15 min read
Looking for a ServiceNow alternative? Finding the right tools for IT Service Management (ITSM) and IT Asset Management (ITAM) is rarely a simple decision. ServiceNow is often the first name that comes to mind, thanks to its reputation and extensive feature set. But is it the best fit for every organization?
If you’re weighing the options and ServiceNow competitors, it’s worth exploring alternatives that might align better with your specific needs. You'll weigh options according to your budget, the ease of use for your team to adopt it quickly, or its flexibility.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how InvGate Service Management and InvGate Asset Management stack up as a ServiceNow alternative. We'll cover features, pricing, and support to help you make an informed decision.
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TL;DR
- ServiceNow provides robust ITSM and ITAM solutions with advanced automation. However, it can be expensive and has a steep learning curve.
- Licensing costs and add-on expenses may make it less accessible for some organizations.
- InvGate offers intuitive ITSM and ITAM tools with faster implementation, customizable workflows, and AI-powered features.
- Both platforms are suitable for Enterprise Service Management, but InvGate stands out for its user-friendly design and affordability.
What is ServiceNow?
ServiceNow is a cloud-based platform designed to help organizations manage and optimize various aspects of their operations, primarily focusing on IT Service Management (ITSM) and IT Asset Management (ITAM). Known for its enterprise-grade capabilities, it offers a centralized solution for automating workflows, managing processes, and integrating IT and business functions.
ServiceNow is designed for large-scale operations and is widely adopted across industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and government. Its tools go beyond IT, enabling Enterprise Service Management (ESM) by extending workflows to HR, customer service, and other business functions.
The platform’s global reach and robust ecosystem make it a popular choice for multinational organizations. However, smaller businesses or those with limited budgets may find its cost and complexity a barrier to entry.
ServiceNow for IT Service Management (ITSM)
ServiceNow's ITSM suite is a robust solution for managing the end-to-end lifecycle of IT services. It includes:
- Incident, Problem, and Change Management: Helps streamline how teams respond to issues, minimize disruptions, and execute controlled changes to systems.
- Service catalog and request management: Allows organizations to create self-service portals for end users to request services or resolve common problems.
- Knowledge Management: Provides centralized access to documentation, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides.
- Automation and workflows: Facilitates task automation, SLA tracking, and cross-department collaboration, reducing manual intervention.
ServiceNow for IT Asset Management (ITAM)
ServiceNow’s ITAM capabilities focus on tracking and managing physical and digital assets throughout their lifecycle. Key features include:
- Asset tracking and inventory management: Monitors hardware and software across the organization to maintain an accurate inventory.
- Software Asset Management (SAM): Helps organizations track software usage, manage licensing, and avoid compliance risks.
- Hardware lifecycle management: Covers procurement, maintenance, and disposal of physical assets.
- Integration with other ServiceNow modules: ITAM integrates seamlessly with ITSM, providing a unified view of asset-related incidents, requests, and changes.
Technical details and implementation
ServiceNow’s platform operates as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), allowing organizations to use its out-of-the-box solutions or develop custom applications on the Now Platform. Its architecture is designed to be scalable and supports large enterprises with global operations. However, the implementation process can be complex due to its extensive customization options and integration capabilities.
Key implementation considerations:
- Customization complexity: While the platform is highly configurable, setting up tailored workflows, forms, and integrations often requires technical expertise.
- Integration capabilities: ServiceNow supports integrations with various third-party tools, including IT monitoring systems, CMDBs, and ERP platforms. However, these integrations may require significant setup time.
- Time to implement: Depending on the scope, a typical implementation can take several months, particularly for large organizations with intricate workflows.
- User adoption challenges: Due to the platform’s broad scope and feature depth, onboarding new users often requires dedicated training and resources.
ServiceNow pricing
ServiceNow does not publish fixed prices. Instead, they provide custom quotes based on a business value assessment, which considers factors like the number of users, types of products required, level of support needed, and additional features or configurations.
- ITSM pricing: The ITSM module typically starts around $90 to $100 per user per month for basic functionalities like Incident Management, Problem Management, and service catalog. However, prices can vary based on the edition (Standard, Professional, Enterprise) and the specific features included
- ITAM pricing: ITAM is often included within the broader ITSM package, but specific pricing for ITAM alone is not commonly detailed. It is generally part of the overall ITSM cost structure.
There are other things that can impact the price of the platform:
- Role-based pricing: Different roles within an organization (e.g., fulfillers, approvers) have different pricing tiers. Each user type only pays for the functionalities they need, but it can complicate and increase overall costs.
- Add-ons: Additional features like AI capabilities, advanced analytics, or specialized modules (e.g., DevOps Change & Config) are available as add-ons. They can significantly increase the total cost.
- Bulk discounts: ServiceNow offers discounts for large-scale implementations or long-term commitments.
- Minimum spend: A minimum spend is typically required to initiate a ServiceNow contract.
