Launchpads
A launchpad is a collection of navigation links that is stored as a separate technical object in the system.
The navigation links allow you to navigate to specific destinations outside of the current application, for example, to other Web Dynpro ABAP applications, external Web pages, transactions, reports, or other business objects.
With the launchpad framework, the following activities can be performed by the system users:
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Administrators
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Create new navigation targets or reports available to all interested parties
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Define reports as non-removable for the user
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Visualize which applications and reports are assigned to which application or user group
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Users
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Manage and group favorite reports
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Add and remove reports and applications to and from their own personalized list of reports and applications
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Personalize settings for reports
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A launchpad consists primarily of the following parts:
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Folders
When you create a new launchpad, the system automatically generates a top-level folder inside the launchpad. Particular launchpad types allow you to create additional folders.
You define a navigation link to your desired application within a folder.
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Applications
Examples of applications include transactions, reports, and URLs amongst others. You can assign any number of applications to a launchpad.
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Parameters
You can pass application-related parameters to applications that are called using the launchpad.
Launchpad Types
The fundamental structure of a launchpad is determined by the Launchpad Type. It determines whether you can create folders in a launchpad (in addition to a top-level folder that is automatically created by the system) and if so, the number of levels of folders. The type of launchpad used by an application depends on how the launchpad itself is visualized at runtime.
The following launchpad types exist:
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Embedded
Creation of folders is not possible.
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Stand-Alone (Default)
Multiple folders can be created on one level only.
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FPM_UIBB
Multiple folders can be created on two levels.
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BAdI Folder
Multiple folders can be created. The number of levels is determined by the BAdI itself.
Note that this type of launchpad is used infrequently. It requires a BAdI implementation.
Launchpad Front Ends
Although there are many different types of front ends for launchpads, the following types occur most often:
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Launchpad UIBB (FPM_UIBB)
This type of front end is based on the Floorplan Manager component FPM_LAUNCHPAD_UIBB. It provides you with three distinct areas for navigation links. Note that you can display folder icons using this component.
This component is available for Overview Page (OVP) type floorplans only.
Figure 1: Launchpad UIBB -
Embedded Launchpad
This type of front end is based on the Web Dynpro component APB_LAUNCHPAD_LIGHT. The launchpad is rendered as a simple list of links or buttons. It must be embedded in another Web Dynpro component. The figure below shows one use-case; another common use-case is the Related Links section of the Launchpad UIBB (shown in the figure above).
Figure 2: Embedded Launchpad -
Stand-Alone Launchpad
This type of front end is based on the Web Dynpro component APB_LAUNCHPAD. It is rendered as two-column list of links and their descriptions. Icons can also be rendered. It is often used for You Can Also and Related Links links in FPM applications.
Figure 3: Stand-Alone Launchpad
Each user wanting to use launchpad navigation in the SAP Enterprise Portal must be assigned the ERP Common role, contained in the ERP Common Business Package.