ServiceNow service mapping benefits for improved ITSM
Table of Contents
- Key features of ServiceNow service mapping implementation
- ServiceNow service mapping benefits
- Key stages of ServiceNow service mapping implementation
- ServiceNow service mapping implementation best practices
- Navigate your service mapping journey affordably with Virima
- Why choose Virima’s service mapping solutions?
- Choosing the service mapping solution that fits your business
With countless services, applications, and infrastructures working together, gaining full visibility into how everything connects is crucial for optimizing IT Service Management (ITSM). That’s where ServiceNow service mapping benefits come into play.
Experts predict that by 2030, customer-owned bots will automatically generate 1 billion service tickets. This highlights the growing need for automated systems for service management. It also highlights the need for effective service mapping deployment.
ServiceNow service mapping benefits you to track every part of your infrastructure. Whether managing multi-cloud or on-premise systems, ServiceNow service mapping best practices enable your organization to scale efficiently. However, businesses should also consider alternatives that offer similar capabilities at lower costs.
For a more cost-effective solution, Virima provides a powerful alternative. Virima simplifies the service mapping process while enhancing ITSM workflows. It also offers the support you need to manage your infrastructure easily and affordably. In this blog, you’ll learn more about ServiceNow service mapping benefits while exploring Virima’s capabilities as well.
Key features of ServiceNow service mapping implementation
Here are some key features of ServiceNow service mapping that make it a valuable tool for IT service management:
1. Agentless mapping
Service mapping does not require software installation on target devices. However, It needs credentials for agentless discovery and focuses on services, identifying only relevant configuration items (CIs). This feature distinguishes ServiceNow service mapping benefits from traditional infrastructure mapping.
2. Configuration based mapping
This type of mapping doesn’t depend on traffic between items. Instead, it can directly find where applications within a service connect and gather related information.
3. Visibility
ServiceNow service mapping benefits provide clear insights. Further, it visually shows how services, applications, and components interact. This clarity also helps decision-makers understand how infrastructure services impact employees, customers, and the business.
4. Accuracy
With constant changes in IT infrastructure, organizations need reliable data. Meanwhile, the ServiceNow service mapping process updates in near real-time. Consequently, this capability allows decision-makers to act confidently and follow ServiceNow service mapping best practices.
5. Efficiency
ServiceNow service mapping benefits improve efficiency by taking over tasks that usually require human effort. As a result, IT experts can focus on more strategic issues.
6. Multi-cloud support
Many organizations now use hybrid and cloud solutions. Therefore, service mapping should easily track IT services in these environments and integrate with major cloud services.
ServiceNow service mapping benefits
Business IT consists of a complex network of infrastructure, software, and an application service. These components work together to support essential processes and provide value. ServiceNow service mapping benefits IT service delivery by focusing on the services offered, rather than just the infrastructure. When done correctly, it offers several advantages:
Service-aware operations
One of the key ServiceNow service mapping benefits is that it provides crucial insights. Further, organizations can quickly find service issues and prioritize them based on impact. Additionally, it helps optimize architectures and understand service costs.
Hybrid environments
When businesses transition to multi-cloud setups, they often keep on-premises applications. This also creates hybrid IT environments where cloud and local services must work together. ServiceNow service mapping benefits IT teams by providing complete visibility on hybrid environments, enabling better IT governance.
Faster time to value
Effective service mapping helps organizations quickly see how IT applications and dependencies work together. This also leads to faster results and smoother ServiceNow service mapping implementation.
Improved security
A clearer view of the IT infrastructure helps spot potential IT security risks. This is one of the crucial ServiceNow service mapping benefits that enable IT teams to look into areas that need immediate attention.
Proactive IT service management
Instead of waiting for issues to arise, ServiceNow service mapping benefits ITSM teams with detailed maps. These maps also help teams spot potential problems early.
By addressing problems early, they can prevent negative effects on customers. This also reinforces the importance of ServiceNow service mapping best practices.
Key stages of ServiceNow service mapping implementation
Here are the key stages of ServiceNow service mapping implementation:
- Start stage: This first phase of ServiceNow service mapping implementation focuses on identifying the IT environment. Here, organizations should choose between production or non-production settings for service mapping.
- Map stage: In this stage, the focus is on identifying entry points. These entry points are essential for accessing services. The different ways to identify them in ServiceNow service mapping implementation are:
- Sequential approach: Manually entering each entry point.
- CSV import approach: Importing multiple entry points from a CSV file.
- Load balancer discovery approach: Automatically finding entry points using load balancers. This method is particularly helpful for organizations with many applications.
