Fiori 3.0 overview and CoPilot launch

I still remember writing an article about a release of SAP Fiori 2.0 and here it is – the third version of these SAPUI5-based applications coming soon.

Their main goal is to improve the experience of using SAP systems. This evolution started already a couple of years ago, resulting in adjusting operations on SAP to the modern user.

Fiori 3.0 – why?

As SAP experts claim, the primary motivation for creating Fiori apps has always been making handling of SAP systems easier. Many still remember (or even use) SAP GUI interface – not very user-friendly, complicated with a lot of clicks needed to perform a simple task.
Another recognized issue are various users to support. They can be divided into two main groups:

1. Casual – not having much to do with SAP systems, needing only access to some essential functions
2. Specialized – requiring complex features and access to specific data, within a particular time and context

Designers took apart big monolithic transactional screens and made them more role-focused, tailored to the needs of end users.
Thanks to this, a lot of functions appearing traditionally in one screen were divided into smaller, meaningful apps.
Although, one needs to remember that this evolution isn’t happening in one night. Below you can find an infographic presenting the growth of these apps in years of development:

How? The newest changes

SAP describes the Fiori 3.0 as „conversational, contextual, connected and integrated”. The latest version is mostly about enhancing the experience.

How is it done? Changes can be divided into couple main categories, including:

1. Coherency

One of the main priorities of business applications is a unified experience – especially for the users navigating across different products.
For this purpose, one font has been established along with a defined set of icons and colors that are the same across every app. Moreover, now users gain access to unified menus in every system.
This is what Piotr Ożga, Senior SAPUI5 Consultant says about those changes:

Like every new SAP Fiori version, we can expect subtle changes in the color scheme of apps. Such modifications come from constant research regarding current trends and users suggestions. In the Las Vegas presentation, we see that now we can expect more light grey than standard blue – currently popular in Fiori.
Fiori 3.0 means refreshing the app design. SAP, in connection of many products consistent with SAP Fiori, wants to gain layout coherency across many systems.
No matter if we work on S/4HANA, Ariba, Concur or SuccessFactors: Fiori apps will look consistent, and a user won’t feel the difference in working across different systems.

2. Scalable content

Another modification being implemented is increasing content scalability. The most relevant content will be moved to the main dashboards and other presented with maximum efficiency.
A shift from tires to cards guarantees more content for end users, business functions (including common ones), set of core settings, user profiles, and shell bar. This will also provide scalable static and dynamic clock building, like cards.
SAP assures deeper content integration which is also mentioned as one of the significant customer pains. Users will have a possibility to define any site of the environment as a start page.

3. Simplicity

One of the primary motivation for developing this product mentioned by SAP designers is simplicity.
A vast amount of functionalities that traditionally were placed on one screen are about to turn into meaningful apps.
Piotr Ożga also named CoPilot as a new tool to handle this matter:
An entirely new element is CoPilot. Having in mind providing the highest level of simplicity in handling Fiori, SAP is creating a solution easing navigation across applications and performing everyday tasks. CoPilot will mostly serve as a daily assistant. We will be able to ask it, e.g., launching apps for replacements, the newest information regarding sales of our product or scheduling a meeting.
Communication with CoPilot takes place through the natural language. Currently, we already know that we will be able to write and speak with it. On the other hand, we don’t know which languages will be available (expect English of course).
Additionally, the communicator functionality will be implemented. It means end with searching for a contact in the current messenger. You’ll only have to ask CoPilot: „start the conversation with the head of a production line no. 5”, and the solution will check independently who is it and initiate conversation. During it, you will be able to exchange not only text messages but also pictures or files.

4. Intelligence

One of the strategic SAP’s goals is to make enterprises smarter. Here are some elements of Intelligent Enterprise Experience:

• High-level flows across all products and their landscapes (now they vary a lot),
• Meaningful user stories,
• Keeping very specialized applications,
• Comprehensive object pages with functionalities overview,
• Delivering information relevant for the specific context and time,
• Continuously developed machine learning techniques (like recommendations, automation, rankings, and proposals),

Moreover, performance issues have been addressed by SAP. Fiori 3.0 also provides a responsive design for both iOS and Android.

Are you ready for Fiori 3.0?

SAP is heading towards digitization and simplification of complicated processes from some time now. Fiori 3.0, along with CoPilot aim to deliver a simple, conversational experience for every user group. We are looking forward to testing its possibilities!