SAP Fiori App On-Premise Development: Traditional vs Modern Way
Posted on October 8, 2025 by Laeeq
Introduction
As organizations move on to develop the SAP Fiori App On-Premise, they are at a cross-road between retaining the old or adopting something absolutely new. User experience role-based is key to productivity, and how we build, and rebuild apps can have a different path depending on tooling, methodologies and infrastructure.
In this blog, we look at the two typical on premise development scenarios (using Web IDE and Eclipse ADT) as well as the modern way of developing (with SAP Business Application Studio). We’ll unpack the pros and cons, review tools and offer some guidance on what might fit different organization’s needs.
Traditional Development Approach
In the past, SAP customers and partners were using SAP Web IDE and Eclipse ABAP Development Tools (ADT) to build and run Fiori apps on-premise. These were powerful environments that often entailed some degree of installation overhead and complexity.
Key Aspects of Traditional Development:
- Tool Dependency: Relied on Web IDE and Eclipse ADT for development & deployment.
- On-Premises Development: Deep integration with on-prem servers that work with SAP NetWeaver and SAP Gateway.
- Challenges: High learning curve, restricted by local infrastructure, and manual setup.
Modern Development Approach
Create an on-premise SAP Fiori App with the new way: SAP Business Application Studio (BAS). Although BAS is a cloud product, it can be extended and configured for on-premises and resulting in a more efficient development experience.
Key Aspects of Modern Development:
- Usability: Streamlined UI and dev spaces, ready to go out of the box.
- Agility: Involving a little bit of collaborative development in your agile practices.
- Integration: Seamless on-premises integration leveraging the SAP Cloud Connector and destinations.
Traditional vs Modern Approaches: Comparison
| Criteria | Traditional Approach | Modern Approach with BAS |
| Tool Complexity | High (Web IDE, Eclipse ADT) | Moderate (BAS with extensions) |
| Setup Requirements | Installation of a heavy local server and IDE | Cloud-based, minimal local setup |
| Development Agility | Limited, rigid project structures | High, supports agile development practices |
| Collaboration | Limited team collaboration | Improved collaboration for shared dev spaces |
| Performance | Dependent on the local machine/server | Leverages cloud efficiencies |
Evaluating Development Tools
SAP Web IDE
Pros:
- SAP Fiori / UI5 Tools for VSCode.
- Suitable for complex application designs.
Cons:
- Requires on-premise infrastructure.
- High maintenance and learning curve.
Eclipse ADT
- Enhances Eclipse IDE with SAP plugins.
- Provides close ABAP integration with Fiori development.
- Strong tool for ABAP-centric organizations.
SAP Business Application Studio (BAS)
- SAP Cloud-based IDExchange for SAP Fiori, Microsoft CityNext.For more information, visit us at: partner logo to go here.
- Pre-packaged dev spaces for quicker project setup.
- Improved collaboration functionality for remote teams.
Transition from Conventional to Contemporary Practices
If your organization is already running on Web IDE or Eclipse ADT, migrating to BAS needs a proper migration plan to be developed:
- Review: Review of existing apps and infrastructure.
- Check the Compatibility: Make sure your UI5 libraries are up to date and which Fiori elements version you use.
- Connectivity Configuration: Employ SAP Cloud Connector for hybrid cases.
- Test: Confirm apps in cloud and on-prem.
- Learning: Train teams on the features and workflows of BAS.
Benefits of On-Premise Fiori Development Upgrade to Modern?
- Less Infrastructure Overhead: No need for weighty local installations.
- Quicker Time to market: Develop faster using prebuilt templates & annotations.
- Alliance: Teams can build apps together in real-time.
- Scalable: BAS incorporates seamlessly with SAP BTP, enabling a more seamless transition to a future state.
Extended Considerations for On-Premise Development
Security and Governance
- Role-based authorizations in SAP Fiori Launchpad.
- Use HTTPS and secure OData endpoints for all apps.
- Maintain audit logs for compliance.
Performance Optimization
- Leverage database pushdown with the help of CDS views.
- Supports caching and pagination of large sets.
- Test responsiveness across devices.
Hybrid Models
There are companies that juggle traditional acceptance of tools interlacing with the latest BAS development, and this way achieve stability without sacrificing new ideas. Hybrid approaches are especially good for preserving the legacy code bases while new apps are created by you.
Best Practices to Develop SAP Fiori App On-Premise
- Be Selective of Tools: Pick tools according to the project’s need and team expertise.
- Follow Design Principles: Use SAP Fiori design features for a uniform look.
- Automate Where You Can: Deployments and tests should be automated to minimize manual work.
- Design for Change: Think in terms of scale-ability and portability.
- Design for the User: Focus on functions, not feature sets.
Conclusion
Both classical and modern can play a significant role when it comes to SAP Fiori App on-premises development. Classic methods (Web IDE, Eclipse ADT) are rich but heavy and hard to set up. Contemporary methods enhanced by BAS simplify workflows, enable collaboration, and are better aligned with current agile methods.
In the end, it comes down to what an organization needs and its security policies, combined with long-term IT strategy. By leveraging both strengths, projects can develop scalable, secure, and user-friendly Fiori apps based on business requirements.
FAQs
Q: What is the keyword of this blog?
A: The keyword is Develop SAP Fiori App On-Premise.
Q: Can SAP Fiori Apps be built On-Prem – Both Classical and Modern?
A: So, if the infrastructure and business demands permit it developers can choose Web IDE, Eclipse ADT or BAS.
Q: What are the advantages of using BAS for on-premise Fiori development?
A: BAS allows for quick pace, collaboration and easy installation via cloud integrations.
Q: How does Web IDE fit in our classic SAP Fiori development approach?
A: If you want the maximum flexibility, then Web IDE has a lot of tools and is a good match for advanced, featureful applications.
Q: What problems may arise when you need to transition to newer methods?
A: Obstacles consist of compatibility, migration complexity, and upskilling the team.