Integrating Applications

Applications are another essential component within SAP Build Work Zone, enhancing the functionality and efficiency of Workspaces and Workpages. Integrating applications into the SAP Build Work Zone environment allows for a seamless user experience, providing access to a wide range of tools and services directly within the platform. Applications can be added to the Site Menu, as tiles or group of tiles to Workpages or accessed via the dedicated menu item called 'Applications'.

This lesson covers two main approaches to application integration: Manual Integration and Content Federation via Content Providers.

Manual integration involves adding applications directly into the SAP Build Work Zone content manager. This process can cater to various types of applications, including custom-developed applications, third-party services, and standard SAP applications.

1. Application Selection: Identify the application you wish to integrate. This can be an internal tool, a third-party application, or any web-based resource that enhances your workspace.
2. Configuration: Configure the application's settings to ensure compatibility with SAP Build Work Zone. This may involve setting up single sign-on (SSO) for authentication, defining the application's URL, and configuring any necessary parameters for its operation within the platform.
3. Adding to SAP Build Work Zone: Once configured, the application can be added to the platform through the Site Manager. Here, you specify how the application should be accessed.
4. Testing and Validation: After adding the application, conduct thorough testing to ensure it functions as expected. This includes verifying access permissions, testing integration points, and ensuring the application's performance meets user needs.

Content Federation allows SAP Build Work Zone to integrate a wide range of content from various sources, making it accessible within the platform's ecosystem. This approach leverages content providers, external systems that offer applications, information, and services that can be seamlessly integrated into SAP Build Work Zone.

1. Identifying Content Providers: Determine which external systems or services you wish to integrate as content providers.
2. Configuration: Configure the connection between SAP Build Work Zone and the content provider. This involves setting up authentication, defining access rights, and ensuring secure data exchange between the systems.
3. Content Integration: Once the content provider is connected, you can integrate its content into SAP Build Work Zone.
4. Testing and Validation: After adding the application, conduct thorough testing to ensure it functions as expected. This includes verifying access permissions, testing integration points, and ensuring the application's performance meets user needs.

Content provider exposes content (for example, applications or roles) from a cloud or on-premise back end system to make it available within SAP Build Work Zone. Alternatively, content packages can be used to deploy content artifacts like UI integration cards.

Both manually integrated and federated applications are made accessible to users through Workpages (application & application group widget or direct links in images, texts etc.), direct links within the Site Menu or via the predefined 'Applications' menu item. It's important to organize and categorize this content effectively, ensuring users can easily find and utilize the resources they need in conjunction with other content available on SAP Build Work Zone.