The Power of ServiceNow: Simplifying Asset Management in Manufacturing Operations

ServiceNow for Manufacturing transforms asset management by unifying IT, OT, and production data into a single platform-delivering predictive maintenance, complete visibility, and regulatory compliance at scale. This blog explores how ServiceNow helps manufacturers streamline operations, reduce costly downtime, and drive higher profitability. Backed by Jade Global’s industry expertise and accelerators, it’s designed for CIOs, plant managers, and operations leaders seeking smarter, connected manufacturing.

Maintaining smooth operations, reducing expensive downtime, and increasing profitability all depend on effective Asset Management. However, when data is dispersed across multiple systems, it can be challenging to manage resources across departments, such as IT infrastructure and production machinery.

This is where ServiceNow for manufacturing steps in to make a transformative impact. As an enterprise-grade platform, ServiceNow integrates IT, operational technology (OT), and asset data into a unified solution, enabling manufacturers to streamline and optimize asset management throughout their entire lifecycle.

How ServiceNow Can Optimize Asset Tracking in Your Manufacturing Company? 

With data frequently dispersed across several systems, Enterprise Asset Management in a manufacturing setting can be challenging. ServiceNow, an Enterprise Asset Management platform, provides a unified approach to Manufacturing Asset Management by streamlining and integrating IT, operations, and facilities workflows.

Here is why implementing ServiceNow in your manufacturing environment is a strategic move:

1. Unified Asset Visibility Across the Enterprise

ServiceNow is an enterprise asset management platform. It unifies enterprise asset data, IT, and operational technology (OT) into a single platform, providing a single source of truth for all company assets. This is particularly beneficial for businesses that manage both physical plant assets (such as machines and tools) and IT infrastructure (including servers and networks).

2. Automated Workflows and Preventive Maintenance

Built-in automation for maintenance requests, work orders, approvals, and escalations.  With workflow-driven task management, particularly across departments or sites, asset tracking software helps to minimize downtime and maintenance delays.

3. Integration with IT and ERP Systems

ServiceNow integrates with IoT platforms, MES/SCADA systems, SAP, and Oracle, enabling the connection of production, asset, and IT data. ServiceNow unifies production, facilities, and IT into a single, integrated platform, bridging the gaps in manufacturing where data is often scattered across multiple systems.

4. Regulatory Compliance and Auditing

ServiceNow tracks full asset lifecycle, maintenance logs, and changes—ideal for FDA, ISO, and OSHA audits.  In industries subject to regulations, such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and food, traceability and audit readiness are crucial.

5. Custom Workflows for Manufacturing-Specific Needs

ServiceNow provides highly customizable options with low-code/no-code tools. You can tailor asset tracking for calibration, energy usage, downtime tracking, or spare part consumption without having to build the tracking from scratch.

6. Scalability for Global or Multi-Site Operations

ServiceNow supports large-scale operations across countries and business units.It can readily scale across locations, business functions, and regions, regardless of whether you are a part of a large enterprise or a global manufacturing network.

7. Advanced Reporting and Predictive Insights

ServiceNow offers real-time dashboards, KPIs (such as Mean Time Between Failures, or MTBF, and downtime), and AI/ML-driven predictive maintenance. Using ServiceNow for your manufacturing assets gives you useful operational insights that help you make better decisions about asset replacement, maintenance, and usage to increase ROI.

How Can ServiceNow Modules Enhance Enterprise Asset Management in Manufacturing?

A manufacturing organization can optimize operations, enhance asset visibility, improve service delivery, and ensure compliance across various manufacturing environments with the aid of ServiceNow's suite of modules. Here's a closer look at how each module delivers significant value:

Software Asset Management (SAM):

• Optimized Software Spend: Tracks and manages all software licenses to ensure compliance and avoid costly audits. This is essential for handling CAD/CAM tools, design software, and specialized production software in manufacturing.
• Reduced Risk: Identifies unlicensed software, mitigating legal and financial risks associated with licensing non-compliance.
• Improved Efficiency: Automates software requests and deployment processes, ensuring employees have the necessary tools without delays.

Hardware Asset Management (HAM):

• Complete Asset Visibility: Provides a comprehensive inventory of all hardware assets, from IT infrastructure (servers, workstations) to operational technology (OT) like PLCs, robots, and machinery on the factory floor.
• Lifecycle Management: Monitors assets from acquisition to disposal, maximizing their use and enabling prompt maintenance and improvements. 
• Cost Savings: Reduces underutilized purchases and allows for the redeployment of underutilized assets. This is true for test machinery, tools, and production equipment used in manufacturing. 

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM):

• Predictive Maintenance: Reduces unexpected downtime and increases asset lifespan by enabling predictive maintenance schedules for manufacturing equipment through integration with HAM and other systems. Optimized Asset Performance: Tracks the effectiveness of vital production resources, identifying bottlenecks and pinpointing potential areas for improvement. 
• Resource Allocation: Helps allocate resources (labor, spare parts) effectively for asset maintenance and repair.

Operational Technology Asset Management (OTAM):

• Centralized OT Visibility: Provides a single source of truth for all operational technology assets, including industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA, and IoT devices on the factory floor.
• Enhanced Security: Identifies vulnerabilities in OT systems, facilitating proactive security measures to protect critical production infrastructure from cyber threats.
• Enhanced Compliance: Supports manufacturing organizations in meeting industry-specific regulations and standards related to OT security and operations.

What Are the Key Benefits of Using ServiceNow for Manufacturing Operations?

ServiceNow's overall platform benefits for manufacturing:

• Streamlined IT and OT Operations: By consolidating IT and OT service management onto a single platform, ServiceNow improves collaboration between departments and reduces operational silos.
• Faster Incident Resolution: With a unified platform for reporting and resolving issues—whether related to IT systems, production machinery, or software applications—ServiceNow enables quicker, more efficient problem-solving.Enhanced Employee Experience: ServiceNow provides a self-service portal that enables employees to request IT support, access knowledge articles, and manage their assets, ultimately leading to increased productivity.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: By collecting comprehensive data on assets, services, and operations, ServiceNow provides manufacturing leaders with the insights they need to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement.Regulatory Compliance: ServiceNow helps manage and track compliance with various industry regulations (e.g., ISO, FDA, OSHA) by providing audit trails and documentation.

If you are part of a multi-site or enterprise manufacturing company that already uses ServiceNow for IT or operations management, integrating it for your manufacturing needs will centralize asset management, enhance cross-functional integration, and ensure robust compliance.

Why Choose Jade Global for ServiceNow Implementation?

1. Deep Manufacturing and Industry Expertise: Jade Global brings extensive experience in manufacturing processes and specific industry regulations. This allows manufacturing organizations to tailor ServiceNow solutions that truly address the unique challenges and opportunities within their operational environment, from the shop floor to the top floor.
2. Proven Track Record and Accelerated Deployment: Jade Global has a proven track record of ServiceNow implementation across various industries. By utilizing best practices and pre-built accelerators, we can significantly reduce deployment time and risk. Our methodical approach guarantees a seamless transition and a quicker return on investment. End-to-End Service and Continuous Improvement: Jade Global provides ongoing optimization, integration with current systems (ERP, MES, IoT), training, and other comprehensive support after initial implementation. This dedication ensures that your ServiceNow platform will grow with your company, maximizing its long-term benefits and supporting ongoing improvement efforts.