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Get the Report →Build Semantic Layer Views for ServiceNow Data in APOS Live Data Gateway
Use the CData Connector for ServiceNow in APOS Live Data Gateway to build Semantic Layer Views for ServiceNow data.
APOS Live Data Gateway (LDG) is a data connection and data transformation solution that enables live data connectivity and expanded data source options for SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions. When paired with CData Connectors, users can build semantic layer views for live ServiceNow data, enabling real-time analytics on ServiceNow just like working with a relational database.
With built-in optimized data processing, the CData Connector offers unmatched performance for interacting with live ServiceNow data. When you issue complex SQL queries to ServiceNow, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to ServiceNow and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). Its built-in dynamic metadata querying allows you to work with and analyze ServiceNow data using native data types.
About ServiceNow Data Integration
CData simplifies access and integration of live ServiceNow data. Our customers leverage CData connectivity to:
- Get optimized performance since CData uses the REST API for data and the SOAP API for schema.
- Read, write, update, and delete ServiceNow objects like Schedules, Timelines, Questions, Syslogs and more.
- Use SQL stored procedures for actions like adding items to a cart, submitting orders, and downloading attachments.
- Securely authenticate with ServiceNow, including basic (username and password), OKTA, ADFS, OneLogin, and PingFederate authentication schemes.
Many users access live ServiceNow data from preferred analytics tools like Tableau, Power BI, and Excel, and use CData solutions to integrate ServiceNow data with their database or data warehouse.
Getting Started
Download and Install the Connector Files
In order to access ServiceNow data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, you will need to download the connector files from APOS and install them on the machine hosting the Live Data Gateway. An APOS representative can deliver the necessary files.
- Install the CData DLL file (System.Data.CData.ServiceNow.dll) to the APOS Live Data Gateway installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ by default).
- Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.servicenow.jar) to the ConnectionTest_lib folder in the installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ConnectionTest_lib\ by default).
- Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.servicenow.jar) to the lib folder in the Web UI installation directory (e.g.: C:\LDG_WebUI\lib\)
Configuring the ServiceNow Connection String
Before establishing the connection to ServiceNow from the APOS Live Data Gateway, you need to configure the ServiceNow JDBC Connection String.
Built-in Connection String Designer
For assistance in constructing the JDBC Connection String, use the connection string designer built into the ServiceNow JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.
java -jar cdata.jdbc.servicenow.jar
Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.
ServiceNow uses the OAuth 2.0 authentication standard. To authenticate using OAuth, you will need to register an OAuth app with ServiceNow to obtain the OAuthClientId and OAuthClientSecret connection properties. In addition to the OAuth values, you will need to specify the Instance, Username, and Password connection properties.
See the "Getting Started" chapter in the help documentation for a guide on connecting to ServiceNow.
Your connection string will look similar to the following:
jdbc:ServiceNow:OAuthClientId=MyOAuthClientId;OAuthClientSecret=MyOAuthClientSecret;Username=MyUsername;Password=MyPassword;URL=https://myinstance12345.service-now-com;
Connecting to ServiceNow & Creating a Semantic Layer View
After installing the connector files and configuring the connection string, you are ready to connect to ServiceNow in the Live Data Gateway Admin tool and build a semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.
Configuring the Connection to ServiceNow
- Log into your APOS Live Data Gateway Manager
- If you haven't already, update your APOS LDG license file
- Click File -> Configurations
- Click on the "..." Menu for the License
- Select the license file from the APOS team that includes your CData Connector license
- In the APOS Live Data Gateway Manager, click "Add"
- In the APOS Live Data Gateway On the Connection tab, configure the connection:
- Set Data Source to "Database"
- Set Database to "CData Drivers"
- Set Database CData Drivers to "ServiceNow"
- Set Connection String to the connection string configured earlier (e.g.:
jdbc:ServiceNow:OAuthClientId=MyOAuthClientId;OAuthClientSecret=MyOAuthClientSecret;Username=MyUsername;Password=MyPassword;URL=https://myinstance12345.service-now-com;
- Set Driver Class to "cdata.jdbc.servicenow.ServiceNowDriver" (this should be set by default)
- Click Test Connection
- Click Save
- Give your connection a unique prefix (e.g. "servicenow")
- Highlight the newly created connection and click File -> "Approve Users For Web UI"
- Approve the appropriate DB users to create views and click "Save"
At this point, we are ready to build our semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.
Creating a Semantic Layer View
- In your browser, navigate to the APOS Live Data Gateway Portal
- Select a Connection (e.g. "servicenow")
- Set User Name and Password to the User and Password properties for ServiceNow.
- Click "Login"
- Once connected, click "Semantic Layer" to create a new semantic layer view
- Click "New Semantic Layer View"
- Set the Semantic Layer View Prefix and Semantic Layer View Name
- Click "Step 2"
- Select the table(s) and column(s) you wish to include in your view
- Click "Step 3"
- Select the Measures from the available table columns
- Click "Step 5" (we skipped the "Extra Dimensions" step)
- Add any Variable Prompts
- Click "Step 6"
- Define any Table Joins
- Click "Review"
- Review you semantic layer view and click "Save"
With the Semantic Layer View created, you are ready to access your ServiceNow data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, enabling real-time data connectivity to ServiceNow data from SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions.
More Information & Free Evaluation
Please visit APOS Systems - APOS Solutions - Request Evaluation Software to request evaluation software or email [email protected] for more information on working with your live ServiceNow data in APOS Live Data Gateway.