SAP – Systems, Applications, Products
SAP SE is a German-based multinational corporation and the world’s leading provider of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, designed to centralize data management across HR, finance, sales, and supply chain departments. It enables real-time business insights, aiming to improve operational efficiency, and productivity for over 437,000 customers worldwide 190+ countries
Top Global Companies using SAP
- Automotive: BMW, Audi AG
- Technology/Electronics: Apple, Microsoft, Google, Samsung Electronics, HP
- Consumer Goods/Retail: Amazon, Unilever, Procter & Gamble
- Logistics & Manufacturing: DHL, Airbus
- Retail & Consumer Goods: Walmart, Costco Wholesale, Coca-Cola.
SAP Modules – SAP Fico, MM, SD, PP, HCM, QM, PM, PS, EWM
Core Concept: ERP
ERP = One system for the entire business.
Example:
- Sales team creates order → Finance sees billing → Warehouse sees delivery
Everything is connected in SAP.
SAP Architecture Basics
You don’t need deep technical knowledge, just understand:
- Frontend → User interface (what you see)
- Application Server → Business logic
- Database → Stores data
Common SAP Modules (Very Important)
SAP is divided into modules. You can choose one based on your career goal:
Functional Modules (Non-coding)
- FICO → Finance & Accounting
- MM → Material Management (procurement)
- SD → Sales & Distribution
- HCM → Human Resources
Technical Modules (Coding)
- ABAP → Programming language in SAP
- SAP Fiori → Modern UI (you already have experience here
Basic SAP Terms You Must Know
| Term |
Meaning |
| Client |
Separate environment in SAP |
| Company Code |
Legal entity (like a company) |
| Transaction Code (T-Code) |
Shortcut to access functions |
| Master Data |
Permanent data (customer, material) |
| Document |
Transaction data (invoice, order) |
SAP GUI vs SAP Fiori
- SAP GUI → Traditional interface (used widely)
- SAP Fiori → Modern web/mobile UI (future trend)
How SAP Works (Simple Flow Example)
Sales Process (SD Module):
- Create Customer
- Create Sales Order
- Delivery
- Billing
Everything updates automatically across modules.
🔹 Basic Navigation (SAP GUI)
- Enter T-code (e.g., VA01 → Create Sales Order)
- Use menu paths
- Save / Back / Exit buttons
Learning Path for Beginners
Step 1: Understand Basics
- ERP concepts
- Business processes
Step 2: Choose a Module
Based on your interest:
- Business → FICO / MM / SD
- Technical → ABAP / Fiori
Step 3: Practice System
- Use SAP IDES or demo system
- Practice T-codes
Step 4: Learn Real Scenarios
- Purchase process
- Sales process
- Invoice flow
SAP Fiori
- SAP Fiori is a user experience (UX) design methodology and a set of design principles developed by SAP to provide a modern, intuitive, and responsive user interface for SAP software and applications. It offers a collection of applications used in routine business functions such as work approvals, financial apps, calculation apps, and various self-service apps. SAP Fiori aims to provide a unified and simple user interface for multiple devices, including desktops, smartphones, and tablets
- The latest version is Fiori 3 and includes guidelines for apps built on Android, iOS and the web.
- Apps that follow the Fiori design language can be built using a combination of UI5 and Fiori Elements.
SAP Fiori Architecture
Image Source: sap.com
Design Principles
The design principles of SAP Fiori are based on the following five core principles:
- Role-based: Designed for specific user roles and needs.
- Delightful: Creates an emotional connection.
- Coherent: Provides a fluid, intuitive experience.
- Simple: Includes only what is necessary.
- Adaptive: Adapts to multiple use cases and devices
What is SAPUI5
Is a development framework that a developer would use to actually build a front-end application that follows the Fiori design guidelines.
UI5 apps are built using HTML5, JS, XML, OData and JSON.
Based on the Model, View, Controller (or MVC) design pattern
-
- You build an OData model – normally an SAP Gateway or CDS service
- That you display to the user in a view, preferably built using XML
- And the user interacts with that model through a controller, written in JS.
SAPUI5 Architecture
Image Source: sap.com
Fiori Apps library
https://fioriappslibrary.hana.ondemand.com/sap/fix/externalViewer/#
