SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer – Modelling SAP AG 2006, SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer – Modelling Flexible Applications / Carsten Bönnen / 3 Model-Driven Development Model-Driven

SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer – ModellingFlexible ApplicationsCarsten BönnenProduct Manager, SAP AG

UI DevelopmentNetWeaver UI Strategy Visual Composer – IntroductionVisual Composer – RoadmapVisual Composer – ArchitectureVisual Composer – Building Flexible Applications

© SAP AG 2006, SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer – Modelling Flexible Applications / Carsten Bönnen / 3

Model-Driven Development

Model-Driven Development (MDD)

Model-Driven Engineering (or MDE) refers to the systematic use of models as primary engineering artifacts throughout the engineering lifecycle. MDE can be applied to software, system, and data engineering. Models are considered as first class entities. The best known MDE intiative is the Object Management Group(OMG) called Model-Driven Architecture (MDA), which is a registered trademark of OMG. Another related acronym is Model-Driven Development (MDD) which is an OMG trademark. Model Integrated Computing is yet another branch of MDE. (WIKIPEDIA)


Application Coding Vs. Application Modeling

Traditional ProgrammingTraditional Programming

GML Model

InformationModel

InteractionModel

PresentationModel

““ZeroZero”” ProgrammingProgramming

Modeling

“Business Process Expert”

InformationDesign

User TasksDesign

GraphicDesign

UsabilityEvaluationInformation

Architects

User InteractionSpecialists

Art Directors

Programmers

EngineeringServices

“UI Development Accounts for 30%-50% of Total Project Cost”, B.A. Myers


Holy Grail of Model-Driven Development

Holy Grail of Model-Driven Development (MDD)

„The Holy Grail <of model-driven development> is to allow business analysts to directly contribute to a model, and have architects and developers contribute to the model.“(Chris Haddad, The Holy Grail of model-driven development, Web Services News)


Principles of Application Modeling

Enable experimental changes to be made (and undone) quickly and with minimal effort

encourage iterative developmentAutomate mechanical model composition and configuration tasks:Reorganize and rewire the model by drag and dropSupply default values to avoid/postpone tedious specification Provide wizards for rapid creation of common design templates

Exploratory

Use few, highly reusable, highly understandable concepts (interactors, infoshapes, states, ports)Use simple and scalable visual representationBox-and-line graphics (can be drawn by hand)Show essence and hide detailsExploit topology (e.g. connections, containment, proximity) to increase possible permutations without increasing visual complexity.

Simplicity

Allows non-programmers to build applications based on the work of programmers or more sophisticated designers.

Reusability

Continuous execution breaks down the barrier between the static program (abstract), and the dynamic execution that it induces (more concrete)

Directness

Use spreadsheet concepts (formulas and cells) to express complex and dynamic user interface logicEnable reuse of programmed components, but avoid exposing programming concepts (classes, interfaces, inheritance)

Expressiveness

Extend the language by adding new modeling elements.Extend the application reach by supporting new runtime platforms.

Extensibility


Business Process Expert (BPX) (I of II)

Business Process Expert (BPX)

BPX = Business Analyst + Application Consultant + [Enhanced Modelling]

Business Analyst = traditionally responsible for gathering business requirement and creating process models. Understands well the business unit’s goals and processes, and uses methodologies and tools. Application Consultant = traditionally responsible for mapping process models to an application (e.g. CRM), identify gaps, configure the application, and transfer requirement for customization to a developer. Has deep application expertise. (Mario Herger, SDN)


Business Process Expert (BPX) (II of II)

Business Process Expert (BPX)

[Enhanced Modelling] = Enhanced skill in modelling, including modelling process flows, configuration and adaptation of applications through changing of an application (executable) model. Reflects the changing emphasis for the role, as technology evolves to further empower this role (BPP, modelling tools, etc).(Mario Herger, SDN)


Who is the Business Process eXpert ?

Business Process eXpert

Has the business knowledge and IT savvy

to make business process innovation happen in real-time

by adapting, composing and executing business processes

using composition software tools and enterprise services

It is an evolution of roles

Business AnalystApplication ConsultantProcess DeveloperBusiness Process Architect...



