A whopping 85% of Fortune 500 companies use ServiceNow today. But what exactly is the hype behind this platform?

ServiceNow is a business intelligence platform designed to unite all your functions into a single, robust framework. At its core, the ServiceNow platform aims to make work easier for your teams, developers and end users.  

Specifically, the platform is recognized for its no-code automated management workflows. It offers a suite of modules related to IT, HR, security, customer service and more. It even has AI and machine learning functions built into its platform.  

Let’s take an insider’s tour of the Now platform, so you can answer “what is ServiceNow?” and understand its wide scope of features for your business.  

What is ServiceNow?  

ServiceNow involves a full-service technology stack called the Now platform. What does ServiceNow do? The Now platform brings together a wealth of customizable modules to handle critical business functions.  

Instead of building these features from scratch –which can be extremely expensive and time-consuming– the Now platform gives businesses easy access to pre-built solutions. The ServiceNow platform is smart, low-code and integration-savvy, making it a top choice for businesses.  

What’s more, the Now platform “sits atop” current IT set-ups, which means your business can easily connect to its functions from diverse data and technology systems. In this way, the ServiceNow tool acts as a powerful extension to efficiently maximize your organizational tasks and processes.  

Key components of ServiceNow  

So, what is ServiceNow used for in practice? A key characteristic of the ServiceNow platform is its huge breadth and depth of built-in solutions. There’s so much you can do from the Now platform, including management of:

  • IT services
  • Workplace services
  • Customer services
  • HR services
  • Security and compliance  

This is just a sample of popular areas on the Now platform. Depending on your needs, you can leverage even more modules to bridge gaps in your business functions.  

H2: Business benefits of using ServiceNow  

What is ServiceNow for businesses? The ServiceNow platform enables you to do work with a greater impact. From a single, scalable and secure platform, you can optimize functions and drive growth.  

On the whole, the benefits of using ServiceNow include:

  • Automate business processes: The Now platform includes built-in tools to optimize your tasks, workflows and more. Cut out manual tasks, support human skills and work smarter.  
  • Optimize customer experiences: Engage your customers and earn loyalty with 24/7 support and personalized experiences managed directly from the platform.  
  • Boost employee productivity: Streamline work, eliminate routine tasks and optimize employee time through Now productivity tools. You can even customize the platform according to your industry.  
  • Connect IT systems into a single source of truth: Unify your data into a single source for processing, analyzing and taking action with purpose.  
  • Get 360-degree visibility into business: Consolidate your business needs into one comprehensive platform. ServiceNow gives you a full view into your data, workflows and more.  
  • Set up your business for greater agility: ServiceNow lets you scale processes and improvements according to your needs. In turn, you can stay nimble in today’s evolving digital market.  
  • Achieve stronger business outcomes: The platform is all about attaining technical and operational excellence. Raise the bar by leveraging its suite of pre-built tools.  
  • Reduce costs and elevate ROI: Ultimately, ServiceNow makes your business more efficient, enabling cost savings. It also helps you create new product offerings, leading to a more powerful ROI.  

Overall, the benefits of ServiceNow will depend on the specific solutions you choose to set up. Fortunately, you have hundreds of ServiceNow products to customize your business functions.  

ServiceNow capabilities overview

One of the ServiceNow platform’s competitive edges is its impressive number of functionalities. Currently, it has 175+ products listed on its platform, including new integrated AI capabilities. Here we’ll give a ServiceNow platform overview so you understand its full potential.  

Platform analytics ServiceNow  

Platform Analytics is a top module within the Now platform for unlocking actionable analytics and reporting. With it, your C-suite can take the pulse on your business performance on an ongoing basis.  

Analytics lets you access real-time analytics, set up reports, create visualizations, mine process data to identify improvements and anticipate overarching trends. As a result, this high level of data insight can support your decision-making. You’ll get quick, actionable information that helps optimize your operations, user experience and overall business success.

Workflow automation  

ServiceNow provides built-in solutions to automate your workflows –whether for your employees, creators, developers or customers. From the Now platform, you can use a range of features to integrate ServiceNow automation and cut out time-consuming tasks.  

In essence, ServiceNow workflow automation can boost efficiency, employee productivity and customer experiences. It’s also ideal to reduce human error and hand off time-intensive tasks so you can focus on your core skills.  

Some ways to integrate ServiceNow service automation include:  

  • Flow Designer to eliminate manual scripting when creating workflows.  
  • Decision Builder to set up rules that cut out time-consuming data entry tasks.  
  • Process Automation Designer to build processes across departments for full visibility.
  • Process Mining and Analytics to analyze and optimize workflows throughout the business.

Of course, this is just the start of automation potential in the Now platform. You can find even more applications by checking out recent ServiceNow automation case studies.  

