Today I was working on some data integration issues and was creating a BDC model. So as always, I created the model, added a finder method and modeled my entity. Then I deployed the solution and tried to creating an external list to test my finder method. So far so good, but when opening the External Content Type Picker the following error appeared: External Content Types are not available. Contact your system administrator.
What is that? Did my deployment fail? I opened the BCS service application to check if the model was correctly deployed. But it was there. My next idea was that something with the permissions was wrong, but everything was as usual.
So, what could be wrong? After a few minutes of staring onto the BDC model, I discovered it. My model was simply missing the specific finder method. After adding it, the external content type appeared in the picker. So, lesson learned for today: always add finder and specific finder method before deploying the model.
Matthias Baumann 
Hey Matthias,
How dit you add the specific finder method ? I made my external content type with Sharepoint Designer and have the same error as you.
Is there a solution through Sharepoint Designer ?
Thanks !
Hey Matthias,
How did you add the specific finder method ? I made my external content type by using sharepoint designer.
I currently have the same problem as you picture, but I do not know how to solve it through sharepoint designer ? Do you know a way ?
Thanks !
Hi,
you can define the operations for your model when you create it. There you need to choose the right operations.
In Visual Studio this can be done in the “BDC Model Details” window. You can find more information here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee231569.aspx
I hope this helps!
Thanks! worked.
Hi
Can i add the specific finder method in SPD?
For me selecting “Show in Picker” option through sharepoint designer worked.