- Fix stage: Here, the team refines the service map by discovering services using patterns and methods. Subject matter experts also review the map for approval.
- Approve stage: After reviewing and approving, ServiceNow publishes the map in this ServiceNow service mapping implementation. This map connects to event management modules. During outages, it also helps evaluate impacts during the ServiceNow service mapping implementation phase.
- Maintain stage: Ongoing maintenance is crucial as applications and infrastructure change. Further, organizations can set ServiceNow discovery schedules to keep service maps accurate. They should also monitor tasks to hide unwanted dynamic CI groups and fix any discrepancies.
ServiceNow service mapping implementation best practices
Despite tag-based mapping, traffic-based mapping, top-down mapping, or service mesh mapping approaches, the best practices remain the same. Here are some ServiceNow service mapping best practices to improve your ITSM processes:
- Use patterns to speed up mapping: Patterns can greatly speed up service mapping. These predefined templates describe common configurations, making it easier to identify and connect infrastructure components.
- Monitor mapping: Continuous monitoring of the service mapping work is essential for accuracy and relevance. If you don’t update IT infrastructure changes, such as adding or removing components, it can affect mappings.
- Leverage existing integrations: Integrating ServiceNow service mapping benefits with other management tools enhances the data by providing insights from various systems.
- Keep your CMDB up-to-date: Maintaining an updated Configuration Management Database is crucial for attaining effective ServiceNow service mapping benefits. Further, the CMDB contains important information about IT infrastructure elements and their relationships, which are essential for mapping.
By following these best practices, organizations can maximize the ServiceNow service mapping benefits while ensuring effective implementation.
Navigate your service mapping journey affordably with Virima
ServiceNow offers significant benefits for service mapping. However, many businesses find it challenging to access because of its high costs and complexity. In comparison, Virima stands out as a strong alternative. With features like ViVID™ (Virima Visual Impact Display) and easy integration, Virima offers a more efficient and affordable approach to service mapping.
ViVID™: Enhanced visualization and service mapping
- Dynamic service maps: Virima allows users to see dynamic relationships within their infrastructure, including Application Dependency Mapping (ADM) and network topology. Further, any updates to the CMDB, whether done automatically or manually, appear in the service maps right away. This also helps teams make quick and informed decisions.
- Near real-time asset updates: The platform provides almost near real-time updates on asset and service health. This also ensures IT teams have the latest information to make informed choices and address issues swiftly.
- Integrated vulnerability management: Virima connects smoothly with the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). Further, this feature automatically scans for known vulnerabilities. Thus, it helps organizations prioritize fixes based on asset importance, thus improving IT security.
- Maximized ROI: Virima features no-code integrations with popular ITSM solutions like ServiceNow and Jira. This capability also helps organizations streamline their processes while maximizing the value of their existing IT systems.
- Automated asset discovery: Virima’s automated asset discovery reduces manual tasks and minimizes errors. Further, this allows IT teams to focus more on high-priority projects. ViVID™ also integrates seamlessly with tools like ServiceNow®, Cherwell, and Jira.
Why choose Virima’s service mapping solutions?
Managing IT infrastructure can be challenging, especially in understanding application dependencies. On the other hand, overlooking details can lead to service outages. Virima service mapping helps prevent this by identifying stakeholders as well as highlighting risks during change planning.
Key benefits of Virima service mapping
- Reduce incident response times: Virima service mapping displays your IT infrastructure, helping you make better decisions with accurate data. This approach also lowers incident response times by improving asset and relationship management.
- Quickly track root causes: You can also easily analyze the areas of root cause by automatically mapping dependencies and illustrating asset relationships. Further, it tracks changes over time, allowing you to monitor application evolution.
- Enhance customer support and resolve issues faster: ViVID™ offers clear visuals of services and their connections. Further, this clarity improves communication between service teams. Altogether, it leads to quicker incident resolutions and reduced costs for both you and your customers.
Choosing the service mapping solution that fits your business
Before investing in a service mapping tool, organizations should determine which features are most important. This ensures they select a solution that meets their needs and budget. ServiceNow service mapping benefits come with high costs. However, many organizations may not require all these features.
Alternatives like Virima provide excellent support for IT asset and service management. Virima can automatically discover and map your critical IT resources. It shows how they connect to applications, business services, and users.
Additionally, ViVID™ helps resolve customer issues faster. With ViVID™, support teams can quickly identify root causes and address issues before they affect customers.
To learn more about our service mapping tool, reach out to us at Virima.