Building and managing models to work with ERP data
Summarize
Summary of Building and managing models to work with ERP data
Models in Zero Copy Connector for ERP serve as templates to access and manage ERP data within the ServiceNow AI Platform. They represent the logical structure of ERP datasets, defining entities, attributes, operations (read, update, create), and table relationships to mirror business processes and ERP data elements. Models function as a staging area for ERP data, enabling data integration, synchronization, and customization to meet your business needs.
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There are two types of models: Platform models, which map ERP data to existing ServiceNow platform tables for standardization, and ERP models, which accommodate custom data structures of external ERP systems. You can create, clone, and manage multiple models, with each connected to a specific ERP system instance. Models enable data retrieval and updates via BAPIs (Business Application Programming Interfaces).
Key Features
- Model Management: Build and customize models to define how ERP data is read, updated, and created, including field mappings and table joins.
- Standard and Custom Models: Use predefined standard models (e.g., SAP Material Stock) or create custom ERP models tailored to your ERP system’s unique structure.
- Operations Configuration: Each model supports one create, one read, and one update operation, which can be secured using roles and groups.
- Data Integration: Access ERP data through remote tables, extraction tables, and utilize data in ServiceNow AI Platform workflows and processes.
- Model Versioning and Transfer: Manage model versions across development and production, and export/import custom models between instances.
- Debugging Support: Use the debug feature to log payloads, responses, and statuses for troubleshooting model operations.
- Security and Permissions: Model creation and editing require the snerpintegration.erpadmin role, with additional property settings needed to enable model modifications.
- Zero Copy Connector for ERP Data Products: Leverage predefined data products as implementation examples to accelerate deployment and reduce manual configuration.
Practical Application for ServiceNow Customers
ServiceNow customers can use these models to seamlessly integrate ERP data into their ServiceNow environment, enabling automation, reporting, and AI-driven processes with up-to-date ERP information. By managing models, customers can tailor data interactions to their business logic, ensure smooth data synchronization, and extend ERP functionalities using ServiceNow workflows. The ability to clone, customize, and debug models improves agility and reduces development effort when working with complex ERP datasets.
Enabling model modification and proper role assignment are key steps to begin customizing models. Customers can also export/import models to maintain consistency across different ServiceNow instances. Leveraging standard models and data products accelerates initial setup and provides tested templates for common ERP scenarios.
Models in Zero Copy Connector for ERP 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.
- 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 of standard models, see Standard ERP models and extraction tables for Zero Copy Connector for ERP. For information about building new models, see Create a new ERP 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 data products.
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. For more information, see Building flows to read or update the ERP system.
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.
- 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.
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 Managing how models read and update the ERP system.