Exploring ERP Data Hub

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 5 minutes to read
  • ERP Data Hub enables you to connect to the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system to send updates and extract data to remote tables and extraction tables for use on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

    Overview of ERP Data Hub

    ERP Data Hub functions as a platform within ServiceNow, offering a unified data model for ERP systems. ERP Data Hub enables you to manage tables that contain both standard and custom fields grouped within ERP models. You can send updates to and extract data from ERP tables on the system of record and store it in a remote table or an extraction table, depending on the size of data sets and refresh needs.
    • Remote tables get their records from running an associated script against an external data source.
    • Extraction tables retrieve large amounts of data using a scheduled query, and use transform tables to process data for use on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

    In addition to retrieving data, ERP Data Hub can also update the ERP system using a BAPI (Business Application Programming Interface) or OData and an HTTP connection. (OData option available starting in Xanadu Store Release 2.)

    The unified data model of the ServiceNow AI Platform ensures seamless integration of ERP data into the ServiceNow AI Platform. ERP Data Hub streamlines ERP data management, making it accessible and actionable within the ServiceNow AI Platform and ServiceNow instances.

    Note:
    ERP Data Hub doesn't replicate data into the ServiceNow AI Platform. It mirrors data that lives in the ERP system of record, and remains protected there.

    ERP Data Hub workflow

    1. Have your administrator use the Connections and Credentials app to configure credentials to connect to the ERP system of record. For more information, see Configure the ERP Data Hub credentials and connection.
    2. Create an ERP system in ERP Data Hub using the connection and credentials alias that you configured. For more information, see Create an ERP system in ERP Data Hub.
      Note:
      The rest of the workflow steps are in ERP Data Hub. Build your ERP systems, ERP models, and tables in a development instance, and then promote them to a production instance when you're ready. For more information, see Managing app deployments using Pipelines and Deployments.
    3. Clone or create an ERP model that scans the specified ERP module in the system of record for available tables and fields. Note the tables and fields in the ERP model for use in extraction and remote tables, as well as for mapping parameters to read and update the system of record. For more information, see Clone an ERP model in ERP Data Hub.
    4. Create read and update operations to connect to the ERP system by adding tables, mapping fields, and building table joins to include additional data in the ERP model. For more information, see the following topics:
    5. Work with remote tables to make them available for use as a data source, such as when building apps in App Engine Studio. Remote tables get their records from running an associated script against an external data source. For more information, see the following topics:
    6. Work with ETL extraction tables to regularly scan the system of record and extract data to a staging table. Extraction tables retrieve large amounts of data using a scheduled query, and use transform tables to process data for use on the ServiceNow AI Platform.
      • Create as many separate extraction tables as needed, such as one for each supported country. For more information, see Extracting and transforming data in ERP Data Hub.
      • You must first create the table transform map that connects the source table (on the system of record) to a Glide table on the ServiceNow AI Platform. For more information on creating table transform maps, see Create a transform map.
      • Extraction processes are configured in the ServiceNow app that uses them, for example, Workflow Studio.
      • After the extraction process is run, use import sets to map imported data into ServiceNow AI Platform tables. For more information, see Import sets.
    7. Build flows in Workflow Studio to specify details for when you query or update the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. For more information, see Building flows to read or update the ERP system.
    8. Move the ERP systems, ERP models, tables, operations, and flows to a production environment when they're ready. For more information, see Managing ERP development pipelines in ERP Data Hub.
    9. Use the ERP data as the data source when building apps on the ServiceNow AI Platform using:

    Benefits of ERP Data Hub

    Table 1. ERP Data Hub key benefits
    Benefit Feature Role
    Configure connections to the system of record Working with ERP systems in ERP Data Hub sn_erp_integration.erp_admin
    Build ERP models to create read and update operations and organize mirrored ERP data Building and managing ERP models to work with ERP data sn_erp_integration.erp_admin
    Work with and query remote tables to view ERP data on the system of record Using ERP remote tables in ERP Data Hub
    • To modify remote tables: sn_erp_integration.erp_admin
    • To read remote tables: sn_erp_integration.erp_user
    Access standard remote tables Standard remote tables for ERP Data Hub
    • sn_erp_integration.erp_user
    • Additional, table-specific roles are required. For more information, see ERP Data Hub roles.
    Configure extraction tables to regularly pull custom data from the ERP system Extracting and transforming data in ERP Data Hub sn_erp_integration.erp_admin

    Additional resources for ERP Data Hub

    Learn more about ERP Data Hub ServiceNow resources
    ERP Data Hub is a ServiceNow app that enables you to simplify the use of ERP data from the system of record, such as SAP.

    App Engine for ERP Overview on ServiceNow University

    Note:
    You must log in to ServiceNow University to access this resource.

    ServiceNow Community site

    Video: Unlock the full potential of your ERP system