Client software distribution ordering process
Summarize
Summary of Client Software Distribution Ordering Process
ServiceNow's Client Software Distribution (CSD) 2.0 enables users to order software directly from the service catalog. Orders can be placed by individual users for their own devices or by authorized users on behalf of others. The ordering process includes options for lease start and end dates and varies depending on how catalog items are configured.
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Ordering Options and Lease Dates
- Lease Start Date: All software orders require specifying a lease start date, defining when the software deployment begins.
- Lease End Date: If the catalog item supports revocation (uninstall), users can optionally specify a lease end date to define when the software should be automatically uninstalled. The system enforces validation to ensure dates are in the future.
- Lease end date is optional and can be left blank for indefinite software use.
Ordering Software for Self
When software is configured with Access Type: Restricted, the order form does not show a user selection field. The logged in user chooses from devices assigned to them, ensuring software deployment only on their authorized devices.
Ordering Software on Behalf of Another User
- For items configured with Access Type: Delegated, the requester can select any user from the User field.
- The device list is filtered to show only devices assigned to the selected user.
- If approval is required, the system sends an approval request to the selected user's manager unless the requester is already that manager.
- This supports scenarios like managers ordering software for contractors with controlled lease periods.
Integration with Endpoint Management Tools
- When lease end dates are configured, tools like Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager can automatically uninstall software upon lease expiration.
- For Jamf integration, devices must have serial numbers populated in the device table.
- For Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, device names must be populated.
Software deployed by CSD 2.0 can be ordered from the service catalog by individual users or by approved users on behalf of others.
CSD 2.0 catalog items have different options, depending on how ordering is configured.
Lease start and end dates
All software deployed by CSD 2.0 requires users to specify the beginning date for the lease.
If the catalog item is configured for revocation (uninstall), the form displays the Lease end field, which allows the requester to define an end date and time for the lease. The system validates user input in these fields to ensure that the dates selected define a future window. The Lease end field is not mandatory and can be left blank to order software with no end date.
Software offered only to the logged in user
If the software catalog item is configured with Access Type as Restricted, the User field does not appear on the order form. The logged in user selects the device on which to deploy the software from the Device to install this software on field. Only those devices assigned to the logged in user appear in the list.
In this example, a user has logged into the service catalog to order Google Chrome for the assigned computer. User selects the machine from a list of devices and selects the date and time the lease should begin.
Software ordered on behalf of another user
If the software catalog item is configured with Access Type as Delegated, the User field appears on the form. The logged in user can select any user from this field. The Device to install this software on field only lists the devices assigned to the user selected in the User field. If an approval is required for software ordered on behalf of another user, the system automatically sends an approval request to the manager of the user receiving the software. The approval is skipped if the requester is the named user's manager.
In this example, a manager is ordering Google Chrome for a contractor. The manager selects the contractor from the User field and then chooses a computer from the list of devices assigned to the contractor. This software has a Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager uninstall collection configured, which enables the manager to select an end date for the lease that coincides with the end of the user's contract. When the lease expires, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager automatically uninstalls the software from the device.
- For Jamf, the device must have its serial number populated in the device table.
- For Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, the name must be populated.