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sourceDocument: Yokohama Build or modify applications
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/yokohama/application-development

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    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama Build or modify applications

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---

# Managing how models read and update the ERP system

# Managing how models read and update the ERP system {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Yokohama
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 5 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 Managing how models read and update the ERP system

This guide explains how to configure ERP Canvas models to read from and update an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system by defining operations, entities, input parameters, and output parameters.
It describes how ServiceNow customers can specify how data is accessed and manipulated via tables, BAPIs, or OData services, and how to integrate these with workflows on the ServiceNow AI Platform.
Show full answer Show less  

## Key Features

* **Operation Types:**
  * Read operations can use table reads, BAPI calls, or OData services.
  * Update operations must use BAPI or OData; table updates are not supported.
  * Only one BAPI can be specified per read operation; multiple tables can be read in a table read operation.
* **Entities Management:**
  * Define entities by specifying ERP tables or BAPIs used to read or update data.
  * Entities determine how ERP Canvas interacts with the ERP system.
* **Input Parameters Configuration:**
  * Automatically generated inputs based on selected tables or BAPIs.
  * Parameters define data mapping and filtering criteria sent to the ERP system.
  * Default values can be set for parameters to act as fallbacks or constants.
  * Supports nesting of complex parameters (Object or Array types) for detailed data structures.
  * Data types supported include Object, Array, String, Date, Time, Char, and Decimal.
* **Output Parameters Configuration:**
  * Define how returned ERP data is mapped and stored on the ServiceNow AI Platform.
  * Retrieved fields can be added to remote or extraction tables for further use.
* **Workflow Integration:**
  * After defining operations and parameters, build flows in Workflow Studio.
  * Flows use defined parameters to send filter criteria and interact with the ERP system at runtime.

## Key Outcomes

* ServiceNow customers gain precise control over how their ERP data is queried and updated through ERP Canvas models.
* Enables seamless integration of ERP data with ServiceNow AI Platform workflows, improving automation and data consistency.
* Supports complex data structures and flexible parameter mapping for sophisticated ERP interactions.
* Facilitates easy customization and extension of ERP data access via remote and extraction tables aligned with business needs.  
After you create an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) model in ERP Canvas, you can specify how it reads and updates the ERP system using parameters.
When creating a read or update operation, first add the operation. Then define operation entities and parameters in the following tabs of the ERP model manager page.

* Manage entities: Specify the table to read, OData service, or BAPI (Business Application Programming Interface, a remote procedure call that's similar to an API) to use for reading or updating the ERP system.
* Specify inputs: Define how fields on the ERP system map to parameters to specify how data is queried. If parameters can't be retrieved, you can also define any default values to pass to the ERP system.
* Choose output: Define parameters for how returned data is stored on the ServiceNow AI Platform by specifying outputs.
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## Read and update operations for ERP system {#erpc-managing-models-read__section_mmf_wr4_cbc}

ERP Canvas contacts the ERP system using read and update operations.  
* You can use a table read, a BAPI, or OData to read the ERP system.
* You must use a BAPI or OData for update operations.
* You can add either table reads or a BAPI function call to a model for read operations, but not both.
* You can add multiple tables to a table read operation, but you can specify only one BAPI for a function call read operation.
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## Managing tables and entities for ERP operations {#erpc-managing-models-read__section_jmf_gtq_y1c}

An entityis the foundation of how the operation accesses the ERP system to read or update it. Use the Manage entities tab to define requests and the content of their responses by specifying the BAPI
or name of the table.  
When you add an entity to an operation, you must specify the following information:

* How ERP Canvas retrieves data from or sends updates to the ERP system.
  * For read operations, you must specify whether you're reading tables on the ERP system or using a pre-defined BAPI to read the system.
  * For update operations, you must use a BAPI.
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* The name of the table to read or BAPI to use.
{#erpc-managing-models-read__ul_ozc_xj4_cbc}

For instructions on adding entities, see [Add an operation to a model in ERP Canvas](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/saZrY7JVkAiS~AmNV8z3rw "Add an operation to an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) model in ERP Canvas to define how it retrieves data from or writes data to the ERP system, or creates a new instance of the business object.").

## Managing operation input parameters {#erpc-managing-models-read__section_ekt_lwr_y1c}

After you specify the operation's tables or BAPI, ERP Canvas automatically populates the Specify inputs tab with the required input parameters.