ServiceNow AI

The Now platform incorporates a variety of AI-powered functions and modules. Among them, you can take advantage of the potential of AI for business, including:

  • AI Agents on ServiceNow can leverage data and systems to create intelligent tasks and workflows. For example, pre-built ServiceNow AI agents can handle customer conversations, data analysis and other automated areas –directly from the Now platform.  
  • Now Assist is another robust AI feature with diverse applications. In the platform, you can use Now Assist to generate summaries, set up self-service, produce content and speed up coding.  
  • Workflow Data Fabric brings together all your data into a single source. Once unified, your data can combine with AI to glean insights, monitor data, create efficient workflows and make informed decisions.  
  • ServiceNow Automation Engine involves a full variety of ServiceNow IT automation tools for your business. Some low-code AI solutions available on the ServiceNow platform include process mining, documenting intelligence, RPA and more.  

Other ServiceNow workflows

ServiceNow empowers businesses to set up a variety of automated workflows that enhance work efficiency and quality. The most in-demand areas include the following:  

  • Technology workflows: ServiceNow gives you access to drag-and-drop tools, reusable components and templates for seamless no-code development. Key modules: Creator Studio, UI Builder and Now Assist.  
  • Employee workflows: In the Now platform, you can leverage tools and AI to achieve greater productivity. Key modules: Workspaces, Process Mining and Platform Analytics.  
  • Customer workflows: These tools unleash automated self-service and enhance user experiences. Key modules: Now Mobile, Knowledge Management and Walk-Up Experience.  

ServiceNow modules  

The Now platform is extremely feature-rich, making it easy for your business to select the tools that work for you. You can check out a full list of products here, but the most popular ServiceNow modules include:

  • IT Service Management (ITSM)
  • IT Operations Management (ITOM)
  • Customer Service Management (CSM)
  • App Engine
  • Automation Engine
  • Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM)
  • HR Service Delivery
  • Security Operations (SecOps)
  • Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
  • Workplace Service Delivery (WSD)
  • Field Service Management (FSM)
  • Finance and Supply Chain  

Check out our list of specialized ServiceNow services.  

ServiceNow integrations and compatibility  

ServiceNow is known for its top-of-the-line integrations. In essence, this platform is designed to fit with your existing technology systems and tools. Here is the full range of ServiceNow integrations to keep top of mind.  

With your tech stack

ServiceNow compatibility is available to integrate processes, UI, data and more. No matter your current tech stack, you can utilize the Integration Hub to simplify imports and reduce the need for custom coding.  

ServiceNow also provides remote tables and a connections dashboard to streamline data and credential management. At the end of the day, you can even create custom set-ups if the Integrations Hub doesn’t work for your particular case.  

With your preferred partner tools

ServiceNow integrations are well-equipped to connect with partner tools. For example, you can rapidly integrate ServiceNow with major systems such as:  

  • Salesforce.
  • Microsoft Suite
  • SAP  
  • Jira
  • Cisco
  • Google Drive
  • … and more!

With ServiceNow products

Finally, ServiceNow offers an App Store with 1,000+ free and paid third-party integrations. These products run the gamut, including tools in areas such as:  

  • Analytics
  • Automation
  • Customer service
  • DevOps
  • Governance
  • Field service
  • Financial services
  • HR
  • IT
  • Security
  • Workplace

Simply use the filter in the App Store to find the type of ServiceNow integrations that best fit your scenario.  

Maximizing ServiceNow with Nearsure

At Nearsure, we have a dream team of ServiceNow specialists ready to get results for your business. Attain new efficiencies through automation, workflows and key integrations. We can set up smart low-code solutions on the Now platform to better optimize your workplace, IT services, customer engagement and beyond. No matter your objectives, we’ll co-pilot the right ServiceNow solution for you.  

Reach out to our ServiceNow experts today.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ServiceNow

What platform is ServiceNow built on?  

You may be wondering: ServiceNow is built on which platform exactly? In a nutshell, ServiceNow offers its own unique technology called the Now platform.  

This platform is a robust, low-code solution that connects with your existing tech ecosystem. It’s known as an “extender,” as it easily integrates with almost all leading programming languages, tools and infrastructure. The concept of the Now platform is to simplify your business processes with pre-built modules that automate and enhance your work.  

Is ServiceNow a cloud platform?  

Yes, ServiceNow is a 100% cloud-based platform. Not only does the cloud enable numerous key connectivity functions, but it also supports scalability.  

With ServiceNow, your business won’t have to maintain your own servers or hosting services. Instead, you can license ServiceNow and immediately access its hundreds of customizable integrations and built-in solutions. In sum, the answer to the question “is ServiceNow cloud?” is a resounding yes.  

Is ServiceNow suitable for small businesses?  

Yes, ServiceNow is suitable for businesses big and small. Through no-code, cloud-based solutions, the Now platform is scalable and cost-friendly for any company size. In fact, ServiceNow small business modules are ideal for ramping up automation and other solutions without a large upfront investment.  

What brands use ServiceNow today?  

A wide range of businesses uses the ServiceNow platform today, including multinationals, startups, SMEs and beyond. The Now platform has even been named a top low-code solution for enterprises by Gartner. Big names include Visa, NHL, SIEMENS, Deloitte, Delta and KraftHeinz, though you can check out success stories according to any industry, service area and more.