SAP`s UI Strategy: Key Statements

SAP NetWeaver PortalSAP NetWeaver Portal is SAP's strategic platform to access all SAP applications via a Web Browser.

Model-to-CodeThrough the use of models SAP facilitates content creation and allows extensibility of SAP content.

Web DynproWeb Dynpro is SAP’s strategic approach to build professional Web UIs for business applications.

UI Building BlocksSAP will use UI Building Blocks to efficiently build new business applications.

AccessibilitySAP is dedicated to make all user interfaces accessible.


Model-to-Code: Content Development by Business Process Experts

Con

tent

Com

plex

ity

Required Skills

Portal Content Studio

Visual Composer

SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio

(incl. Web Dynpro)

Design-time environment for UI Modeling & Configuration

Targets the “Business Process Expert”Significantly reduce „development“ effortModel-to-CodeEasy adaptation


Positioning Visual Composer

SAP NetWeaverVisual ComposerSAP NetWeaver

Visual ComposerBrowser-based

Intuitive modeling and design

Rapid application development

Code-free development

Business ProcessExpert

UI Developer

ServiceDeveloper

BusinessFocus

TechnologyFocus


Positioning Web Dynpro ABAP and JAVA

SAP NetWeaverDeveloper Studio

ABAP Dev Workbench(Web Dynpro & Mobile)

SAP NetWeaverDeveloper Studio

ABAP Dev Workbench(Web Dynpro & Mobile)

Full flexibility through access to models and source codeBasic Java / ABAP know-how requiredDevice independent (Browser, Mobile Devices,…)


UI Developer

ServiceDeveloper

BusinessFocus

TechnologyFocus


Positioning ESR, Developer Studio, ABAP Dev WB, CAF

SAP NetWeaverDeveloper Studio; ABAP Workbench;

CAF

SAP NetWeaverDeveloper Studio; ABAP Workbench;

CAF

Advanced object-oriented and J2EE or ABAP knowledge requiredCreate and adapt servicesCode-centric Service development


UI Developer

ServiceDeveloper

BusinessFocus

TechnologyFocus


Exposing Content into the SAP NetWeaver Portal

SAP NetWeaver PortalPortal Content Studio Rapid creation of iViews

Portal Page Builder

Wizard- and template-based configuration of content

Portal Administrator adds content to the

SAP NetWeaver Portal



What is Visual Composer?

Visual Composer is a Web-based visual modeling tool that enables rapid, code-free development of highly customizable portal applications by the Business Process Expert


Creating an Application Using Visual Composer

Companies today face the challenge of providing applications andinformation to their employees which fit perfectly well to their needs and facilitate their everyday work.

One major step in providing the information and applications to the employees is the use of an enterprise portal. However, even when using an enterprise portal pre-built applications may not enable your users –and especially power users – to work efficiently.

The solution for this problem is the development of own applications or more specific for an enterprise portal the development of portlets (akaiViews within SAP NetWeaver Portal).

By means of SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer SAP provides a tool toenable business process experts to easily create application which can be used in SAP NetWeaver Portal.

This entails capabilities to:Model Freestyle ApplicationsReconfigure / Change Applications rapidlyCustomize Applications easily


Key Features

Freestyle Modeling Environment Model Freestyle applications without writing code

Support for SAP AnalyticsVisual Composer is the main tool for modeling analytic applications utilizing its BI capabilities

Support for Flex UI and Web DynproVisual Composer now supports Adobe Flex/Flash and Web Dynpro runtimes

Connectivity to Non-SAPBy means of connectors provided by our partner iWay, Visual Composer can now access the first non-SAP systems (PeopleSoft, Siebel)

Completely J2EEVisual Composer runs on the J2EE Engine of the Web Application Server

Support for Web servicesConnect to Web service repositories, in order to discover and incorporate Web services into the Visual Composer models


SAP and Adobe Partnership

Joint partnership to provide better experiences for enterprise applications.

Adobe Flex will be embedded in the NetWeaver platform.

