SAPgui
Encyclopedia
SAPGUI is the GUI
client in SAP R/3
's 3-tier architecture of database
, application server
and client
. It is software that runs on a Microsoft Windows
, Apple Macintosh or Unix
desktop
, and allows a user to access SAP functionality in SAP applications such as SAP ERP
and SAP Business Information Warehouse
(now called SAP Business Intelligence). It is the platform used for remote access
to the SAP central server in a company network.
or Internet Explorer
can also be used for single sign-on
. There are several portal-based authentication applications for single sign-on. SAPGUI can have single sign-on with SAP Logon Ticket
as well. Single sign-on also works in the Java GUI.
(SNC).
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
client in SAP R/3
SAP R/3
SAP R/3 is the former name of the main enterprise resource planning software produced by SAP AG. It is an enterprise-wide information system designed to coordinate all the resources, information, and activities needed to complete business processes such as order fulfillment or billing.- History of...
's 3-tier architecture of database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
, application server
Application server
An application server is a software framework that provides an environment in which applications can run, no matter what the applications are or what they do...
and client
Client (computing)
A client is an application or system that accesses a service made available by a server. The server is often on another computer system, in which case the client accesses the service by way of a network....
. It is software that runs on a Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Apple Macintosh or Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
desktop
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
, and allows a user to access SAP functionality in SAP applications such as SAP ERP
SAP ERP
The SAP ERP application is an integrated enterprise resource planning software manufactured by SAP AG that targets business software requirements of midsize and large organizations in all industries and sectors...
and SAP Business Information Warehouse
SAP Business Information Warehouse
SAP Netweaver Business Warehouse is the name of the Business Intelligence, analytical, reporting and Data Warehousing solution produced by SAP AG. It was originally named SAP BIW , then abbreviated to SAP BW, but is now known as "SAP BI" at the end user level...
(now called SAP Business Intelligence). It is the platform used for remote access
Remote access
In telecommunication, the term remote access has the following meanings:#Pertaining to communication with a data processing facility from a remote location or facility through a data link...
to the SAP central server in a company network.
Family
- SAP GUI for the Windows environment
- SAP GUI for the Java(TM) environment
- SAP GUI for HTML / Internet Transaction Server (ITS)
- Requires Internet ExplorerInternet ExplorerWindows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year...
or FirefoxMozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox is a free and open source web browser descended from the Mozilla Application Suite and managed by Mozilla Corporation. , Firefox is the second most widely used browser, with approximately 25% of worldwide usage share of web browsers...
as a browser; other browsers are not officially supported by SAP.
- Requires Internet Explorer
For Microsoft Windows releases
| Release | Release date | End of life | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | – | – | | First "GUI" for SAP software; no graphical elements like checkboxes, radiobuttons and icons |
| 1.1 | – | – | | Field length indicated by background colors; fast paths in menus |
| 2.0 | – | – | | New GUI for Windows 3.1; System and Application Toolbar added; icons in System Toolbar |
| 2.1 | – | – | | New graphical elements: checkboxes, radiobuttons, group boxes and push buttons on screen |
| 3.0 | – | – | | Table control introduced; icons added to buttons |
| 3.1 | 1996 | – | | Windows95-look with flat buttons; tabstrip control and ABAP List Viewer (ALV) introduced |
| 4.0 | – | – | | Screens contain more information to reduce navigation |
| 4.5 | – | – | | Active X elements introduced; ALV is now based on grid control |
| 4.6D | July 2000 | – | | GUI is re-designed; multiple-areas are introduced to reduce need for screen changes |
| 6.10 | July 2001 | – | | – |
| 6.20 | March 2002 | – | | – |
| 6.40 | June 2004 | 31/12/2010 | | Unicode support extended; accessibility and usability improved |
| 7.10 | February 2007 | 12/04/2011 | | Support for Microsoft Vista and Office 2007; new "Tweak SAP GUI" tool; new ABAP front-end editor |
| 7.20 | April 2010 | 09/04/2013 | | Support for Windows XP; Windows 2003 Server; Windows Vista; Windows 2008 Server; Windows 7 and Office 2010; Built with Visual Studio 2008; |
For Single Sign-on
SAPGUI on Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
or Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer
Windows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year...
can also be used for single sign-on
Single sign-on
Single sign-on is a property of access control of multiple related, but independent software systems. With this property a user logs in once and gains access to all systems without being prompted to log in again at each of them...
. There are several portal-based authentication applications for single sign-on. SAPGUI can have single sign-on with SAP Logon Ticket
SAP Logon Ticket
SAP Logon Tickets represent user credentials in SAP systems. When enabled, users can access multiple SAP applications and services through SAPgui and web browsers without further username and password inputs from the user...
as well. Single sign-on also works in the Java GUI.
Criticism of using SAPGUI for authentication to SAP server access
SAP is a distributed application, where client software (SAPGUI) installed on a user's workstation is used to access the central SAP server remotely over the company's network. Users need to authenticate themselves when accessing SAP. By default, however, SAP uses unencrypted communication (although almost all packets are compressed and look encrypted by first sight), which allows potential company-internal attackers to get access to usernames and passwords by listening on the network. This can expose the complete SAP system, if a person is able to get access to this information for a user with extended authorization in the SAP system. Information about this feature is publicly accessible on the Internet.SAP Secure Network Communications
SAP offers an option to strongly protect communication between clients and servers, called Secure Network CommunicationsSecure Network Communications
Secure Network Communications is a software layer in the SAP system architecture that enables the use of stronger authentication, encryption and single sign-on mechanism. SAP provides SNC for server to server communications only...
(SNC).
See also
- Public key infrastructurePublic key infrastructurePublic Key Infrastructure is a set of hardware, software, people, policies, and procedures needed to create, manage, distribute, use, store, and revoke digital certificates. In cryptography, a PKI is an arrangement that binds public keys with respective user identities by means of a certificate...
- Single sign-onSingle sign-onSingle sign-on is a property of access control of multiple related, but independent software systems. With this property a user logs in once and gains access to all systems without being prompted to log in again at each of them...
- Secure Network CommunicationsSecure Network CommunicationsSecure Network Communications is a software layer in the SAP system architecture that enables the use of stronger authentication, encryption and single sign-on mechanism. SAP provides SNC for server to server communications only...
- Smartcard
External links
- [ftp://ftp.sap.com/pub/sapgui/ Anonymous FTP Download of SAPGui for Java] (discontinued since August 2010).
- SAP Service Marketplace (User-ID required).
- SAP GUI history. SAP Design Guild.
- SAP NetWeaver User Interface Technology on SAP Developer Network (SDN)SAP Developer NetworkSAP Developer Network is an online community for SAP developers. It is a resource and collaboration channel for SAP developers, architects, consultants and integrators. SDN Hosts forums, expert blogs, a technical library, downloads, a code gallery, Elearning catalog , a Wiki and more...