Seriously… What is Fiori? SAP’s Next-Generation User Experience
Posted on August 31, 2025 by Laeeq Siddique
Fiori stands for a modern SAP user experience design system that revolutionizes how users interact with SAP applications. For those curious about the word’s meaning, Fiori on Wikipedia explains that it’s Italian for “flowers,” symbolizing freshness and simplicity — an apt metaphor for SAP’s goal in UX design.
What is SAP Fiori?
It is a design system and user experience (UX) framework that SAP built. It gives SAP apps a unified, straightforward, and responsive look and feel by giving them a set of design concepts, rules, and UI components that are always the same.
Key Elements of Fiori:
| Component | Description |
| Design System | Defines UI principles such as role-based access, simplicity, coherence, and responsiveness. |
| Fiori Launchpad | A customizable web-based portal where users access all their SAP Fiori apps in one place. |
| SAPUI5 | The underlying web technology framework (JavaScript + HTML5) is used to build Fiori applications. |
| Fiori Apps | A library of transactional, analytical, and overview applications designed for specific user roles. |
SAP Fiori focuses on creating an intuitive and delightful user experience by focusing on five core design principles:
- Role-Based: Apps are tailored to specific job roles, showing users only what they need.
- Responsive: Interfaces work seamlessly across desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Simple: The design eliminates unnecessary features to keep interactions straightforward.
- Coherent: A Consistent look and feel across all applications improves usability.
- Delightful: Modern and attractive design encourages user engagement and satisfaction.
What Fiori is NOT
It’s vital to clear up certain common misunderstandings:
- Not Just One Product or App: Fiori is not just one piece of software; it’s a design idea and a set of apps.
- Not a Technology Stack Itself: Fiori apps use SAPUI5 as a key technology, but Fiori as a design system doesn’t depend on any one technology.
- Not Limited to SAP S/4HANA: Although Fiori was initially popularized with S/4HANA, it applies to other SAP systems too.
- Fiori is more than just a skin or theme; it also defines how users interact with the system and how tasks get done.
Why SAP Fiori Matters
It changes the way people use SAP software in a big way:
Benefits of SAP Fiori:
- Increases the productivity of users
Users may get things done faster and with fewer mistakes by customizing apps for their roles and making processes easier. - Improves Adoption and Satisfaction
The sleek, easy-to-use interface means less training and more excited users. - Makes it possible to move
Users can use SAP processes on any device, from smartphones in the field to computers in the office. - Helps with Agile Development
Using the SAPUI5 and Fiori Elements frameworks, developers can quickly create and change apps. - Lowers the total cost of ownership
Easier to use and better UX decrease help desk calls and support overhead.
SAP Fiori in Practice
SAP Fiori apps can be broadly categorized as follows:
| Type of App | Description | Example Use Cases |
| Transactional Apps | Simplify data entry and processing tasks | Creating sales orders, managing timesheets |
| Analytical Apps | Present real-time data visualizations and KPIs | Sales dashboards, financial analysis |
| Overview Pages | Provide role-specific dashboards and aggregated info | Executive summaries, procurement overview |
The Central Hub: Fiori Launchpad
The Fiori Launchpad acts like a personalized homepage or “app store” where users access all their Fiori apps, classic SAP GUI apps, and web dynpro applications. It is:
- Customizable: Users can organize tiles, groups, and notifications.
- Responsive: Works on all devices with a consistent experience.
- Integrated: Supports single sign-on and seamless navigation.
Technologies Behind Fiori
Fiori apps are mostly made with SAPUI5, a front-end JavaScript framework that works best in SAP environments. SAPUI5 is very flexible and uses open standards like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript.
Some other important ideas and technologies are:
- OData Protocol lets frontend Fiori apps talk to backend SAP systems.
- SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): A cloud platform that helps with app development, deployment, and lifecycle management.SAP Gateway: OData services let external apps talk to SAP backend systems.
- SAP Gateway: Connects SAP backend systems to external applications via OData services.
Recent Updates in SAP Fiori (2025)
The SAP Fiori ecosystem is always expanding. Some of the most recent trends and features are:
- AI and Machine Learning Integration: Fiori apps are starting to use AI to give users predicted insights and smart automation, which helps them make better decisions.
- Enhanced Personalization: Users now have more options to customize their Launchpad, including bespoke views and notifications.
- Improvements in accessibility: Fiori apps are now easier for individuals with disabilities to use thanks to new standards and UI improvements.
- Performance Optimization: SAP has put money into helping apps load faster and work better on all kinds of devices.
- Fiori 3 and Quartz Themes: The new design themes provide your site a more modern look with higher contrast and clarity.
How Cremencing Can Help You on Your SAP Fiori Journey
At Cremencing, our core offering is SAP Custom Development — and Fiori is a key focus area.
- Developing custom Fiori apps tailored exactly to your unique business processes.
- Adding new features and connectors to apps that are already there.
- Moving old SAP GUI displays to Fiori-based interfaces for a more current look and feel.
- Providing ongoing support and optimization for your Fiori environment.
Our staff knows a lot about SAPUI5, OData services, and SAP BTP. This means that we can provide smooth, high-quality solutions that give your users more control and help you get the most out of your investment.
Learn more about our SAP Custom Development services
Summary
SAP Fiori isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the way SAP users will interact with the software in the future. SAP has changed the way people use its complicated business systems by switching to a design system that emphasizes simplicity, role-based access, and responsive design.
- It makes users more productive and happy.
- It makes sure that all devices have the same experiences.
- It helps developers make apps that work with open web standards.
- Recent changes are moving Fiori toward apps that use AI, are more personal, and are easy to use.
We know how to customize Fiori to fit your business demands at Cremencing. We’re ready to help you with expert bespoke development, whether you’re just starting out with Fiori or want to improve your current SAP UX.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What exactly is SAP Fiori?
SAP Fiori is a design system and set of applications that provide a simple, consistent, and responsive user experience across SAP systems.
Q2: What does Fiori mean?
Fiori means “flowers” in Italian, chosen by SAP to symbolize freshness and simplicity.
Q3: What does Fiori do?
Fiori delivers role-based apps that simplify SAP processes and make them accessible on any device.
Q4: Is SAP Fiori a skill?
Yes, SAP Fiori development and customization are key skills for SAP consultants and developers.
Q5: Is Fiori a GUI?
Yes, it’s a modern graphical user interface designed to replace older SAP GUI screens with a more user-friendly design.