SAP will release a version of Visual Composer that uses Adobe Flex technology to generate Rich Internet Applications that improve the usability and overall effectiveness of SAP applications.

Adobe has certified Flex on the NetWeaver platform.


SAP NetWeaver VC & BEx Web Application Designer

Tool Differences (Status Quo: NW 2004s)The Visual Composer allows Business Process Experts to embed BI data into operational processes via Composite Apps

The BEx Web Application Designer is designed for a pure BI & Planning context. It is not possible to build composite apps with BEx WebApplication Designer. A mayor focus of the tool is to provide Intranet and HTML designers to fully leverage their HTML and Java-Script skills in order to build very elaborate BI applications such as dashboards and planning layouts.

Both tools allow the design of applications in a code-free and WYSIWYG environment. Visual Composer is web-based, BEx Web ApplicationDesigner is a MS Windows Application. At the moment VC can compile its models into Macromedia Flash. BEx WAD renders Web Applications in HTML.

The Visual Composer BI Kit that is shipped with the Visual Composer provides functionality that helps to embed BI data into your Visual Composer models. These models can run as iViews in the SAP EnterprisePortal.


Creating an Application Using Visual Composer – Benefits (1/2)

Benefits

SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) by minimizing the effort to create applications and allowing reuse of already existing applications and reducing costs for maintenance.

Visual Composer is a powerful design tool that facilitates the creation of content for SAP NetWeaver Portal, using modeling capabilities and a visual user interface rather than manually writing code.

It provides sophisticated, yet simple-to-use tools for creating portal iViewsthat process data from back-end systems, including SAP and third-party enterprise systems.


Creating an Application Using Visual Composer – Benefits (2/2)

Benefits

Visual Composer is a fully Web-based application allowing (virtual) teams to easily build or customize pages and iViews as needed, accessing the software from virtually any machine worldwide.

By means of NetWeaver Visual Composer, SAP offers a solution to enable business process experts to easily build applications.

Furthermore, it allows rapid application development and prototyping.

Eventually Visual Composer optimizes the return on investment (ROI) by allowing optimizing the use of human capital and simplifying processes and coordination.



SAP Visual Composer Product Roadmap

Future Versions

Visual Composer for Netweaver 2004s Focus

SAP AnalyticsHighlights

J2EE EngineUI Technology: Web Dynpro / Adobe FlexBI Kit for AnalyticsFreestyle ModelingBackends: ERP / BI / DB (JDBC) / Non SAPWeb Services

Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3

20062006

Q4 Q1

Visual Composer for NetWeaver 2004s

Visual Composer 6.0

Q2

20052005

Future VersionsFocus

Composite Applications/Enterprise SOAHighlights

Enterprise ServicesCAFNWDI supportAdobe Flex 2.0SDK (Kit Developement)

20072007


BEx / Visual Composer Roadmap (pre-liminary)

TodayNetWeaver 2004s

The Visual Composer BI Kit lets Business Process Experts integrate SAP NetWeaver BI data via

– Java Connectors (XML/A, JDBC) – The SAP BI connector (a Web Service based access to BEx Queries and

Views)– embedding a complete BI runtime-based BEx Web Application, Formatted

Report or Query)

Basic BI Features are available via Visual Composer such as BI variable supportThe Visual Composer BI Kit supports BI integration wizard-based as well as a freeform modeling of queriesFor ad-hoc query & analysis business users can leverage the BEx Web AnalyzerFor heavy, BI focussed Web Application Design Business process experts can leverage the BEx Web Application Designer (Pattern can be configured with WAD as of SP9)The BI runtime can be integrated into VC models (for example it is possible to jump from within a VC dashboard into the Web Analyzer for a multidimensional data analysis)


BEx / Visual Composer Roadmap (pre-liminary)

Future (2-3 years)

