Add a read or update entity to a model in ERP Canvas

Specify the operation entity, which is the table or BAPI (Business Application Programming Interface) that ERP Canvas uses to read or update the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system.

Before you begin

You must have already added the read or write operation before you can add an entity to it. For more information, see Add a read or update operation to a model in ERP Canvas.

Role required: sn_erp_integration.erp_admin, sn_erp_integration.erp_user

About this task

• Read operations retrieve ERP data by either reading a table or using a BAPI.
• Update operations use a BAPI to write updates to the ERP system.

Procedure

1. Navigate to All > ERP Canvas > ERP Canvas Home.
2. Open the ERP model page by selecting the ERP model icon () in the side panel.
3. Select the model that you want to add an operation entity to.
4. Select the Manage model button.
5. Select the Read or Update operation card on the ERP model management page to choose the operation you're adding an entity to.
   The Manage entities tab appears.

   Figure 1. Manage entities tab

   

6. Select the Add entity button in the Manage entities tab.
7. For read operations, specify the type of read operation you're adding by selecting it in the Select type field of the Entity type section.
   • Read table defines a read operation entity that retrieves data by reading it directly from a table on the ERP system.
   • Function call (BAPIs) defines a read operation entity that uses a BAPI remote procedure call.

   Note:

   Update operation entities must use a BAPI Function call, so this field is read only for update operations.

   Figure 2. Add an entity

   

8. Define the entity by specifying the name of the table to read or BAPI to use in the Select entity field of the Entity section.

   The AI Search for this field can help you find what you're looking for faster, for example by entering Countries instead of T005. AI Search also suggests tables and BAPIs that are in the connected ERP system.

   For table read operations, you may need to check the Model entities tab of the current or another, related model to get the table name, or ask your SAP admin. For more information, see View and edit the foundation of ERP models.

9. Finish adding the entity by selecting the Add entity button.
10. Optional: Rearrange and delete table entities as needed.
    Important:

    Reordering deletes any existing table joins for the reordered entities.
    1. Select the Rearrange order button.
    2. Drag the tables to the order that you want.
    3. Select the delete icon () on the card for a table to remove any tables you don't need.
       Deleting an entity removes all of its related field mappings and table joins.
    4. Select the Confirm reorder button.

Result

The entity is added to the operation. ERP Canvas connects to the ERP system using the specified entity and retrieves data that you can use to define input and output parameters.

When you view the entity on the Manage operation entities page, a status shows whether the ServiceNow AI Platform is currently retrieving data or has finished retrieving data.

If you added a Read table operation, you can repeat this process to add as many tables as necessary to the operation. Then you can add joins to create relationships between tables.

Note:

If you have more than one table for an operation, you must join the tables.

For more information, see Add joins between ERP tables.

The Entity fields tab for the ERP model automatically populates for the new table when the table is connected to an ERP system. View their details as needed. For more information, see ERP Canvas ERP model table field descriptions.

What to do next

Next, you must specify the input parameters for the operation. For details, see Manage input parameters for an ERP model operation.