Integrated with the SAP BusinessObjects suite, SAP Design Studio enables data-driven storytelling through tailored applications that can be shared across teams and devices. This article explores the core features and capabilities of SAP BusinessObjects Design Studio and how it enables organizations to transform complex data into clear, impactful insights.
What is the SAP BusinessObjects Design Studio?
SAP BusinessObjects Design Studio is a powerful tool for creating interactive dashboards and applications tailored to meet specific business intelligence needs. It allows users to design custom data visualizations and intuitive interfaces that bring insights to life, empowering decision-makers with real-time, actionable information.
The Design Studio can be used locally and integrated within the SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform, SAP HANA, and SAP NetWeaver BW, enabling application designers and users to build analysis applications and dashboards to visualize key data sources.
As the default application development option requiring SAP BW and HANA data models and engine capabilities, the Design Studio empowers users to create intuitive applications without native HTML and UI programming.
Key Components
Data source/alias
Within the Design Studio, a single application can contain multiple instances of one data source; however, each instance can apply its own filters on the same data and create subsets for each source.
The data source alias represents a single instance of a data source, and users can access a comprehensive list of all the components and data source aliases used for applications within the Design Studio.
Entities
Applications in the SAP environment are typically comprised of data source aliases and user interface components, such as charts and buttons.
The intelligent design tool within the SAP BusinessObjects Design Studio enables application developers to create, modify, and save applications in XML file format, improving the ease of use and collaboration capacity for key business users.
User interaction
Application developers typically create applications that allow users to visualize and interact with key data sources in their SAP environment.
Adding relevant user experience (UI) components to the application facilitates user interaction, making it easier to access critical analytic components and leverage advanced dashboards to promote better decision-making.
Data binding
Users can leverage the SAP Design Studio to define a binding that enables the visualization of data from a data source alias in multiple formats.
When the data within a defined data source alias is modified, the Design Studio automatically updates all standard and custom components with data binding to the specific alias. This improves the connection between data sources and facilitates better data accuracy, integrity, and consistency across organizational units.
Design/run time properties
In the properties view of the Design Studio, users can access, analyze, and manage all components and properties within an existing application.
Some properties are common for most or all components, and others are dependent on the specific component type; however, property values displayed in the properties view define each component’s initial state at the defined application setup time. Users can enable property modifications by executing event scripts and ensuring all component properties are available through the existing script API.
Eventing/script API
In the SAP Design Studio, UI components provide a defined set of events that users can execute on a single chart component. Users can access a comprehensive list of all available events for any component in the properties view of the design tool, giving the application user more flexibility and control of overall application behavior.
Rendering modes
The Design Studio supports both the SAPUI5 m Mode and SAPUI5 commons Mode, offering different rendering methods for key components within the SAP application development environment. The component options typically vary in terms of available properties and components for their respective rendering method.
View Options to Meet User Needs
Components view
Visualize all components used for creating analysis applications and dashboards based on SAP Business Warehouse, SAP HANA, and universe data sources. Components offer different capabilities and are grouped into different folders within the SAP environment:
- Basic components: Includes components like checkbox, button, icon, dropdown box, image, radio button group, text, input field, date field, fragment gallery, and more.
- Analytic components: Includes components like chart, crosstab, geo map, filter panel, filter line, spreadsheet, scorecard, dimension filter, and more.
- Container components: Includes components like popup, tabstrip, pagebook, panel, and more.
Properties view
Display the properties of each current object. Leverage the cell editor tool within the Value column of a property to access dropdown boxes, text input fields, or buttons that contain dialog related to specific properties. Access a complete property list to visualize and edit all common properties for all selected components simultaneously.
Outline view
Access a hierarchical view of the application whose editor is currently focused on viewing, managing, and analyzing all data sources and UI components related to the application. This view empowers users to complete the following tasks:
- Drag and drop components from the components view into another container UI element
- Assign data source aliases to data-binding components like charts or crosstabs
- Move and modify drag-and-drop components within different areas of the outline view
Problems view
Display scripting errors both during design time and after saving the application. Double-click the errors within the existing view to analyze and resolve any issues that are detected.
Error log view
Indicate system issues, general errors, and messages that are displayed when users leverage special methods for script validation.
How Can We Help?
From assessing your current SAP setup and identifying key improvement areas to streamlining operations across your desktop and mobile devices and facilitating better integration across SAP and non-SAP applications, Surety Systems is here to help.
Our senior-level SAP consultants have the skills and experience to understand your critical project needs and ensure your internal teams are prepared for continuous improvement and innovation in the long run.
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