BI Pattern (Information Consumer Pattern etc.) can also be configured with Visual Composer Visual composer as well as all the BEx Tools will be able to leverage services of the BI Consumer Services Layer (BICS) That means all tools can work with arbitrary datasources (relational, multidimensional)Designfeatures of the Web Application Designer will be more and more integrated into the BEx Web Analyzer in order to allow end-user to do ad-hoc web-based BI designAd-Hoc Web Application Design can be done completely web-based via the BEx Web Analyzer. Additionally Visual Composer will be enriched with more BI Web Application Design Features and BI specific controls and will be used by Business Process Experts to build Composite Applications with BI data emebedded.The need for the standalone BEx Web Application Designer will decrease and its tasks will be taken over by BEx Web Analyzer (ad-hoc environment for business users) and Visual Composer ( design environment for Business Process experts)Additionally there are tools for specialized BI tasks (Query Designer, Bex Analyzer, Report Designer; Planing Modeler)The Runtime formats (Flash, Web Dynpro etc.) will be become more and more the same for both VC and BEx so that users do not have a different UI experiences.

see next slide for a visualization of this roadmap


Query, Report, Analysis & Planning Design - Roadmap

time

Information Consumer

Runtime(pre-defined)

(Ad-Hoc)Business User

Business Process Expert

Designtime

Excel Workbooks Pattern Formatted Reports Dashboards

BEx Web Analyzer, BEx Analyzer

Visual Composer

Report Designer, Query Designer, Planning Modeler

BEx Web Application Designer

Special Tasks

NetWeaver 2004s 2 to 3 years (preliminary plan)



Inte

rnet

Exp

lore

r Visual Composer StoryboardBIKit

Workspace EnvironmentAdminTools

Layout Manager

Web

App

licat

ion

Ser

ver

-Jav

a

NetWeaver Portal

Visual Composer Portal Add-Ons

Connector Framework

System Landscape

Web

Bro

wse

r

Adobe Flash Player

Information Sources

SAP ERP SAP BI Web Services

Non-SAPBI

JDBCDatabases

SAP Connector

SAP Query

BIConnector

ODBO JDBC

Web Service

XMLA

Visual Composer Server

UMEPo

rtal

Con

nect

orAdminTools

Flex Server Admin

Tools

Web DynproRuntime

Visual Composer Repository(Web Application Server DB)

Development Server

GML DOM

FreestyleKit

AdminToolsCompiler Admin

ToolsGraphicEngine

PortalContent

Directory (PCD)

Visual Composer Architecture


Visual Composer – Building an Application

Open VCURL

Open / CreateModel

UME

Authenticate User

VisualComposer

Server

ModelApplication

ChooseSystem

Visual Composer Storyboard

NetWeaver Portal

DiscoverData

Service

DeployApplication

RunApplication

OpenStoryboard

PortalSystem

Landscape

PortalConnectorFramework

Send Listof Systems

Check Permissions

Check Permissions

Send Metadataof Data Service

VisualComposer

Server

Web DynproRuntime

FlexServer

NetWeaver Portal

Web Browser



Building a Flexible Application

Connect to Backend

Create an iView

Create a Package

Create a Page

Create a Model

Design the iView Logic Create the Layout

Access Data Service

Check Model for Errors Deploy Package

Flexible Application


SAP NetWeaver Composition Environment

Composite Application Framework

SAP OtherSources

FabricateSoftware Components

…….NET.NET ABAPABAP JavaJava

Enterprise ServicesRepository

Service Creation & Composition

ProcessComponents

Reuse

Included in next major releaseof NetWeaver

Various experiences & rendering technologiesUser

Developer/ Programmer

BI reports, analytics, MDMAdobe forms, CM, text search

Guided procedures

Visual Composer

Business Process Models

Work Center UI Framework (Portal, Web Dynpro)

FabricateInformation elements

OrchestrateProcesses

Business Process ExpertModel

Application Experience


SAP xApp Analytics 1.1 general available

MySAP Business Applications

„the VP of Sales needs to be constantly informed since this affects his pipeline“Solution: Pipeline Management, integrating ERP and CRM data

„the CEO cares about top-line-growth - this cases is a risk to overall performance “Solution: Balanced Scorecard

