Mobile Publishing use cases

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated January 30, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Mobile Publishing use cases

    Mobile Publishing allows organizations to create branded mobile apps tailored to specific needs, enhancing employee engagement and operational efficiency. It addresses various requirements that may not be fulfilled by the standard ServiceNow mobile applications.

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    Key Features

    • Creation of custom mobile apps: Enables the development of unique mobile client names for various app types beyond the standard offerings.
    • Private distribution: Apps can be shared via intranet, email, or EMM vendors, avoiding public app stores.
    • Unlisted app option: Allows for the distribution of apps without listing them on the Apple App Store.
    • Early access to app versions: Test and approve updates before they are widely distributed.
    • Customizable app behavior: Enhance user experience with features like auto-populated URLs for easier logins.
    • Compliance with company policies: Use your own end-user license agreements and app protection policies.
    • Integration with mobile management solutions: Manage additional apps through MAM or MDM systems.

    Key Outcomes

    Utilizing Mobile Publishing enables organizations to foster trust in their mobile applications, streamline app management, and tailor user experiences according to specific requirements. It supports effective employee communication and adoption while providing flexibility in app updates and compliance with company policies.

    Licensing for Mobile Publishing is available as a paid plugin included in Pro, Enterprise, and App Engine subscription levels or can be purchased separately from the ServiceNow Store.

    Here are several reasons to use Mobile Publishing to brand the mobile apps of your company.

    Common reasons for using Mobile Publishing

    Use Mobile Publishing if your company needs a branded app for any reason or to satisfy any of the following requirements.
    • Need more than two mobile apps to exist on any one device. Because the ServiceNow Mobile Platform doesn't support two mobile apps of the same type on the same mobile device, end users can only have one Now Mobile and one Mobile Agent app (branded or not) on their devices. If end users need a third mobile app type, you can use Mobile Publishing to create custom-type apps with unique mobile client names.
    • Enable employee trust in the app and increase employee adoption.
    • Distribute your app privately off any app store through your intranet, by email, text link, iTune or Blackberry Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) vendor, or by other means.
    • Need an "unlisted app" in the Apple app store. For more information, see Distribute Unlisted Apps to Apple Devices on the Apple support website.
    • Use push notifications and you’re an on-prem customer.
    • Need to be insulated from potential issues related to releases of the standard published ServiceNow mobile apps.
    • Want early access to certain app versions before they’re automatically sent to the phones of your employees. Having early access means that you can test and choose whether to distribute apps later when they’re requested and approved.
    • Remove the need for employees to update their apps on a monthly basis when the standard published ServiceNow mobile apps are updated.
    • Must use your own end-user license agreement.
    • Must use your own app protection policy.
    • Want to customize the app store listings descriptions and images.
    • Need to leverage features and flags that are available in the app configuration of EMM vendors.
    • Need an additional mobile app that is managed by a MAM or an MDM when you already have a standard published ServiceNow mobile app that isn't managed by a MAM or an MDM.
    • Customize app behavior to make them more efficient for your end-users to use. For example, you can request a custom branded mobile app and configure an auto-populated URL so your end-users don't need to type the instance URL during login. This can be configured in the Login management section of the Request a new app form. For more information, see the Request, test, and publish a branded mobile app section that contains instructions for requesting custom branded apps for both the iOS and the Android platforms.
    For more information about deciding whether Mobile Publishing is right for the requirements of your company, see the white paper Mobile Publishing: Decision Trees and Guidance.
    Note:
    You must have an account and log in to the ServiceNow University website to access this white paper.

    Licensing

    Mobile Publishing is a paid plugin. It is included in the Pro, Enterprise, and App Engine subscription levels (SKU's) of ServiceNow®. Alternatively, you can purchase the plugin on the ServiceNow Store and add it to your ServiceNow subscription. Navigate to the ServiceNow Store, log in with your credentials, and then search for mobile publishing.