williamcorrea23 SAP BTP Launchpad Service
Host SAPUI5/Fiori apps on BTP, configure launchpad sites, manage content and roles.
Prerequisites
- SAP BTP subaccount with Cloud Foundry enabled
cfCLI installed and authenticated (cf login)- A Fiori/UI5 app built and ready to deploy (MTA or standalone)
- Entitlements for: Launchpad Service, HTML5 Application Repository, Destination Service
- Admin role collection
Launchpad_Adminassigned to your user
Steps
1. Create Required Service Instances
# HTML5 Application Repository (hosts deployed app static content)
cf create-service html5-apps-repo app-host my-html5-repo
# HTML5 Application Repository (runtime — serves apps to launchpad)
cf create-service html5-apps-repo app-runtime my-html5-runtime
# Launchpad Service instance
cf create-service launchpad standard my-launchpad
2. Deploy a Fiori App to HTML5 Repository
# If using MTA — deploy with mbt
mbt build -t ./mta_archives
cf deploy ./mta_archives/my-app_1.0.0.mtar
# If standalone — push app, bind repo, restage
cf push my-fiori-app --no-start
cf bind-service my-fiori-app my-html5-repo
cf start my-fiori-app
3. Configure Launchpad Site (CommonDataModel.json)
{
"sap.cloud.portal": {
"config": {
"siteId": "procurement-portal",
"title": "Procurement Hub",
"theme": "sap_horizon",
"groups": [
{
"id": "purchasing",
"title": "Purchasing",
"tiles": [
{ "appId": "create-po", "title": "Create PO" },
{ "appId": "manage-pos", "title": "Manage POs" }
]
}
]
}
}
}
4. Set Up Content Provider (Federated Content from S/4HANA)
- In BTP Cockpit → subaccount → Destinations → create destination to S/4HANA
- Set properties:
Type=HTTP,Authentication=PrincipalPropagation,WebIDEUsage=odata_gen - Launchpad Service → Content Providers → add destination
- Federated catalogs appear in site editor within ~5 minutes
5. Assign Role Collections
Launchpad_Admin → configure sites, manage content
Purchaser → see Purchasing group tiles
Viewer → see Dashboard group tiles only
Assign via BTP Cockpit → Role Collections → select collection → add user.
6. Launchpad Service vs Build Work Zone — Decision Guide
- Launchpad Service: simple Fiori portal, tiles, themes, content federation. Best for straightforward app hosting.
- Build Work Zone (Advanced): adds UI Integration Cards, Workspaces, Knowledge Graph, advanced external federation. Best for enterprise portals with widgets and content aggregation.
Pitfalls
| # | Pitfall | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | App not visible in launchpad | HTML5 repo not bound or app not deployed to app-host |
Verify cf services shows repo; redeploy with cf bind-service then restage |
| 2 | Tiles show error "App not found" | appId in CommonDataModel.json doesn't match deployed app ID |
Check manifest.json → sap.app/id; use exact same value in tile config |
| 3 | Federated content missing or stale | Content provider cache (5 min) hasn't refreshed | Wait 5 min or click "Refresh" in Content Providers panel |
| 4 | Users can't see tiles | Role collection not assigned to user | BTP Cockpit → Role Collections → add user to appropriate collection |
| 5 | Launchpad URL returns 404 | Wrong subdomain or site not published | Check site status = "Published" in Launchpad Service cockpit; verify subdomain |
| 6 | Performance degradation | Too many tiles in one group (>200) | Split tiles across multiple groups; keep ≤200 per group |
Verification
# Check service instances exist
cf services | grep -E "html5|launchpad"
# Verify app is deployed to HTML5 repo
cf apps
# App should show as "started" with bound html5-apps-repo service
# Access launchpad site
# URL format: https://<launchpad-subdomain>.launchpad.cfapps.<region>.hana.ondemand.com
# Open in browser → verify tiles render → click a tile → app loads
Confirm in BTP Cockpit:
- Launchpad Service → site status = Published
- Site editor shows all groups and tiles
- Test user with
Viewerrole sees only Dashboard tiles