Pricing/License and minimal module implications for ESG customers

[Nil C]

Dear Community,

we are trying to expand ESG footprint and reviewing SN ESG module for potential customers and one of the challenge is to understand the minimal license model to implement ESG. As an implementer/Architect, you will work with customers at various stages of maturity and some customers might be at the early stage (Ad-hoc reporting).

Use cases: typical focus on all aspects of ESG, but still more on the E part, Goals related to  Material topics, disclosures reports generated to show the company's progress on the chosen material topic etc. Not using or exploring more of IRM, VRM/TPSM or any other related areas, possibly SPM in future, which ESG can be linked to. The minimal requirement for ESG Workspace and the base plugin (sn_esg: Environmental, Social, Governance Management) includes the following, as we know already:

• GRC: Policy and Compliance Management
• GRC: Metrics (auto installs GRC Profiles plugin)
• GRC: Common Workspace Elements
• Goal Framework
• Microsoft 365 for ServiceNow Reporting

Challenges:

even though we might not utilize the entire Platform of GRC, we are still complied by using GRC specific plugins for ESG, what is not immediately clear of the license and plugin implication. ServiceNow ESG utilizes the GRC: Metrics application to continuously monitor and obtain ESG data. ESG management baseline roles inherit roles from this application. 

Even though we might not using SPM at this point, ESG uses Goal framework, so unsure if using Goal Framework means SPM Licenses (standard). I am aware that ultimately # of licenses needed by a customer is also driven by the # of metric definitions over contract period, so i am simply trying to understand the starting process and what module license are to be advised for these customers.

thanks for your help.

Cheers

Nil

[Michelle Kyle · Accepted solution]

Hi Nil, 

Thank you for your question.  

An ESGM license provides you the use of GRC plugins without any additional GRC licensing.  This allows for the ability to define Metric Definitions in order to obtain and monitor ESG data.  The license also provides you the Goal Framework without additional SPM licensing. In ESGM, a customer can set goals and targets, align them with their material topics and align any metrics or data points which may be used to monitor the progress toward this goal. 

If in the future, your client wants to align any projects or programs that may drive improvement toward this stated goal and actually manage these projects, then an SPM license would be necessary. 

Your use case, as you describe it, would need only the ESGM license which is standalone.  And as you mentioned, ESGM is a metered license, based on the number of active Metric Definitions a customer will track.  Each license provides 100 MDs.  

Please let us know if you need any additional information. 

[Nil C]

thanks so much Michelle, that is exactly what I was hoping for. much appreciated the quick response.

Nil