--- title: "SAP Mobile App Case Study | Smart Data" url: https://www.smartdata.net/case-studies/offline-sap-integration-for-field-sales description: "Smart Data built an offline-first iPad app for a building materials manufacturer, integrating with SAP to streamline inventory capture and order entry." source: "Smart Data (smartdata.net). Markdown copy of the page; the HTML page is canonical." --- # Eliminating manual data entry with offline-capable SAP mobile Smart Data built an offline-first iPad app for a building materials manufacturer, integrating with SAP to streamline inventory capture and order entry. Built on [SAP](https://www.smartdata.net/services/enterprise-integrations) Industry Manufacturing / Retail Engagement Integration A North American building materials manufacturer needed to modernize how its field personnel collected inventory and sales data at customer retail locations. Staff would visit stores, record stock data manually and enter it into SAP later at the office, introducing delays and the potential for errors. The company had already invested in a custom SAP solution, but needed a mobile extension to improve efficiency and accuracy. Smart Data was brought in to build a mobile application that would connect directly with SAP, work offline and streamline the entire sales workflow. ## The challenge ### Key challenges in the field workflow included - Delays in entering order and inventory data due to office-based input - Error-prone manual steps across multiple tools and documents - No internet access in many store locations - A failed attempt at offline SAP Fiori made the client hesitant to try again - Required integration with a custom SAP application already in use The new solution had to be mobile, offline-ready and fully integrated into their existing SAP architecture without disrupting daily operations. ## The solution Smart Data proposed an “offline-first” native mobile application built for iPads and designed to communicate with the client’s SAP environment via RESTful services. The services were hosted on SAP Gateway and integrated directly with their existing custom SAP programs. The approach ensured the new app became a natural extension of their ERP system. ### The team delivered - Native iOS app for field inventory and order entry - SAP REST service architecture supporting two-system landscape - ABAP development for SAP-side connectivity - Offline data capture with delayed sync once internet was available - iPad GPS integration to confirm store locations - Secure deployment using Apple Business Manager and enterprise MDM tools - End-to-end QA, app deployment and post-launch support Development included wireframing, high-fidelity design and an Agile collaboration process with clear scope control, even as out-of-scope features were added. ## The results Delivered on time and within budget Enabled field teams to work productively without internet Eliminated manual data entry and reduced errors Data synced to SAP automatically upon connection Validated store visits using GPS tracking Seamless SAP integration with no disruptions to back-end operations Smart Data provided full support across design, development, deployment and post-launch phases. The mobile solution significantly improved the client’s inventory accuracy, order speed and sales rep efficiency. Client Manufacturing and industrial Platform and technology - [SAP Integration](https://www.smartdata.net/services/enterprise-integrations) ## Working on something similar? Tell us what you are building and what it has to connect to. Here is what happens after you reach out. ### A short call about the work What runs today, what needs to change and the date you are working toward. ### An engineer looks at what’s running Scope comes from your systems as they are, before anything is priced. ### You get a written proposal Covering scope, team, approach and price. [info@smartdata.net](mailto:info@smartdata.net) [(937) 886-9166](tel:+19378869166)