Building and managing models to work with ERP data

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of Building and managing models to work with ERP data

    Models in the Zero Copy Connector for ERP act as templates that enable ServiceNow customers to access, read, update, and create ERP system data seamlessly. These models define the logical structure of ERP data, including entities, attributes, operations, and relationships, allowing integration with the ServiceNow AI Platform. Models serve as staging areas where ERP data fields are mapped and managed for use in applications, workflows, and data processing.

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    Types of Models

    • Platform models: Map ERP data to existing standardized ServiceNow platform tables, enabling data standardization.
    • ERP models: Custom models that reflect the unique data structures of external ERP systems, accommodating system-specific formats.

    Standard ERP models, such as SAP Material Stock and SAP Purchase Document, are provided out-of-the-box to accelerate implementation.

    Key Capabilities and Usage

    • Create, read, and update ERP data via defined operations using BAPIs or REST APIs.
    • Manage input and output parameters to precisely map ERP fields to ServiceNow tables and workflows.
    • Build table joins within models to represent complex business processes spanning multiple ERP tables.
    • Create extraction tables to regularly pull large datasets from ERP systems for analysis or processing.
    • Use models as data sources for the ServiceNow AI Platform and integrate ERP data into Workflow Studio for automation beyond Zero Copy Connector.

    Model Management and Customization

    Administrators or users with the snerpintegration.erpadmin role can create, clone, and edit models. Models can be customized after enabling the snerpintegration.enableModelModification system property, which allows retrieval and management of ERP tables and BAPIs. Models link to a single ERP system and can connect to multiple tables, facilitating flexible data synchronization and collaboration.

    Additional Features

    • Model versioning: Track and manage model versions across development and production instances.
    • Export/import: Transfer custom models between instances using remote update sets.
    • Operation-level security: Control access to model operations through user roles and groups.
    • Debugging tools: Use built-in debug options to log operation payloads, responses, and statuses to troubleshoot model behavior.

    Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    By leveraging ERP models within Zero Copy Connector for ERP, customers can:

    • Streamline integration and synchronization of ERP data with ServiceNow applications and AI Platform capabilities.
    • Reduce manual effort through predefined content packs and standard ERP models.
    • Customize data mappings and operations to fit unique business processes and ERP configurations.
    • Enhance automation by incorporating ERP data into workflows and AI-driven processes.
    • Maintain control over data access and model modifications with role-based security.

    Models in Zero Copy Connector for ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) function as templates for sets of tables that give you access to ERP data. Use model management to build read, update, and create operations that access the ERP system. The operations have specified inputs and outputs to map fields for use on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

    Models represent datasets and create a staging area

    A model represents the logical structure and organization of data coming from the ERP system. Models define the entities, attributes, read/update operations, and table join relationships that capture and represent business processes and data elements in the ERP system. When you first open Zero Copy Connector for ERP, you view a list of the models for your instance.

    Figure 1. How models use operations to connect ERP systems with applications
    Infographic showing the relationship between models, model operations, ERP systems, and applications.
    There are two types of models:
    • Platform model: Model with input and output fields mapped to an already existing platform table. These models standardize ERP data by mapping it to ServiceNow standardized platform tables.
    • ERP model: New, custom ERP model. These models follow the data structures defined by the connected, external ERP system. ERP models accommodate the unique formats of each ERP system.

    Zero Copy Connector for ERP provides a standard set of models, such as SAP Material Stock and SAP Purchase Document. For a list, see Standard ERP models and extraction tables for Zero Copy Connector for ERP. For information about building new models, see Create a model. Use Zero Copy Connector for ERP data products, sets of predefined models and process extensions, as examples to help you implement and deploy applications with less manual work. For more information, see Zero Copy Connector for ERP content packs.

    A model serves as a blueprint for configuring, customizing, and integrating the ERP system to meet your business requirements. A model functions as a staging area that contains all potential fields you can add to remote and extraction tables, as well as, create, read, and update operations. You can then use the tables and queried data as a data source on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

    You can also build flows in Workflow Studio to use retrieved ERP data for processes or tasks outside of Zero Copy Connector for ERP.

    You can view the list of existing models or add a new one to create a custom dataset. After you add a remote table, you can manage models to map input and output parameters, update the ERP system using BAPIs, and create table joins. You can also create extraction tables that regularly pull large amounts of filtered data from the ERP system. Another option is to use a custom ERP action in Workflow Studio to use queried ERP data in other ServiceNow AI Platform processes.

    You can create as many models as needed, though you can't edit their field names. The sn_erp_integration.erp_admin role is required to create and edit models.

    How models are structured

    Each model is linked to ERP tables on the system of record, as well as remote tables and ERP extraction tables on the ServiceNow AI Platform. You can connect the same table to multiple different models.

    Models are connected to an ERP system, one ERP system for each model. The connected ERP system:
    • Enables access to field and table information.
    • Helps coordinate data synchronization, sharing, and collaboration, enabling seamless integration and operation between the model and the ERP system.

    Models encompass remote tables from the system of record, as well as APIs, ERP extraction tables, and create/read/update operations, to create a holistic dataset. For example, you can have one model for sales orders and another for inventory.

    Note:

    After installing Zero Copy Connector for ERP, an admin or a user with the sn_erp_integration.erp_admin role must enable the sn_erp_integration.enableModelModification property so users can customize models. After enabling the sn_erp_integration.enableModelModification property, Zero Copy Connector for ERP retrieves all tables and BAPIs (Business Application Programming Interface) to use when managing models. System properties are maintained in the System Property table [sys_properties], which you can access using the module navigator, or by directly entering sys_properties.list in the Navigator Filter.

    Managing models to perform create, read, and update operations on ERP systems

    After you create or clone a model, you can specify how Zero Copy Connector for ERP reads, writes, and creates on the ERP system using the model manager page. When managing models, you have the option to use a BAPI, which is a remote procedure SAP function call that's similar to an API.

    Each model can have only one create, one read, and one update operation defined.

    For more information, see Exploring Zero Copy Connector for ERP models.