SAP Fact Check – We love Forms Podcast

In episode 10 of the We love Forms podcast, hosts Frank Engert (CEO Softway AG) and Michael Keller (Managing Director educatedBytes GmbH) talk to Peter Barker and Sandra Thimme, both Product Managers at SAP. During the 30 minutes, the guests from SAP provide answers to current rumors, have valuable tips and explain which technology should be used in the forms environment in the future.

We have summarized some of the most striking statements for you here:

Adobe Document Services On-Premise

In 2020, an announcement by SAP caused confusion, stating that ADS would only be available as a cloud solution in 2027. This announcement was revised at the 2023 Technology Days, partly due to a position paper from the German-speaking SAP User Group (DSAG). Adobe Document Services will therefore continue to be usable as a local solution after 2027. Peter Barker confirmed this position of SAP once again in episode 10 of the We love Forms podcast.

SAPscript and Smart Forms will be supported until 2040

The outdated SAPscript and Smart Forms technologies will continue to be supported until 2040. After that, it’s over. Forms already created under SAPscript or Smart Forms can then still be used, but it is recommended to switch to Adobe Forms. Switching to Adobe Forms is highly recommended, especially if new form projects are to be tackled or form landscapes are to be overhauled, as existing forms can then no longer be adapted. Especially in light of the fact that expertise in companies is already declining in 2024 and there are only a few developers left who are still proficient in the outdated technologies. So it’s better to act early and, if in doubt, bring experts into your team to support you with the changeover. We will be happy to advise you!

SAP LiveCycle Designer will no longer be developed further

One of the rumors currently circulating through the SAP cosmos. Peter Barker and Sandra Thimme also have an answer to this: SAP LiveCycle Designer (LCD) has no end-of-life date. SAP’s design tool for creating forms is free of charge for SAP customers and will continue to run indefinitely. The SAP LCD can be found in the SAP Support Portal, but should not be confused with the paid version from Adobe. SAP’s own LiveCycle Designer can be used by customers who use SAP Forms Service By Adobe or SAP Interactive Forms.

Further topics of the interview, such as what is HANA XSA all about, where are the SAP Data Centers, what is behind the Cloud Foundry platform or what about interactive forms, can be heard here:

Spotify

Deezer

Apple Podcasts

Amazon Music