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name: sap-build description: > SAP Build — low-code/no-code platform covering SAP Build Apps (app development), SAP Build Process Automation (workflows, decisions, approvals, RPA), and SAP Build Work Zone integration. Use when building low-code apps, creating automated workflows, or designing approval processes on SAP BTP. trigger: keywords: - sap build apps - sap build process automation - low-code app sap - approval workflow btp - decision table sap build - rpa automation sap - citizen developer sap - build lobby intent: "Build low-code apps or automated workflows using SAP Build"

SAP Build

SAP Build platform — low-code apps, process automation, and workflow design on SAP BTP.

Three Products

• SAP Build Apps: drag-and-drop app builder → mobile/web apps from templates
• SAP Build Process Automation: workflows, decisions, approvals, RPA bots
• SAP Build Work Zone: enterprise portal (see sap-btp-launchpad skill for comparison)

Prerequisites

• SAP BTP subaccount with Build Apps and/or Process Automation entitlements
• BTP Cockpit admin access to assign Build roles
• For S/4HANA integration: destination configured with PrincipalPropagation
• For RPA: SAP Build Process Automation desktop agent installed on target machine
• For Build Apps mobile: SAP Mobile Services entitlement (offline sync)

Steps — SAP Build Process Automation

1. Create a Process

1. BTP Cockpit → SAP Build Process Automation → open
2. Build Lobby → Create → Process
3. Name it, add description, select environment

2. Define Trigger

Trigger types:
  - API call       → POST to /v1/process/instances/{processId}
  - Form submission → user fills a form
  - Event          → S/4HANA business event (e.g., PR created)
  - Schedule       → time-based (cron)

3. Add Approval Step

# Process flow YAML (conceptual — configured in visual editor)
steps:
  - name: Manager Approval
    type: approval
    approvers: [ "${PR.Manager}" ]
    deadline: 5d

  - name: Create Purchase Order
    type: automation
    api: create_po  # calls S/4HANA via destination

  - name: Notify Requester
    type: notification
    channel: email
    template: po_created

4. Configure API Automation Step

{
  "name": "Create PO in S/4HANA",
  "type": "API",
  "endpoint": "{{destination.S4HANA}}/sap/opu/odata/sap/Z_PO_SRV/PurchaseOrder",
  "method": "POST",
  "authentication": "PrincipalPropagation",
  "body": {
    "Supplier": "${formData.vendor}",
    "Amount": "${formData.amount}"
  }
}

5. Add Decision Table (Business Rules)

| Amount     | Department | Action            |
|------------|------------|-------------------|
| <= 1000    | Any        | Auto-approve      |
| 1001-5000  | Sales      | Manager approval  |
| 1001-5000  | R&D        | Director approval |
| > 5000     | Any        | VP approval       |

Configure in: Process → Decisions → Decision Table → add conditions and actions.

6. Deploy and Test

1. Build Lobby → select process → Deploy to test environment
2. Trigger via API or test form
3. Monitor: Monitor tab → Process Instances → check status, timing, errors
4. Promote to production via Transport (CTMS integration)

Steps — SAP Build Apps

1. Create App from Template

1. Build Lobby → Create → Build an Application
2. Choose template: Approval Dashboard / Inspection App / Time Tracking / Blank
3. Drag-drop UI components, bind to data sources

2. Connect Data Source (CDS View / OData)

Data tab → Add Data Source → OData Service
  URL: {{destination.S4HANA}}/sap/opu/odata/sap/Z_C_PRODUCT_LIST_CDS/
  Auth: PrincipalPropagation

Query directly in app logic:

SELECT Material, Description, Plant
FROM Z_C_PRODUCT_LIST
WHERE Plant = :user_plant

3. Deploy App

1. Build → Deploy → select BTP space
2. App deployed to HTML5 Application Repository
3. Expose via Launchpad Service (see sap-btp-launchpad skill)

Governance

• Build Lobby: central dashboard for all Build projects
• Role-based access: Citizen Developer vs Professional Developer roles
• Transport: Build projects transported via CTMS (Cloud Transport Management)
• Lifecycle: Draft → Test → Production stages
• Audit: all approvals and process instances logged for compliance

Pitfalls

#	Pitfall	Cause	Solution
1	Process instance stuck in "In Progress"	Approval deadline not set or approver inactive	Set deadline (e.g., 5d); configure escalation rule to auto-approve/reject
2	API automation step fails with 401	Destination auth not PrincipalPropagation	Edit destination in BTP Cockpit → set Authentication=PrincipalPropagation; add scope matching XSUAA
3	Decision table not triggering correct action	Row order matters — first match wins	Reorder rows: most specific conditions first (e.g., > 5000 before <= 1000)
4	Build Apps offline sync not working	SAP Mobile Services not configured	Add Mobile Services entitlement; enable offline in app settings → configure sync interval
5	Process timeout after 30 days	Single process instance max lifetime is 30 days	Split long-running processes into chained subprocesses; use event-based handoff
6	Form submission exceeds limits	Max 50 fields per form	Split into multi-step form; or use Fiori app for complex data capture
7	Transport to production fails	CTMS not configured or version mismatch	Configure CTMS in BTP Cockpit → verify Build project version matches target environment
8	RPA bot fails on unattended machine	Desktop agent not running or screen locked	Ensure agent runs as service; configure auto-login or headless execution

Verification

# Process Automation — verify process deployed
# BTP Cockpit → SAP Build Process Automation → Monitor → Process Definitions
# Your process should show status "Deployed"

# Trigger process via API and check instance
curl -X POST \
  "https://<spa-tenant>.processautomation.cloud.sap/v1/process/instances/{processId}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"formData": {"vendor": "V001", "amount": "3500"}}'

# Check instance status
# Monitor → Process Instances → filter by creation date → verify "Completed"

# Build Apps — verify deployment
# Build Lobby → My Projects → app status = "Deployed"
# App accessible via URL from HTML5 Application Repository

Confirm:

• Process triggers correctly (API, form, or event)
• Approval notifications sent to correct approvers
• Decision table routes to correct action
• API automation step returns success (200)
• Process completes end-to-end in Monitor tab