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Configuring and Building Apps

(Not available in all countries/regions) Use the cloud build service to configure and build clients in SAP mobile service cockpit, and enable them to use the SAP Mobile Platform SDK.

  • Identify the icons to implement. The file size of the application splash screen and the launch icon can't exceed 1 MB.

    • Application launch: 152 by 152 pixels

    • Splash screen: portrait mode (1536 by 2048 pixels)

    • Splash screen: landscape mode (2048 by 1536 pixels)

    • (Android only) Notification icon: push notification (192 by 192 pixels). This option only appears if you upload a google-services.json file, which is an indication that you plan to use Android notification.

  • Create signing profiles needed for each platform type. See Create a Signing Profile.

  • Mobile Development Kit Client only: requires App Update feature. Please upload the bundle file to App Update feature, and deploy.

Cloud build service in SAP mobile service cockpit supports the following:

  • Mobile Card Kit Client

  • Mobile Development Kit Client client

  • Customized Mobile Development Kit Client client

  • SAP Asset Manager apps

For information about the different client types and required packaging details, see Supported Client Types, Packaging Details, and Build Options.

Note

These apps are automatically added to App Lab, which helps developers and testers to install and use during the development cycle, and for administrators to store the binaries.

The App Lab process that runs in the background sends an event log at the INFO level when everything works fine, or at the ERROR level when processing fails. If you don't see an app you expect, or want more information, navigate to Analytics > Logs and view Event Logs.

You can also rebuild an existing binary using different build options.

After building the app, you can download the app binary and build logs or enable over-the-air (OTA) installation for the binary.

  1. In SAP mobile service cockpit, select Mobile Applications > Native/MDK or SAP Mobile Cards.

  2. Select an application, then select Mobile Cloud Build under Assigned Features (or add it first); or select Features > Cloud Build for SAP Mobile Cards.

  3. On the Build Jobs tab, view a list of available build jobs for the selected application.

    Build Job Properties

    Property Description
    ID The generated build job identifier. This ID can be useful for searching the logs for information in a troubleshooting situation.
    Build Job Name The name assigned to the build job, such as "MDK Test App".
    Client Type The client type used for the build job, such as Mobile Development Kit Client client or SAP Asset Manager. (Not available for build jobs created prior to the November 2021 release).
    Status The current status of the build job, such as "Build Required", "Build Completed", "Building" or "Build Failed".
    Signing Profile The signing profiles used for the platforms included in the build job, in the format <Platform>:<signing_profile_name>. For example: Android:AndroidProfileKey0 or iOS:CBSComSapFioriWildcard.
    Version The version assigned to the build, such as 1.0.
    Actions The actions you can perform, such as build, install, edit, and delete.
    • Create Build Job button ‒ create a new build job using the wizard. See Creating a Build Job.

    • Select Build to run the selected build job. Check the Status column to view progress.

    • Select Install to obtain the link to install an app on a device, if a binary is available. This option is only available for the APK and IPA build format. You can do one of the following:

      • Scan the QR code with a device.

      • Copy the URL to the clipboard. To install the binary, paste and access the URL.

    • Edit ‒ edit the selected build job. See Editing a Build Job.

    • Delete ‒ delete the selected build job.

  4. You can select a cloud build history row to view its current state. If the binary format is APK and IPA, an Install section appears on the page.

    Cloud Build History

    Item Description
    Build State Current state of the build, such as Building, Build Failed, and Build Complete.
    Project Generation State (Mobile Development Kit and Custom Mobile Development Kit only) If you selected Save Project as a build option during configuration, this column appears and provides the current state of the project build. States include Generating, Generation Complete, Generation Failed and N/A.
    Debug Enabled Whether the debugging tool is enabled.
    Operating System The operating system used for the build, such as iOS or Android.
    Binary Format The binary format used for packaging, either (AAB) Android App Build or APK (Android Packaging Kit) if the platform is Android; IPA (iOS App Store Package) if the platform is iOS.
    Form Factor The device type, such as tablet or phone.
    Version / Version Name The application version.
    Build / Version Code The build version.
    SDK Version The SDK version used for the build job, such as 1.1 or 2.3.0. (Not available for build job history created prior to the November 2021 release).
    Built On The date of the build, in the format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM (local or UTC).
    Certificate Expiration The date the certificate expires, in the format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM (local or UTC).
    Actions Actions you can perform, such as Install and Download Binary.
    • Select Install to install the binary (APK and IPA), either by scanning the QR code, or copying the URL.

    • Select Download Binary to download the binary to a local directory. When ready, you can post the binary to a download site.

    • Select Download Project to download a project to a local directory. The project contains all the artifacts used to build the project.

  5. (Optional) Select the build job history row to drill down further to see additional build details.

    • Under Install, you can install the binary (APK and IPA), either by scanning the QR code or copying the URL.

    • Under Build Logs, you can view the live build logs as the build progresses. The log includes a summary of build attributes appropriate for the platform, such as the client type, tool set versions, plugins, Cordova versions, and SAPUI5:

      • iOS ‒ platform, application version number, type, Kapsel version, node information, Cordova and Xcode versions, and the selected operating system.

      • Android ‒ platform, type, application version number, Kapsel version, node information, Cordova versions, NodeJS, Gradle, Java, and SDK tool versions, and the selected operating system.

      • SAPUI5 ‒ applies to iOS and Android builds for packaged apps.

      You can select download and download the logs to a local directory, if required. Use the logs to troubleshoot problems.

    The following options are also available in the upper right corner:

    • Select the Download Binary button to download the binary, if available.

    • (Mobile Development Kit and Custom Mobile Development Kit only) Select Download Project to download the complete project source code that is generated by the build for debugging the app. Choose this option to download a ZIP file that contains the project structure of the specified application and its related UI5 libraries, plugins, device platform, resource details, generated files, and any dependencies that are related to the iOS or Android platforms.

      To use this option, make sure that you choose Save Project as a build option before you initiate the build. Also, ensure that Xcode is installed for iOS apps, and Android Studio IDE is installed for Android apps.

      After downloading the project, validate it by re-building the project using Android Studio IDE. Note that you must use the existing version of Android Studio IDE. Do not update the Android Gradle plugin when you are prompted.

      1. Unzip the downloaded project zip file.

      2. Launch Android Studio IDE and choose File > Open to open the Android project. It may take a few minutes to create the file index initially.

      3. Choose Build > Rebuild Project. The build must complete successfully.

    • Select the Delete button to delete the binaries. Any binary that was added to App Lab is automatically deleted as well.

  6. Use the Info tab to view feature details.

Supported Client Types, Packaging Details, and Build Options

Create a Signing Profile

Purge Cloud Build Artifacts


Last update: January 11, 2024