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Integrations with ServiceNow

There are multiple ways to build an integration with ServiceNow.

Depending on your company needs, budget, and timeframe, there is an integration that can meet your needs. Check out these possible integration methods below.

  • Integration Hub

    Automate integration tasks using ServiceNow-built components for Flow Designer, or develop custom integrations. A separate subscription is required.

  • Plugins

    ServiceNow provides plugins that integrate ServiceNow with other programs. These plugins often use webservices as part of the plugin, or vendor specific probes. Plugins can require some configuration to meet your needs, but are a helpful start to building your integration.

  • Webservices
    You can use Webservices to transfer data between programs. This is a preferred integration method, however it can be dependent on your company knowledge of webservices.

    Connect to ServiceNow with soapUI to test different SOAP requests http://www.soapui.org/

    You don't really need to understand webservices completely to utilize them in ServiceNow. ServiceNow makes them easier to use. However, understanding the basics of webservices is helpful.

    Note: You can build a ServiceNow integration with Webservices without a ServiceNow plugin.

  • XML/CSV Files

    A CSV or XML can be placed on the Midserver or FTP server to import into ServiceNow. You can schedule the import of the XML/CSV file and ServiceNow imports it using an import set and transform map.

    Note: You can build a ServiceNow integration with XML/CSV without a ServiceNow plugin.

  • JDBC

    You can use JDBC to connect to other databases through the ServiceNow midserver. This is through a scheduled job or script.

    Note: You can build a ServiceNow integration with JDBC without a ServiceNow plugin.

  • Email

    You can create Inbound and Outbound Emails to/from ServiceNow to transfer data. This method can have issues with reliability, but sometimes it is the most cost-effective solution.

  • URL

    You can access ServiceNow through URL both to query data and even create data. There are may possible integrations that can be done this way. You may have issues with cross-site scripting violations, but I have seen some elaborate integrations built this way. I prefer webservices of course, but it I think these integrations are interesting that they can accomplish so much just by using url.

  • SSO and LDAP

    You can build an integration using various methods for SSO Authentication.

    http://wiki.servicenow.com/index.php?title=External_Authentication_(Single_Sign-On_-_SSO)

  • ODBC

    You can access readonly ServiceNow through ODBC. You can build reports using external reporting tools like SAP Business Objects or Cognos using a ODBC connection. You can also use ODBC as integration if you are just creating a one-way data flow to other applications.

There are also other methods to build a ServiceNow integration. However, I hope this gives you some ideas and gets you started.