Rebaseline and Optimize ServiceNow for Peak Performance: Restoring Out-Of-The-Box Excellence

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18 Oct, 2023

ServiceNow, a dynamic platform tailored to meet the diverse needs of organizations, is often extensively customized over time. While customization empowers, it can inadvertently lead to the creation of a complex and challenging environment. This complexity, if left unchecked, may result in increased errors, diminished scalability, higher maintenance costs, and difficulties in keeping up with the latest ServiceNow releases.

The Significance of Out-of-the-Box (OOTB) ServiceNow Configuration:

 

Leveraging OOTB ServiceNow configurations brings forth a myriad of advantages:

  • Reduced Risk: Rigorously tested and supported by ServiceNow, OOTB configurations minimize the chances of errors or system outages.
  • Improved Performance: Inherently scalable and performant, OOTB configurations are vital for organizations, particularly those with large and intricate deployments.
  • Cost Savings: OOTB configurations demand less maintenance and support, leading to substantial cost savings over time.
  • Enhanced Agility: Adhering to OOTB configurations streamlines the adoption of the latest ServiceNow releases, as the testing and release cycles are expedited for such configurations.

Strategies for Returning to Out-of-the-Box:

 

Several methods and techniques can be employed to transition back to OOTB ServiceNow configuration. The most suitable approach depends on factors such as customization levels, environment complexity, and available resources.

Assessment:

The initial step involves a comprehensive assessment of the current environment. This includes identifying all customizations and understanding their impact, forming the basis for a well-structured plan for the transition.

Planning:

The planning phase encompasses crucial steps:

  • Identify the Desired State: Define the target configuration, whether OOTB or a modified version aligning with organizational needs.
  • Develop a Migration Plan: Outline the steps to move from the current state to the desired configuration, including a timeline, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Communicate the Plan: Effectively communicate the plan to all stakeholders, fostering awareness and understanding among users, administrators, and developers.
Execution:

Executing the migration plan involves diverse tasks, including:

  • Removing Customizations: Delete custom tables, fields, and scripts.
  • Updating Configurations: Adjust settings in System Properties and other configuration tables.
  • Testing the Environment: Conduct thorough testing to ensure that all components function as expected.
Execution Approaches:

Choose from various approaches based on factors like the extent of customization, desired restoration level, and impact on existing processes and data.

    1. Manual Configuration:
      • Identify and document customizations.
      • Reverse each customization to its OOTB configuration.
      • Test and validate the OOTB configuration thoroughly.
    2. Clone and Reset:
      • Create a clone of the existing instance.
      • Reset the clone to OOTB configuration.
      • Migrate necessary data from the original instance.
      • Test and validate the OOTB configuration in the cloned instance.
    3. Instance Refresh:
      • Request a ServiceNow instance refresh.
      • Migrate necessary data from the original instance to the refreshed one.
      • Reconfigure the refreshed instance based on organizational requirements.
      • Test and validate the refreshed instance.
    4. Reimplementation:
      • Define requirements for the new instance.
      • Set up a new ServiceNow instance with the desired OOTB configuration.
      • Migrate necessary data from the original instance.
      • Test and validate the new instance.
Review and Support:

Post-migration, continuous support is critical:

  • Monitor for Problems: Regularly monitor the environment for any issues and address them promptly.
  • Provide Training and Support: Offer training and support to users and administrators on the new configuration.
Project Duration:

The timeline for transitioning back to OOTB ServiceNow configuration varies based on factors like customization level, environment complexity, and available resources:

  • Simple Environments: Few weeks
  • Medium-Complexity Environments: Few months
  • Complex Environments: A year or more

Actual timelines may vary based on organizational specifics.

What Makes Alcor the Best Choice for OOB configuration

 

  1. Expertise and experience: ALCOR has a team of experts with years of experience in ServiceNow configurations. We have a deep understanding of the ServiceNow platform and have successfully configured dozens of OOB configurations for companies of all sizes and industries.
  2. Smooth and efficient configuration process: ALCOR has a proven process for converting ServiceNow configurations back to OOB that is smooth, efficient, and minimizes disruption to your business operations. We work closely with you to understand your needs and requirements, and then develop a value plan that meets your specific needs as well ServiceNow best practices.
  3. Data integrity and security: ALCOR is committed to protecting the integrity and security of your data during the configuration process. We use ServiceNow best practices to ensure that your data is safely transferred to the OOB ServiceNow configuration.
  4. Post-configuration support: ALCOR provides post-conversion support to ensure that you are happy with the OOB ServiceNow configuration and that you are able to use it effectively. We offer training and support to your team, and are always available to answer any questions you may have.
  5. Cost savings: ALCOR can help you save money on your ServiceNow costs by converting your configuration to OOB cost-effective model. We can also help you to identify and eliminate unnecessary customization.

In addition to these 5 reasons, ALCOR also offers a number of other benefits, such as:

  • Commitment to customer satisfaction: ALCOR is committed to providing its customers with the highest level of satisfaction. We work closely with each customer to ensure that their needs are met and that they are happy with the OOB system.
  • Competitive pricing: ALCOR offers competitive pricing for its services.

Overall, ALCOR is a great choice for converting your ServiceNow configuration back to out of the box. We have the expertise, experience, and resources to help you make a smooth and successful transition.

Conclusion

 

Returning to OOTB ServiceNow configuration is a nuanced undertaking with substantial benefits, including reduced risk, improved performance, cost savings, and enhanced agility. The optimal approach depends on factors such as customization level, environment complexity, and resource availability.

If contemplating this shift, partnering with a qualified service provider is crucial. Alcor, a ServiceNow Elite partner, boasts a proven track record of guiding organizations through this transition. Our expert team excels in assessing complex environments, developing meticulous migration plans, and executing successful migrations.

Understanding the daunting nature of this process, we assure you of our capabilities to help achieve your goals. We work closely with organizations, understanding specific needs, and developing tailored migration plans, providing unwavering support throughout the process.

For those considering a return to OOTB ServiceNow configuration, we encourage you to reach out to us today at information@alcortech.com

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