With ServiceNow’s big push to migrate to the common service data model (CSDM), there’s some confusion about CSDM vs CMDB; in other words, how it differs from the configuration management database (CMDB). The two are definitely connected. Both provide a means of organizing, visualizing, and understanding your organization’s whole IT environment as a holistic, interconnected system.
The CMDB is a configuration management database. It’s a repository of information about the networked IT assets in an organization and how they relate to each other. The goal of the CMDB is to give organizations a clear picture of their IT infrastructure and help them plan for changes.
The CSDM, or Common Service Data Model, is a new data model that ServiceNow is pushing as the foundation for its ITSM & ITOM offerings. The CSDM is more flexible than other data models and better supports cloud-based infrastructures by design.
So what’s the difference between the two? And how are they better together? Let’s take a look at CSDM vs CMDB.
What is ServiceNow CMDB?
- The CMDB is a comprehensive map of an organization’s IT infrastructure. It holds data about every asset in the network, including things like servers, routers, and switches.
- The CSDM, on the other hand, is a data model. The difference between a map and a model might seem trivial, but that is definitely not the case in this situation.
The ServiceNow CMDB gives you a comprehensive view of your IT operations in one convenient system. When used with ServiceNow Service Mapping, the CMDB becomes service aware and can extend that knowledge to other applications for more informed decision-making across your organization.
What is ServiceNow CSDM?
CSDM can benefit your business by matching your CIs and services with your company strategy. It adds a layer of business data to the technology data contained in the CMDB, and provides visibility into the relationships between it all. Not only that, but it provides crucial data development and support for execs while they’re making decisions. Out-of-the-Box (OOTB) tables are included in CSDM so you can use them as a reference point when figuring out how best to map IT services into ServiceNow.
How CSDM & CMDB Work Together
The CSDM improves your CMDB, making it simpler to utilize and manage over an extended period. Many ServiceNow users underestimate the resources needed to keep a CMDB current. In most organizations, the CMDB is unable to immediately map out initial business outcomes. CSDM has solved this issue by connecting business data to the underlying technical foundation.
The CMDB’s core tables contain information on business capabilities, applications, portfolios, services, and assets. By creating a system of standardized tables, it’s easier to ensure that accurate reporting will meet all standards. This can be critical in highly-regulated industries with heavy reporting requirements.
Integration of both commercial and service data enables better decision-making. This is beneficial to both business and technical teams since it integrates both commercial and service data. Following the CSDM framework allows service departments to have a comprehensive view of their operations. This includes upstream and downstream functions, as part of their overall operation.
If you’re considering making the switch to CSDM to improve the performance and accuracy of your ServiceNow CMDB. We can help. Contact us today for a free one-hour consultation to discuss our firm, fixed-price CSDM readiness assessment.
