PaaS is one of the three service models of cloud computing. The model is designed to offer developers everything they need to build an application, relying on a cloud provider for development tools, infrastructure, and operating systems. PaaS models significantly decrease the complexity of developing web applications. It helps developers by offering all sorts of backend functions as a service. As PaaS applications are cloud-based, they can be accessed over any internet connection, making it possible to develop a fully functioning application only using a web browser. This allows developers to work from any geographic location as the development environment is not hosted on a development site.
One of the leading Platform-as-a-Service companies currently on the market is ServiceNow. The U.S.-based software company has been growing exponentially year by year after it became publicly traded in 2012. The ServiceNow platform enables companies to accelerate the digitalization of business and IT processes. ServiceNow replaces unstructured work patterns with intelligent workflows by enabling companies to create end-to-end business processes across multiple departments.
ServiceNow offers powerful out-of-the-box (OOTB) functionality. For example, its IT Service, Customer Service, and HR Service Management solutions. These OOTB functions can be combined with custom-built applications to create tailor-made solutions. The platform empowers developers to have short development cycles through a combination of low-code building blocks and custom (javascript) coding. All applications on the platform are interconnected through a single data model, creating an ecosystem of applications. On top of that, the platform allows for seamless integration with existing applications outside its ecosystem.
This way, ServiceNow enables companies to scale their application platform to their individual business needs. In order to increase productivity, efficiency, and end-user satisfaction while lowering the delivery time and costs.
References:
https://www.ibm.com/nl-en/cloud/learn/paas
https://www.servicenow.com/products-by-category.html
https://www.servicenow.com/workflows/creator-workflows/what-is-low-code.html
Hi Niels,
Interesting topic! When I did my bachelor thesis, I have been doing research about knowledge management systems that were used in multinational corporations. Paas was one of these systems mentioned. In addition, most managers said to integrate a new system, called ServiceNow. Indeed, this system will be more tailor-made, leading to higher user satisfaction and productivity. Causing ServiceNow to become the new ecosystem of the company. (Sidenote: Personally, during my interviews, I found that the lack of customization was the main irritation among users).
You’re also mentioning the benefit of scaling-up the application platform. I was wondering if you also thought about other reasons about why firms are willing integrate ServiceNow. To share some of my thoughts with you, during my research, I heard many managers stating different reasons for the need of a new information system. On one hand, the current information system was containing out-dated and non-accurate knowledge. On the other hand, employees are used to search engines like Google and YouTube, causing higher expectations for their company’s information system.
Companies prefer their own internal platform to control the reliability and accuracy of information, but employees are vulnerable for the user-friendliness of the platform. However, a problem is that employees’ expectations continue raising from using the latest consumer technology, meanwhile great management will be needed to maintain and structure the knowledge within ServiceNow.
The challenge of fulfilling employees’ expectations is in my opinion the most complicated challenge. It will cost firms a lot of money to continuously improve their internal information systems. Right now, millennials are having high expectations of information systems due to Google and YouTube. Later generation Z’s expectations will also again arise from the latest consumer technology developments of the future. Considering this, in my opinion, an in-house information system, like ServiceNow should be carefully examined by managers, before implementing it.