Software Asset Management Guided Experiences

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated January 30, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
    • Summarize
    Summarized using AI
    This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.

    Summary of Software Asset Management Guided Experiences

    The Software Asset Management (SAM) Guided Experiences application offers structured, step-by-step guidance to streamline daily software management tasks within ServiceNow. It uses playbooks to break complex workflows into manageable tasks, helping users efficiently complete software entitlement setups and configurations.

    Show full answer Show less

    Key Features

    • Playbook Structure: Workflows are divided into multiple lanes containing task lists, status indicators, and checkboxes. This layout helps users track progress and easily resume tasks.
    • Task Management: Users can save progress at any point and revisit tasks later. Completed tasks and lanes update the status panel in real time.
    • Activity Log: A detailed log records all data entered during tasks, facilitating review and edits before finalizing processes.
    • Entitlement Setup Playbook: A guided walk-through that assists with creating software entitlements from start to finish, accessible via the Software Asset Workspace after installation from the ServiceNow Store.
    • Guided Setups for Product Configuration: Provides sequenced tasks to configure SaaS or On-premise products like Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Windows Server, and Microsoft 365 directly within ServiceNow.

    Using Guided Setups

    Guided Setups are designed to help customers configure key software products efficiently:

    • Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Windows Server: Each setup can be run one instance at a time via the Software Asset Workspace Success portal under Product Setups.
    • Microsoft 365: Offers two navigation options to launch the setup, either directly from the Product Setups tab or through the setup dialog by selecting SaaS and the Microsoft 365 integration profile.

    Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Standardizes and simplifies software entitlement creation and management.
    • Enhances accuracy and transparency through task tracking and activity logs.
    • Reduces setup complexity by providing guided, step-by-step configurations for major software products.
    • Integrates seamlessly into the Software Asset Workspace for centralized management.

    The Software Asset Management Guided Experiences application provides step-by-step guidance for completing tasks in your daily software management activities.

    Playbook overview

    A playbook takes a workflow and breaks it into multiple lanes. Each lane includes:
    • A list of tasks that you must perform.
    • Status indicators that display the current state of each task.
    • Check boxes that indicate where you are in the workflow.

    As you mark a task complete in a lane, you move to the next task. You can save a task at any time and return to the playbook later. After you complete all the tasks in a lane, you can move to the next lane. As you keep completing tasks and lanes, the status keeps getting reflected in the side panel. An activity log on the playbook shows all the data that you’ve entered for each task. After you complete all the tasks, you’re asked to review the details you entered in all the lanes. You can choose to edit any field or select Finish to complete the process of creating the entitlement.

    A playbook is divided into three parts:
    • lanes on the left-hand side.
    • work area in the center.
    • activity log on the right-hand side.
    Figure 1. Playbook layout
    playbook Playbook layout.

    Using playbook to set up entitlements

    You can use the guided walk-through playbook for setting up entitlements. The guided walk-through playbook takes you step by step through each stage of the entitlement creation process, from initiation to completion.

    To access the Software Asset Management playbook, you must install it from the ServiceNow Store and then access the playbook from the landing page on the Software Asset Workspace.

    Using Guided Setups

    Guided Setups provide a sequence of tasks that help you configure the following products or applications on your ServiceNow instance:

    Software Asset Management Guided Setup
    1. Navigate to Workspaces > Software Asset Workspace > Success portal.
    2. Select the Product Setups tab.
    3. Select Set up product.
    4. In the Set up product dialog box, select SaaS or On-premise from the Setup type drop-down list.
      • For SaaS, select the SaaS application that you want to set up in the Integration profile field.
      • For On-premise, select the Publisher and Product.
    5. Select Next.
    Microsoft SQL Server Guided Setup
    Note:
    Only one instance of Microsoft SQL Server setup can run at a time.
    1. Navigate to Workspaces > Software Asset Workspace > Success portal.
    2. Select the Product Setups tab.
    3. On the Product Setups page, launch the Guided Setup by selecting Get Started on the Microsoft SQL Server tile.
    Microsoft Windows Server Guided Setup
    Note:
    Only one instance of Microsoft Windows Server setup can run at a time.
    1. Navigate to Workspaces > Software Asset Workspace > Success portal.
    2. Select the Product Setups tab.
    3. On the Product Setups page, launch the Guided Setup by selecting Get Started on the Microsoft Windows Server tile.
    Microsoft 365 Guided Setup
    Navigate to the Microsoft 365 Guided Setup by either of the following ways:
    • Option 1
      1. Navigate to Workspaces > Software Asset Workspace > Success portal > Product Setups.
      2. Select the Product Setups tab.
      3. On the Product Setups page, launch the Guided Setup by selecting Get Started on the Microsoft 365 tile.
    • Option 2
      1. Navigate to Workspaces > Software Asset Workspace > Success portal.
      2. Select the Product Setups tab.
      3. Select Set up product.
      4. In the Set up product dialog box, select SaaS from the Setup type drop-down list.
      5. Select Microsoft 365 in the Integration profile field.
      6. Select Next.