Launchpad (shell) plugins are a way to extend the functionality and appearance of the SAP Build Work Zone header bar, sub-navigation bar, user menu, and user settings. They are different from UI integration cards, which are a way to display information and application content from different backend systems in a unified and consistent way in SAP Build Work Zone. Some of the characteristics that are applicable to launchpad (shell) plugins, but not to UI integration cards, are:
The SAP Build Work Zone Advanced extension is required in SAP Business Application Studio: This extension provides a set of tools and templates to create, test, and deploy launchpad (shell) plugins to SAP Build Work Zone. It also enables the direct deployment of the launchpad (shell) plugin from SAP Business Application Studio to SAP Build Work Zone, using the UI Integration Card: Deploy to SAP Build Work Zone, advanced edition option in the context menu of the manifest.json file1.
The application logs can be accessed from SAP BTP cockpit: Since launchpad (shell) plugins are deployed as HTML5 applications to SAP BTP, their application logs can be viewed and downloaded from the SAP BTP cockpit, under the HTML5 Applications section. This can help troubleshoot any issues or errors that occur during the runtime of the launchpad (shell) plugin2.
The source code can be downloaded directly from SAP BTP cockpit: Another feature of deploying launchpad (shell) plugins as HTML5 applications to SAP BTP is that their source code can be downloaded as a ZIP file from the SAP BTP cockpit, under the HTML5 Applications section. This can help backup or restore the launchpad (shell) plugin code, or share it with other developers2.
The characteristics that are not applicable to launchpad (shell) plugins, but to UI integration cards, are:
They are managed via the administration console of DWS: UI integration cards are managed via the administration console of SAP Build Work Zone, under the UI Integration Cards section. Here, users can upload, view, edit, and delete the UI integration cards that are available for their site. Launchpad (shell) plugins are not managed via the administration console, but via the SAP Business Application Studio or the SAP BTP cockpit34.
They are listed in the Content Manager based on the HTMLS content provider setup: UI integration cards are listed in the Content Manager of SAP Build Work Zone, under the HTMLS content provider, which is a way to connect to external HTML5 applications or UI integration cards. Users can browse, search, and add the UI integration cards to their site pages using the Content Manager. Launchpad (shell) plugins are not listed in the Content Manager, as they are not considered as content, but as extensions4 .
