Overview

Hybrid apps are web style apps that run in a native container. They combine advantages of web apps and native apps: write once, run on many devices, access device functionality. Hybrid apps are also referred to as Cross Platform apps.

With SMP 3.0, we introduced 'Kapsel' (German for capsule): a set of plugins for Apache Cordova containers.

Kapsel has replaced the proprietary technologyof previous versions of SMP and SUP.

Since it's initial release earlier this year, a number of new features and plugins have been introduced.

What's new with SMP Server SP4 and SMP SDK SP3

Our Kapsel story has been a great success, and we see great adoption among the developer community. The concept of making enterprise critical functionality available through the plugin model provides a lot of value to developers.

In the lastest support package, we have added new features to SAP Mobile Platform; the specific enhancements on the Kapsel side are the following - read this blog for more detail:

Support for Apache Cordova 3.6
Kapsel support for OData Offline
Enhancements to Logger Plugin
End to End trace
Windows support

Got a question on SMP 3.0 and Kapsel?

Kapsel Plugins

The Kapsel plugins for Apache Cordova provide capabilities like application life cycle management, implementation of a common logon manager and single sign-on (SSO), integration with SAP Mobile Platform Server-based push notifications and so on.

With the release of SMP Server SP4 and SMP SDK SP5, you have now access to all of following Kapsel plugins:

App Preferences	App Update	Barcode Scanner	Cache Manager
Encrypted Storage	Logger	Logon	Settings
Online Application	Push	SAP Fiori Clieng	Toolbar
Offline OData (SP5)	End-2-End Tracing (SP5)

How to Develop with Kapsel

We have published plenty of resources that will support you learning about Kapsel and that will get you running quickly.

Kapsel related blogs by John Wargo

John is solution manager for Kapsel and author of a of books on mobile app development with Cordova.

He writes great blogs, and I highly suggest following him on SCN and discuss through comments on his blogs.

Some of the most read and commented blogs include:

Cross-Platform App Development.A great collection of information and links around Kapsel.
Kapsel Kitchen Sink Application - a sample app for you to learn how exactly the API's work.
Kapsel SDK and the SAP Fiori Client
Updated Version of the SAP Fiori Client Available

Ready for hands-on? Immerse yourself into the Kapsel Getting Started

Daniel Van Leeuwen has published an excellent guide 'Getting Started with Kapsel', with many in-depth views on plug-ins, troubleshooting, security and more.

A must-read for anyone developing with Kapsel!