SAP Analytics Cloud Application Designer: important Updates in Q3

In recent weeks, exciting new functions have been added to the programmable part of SAP Analytics Cloud. In today's blog article I'm going to talk about the news about SAC Application Design. I will introduce you to the most interesting new features and give you an insight into our Bi-Weekly release, so that you already know which features SAP will release in the next quarter.

New name and new features

With the new Q3 release update Application Design appears under a new name: SAP Analytics Cloud Application Designer. However, the Analytics Application type remains unchanged.

Debug Mode and Syntax Check

SAP has released a debug mode with the latest Quarterly Release, allowing scripts to be edited in the browsers debugger.

Another novelty is that the developer is informed about errors directly in the coding, or also in a fold-out area by a syntax check.

Introduction of the Geo Map

If you already use SAC Stories, you probably know the Geo Map. This component is now also available in the Application Designer. However, the use outside America still only works via longitude and latitude.

Component size and position can be changed at runtime

With the latest release, it is now possible to change the size and position of components at runtime. This gives an interesting insight into future developments and allows to increase the dynamics and logic of analytic applications.

Dashboarding with SAP Analytics Cloud - 
Download the Whitepaper here! 

Theme Designer

The Theme Designer now allows you to define the layout of elements globally for a dashboard. This simplifies layouting and saves time.

Introduction Panel

With the new release it is now possible to create panels and group elements that belong together. Dashboards can now be better structured in Application Designer. This also simplifies the arrangement of components.

Preview

The bi-weekly pre-releases we receive from SAP allow us to offer you a preview of future features. The most interesting feature released with our Bi-Weekly Release 2019.16 is the use of Tab Strips. This allows the creation of multi-page dashboard pages. We have been waiting for this feature since the beginning of the tool.

Tab Strip enables multi-page dashboards

At the beginning of Analytics Applications, there was only the ability to create single-sided dashboards. This meant that the use was very limited and could only be achieved by detours (e.g. superimposing several components).

Bookmarking function now also available in Application Designer

Bookmarks can now be set at dashboard runtime. The developer can also define what should be saved for each bookmark. In contrast to stories, these can be edited and deleted via the file repository.

Our Conclusion - SAP Analytics Cloud Application Designer

It is irritating that SAP has unveiled a new name because, in my opinion, it creates unnecessary confusion. 

Nevertheless, the Application Designer is picking up speed with the latest releases and can convince with its new features. This is another important step to close the gap to Lumira Designer. Especially the syntax checker, the use of panels, the Theme Designer, the new bookmarking function and the introduction of the Tab Strips help to develop practical dashboards and extend the usage horizon.
In detail, however, smaller functions are still missing. The Theme Designer is a practical feature and very comfortable. In practice, the editor is not always sufficient for more detailed requirements, so customization options at the CSS level (as in Lumira Designer) are desirable and provide much more flexibility. Furthermore, there are no data binding options, for example to fill a drop-down menu with content from the models. This is currently only possible with nested loops and therefore works differently than in Lumira Designer.

We will stay on track for you and will soon be presenting an example dashboard with the latest functions.