Should I Upgrade My ServiceNow Instance Once or Twice a Year?

Introduction

As organizations strive to improve ServiceNow performance and maximize their platform investment, a common question arises: should you upgrade your ServiceNow instance once or twice a year? This decision is crucial, not just for maintaining your system, but also for leveraging new features that could bring significant business value. In this blog, we'll explore the pros and cons of each approach, helping you make an informed decision tailored to your business needs.

Understanding ServiceNow's Upgrade Policy

ServiceNow requires at least one upgrade per year to ensure that your system remains on a supported version, as all instances are required to be no more than N-1 from current/latest version; this means you can skip one of the bi-annual upgrades. However, with the platform making two major releases annually which may each contain amazing new features, businesses face the choice of upgrading once or twice within this timeframe.

Benefits of Biannual Upgrades

1. Access to Latest Features: Each release of ServiceNow introduces new functionalities. By upgrading twice a year, you can evaluate these features more frequently and determine if they offer value to your business. If they do the costs and risks associated with upgrades may be worthwhile.
2. Enhanced Flexibility: Conducting a second upgrade provides more flexibility in scheduling and reduces the pressure of completing an upgrade within the ‘end of life’ window set by ServiceNow.
3. Continuous Improvement: Regular upgrades can ensure that your ServiceNow platform aligns with the latest industry standards, offering improved service management and operations, and keeps security patching up to date.

Considering the Cost-Benefit Ratio

While upgrading twice a year offers several advantages, it's important to weigh these against the costs and potential disruptions. If the new features in a release do not align with your business goals or offer clear benefits, the upgrade may incur costs without delivering proportional value.

Our Expertise in Guiding Your Decision

At Velocity Consulting, we pride ourselves on providing honest advice and leveraging our 15 years of experience in ServiceNow implementations to guide you. Our dedicated account managers and knowledgeable consultants can help you assess whether a second upgrade aligns with your business objectives, ensuring that every decision adds value to your organization. Whether there is a decision to upgrade or not we will guide you on the most effective course of action based on business objectives.

Conclusion

Deciding on the frequency of ServiceNow upgrades depends on various factors, including the value of new features, cost considerations, and your business objectives. With Velocity Consulting’s expertise in ServiceNow consultancy, troubleshooting, and performance improvement, we ensure that your decision to upgrade once or twice a year is informed, strategic, and beneficial to your business.

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Remember, at Velocity Consulting, we don't just configure ServiceNow; we transform it to align with your business strategy, ensuring optimal performance and value in every step of your ServiceNow journey.