How to source a substitute model in a Hardware catalog request

[VV_Jax]

We have 2 Hardware models - Macbook Pro 2022 and Macbook Pro 2021, but only Macbook Pro 2022 is published to hardware catalog, when a user requests for Macbook Pro 2022 and they are not available in stockroom, we are trying to see how we can source Macbook Pro 2021 instead. I tried to add Macbook Pro 2021 as a substitute for Macbook Pro 2022 in the harware models form, but that did not work. Has any one faced similar issue or has same use case that you are trying to solve. 

Appreciate any help regarding this issue. Thank you!! 

[Daniel Slocum]

Hi VV_Jax,

Substitutes and Compatibles have been related lists available in the base Asset plugin for quite a long time. A number of customers have built workflows that either automate the selection of a substitute when stock is not present for the primary model or they create a Task for a Fulfillment user to source the asset from either the primary or a substitute model.  Presently, the Sourcing steps in the Procurement Flows do not provide a mechanism for the sourcing of a substitute model.  

Under Safe Harbor, as this is a forward-looking statement, I have seen this feature on a list of features considered for addition in a future release, though I cannot confirm a timeline for when that would make it into the product.  I do suggest that you add this enhancement to the Idea Portal.  The more customers request this feature, the more likely it will be added to a future release.

[manybaronesses]

Do you know if this has been addressed since you commented? 

My company is trying to do a similar thing. For example, we get an REQ with a RITM for a MacBook Pro M2 but we only have M3s. Is there any way in the HAM process to swap the model in the RITM for a substitute?

[Thomas Wright1]

As of Washington DC, this still hasn't been implemented. I've come up with the required edits to the OOTB ProcSourceRequestManager script include to take into account substitute hardware models when using the Sourcing UI, requires 9 line edits. This works well with Service Locations and Distribution Channels making the sourcing engine pretty great with these edits.
See this post: https://www.servicenow.com/community/itsm-forum/sourcing-assets-using-compatible-or-subsitute-models...

[WazzaJC]

Hi @Thomas Wright1 , thank you for sharing this solution that is great, I want to configure this for my client as I believe it provides them the solution they are looking for.

Can I just check one thing with you - will modifying the out of the box Script Include not cause issues when they come to do any upgrades to their current release to a new version or if they implement any ServiceNow patch updates?

Will this script include be overwritten by out of the box release upgrade when that happens and they will lose this functionality & have to re-implement it again?

Or when I amend the script include with your solution, will this remain unaffected when the client upgrades to new releases/apply patch updates?

Thanks very much, I just wanted to double check before I go ahead with this, thanks Thomas.