ServiceNow releases are twice a year version updates. Upgrades are designed to enhance the platform’s overall performance and typically include new modules, apps, or features, as well as bug fixes for existing products. Upgrading your instance to a new release necessitates preparation, testing, and validation. Each ServiceNow version brings significant enhancements, so you should carefully examine the impact of new functionality on your instance.
This article explores ServiceNow versions in detail. It sheds light on key facts about the ServiceNow release. Moreover, it also discusses the ServiceNow release benefits.
What Are ServiceNow Versions?
ServiceNow provides platform updates in the form of versions. Every year, it publishes two significant updates named after global cities such as New York, London, Washington, DC, Yokohama, and Utah. Each release introduces new features, enhancements, bug repairs, security updates, and additional insights for ServiceNow users.
Organizations that upgrade to the latest ServiceNow version can take advantage of the latest features, functions, innovations, and support more effectively than others, resulting in a better overall experience.
Key facts about ServiceNow versions
- Each release is named after a city
- The first update arrives in Q1 (about March) and the second in Q3 (around September)
- Each release adds new features, modules, bug fixes, and security improvements to keep the platform current and supported
- Between major releases, smaller patches and essential upgrades are released to address issues and ensure security
- Release Test Preview (RTP) begins at least 60 days before market debut and lasts until the General Availability (GA) date. During this phase, clients can upgrade their sub-production environments to the pre-release build
Latest ServiceNow Version
The current Yokohama release was delivered in early Q2 2025.
The Xanadu ServiceNow version was released in the third quarter of 2024. Before Xanadu, the Washington release was in Q2 2024. Vancouver and Utah releases were in Q3 2023 and Q2 2023, respectively.
The next ServiceNow release is Zurich, which is expected for Q4 2025.
ServiceNow’s latest version, i.e., Yokohama, includes numerous new capabilities for ServiceNow products such as Query Builder, Data Management Console, Catalog Builder, AI Guardian, and Agentic AI/Agent Studio.
Some notable features from the Yokohama release are:
- Centralized data management: The new data management console in ServiceNow’s Yokohama release provides administrators with a consolidated dashboard for monitoring storage utilization and successfully managing data expansion. This application provides real-time information about how much data is being saved, making it easier to decide when to archive or remove outdated records.
- Enhanced Catalog Builder: Catalog Builder is now more user-friendly with the ServiceNow Yokohama release, allowing for easier catalog item creation and modification. Built-in tests assure consistency for administrators and developers. It also enhances multi-language functionality, enabling clients to handle catalog items in their preferred language.
- Agentic AI/Agent Studio: Agentic AI enables AI agents to perform tasks autonomously, learning and making judgments with minimal human intervention. Repetitive tasks can be automated, freeing up teams’ time to focus on more vital work. Furthermore, seamless workflow integration facilitates task automation and human effort reduction, as well as faster and more accurate decision-making through the analysis of both structured and unstructured data.
Benefits of ServiceNow Releases
ServiceNow versions include new features and capabilities that enhance the user experience and strengthen the platform’s security.
Some of the benefits of ServiceNow releases are listed below:
- User Interface Enhancements
New updates offer enhancements to navigation and usability. These enhancements make it easier for employees to interact with the system and find what they need. They also improve the visual design, providing a more intuitive and appealing interface, resulting in a better user experience.
- Security Enhancements
Stronger access restrictions are frequently included in releases to ensure that sensitive data or systems are only accessible to authorized persons in essential positions. ServiceNow instance versions may also include better threat detection technologies, allowing enterprises to discover and respond to security risks faster.
- Industry-Specific Solutions
ServiceNow continues to develop specialized features for many industries. Whether you work in healthcare, banking, or another regulated field, new features are tailored to meet industry-specific needs and difficulties.
- Integration Capabilities
With each new edition, ServiceNow improves its capacity to integrate with other systems. This is accomplished through strategic alliances and acquisitions.
For example, ServiceNow recently announced plans to buy Moveworks, which is known for its AI-powered automation platform. It is also expanding its collaboration with Microsoft, bringing products like as Copilot and AI agents closer to daily activities.
These inherent enhancements decrease the need for extensive custom development and streamline integration management.
Best Practices for Upgrading ServiceNow Instance Versions
Always use best practices to maximize benefits and eliminate errors.
- Read the official ServiceNow documentation to better understand the features, deprecations, and major upgrades.
- Plan and identify which instances require an upgrade. In addition to developing a complete project strategy, it is important to identify the necessary stakeholders beforehand.
- Before starting, conduct an impact analysis to assess how the modifications may affect your business processes.
- Test updates in non-production situations. Create test cases for each function, feature, and your custom apps.
- Keep a record of the lessons learned, issues faced, and configuration upgrades for future reference.
Conclusion
ServiceNow versions or releases are platform updates that include new features, address existing issues, and enhance performance and security. These improvements are intended to help firms work more efficiently and keep up with changing business and technological requirements.
ServiceNow has a regular release cycle. Major releases occur twice a year, delivering new features and enhancements. In the meantime, patches and hotfixes are deployed to address specific bugs and security concerns. This continuous schedule enables firms to plan and stay up-to-date.
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