RetailTelco

HealthcareFinance

STRATE

GY

SCORECARDSEM

OPERATIONS

FUNCTIONAL ANALYTICSCOMMON

DATA/K

PIs

Business Application PlatformSAP NETWEAVER

SAP R3 mySAP ERP ExcelXMLSiebelOracle

Finance

Mktg

Sales MfctgIT

ProcureHR

TACTIC

S

COMPOSITE ANALYTICSOrder to

cashHire toRetire

Idea toProduct

Procure to Pay

„within the Order-To-Cash process the credit managertakes decisions on blocked order based on credit limit – a huge deal is pending“Solution: Blocked Order List

Download from SAP Service Marketplacehttp://service.sap.com/SWDCPath: Download -> Installation and Upgrades -> Entry by Application Group -> SAP xAPPS -> SAP xApps Analytics -> SAP xApp Analytics 1.1


SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer

Authors: Mario Herger, Carsten Bönnen Publisher: SAP PRESS ISBN: 1-59229-099-X Available: October 2006


Copyright 2006 SAP AG. All Rights Reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or for any purpose without the express permission of SAP AG. The information contained herein may be changed without prior notice.

Some software products marketed by SAP AG and its distributors contain proprietary software components of other software vendors.

Microsoft, Windows, Outlook, and PowerPoint are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

IBM, DB2, DB2 Universal Database, OS/2, Parallel Sysplex, MVS/ESA, AIX, S/390, AS/400, OS/390, OS/400, iSeries, pSeries, xSeries, zSeries, z/OS, AFP, Intelligent Miner, WebSphere, Netfinity, Tivoli, and Informix are trademarks or registered trademarks of IBM Corporation.

Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation.

UNIX, X/Open, OSF/1, and Motif are registered trademarks of the Open Group.

Citrix, ICA, Program Neighborhood, MetaFrame, WinFrame, VideoFrame, and MultiWin are trademarks or registered trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc.

HTML, XML, XHTML and W3C are trademarks or registered trademarks of W3C®, World Wide Web Consortium, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Java is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

JavaScript is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc., used under license for technology invented and implemented by Netscape.

MaxDB is a trademark of MySQL AB, Sweden.

SAP, R/3, mySAP, mySAP.com, xApps, xApp, SAP NetWeaver, and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries all over the world. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. Data contained in this document serves informational purposes only. National product specifications may vary.

The information in this document is proprietary to SAP. No part of this document may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form or for any purpose without the express prior written permission of SAP AG.

This document is a preliminary version and not subject to your license agreement or any other agreement with SAP. This document contains only intended strategies, developments, and functionalities of the SAP® product and is not intended to be binding upon SAP to any particular course of business, product strategy, and/or development. Please note that this document is subject to change and may be changed by SAP at any time without notice.

SAP assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. SAP does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links, or other items contained within this material. This document is provided without a warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

SAP shall have no liability for damages of any kind including without limitation direct, special, indirect, or consequential damages that may result from the use of these materials. This limitation shall not apply in cases of intent or gross negligence.

The statutory liability for personal injury and defective products is not affected. SAP has no control over the information that you may access through the use of hot links contained in these materials and does not endorse your use of third-party Web pages nor provide any warranty whatsoever relating to third-party Web pages.


Copyright 2006 SAP AG. Alle Rechte vorbehalten

Weitergabe und Vervielfältigung dieser Publikation oder von Teilen daraus sind, zu welchem Zweck und in welcher Form auch immer, ohne die ausdrückliche schriftliche Genehmigung durch SAP AG nicht gestattet. In dieser Publikation enthaltene Informationen können ohne vorherige Ankündigung geändert werden.

Die von SAP AG oder deren Vertriebsfirmen angebotenen Softwareprodukte können Softwarekomponenten auch anderer Softwarehersteller enthalten.

Microsoft®, WINDOWS®, NT®, EXCEL®, Word®, PowerPoint® und SQL Server® sind eingetragene Marken der Microsoft Corporation.

IBM®, DB2®, DB2 Universal Database, OS/2®, Parallel Sysplex®, MVS/ESA, AIX®, S/390®, AS/400®, OS/390®, OS/400®, iSeries, pSeries, xSeries, zSeries, z/OS, AFP, Intelligent Miner, WebSphere®, Netfinity®, Tivoli®, Informix und Informix® Dynamic ServerTM sind Marken der IBM Corporation.

