SaaSy workflow vendor ServiceNow has made a significant shift in its database strategy, opting for a new solution to support its applications. This change will be unveiled alongside the much-anticipated “Xanadu” release this week.
Transition to RaptorDB
Traditionally, each ServiceNow client has operated its own instance of the platform, a structure that allows for data isolation and user-controlled upgrades. This approach underscores ServiceNow’s identity as an application, which relies on a robust database infrastructure.
For years, the company utilized MariaDB for this purpose. However, with the introduction of the Xanadu release, ServiceNow is transitioning to RaptorDB, a database reportedly built on open-source PostgreSQL technology.
Robert Krohn, ServiceNow’s senior vice president of product engineering, emphasized the importance of this change, stating, “This is a big deal.” He elaborated that RaptorDB incorporates both PostgreSQL and proprietary technologies acquired by the company.
The migration to RaptorDB is designed to be a “seamless drop-in,” requiring a guided data migration process that can be efficiently managed by a careful administrator. Krohn noted that this overhaul was prompted by the increasing volume of data generated by customers and their desire for enhanced performance from the SaaS application.
ServiceNow claims that RaptorDB delivers impressive performance improvements, including:
- 53% improvement in overall transaction times
- 27x faster report generation, analytics, and list views
- 3x increase in transactional throughput across workflows
These enhancements are particularly notable in the “Pro” version of the database, a new offering that promises superior performance compared to the standard version. This marks a shift for ServiceNow, which has not previously provided performance tiers for its SaaS offerings. Users will incur additional costs for the Pro version, but the company asserts that the increased transaction processing capabilities justify this investment.
New Features in Xanadu
The Xanadu release also introduces an integrated development environment (IDE) that enables developers to utilize Visual Studio Code for customizing the Now platform, moving beyond the previous scripting environment. Additionally, an AI coding assistant and expanded generative AI capabilities are included.
Now Assist, ServiceNow’s generative AI suite, has been tailored to meet the specific needs of various industries, including Telecom, Media, Technology (TMT), financial services, insurance, and banking. The public sector also receives a dedicated offering.
ServiceNow has strategically developed vertical applications to expand its reach beyond IT Service Management, and Xanadu introduces a new solution for retailers. In the IT domain, the release enhances application portfolio management tools and includes a version of Now Assist for IT Operations Management, which can summarize alert notices to aid tech teams in incident response.
Furthermore, the debut of Xanadu teases the arrival of a Knowledge Graph, aimed at streamlining data management and analytics while minimizing the need for manual data mapping and complex integrations. This innovative feature is expected to empower employees with real-time personalized information for improved decision-making, facilitate supplier collaboration, and enhance customer support.
The Knowledge Graph is slated for release in March 2025, coinciding with ServiceNow’s next major update, code-named “Yokohama.”
