Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/24/on_prem_saas/
Source: The Register
Title: On-prem SaaS? ServiceNow will do it if you ask nicely, and really need it
Feedly Summary: Turns out its application can work with databases other than its own
The sales pitch for software-as-a-service is that you get powerful applications without having to worry about their underlying infrastructure. But SaaSy workflow vendor ServiceNow will, quietly, let you run its wares on-prem.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses ServiceNow’s ability to offer its software on-premises, catering to clients with high data sensitivity. It highlights their infrastructure requirements and focuses on the company’s shift towards AI-enhanced coding practices, aimed at improving feature development and productivity within its applications.
Detailed Description:
The provided text presents significant insights into ServiceNow’s software offerings, particularly its option for on-premises deployment, which is relevant for professionals involved in cloud computing and information security. The following key points are highlighted:
– **On-Premises Deployment**:
– ServiceNow allows its applications to be run on-premises, which caters to organizations that operate in high-security environments requiring data to be classified at the level of Secret or higher.
– Additionally, this option is suitable for scenarios where systems need to be “air-gapped,” meaning isolated from unsecured networks.
– **Infrastructure Requirements**:
– Basic infrastructure needed for on-prem deployment includes:
– Two servers, one for the database and one for the application, with a minimum of 16 GB of memory each.
– A load balancer for managing traffic efficiently.
– Preferred operating systems are RHEL or CentOS, while MySQL is the primary database selection, though Oracle or SQL Server can also be utilized.
– Additional prerequisites include a Java runtime environment and a web server (suggested Apache Tomcat).
– **AI Integration in Development**:
– ServiceNow leverages its AI coding assistant which reportedly contributes to 48% acceptance of the code it suggests, enhancing development speed and the capability for non-developers to create custom applications.
– This AI support allows for faster feature rollouts and has been demonstrated by internal projects, indicating the growing impact of AI in software development.
– **Corporate Culture and Operations**:
– The text notes a flexible work environment where employees have the option to choose how much in-office time they must commit. This flexibility is communicated clearly, especially during critical development periods.
– **Continuous Improvement Initiatives**:
– The company recognizes the need for scalable databases, citing its plans to enhance infrastructure to support massive customer datasets, leading to the acquisition of Swarm64 to aid this.
This analysis reflects the relevance of ServiceNow’s strategies not only to cloud computing and software security but also to the integration of AI in the development cycle, showcasing modern shifts in software deployment methods that prioritize both security and efficiency. The text stresses the importance of infrastructure considerations for secure deployments in enterprise environments, crucial for compliance and governance professionals.