ORACLE® ist eine eingetragene Marke der ORACLE Corporation.

UNIX®, X/Open®, OSF/1® und Motif® sind eingetragene Marken der Open Group.

Citrix®, das Citrix-Logo, ICA®, Program Neighborhood®, MetaFrame®, WinFrame®, VideoFrame®, MultiWin® und andere hier erwähnte Namen von Citrix-Produkten sind Marken von Citrix Systems, Inc.

HTML, DHTML, XML, XHTML sind Marken oder eingetragene Marken des W3C®, World Wide Web Consortium, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

JAVA® ist eine eingetragene Marke der Sun Microsystems, Inc.

JAVASCRIPT® ist eine eingetragene Marke der Sun Microsystems, Inc., verwendet unter der Lizenz der von Netscape entwickelten und implementierten Technologie.

MaxDB ist eine Marke von MySQL AB, Schweden.

SAP, R/3, mySAP, mySAP.com, xApps, xApp, SAP NetWeaver, und weitere im Text erwähnte SAP-Produkte und -Dienstleistungen sowie die entsprechenden Logos sind Marken oder eingetragene Marken der SAP AG in Deutschland und anderen Ländern weltweit. Alle anderen Namen von Produkten und Dienstleistungen sind Marken der jeweiligen Firmen. Die Angaben im Text sind unverbindlich und dienen lediglich zu Informationszwecken. Produkte können länderspezifische Unterschiede aufweisen.

Die in dieser Publikation enthaltene Information ist Eigentum der SAP. Weitergabe und Vervielfältigung dieser Publikation oder von Teilen daraus sind, zu welchem Zweck und in welcher Form auch immer, nur mit ausdrücklicher schriftlicher Genehmigung durch SAP AG gestattet.

Bei dieser Publikation handelt es sich um eine vorläufige Version, die nicht Ihrem gültigen Lizenzvertrag oder anderen Vereinbarungen mit SAP unterliegt. Diese Publikation enthält nur vorgesehene Strategien, Entwicklungen und Funktionen des SAP®-Produkts. SAP entsteht aus dieser Publikation keine Verpflichtung zu einer bestimmten Geschäfts- oder Produktstrategie und/oder bestimmten Entwicklungen. Diese Publikation kann von SAP jederzeit ohne vorherige Ankündigung geändert werden.

SAP übernimmt keine Haftung für Fehler oder Auslassungen in dieser Publikation. Des Weiteren übernimmt SAP keine Garantie für die Exaktheit oder Vollständigkeit der Informationen, Texte, Grafiken, Links und sonstigen in dieser Publikation enthaltenen Elementen. Diese Publikation wird ohne jegliche Gewähr, weder ausdrücklich noch stillschweigend, bereitgestellt. Dies gilt u. a., aber nicht ausschließlich, hinsichtlich der Gewährleistung der Marktgängigkeit und der Eignung für einen bestimmten Zweck sowie für die Gewährleistung der Nichtverletzung geltenden Rechts.

SAP haftet nicht für entstandene Schäden. Dies gilt u. a. und uneingeschränkt für konkrete, besondere und mittelbare Schäden oder Folgeschäden, die aus der Nutzung dieser Materialien entstehen können. Diese Einschränkung gilt nicht bei Vorsatz oder grober Fahrlässigkeit.

Die gesetzliche Haftung bei Personenschäden oder Produkthaftung bleibt unberührt. Die Informationen, auf die Sie möglicherweise über die in diesem Material enthaltenen Hotlinkszugreifen, unterliegen nicht dem Einfluss von SAP, und SAP unterstützt nicht die Nutzung von Internetseiten Dritter durch Sie und gibt keinerlei Gewährleistungen oder Zusagen über Internetseiten Dritter ab.

Documents

SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer – Modelling SAP AG 2006, SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer – Modelling Flexible Applications / Carsten Bönnen / 3 Model-Driven Development Model-Driven