How are instance vendor prefixes (company code) assigned/chosen for new customers?

[jason_lau]

The online documentation indicates that the company code used to define namespace is 2-5 character string assigned by ServiceNow. It would make sense that it would be set and governed by ServiceNow to avoid name collision and ensure unique codes.

I had always thought that since it's 2-5 character string, that it could be to something that would correlate to the customer, like abbreviation or stock symbol provided that the company code doesn't conflict with any other existing company code. The online documentation uses 'acme' as an example company code, and for namespace management that would make sense for company=Acme.

We have our new instances set up and we got a 4 digit company code ('reli') that doesn't really correlate to our company name. We're hearing that the company code is randomly generated at provisioning time and can't be changed once set. That doesn't really make much sense to me since if the intent of the company code was to be random, I'd think it would instead by a company ID number, GUID, etc and not a 2-5 char string.

Can anyone with new production instances confirm which is the case: if the company code can be recommended by the customer before instance creation, or if its only randomly generated?

Before we do any new scoped app development in the new dev instance we want make sure we get this sorted out first. If there's an opportunity to change/update the company code to something more attributable to our company, we'd prefer to do that first before scoped app development.

Thanks!

sys_property: glide.appcreator.company.code (set by ServiceNow)

Documentation: Namespace identifier

[John Caruso · Accepted solution]

Yes, the company code can be changed. And it is definitely important to get it changed before creating scoped app, or you'll have to recreate the app once the new code is set (or do unsupported manually updates to update set xml). We started a HI ticket to do this but were directed to contact technology.partners@servicenow.com. They should be able to help you.

[jason_lau]

right. I was able to get ours changed to a more relevant company code, and yes, that request doesn't really go anywhere in HI.

[raking08]

This is interesting Jason as I was told repeatedly by the technology partners as well as getting it confirmed by the sales exec assigned to us that this is not possible. In our case our instance has a 5 digit number and there is no way to get this changed according to Service Now. I wonder how our instance is different from yours?

We then moved forward in creating a large scoped application (>1000 columns over many tables, lots of work) with the random number identifier.   . If now I hear changing to something company relevant is possible I will be most disappointed.

[kent_wong]

While we understand the need by certain companies to change their company code this is not a standard practice that we follow.   Changing company code is only via exception.   Unless if there is a strong case to do so we will not be changing company codes.