ERP Canvas uses parameters as part of the method/function call to define and map data that's passed to the ERP system.  
* The Output parameters section is where you enter optional default values for parameters that are used to query the ERP system. If no input value is provided when querying the model, the Default value for each parameter is used as a fallback. Default values can also be utilized for mapping constants.
* The Tables (for read operations)/Function call (for BAPI operations) section is where you define and map fields from the ERP system that ERP Canvas sends as parameters in the operation. When you select a field, use the automap functionality to automatically update its Mapped value and add a row for the parameter to the Output parameters section. If you define a <kbd class="ph userinput">Constant</kbd> as the Type and enter the constant value in the Mapped value field, mapped inputs can act as filter criteria. You can add and nest as many related parameters as needed.

  If you're adding a complex, nested parameter, such as an address that includes several other parameters (one for street, one for city, one for country), ERP Canvas automatically identifies that it needs additional related parameters and creates new, nested parameter rows that you must then populate with the related values. You can nest only parameters with Object or Array as the Data type.
{#erpc-managing-models-read__ul_cll_d4z_y1c}  
The available data types for parameters are:

* Object
* Array
* String
* Date Time
* Date
* Time
* Char
* Decimal

{#erpc-managing-models-read__ul_lhc_vtp_1bc}  
Note:  
An example use case is running a sales order BAPI to find out what items are in an order. You must specify the order ID as a mapped field in the Tables (for read operations)/Function call (for BAPI operations) section, using
the automap option to define which field is referenced in the Mapped value field. After defining all operation inputs and outputs, you can build a flow in Workflow Studio. In the flow, enter the order ID as the parameter in use when the flow runs to call the ERP system.

Another example would be adding a parameter for Order billing dates in the Table fields (for table read operations)/Function call (for BAPI operations) section. Then build a flow in Workflow Studio that enables you to specify a date or date range to retrieve all orders from that time period.  
Note:  
It doesn't matter what order you define parameters in. ERP Canvas displays optional parameters in alphabetical order when you save.

For instructions on managing inputs, see [Manage input parameters for an ERP Canvas model operation](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/8F4AIpMBTqhyaUWPuO8XEA "Specify how fields on the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system map to input parameters and their values to define the inputs for an operation that reads or updates the system of record from ERP Canvas.").

## Selecting outputs for a read operation {#erpc-managing-models-read__section_x4g_rqj_1bc}

You must create output parameters to define how the data is mapped to the ERP system and stored on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

For instructions on managing outputs, see [Choose output parameters for an ERP model](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/OX_LJNB6x0Te4D7FgWIe_g "Specify output parameters for an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system read or update operation in ERP Canvas to define how fields and parameters are mapped from the ERP system to the ServiceNow AI Platform. Output parameters also define how returned data is stored on the ServiceNow AI Platform.").

## Adding retrieved ERP fields to tables {#erpc-managing-models-read__section_k1y_z44_cbc}

When you add mapped fields or parameters as outputs and successfully read or update the ERP system, each parameter appears as a field that you can then add to a remote table or an extraction table. Manage the fields for the remote table or extraction table to add the retrieved parameters. For more information, see the following topics:

* [Customize fields for an ERP remote table in ERP Canvas](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/bpbdfRbgDZUyppMygvrMhQ "Add or remove columns in remote tables in ERP Canvas to create your ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) model. For example, remove fields with sensitive information, such as birthdays.")
* [Select fields for an extraction table in ERP Canvas](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/rFHesgWk6HjmZxb5FZfP8w "Add or remove fields for an extraction table in ERP Canvas. For example, you may want to remove fields with sensitive information, such as birthdays.")
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## Building flows to call the ERP system {#erpc-managing-models-read__section_pnn_wdr_1bc}

After all parameters are defined and you have built and run the read or update operation, build a flow in Workflow Studio that uses the defined parameters.

Enter any filter criteria by specifying a value when you select the parameter in the Mandatory Field of the flow's action. For more information, see [Building flows to read or update the ERP system](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/NdbNUiPnlKTbiurxTBkbMA "After you configure an operation in ERP Canvas, you can build a flow in Workflow Studio to specify details for querying the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. For example, build a flow that filters by Order ID.").