--- sourceDocument: Australia Service Exchange sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/service-exchange Release : - brazil ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia Service Exchange ft:clusterId : - sebrdg bundleId : - sebrdg workflow : - Customer and Industry --- # Foundation data sync # Foundation data sync {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Brazil Updated September 10, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Foundation data sync Foundation data sync (FDS) is a ServiceNow feature that enables structured, periodic sharing of foundational data between provider and consumer instances. It ensures both parties have accurate, up-to-date data to support service delivery and operational alignment. FDS facilitates scheduled data synchronization (daily, weekly, or monthly) for essential foundational information such as server, hardware, and network data. Show full answer Show less FDS supports two unidirectional data flows, allowing instances to act as either data source or recipient depending on business needs: * **Consumer-bound FDS:** Provider shares data with consumer instances. * **Provider-bound FDS:** Consumer shares data with provider instances. Each flow requires separate configuration and enables independent data sharing directions. ## Key Features * Supports synchronization of all CMDB CI extended tables and key non-CMDB tables such as Asset, Company, User, Group, Location, Department, Stockroom, Product Model, Knowledge, Hardware Model, Consumable Model, Hardware, Consumable, and Service Organization. * Enables providers and consumers to define offerings that specify which tables, fields, and records to share. * Allows recipients to configure how incoming data maps to their instance tables. * Supports collaboration through two modes: * **Consumer-bound FDS** (Provider shares data) supported from Service Exchange version 2.2.x. * **Provider-bound FDS** (Consumer shares data) supported from Service Exchange version 2.3.x. ## Benefits * Automates foundational data sharing, reducing manual efforts and eliminating reliance on external data exchange channels. * Provides essential contextual data to streamline operational workflows and improve service delivery. * Supports lifecycle management by ensuring timely and accurate data synchronization between collaborating instances. ## Practical Use Case In a telecom scenario, a provider (ABC company) maintains server configuration data, which it shares with a consumer (XYZ company) using FDS. This enables XYZ to assign users to servers effectively. Conversely, XYZ shares usage data back to ABC, allowing ABC to optimize infrastructure planning. This bidirectional data sharing exemplifies how FDS supports operational collaboration and informed decision-making. Foundation data sync (FDS) enables structured, periodic data sharing from provider to consumer and consumer to provider instances. FDS ensures that both providers and consumers can share and receive accurate, up‑to‑date foundational data, supporting better service delivery and operational alignment. FDS is a data synchronization mechanism that enables a provider instance to share foundational data, such as server, hardware, network information with consumer instances and consumers instance to provider instances on a scheduled cadence (daily, weekly, or monthly). FDS supports two separate unidirectional data flows, allowing both providers and consumers to act as either data source or recipient depending on the business need: Consumer-bound FDS : Provider shares data with consumer instances. Provider-bound FDS : Consumer shares data with provider instances. Note: These are independent flows. Each flow must be configured separately. Establishing data sharing in one direction does not automatically enable data sharing in the reverse direction. FDS supports all CMDB CI extended tables and the following non-CMDB tables: Asset, Company, User, Group, Location, Department, Stockroom, Product Model, [Knowledge](https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB3063550), Hardware Model, Consumable Model, Hardware, Consumable, and Service Organization. If you need support for any additional table, contact Support. ## Benefits of FDS {#service-bridge-v2-explore-foundation-data-sync__section_ilr_lqy_nfc} FDS supports the service life cycle by enabling providers to share foundational data with consumers in a structured, automated way. This data transfer provides the essential context for operational workflows, reduces manual effort, and eliminates the need to exchange data through external channels. ## FDS data flow scenarios {#service-bridge-v2-explore-foundation-data-sync__section_uqh_kz2_5hc} FDS provides two ways to collaborate by sharing date in either direction: Consumer-bound FDS (Provider shares data) : The provider creates FDS offering definitions and publishes them to make data available. Consumers browse available offerings and request the data they need. After validation and acceptance, data flows from the provider instance to the consumer instance on the defined schedule. The provider controls which tables, fields, and records are shared. Consumers configure how the incoming data maps to their instance tables. Note: Consumer-bound FDS (Provider shares data) is supported from Service Exchange version 2.2.x. Provider-bound FDS (Consumer shares data) : The consumer creates FDS offering definitions and publishes them to make data available. Providers browse available offerings and request the data they need. After validation and acceptance, data flows from the consumer instance to the provider instance on the defined schedule. The consumer controls which tables, fields, and records are shared. Providers configure how the incoming data maps to their instance tables. Note: Provider-bound FDS (Consumer shares data) is supported from Service Exchange version 2.3.x. ## Use Case Example {#service-bridge-v2-explore-foundation-data-sync__section_tty_ly1_1gc} A telecom provider, XYZ company, does not own or manage its own servers. Instead, it relies on a third-party infrastructure provider, ABC company. ABC maintains the configuration data for the servers, including hardware specifications and network dependencies. XYZ needs this data to assign users to the correct servers based on bandwidth requirements. FDS enables ABC to push this data to XYZ regularly, ensuring XYZ has the information it requires to deliver reliable services. In this scenario, ABC is the provider, XYZ is the consumer, and the data flows from ABC to XYZ. ABC company also needs visibility into XYZ to understand the consumption pattern. To enable ABC to provide better infrastructure support, XYZ needs to share data back to ABC. FDS enables XYZ company to share usage data with ABC regularly, enabling ABC to make informed decisions about capacity planning and infrastructure optimization. **Related concepts** * [Configure outbound foundation data sync as providers](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/CcwLK2Sftz~~XtN4CjcvoQ "As a provider, share foundational data with your consumer using foundation data sync (FDS).") * [Configuring inbound foundation data sync as providers](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/cFM1y2rXrvmL9NjYHy9wAQ "As a provider, receive the foundation data from your provider using foundation data sync (FDS).") * [Configure inbound foundation data sync as a consumer](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ISIt5UICZJOOQgwc_vwrww "As a consumer, receive the foundation data from your provider using foundation data sync (FDS).") * [Configure outbound foundation data sync as consumers](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2Tfnw12DUOZqsUikrk6cNg "Foundation data sync (FDS) consumers share foundational data with a provider by creating FDS definitions, acknowledging requests, and publishing subscriptions.")