) Browser. There are some migration tools available if you want to run VC models which are developed in earlier version
Q) 7 .3 has Visual composer included in the portal.
Ans) Yes
Q) Has the issue with GPAL repository permissions has been fixed? I know this has been an issue with 7.2 that we were not able to set permissions on these repositories
Ans) Not familiar with the issue, please open an OSS message if there is a bug and it will be fixed.
Q) what you mean by zero down time
Ans) now you can start and stop portal very quickly. It reduces business downtime. nZDM is the tool to upgrade the portal in almost zero downtime
Q) What other migration tolls are available?
Ans) http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/index?rid=/library/uuid/8061e964-2036-2e10-ee9d-ef21d174fdd9
Q) In your installation, did you upgrade or install new, and did you have installation issues?
Ans) we performed new Installation. Upgrade is fairly complex process. Please follow SAP documentation
Q) Is Indexing possible on Backend IViews, and Collaboration rooms ?
Ans) I don’t really get the question. We have the new QuickLaunch capability that indexes the full user navigation structure.
Q) will the 7.3 version be mobile friendly?
Ans) Yes, information about this will be presented at SAPPHRIRE
Q) Is there any integration between the new “Change list” and CTS+ (Solution Manager)?
Ans) Yes
Q) When is 7.3 GA?
Ans) Planned for Q3\2011
Q) If there is a central SLD in the landscape, Is it downward compatible from 7.3 to NW 7.01 SP06
Ans) Yes, you can use older versions of SLD
Q) JDK 6 Is it like SAPJVM in 7.1 EHP1 provided by SAP?
Ans) SUN JDK
Q) How does 7.3 supports deploying ABAP based WebDynpro applications?
Ans) you still have access to WebDynpro ABAP Template which you can use to create the iview within the portal from
Q) How is Portal 7.3 integrated with Identity management, where will the security Policy be controlled?
Ans) This question is more related to IDM. I am not an expert in this area
Q) Guided Procedures were in the install of my 7.3 portal
Ans) Yes, Going forward looks like SAP doesn’t support GPs
Q) Have you had end users that have successfully used Safari with SAP with 7.3?
Ans) Yes, EP 7.3 supports safari browser
Q) Does the work center role replace the homepage framework for the ESS/MSS services?
Ans) No, they are working side by side
Q) How Portal 7.3 is compatible with lower versions like BI portal 7.01 , for example Federated portal Network works fine in this case?
Ans) The VI matrix for FPN is available in the following SAP Note #1295662
Q) Any LDAP related issues you faced…Also, Should all Netweaver products that integrate with Portal needs to be 7.3 or can they be on 7.01.
Ans) No, not all NW products should be 7.3; for example, you can use the Portal as the UI hub on 7.3, and the other system on prior releases (pending limitation, if any).
Q) Two items many other portals have that I have not yet seen in the SAP portal — the ability to drag and drop widgets by a user onto a “personal” page and the ability display the frequently access documents (by folder or maybe by tag)
Ans) End users page personalization using run time drag & drop not possible (like iGoogle)
This can be achieved with the new Portal add-on – Enterprise Workspaces https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/nw-enterprise-workspaces
Q) What ESS/MSS is compatible with portal 7.3
Ans) ESS\MSS of versions ECC6 EhP4 and above.
Q) Are there any restrictions regarding federation of 7.3 portals?
Ans) See SAP notes related to this questions. In general we have enhanced the Application Integration functionality make this scenario more straight forward. More details will be provided at TECHED 2011
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Aravinda B Boyapati
mobility @ SAP
Apr 29th
I recently had an opportunity to participate Mobility workshop at SAP Labs, Palo Alto. We had an open discussion on what can be mobilized with in SAP world, current mobile trends, most common use cases, Sybase role in SAP mobility world and SAP Business app development using XCode and REST services. Looks like SAP is going to provide free apps in nearest feature for their most common processes like approvals (Ex: T&E, PO), Leave Request, etc…
Mobility in today’s business world expanding very rapidly. How SAP is evolving in this area and to answer to that question lets go back to couple of years back where SAP MI was the SAP’s mobility platform and it gives the easy integration capabilities with SAP back end systems. But it has some limitations such as multi device support etc… now with the Sybase acquisition they got another best platform which can support multi device development support, easy life cycle code free development, integration capabilities with SAP & Non-SAP systems etc. In my opinion SAP may position the Sybase Unwired Platform, Afaria as their feature mobility platform (more news to come in upcoming SAPPHIRE 2011 / Teched 2011) and may stop enhancements & new functionality in SAP MI space.
There are couple ways of accessing SAP data in mobility world
Container Web using mobile browser
Ex: Accessing BSP, ITS, SAP Portal, Java/ABAP Webdynpro from Safari Browser (for Iphone/Ipad). Upcoming EP 7.3 has a decent support for safari, Firefox browsers.
Develop native applications and access SAP data using SOAP, REST services
Ex: Develop native app using XCode, connect SAP back end using REST services. SAP Recommend to use REST beaus it works 3 times faster than SOAP based Webservice. SAP Mobile Gateway 1.1 is a layer of software to allow for the lean consumption of SAP ERP systems, mainly for the use in user interfaces and mobile access.” We are going to see more in this space for enterprise mobility needs.
Develop, Deploy and Manage mobile apps using Sybase (or) Rhodes/RhoSync etc. if you are looking at enterprise wide mobile enablement with device management, offline synchronization capabilities then Sybase is the right way to go. The device independent code free development makes developer life very easy and you have freedom of writing the code in SUP and convert to XCode compatible.
There is couple of cross mobile application platform like PhoneGap, MoSync, RhoMobile, AppAccelerator you can think about if you don’t want invest BIG money in to Sybase/Syclo platforms.