ServiceNow pros and cons
ServiceNow stands out as a suite of modules with native AI capabilities and a wide array of integrations with other systems and applications. In addition, it's a recognized leader in the ITSM market with a large customer base.
Nonetheless, there's a downside you should be aware of before making a move:
- ServiceNow is known to have expensive licensing and significant add-on expenses.
- Its presence in some emerging markets is limited, with fewer local offices and hosting options.
- It has a steep learning curve and is perceived as a complex tool for new users.
- It also presents challenges in customizing workflows and processes, as well as difficulties and delays during implementation.
InvGate: a flexible and efficient alternative to ServiceNow
InvGate offers two standalone tools — InvGate Asset Management and InvGate Service Management — so organizations can implement either solution independently or integrate both for a complete ITAM and ITSM experience.
Whether you want to manage IT services or gain control over your IT assets, InvGate delivers the tools needed to streamline operations without the added complexity or high price point. Additionally, the ability to integrate both solutions provides a unified platform for organizations to manage their IT ecosystem efficiently.
Advanced features
Now, let's review the main features of InvGate's solutions.
InvGate for Service Management
With InvGate Service Management, organizations can create a state-of-the-art IT Services department aligned with industry standards like Incident Management, Problem Management, and Change Management.
Among its main features, it provides:
- A self-service platform for users to solve issues by themselves and submit tickets if they need to.
- Automation capabilities and workflows to standardize processes across multiple business areas.
- AI-power features to suggest ticket recategorization based on your instance's previous activity and rewrite ticket replies.
- Multiple-department integration to allow HR, Maintenance, and other areas of the company to use the software, as well as a multiple SLA policy to adapt to each department.
- Personalized dashboards and reports to monitor performance and make informed decisions.
InvGate for Asset Management
InvGate Asset Management comprises a wide array of features to assist in IT Asset Management (ITAM) aspects, such as IT asset discovery, Inventory Management, and Software License Management.
Noteworthy functionalities include:
- Asset Lifecycle Management.
- Automated alerts and processes.
- Capabilities for network scanning.
- Building a Configuration Management Database (CMDB).
- Health monitoring alerts.
- Customizable asset tracking.
- Seamless integration with native service desk and remote desktop tools.
- QR code scanning for efficient asset identification.
- IT security and compliance features.
- Customized reporting and analytics capabilities.
- Contract Lifecycle Management.
Smoother implementation and user-friendly design
InvGate solutions are designed to be simple to implement and easy to use, minimizing the learning curve for IT teams and end-users. Some advantages include:
- Personalized support during implementation ensures a hassle-free setup, with dedicated guidance to adapt the tools to your organization's requirements.
- A straightforward user interface that reduces the time and effort needed to train your staff, enabling teams to start using the platform effectively in less time.
- Quick deployment options—both on-premises and cloud—let you choose the hosting environment that best aligns with your operations.
While ServiceNow offers a broad feature set, many users note a steeper learning curve and greater operational overhead. It typically requires more resources for training, configuration, and ongoing maintenance, which can delay adoption.
Transparent pricing without hidden costs
Switching costs extend beyond just the price of the tool itself. You should consider the associated costs to fully grasp the implications of transitioning between help desk software.
InvGate provides clear and competitive pricing tailored to your organization’s size and needs. With flexible licensing options, you only pay for what you use.
Unlike ServiceNow, which often has higher costs and additional fees for certain integrations or features, InvGate eliminates surprises with transparent pricing that supports your budget without sacrificing functionality.
ServiceNow competitors
Want to explore ServiceNow competitors further? Then these articles might be of help:
- ServiceNow vs. ManageEngine
- ServiceNow vs. Freshservice
- ServiceNow vs. Ivanti Neurons
- ServiceNow vs. Cherwell
- ServiceNow vs. Jira
- ServiceNow vs. SolarWinds
- ServiceNow vs. SysAid
- ServiceNow vs. BMC Helix
- ServiceNow vs. TOPdesk
- ServiceNow vs. Aranda Service Management
- ServiceNow vs. Zendesk
- ServiceNow vs. SymphonyAI Summit
- ServiceNow vs. EasyVista
- ServiceNow vs. TeamDynamix
In conclusion
When evaluating IT management solutions, it’s essential to consider the specific objectives and requirements of your organization. Assessing the features, capabilities, and methodologies of each platform helps ensure a decision that is well-aligned with your strategic goals.
InvGate provides a flexible, transparent, and user-friendly platform for IT Asset Management (ITAM) and IT Service Management (ITSM), designed to streamline operations without compromising on functionality.
Here’s what sets InvGate apart:
- A simple, intuitive interface minimizes training time and enhances team productivity.
- Transparent pricing structures provide clarity and support effective budget management.
- Personalized support that ensures a smooth implementation process from beginning to end.
If you’ve read this far, you’ve likely gained a solid understanding of how InvGate can meet your IT management needs. Why not explore the platform for yourself and see the benefits firsthand? Request our 30-day free trial or book a meeting with our experts.
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