How to classify embedded software and scripting languages in ServiceNow CMDB

[Declan Donovan]

Hi, everyone!

My team is currently working with a client to clean-up and mature how their CMDB is organized today so that records are properly classified and relationships can be better defined for impact analysis. I'm looking for some guidance around best practices for how embedded software and scripting / programming languages (Java, C++, Python) should be managed and classified in the CMDB. For example for each of these, what CI Classes are these typically aligned to? Are there certain attributes that are used to manage and report on these?

For scripting and programming languages, should these be captured as their own records in the CMDB, or instead captured as an attribute on the application or infrastructure CIs?

Thank you!

[Niklas Peterson]

Hi,

There is a Technology Stack attribute on Business Application class that can be used.

Regards,
Niklas

[Declan Donovan]

Hi Niklas,

Great, the "Technology Stack" attribute can certainly be used to capture the scripting / programming language on the Business Application. But what about embedded software applications which have specialized programming within non-PC devices? Is there a specific class these are typically aligned to, or an attribute in ServiceNow to capture so that they can be easily queried? 

[Ashok Sasidhara]

Can you provide examples for the embedded applications and the types of non-PC devices which you plan to capture?

[Niklas Peterson]

Hi,

Embedded software applications can exist in so many different type of devices. I would not part the embedded software application from the device. I would rather describe the device in the CMDB then the embedded software application. For example, if the embedded software application is a camera firmaware I would have the camera as a CI not the firmware.

But it depends a bit on what kind of devices and embedded software applications you have.

Regards,
Niklas