Multi Entity Management

Fields with DataClassification value SystemMetadata

Version: August 2026 / Multi Entity Management 8.8.x / Business Central 28.x

1. Preamble

Fields marked with the DataClassification value “SystemMetadata” are typically technical or internally managed fields used by Business Central or extensions for platform functionality, synchronization handling, integration support, or internal application logic.

These fields are generally not business data entered or maintained directly by users.

2. Why are SystemMetadata fields deactivated in replication by default?

SystemMetadata fields are normally handled internally within each individual Business Central environment, both on the publisher and subscriber side.

Because these values are often environment-specific or system-managed, they are deactivated in replication by default to avoid:

• overwriting local system values,
• unintended synchronization behavior,
• conflicts between environments,
• replication of internal platform metadata that should remain local.

3. When should replication be enabled for SystemMetadata fields?

This is typically relevant when:

an ISV solution depends on identical metadata values across environments, custom integrations require the field value to remain synchronized, the field contains shared technical identifiers or replication-relevant information.

Activate “Transfer at Insert” and/or “Transfer at Modify” only when the value must explicitly be replicated from the publisher to the subscriber.

4. Recommendation

Only enable replication for SystemMetadata fields after verifying that:

• the field value is intended to be shared across environments,
• the value is not regenerated locally by Business Central,
• the field is not environment-specific system information.

5. How are SystemMetadata fields handled when using “Update Field List”?

When using the “Update Field List” function to import new fields into a replication table — for example:

• fields added through table extensions,
• fields introduced by ISV solutions,

It is possible to include fields with: DataClassification = SystemMetadata This allows administrators to explicitly decide whether these fields should participate in replication.

6. Recommended approach:

Review imported SystemMetadata fields individually, only activate replication for fields that require centralized synchronization behavior, keep non-essential system-managed fields deactivated.