What’s New in SAP Build Process Automation: Summer 2023 Special

By /

Hello Community Members,

We are pleased to walk you through the exciting highlights of SAP Build Process Automation’s latest feature releases over the past three months. As we delve into the latest and greatest, you’ll learn how these improvements can benefit your business. So, grab a drink and enjoy our Summer Special highlights!

SAP Build Process Automation streamlines business processes and improves efficiency, incorporating workflow management, RPA, decision management, process visibility, and embedded AI capabilities. With improved productivity, reduced errors, and increased team collaboration, SAP Build Process Automation leads to faster decision-making and increased profitability. And the best part? You don’t need coding expertise to use it.

Release Highlights:

  • Create and Manage Event Triggers
  • Define Custom Variables for Processes
  • New Content Packages on the Store
  • Create Action Projects with SAP Graph Instances
  • Import SAPUI5 Forms
  • Automate Java-based Applications
  • Launch Automation Automatically by Project Start

Create and Manage Event Triggers

You can now trigger processes and artifacts from external systems through pre-configured events. What are events? They are notifications of system changes like SAP S/4HANA and can now be used to initiate processes and automation directly in SAP Build Process Automation. For example, let’s say you want to trigger an approval process by your supervisor when a customer return is created in SAP S/4HANA. For this, you’d kick off a process with an event trigger for “Customer Return created.”

Similarly, there are many other types of event triggers for various business events. This new functionality streamlines operations and enables real-time event-driven communication for enhanced efficiency and agility. Test it out for yourself today:

See also:

Define Custom Variables for Processes

You can now define custom variables available globally in the process. That is, these variables do not stem from a previous process activity. You use them to provide input, for example, for an action that follows conditional branches.

By defining such custom variables, you can capture and utilize specific data at various project stages, ensuring that information is readily available for a given process or condition. Because they are created at the project level, they are accessible across different steps and actions within your process. For example, you can create a custom variable to track a specific business partner’s information, and this variable can be utilized in multiple steps, saving you from repetitive data entry. Additionally, custom variables enable you to make your process steps independent of branch outcomes, facilitate rework requests without losing data, and streamline processes involving the same field across multiple stages. Introducing custom variables enhances the adaptability and versatility of SAP Build Process Automation, putting more control in your hands without the need for complex coding.

See also

New Content Packages on the Store

You’ve requested it – we continue to deliver. In September, we released 10 new pre-built content packages for various enterprise use cases, ready for use:

Moreover, the SAP Build Content Catalog is now accessible all in one place within the SAP Business Accelerator Hub, previously known as SAP API Hub. You can access hundreds of ready-to-use SAP Build pre-built content packages tailored to your needs within lines of businesses such as IT, Sales, Services, Sourcing, Finance, and Procurement. We will continue to update you on the newly released content packages via the What’s New viewer.

SAP Graph Instance in Action Projects

You can now create Action Projects using an SAP Graph instance, facilitating the consumption of all business data as an interconnected semantic graph. In contrast to the conventional API Management approach, Graph serves as the modern, unified, and consolidated API for SAP-managed data. Developers leverage SAP Graph to develop applications that interact with a seamlessly linked business data graph containing SAP-managed data, regardless of its storage location.

See documentation:

Import SAPUI5 Forms

 You can now import SAPUI5 forms into SAP Build Process Automation, allowing you to utilize the SAPUI5 app within the process builder, like other forms. You have the flexibility to map the inputs and outputs of your form to different parts of the process, and you can also leverage outcomes from preceding tasks within your form.

How does it work?

  • In your project’s “Overview” tab, navigate to “Import Form.”
  • On the “Import Form” screen, provide the Application ID and Application Version obtained from the manifest.json of your SAPUI5 application. This action imports the form and displays the manifest URL, allowing you to seamlessly integrate the form into your process.
  • Within the process builder canvas, click the “+” button, then select “Form” or “Approval” (depending on the form’s category), and choose your SAPUI5 form.
  • Click on the form element on the canvas to access the form settings.
  • Configure the form settings according to your project’s requirements. Detailed instructions are in the documentation “Configure Start Trigger Form, Form, and Approval Form Settings.”
  • Save your configurations. The SAPUI5 form is now successfully incorporated into your business process and ready for use.
  • By following these steps and prerequisites, you can effectively import and utilize SAPUI5 forms to enhance the functionality and user experience of your SAP Build Process Automation projects.

Note: SAPUI5 forms cannot be used as start forms.

See documentation: Import a SAPUI5 Form

Automate Java-based Applications

Java applications can now be automated using Java Automation technology, which is versatile and supports various frameworks like Java Swing and JavaFX. This automation is fully compatible with the Windows operating system and can be used in attended and unattended modes. To make sure everything works smoothly, make sure to install Desktop Agent 3 with the V3 extension.

If you encounter non-Java screens within your Java application, you have options. You can use UI Automation or OCR technology, especially when dealing with Windows Dialogue Boxes like Open or Save As dialogs. Also, a new “Java SDK” package is now available and allows you to automate Java applications based on frameworks such as Java Swing and JavaFX. For more information, see the Java SDK.

See also: The Java Technology

Launch Automation Automatically by Project Start

Now, users can configure a specific automation job to initiate automatically when the project starts within the Agent environment. This configuration can be easily managed through the Project Pane in the Project Studio. You can select the automation you want to trigger automatically within the project pane and designate it to launch automatically with the project’s start event.

It’s important to note that this feature is designed for the attended agent mode, providing users with a more efficient and hands-free experience. However, please remember that only one automation can be launched per project starting in the Agent, ensuring that processes remain organized and controlled. With this new capability, SAP Build Process Automation continues to evolve, offering users a more streamlined and automated approach to managing their projects.

See documentation: Create a Project Launcher

Thanks for reading! Did you enjoy the updates or have feedback? Press thumbs up and let us know in the comments.

This blog post only provides a high-level overview of SAP Build Process Automation’s latest features and enhancements. You can find more details on these features in your In-App What’s New or Help Portal What’s New Viewer. If you have any questions, you can comment below or post a question to our SAP Build Process Automation forum. And check out our SAP Road Map Explorer for more upcoming features and focus.

Scroll to Top