Integrating vRealize Automation (vRA) with ServiceNow for External Approvals

In this blog post, we will discuss how to integrate vRealize Automation (vRA) with ServiceNow for external approvals. We will explore the steps required to set up the integration and provide a better user experience by reusing existing approval policies.

Background

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vRA provides an excellent automation platform for managing IT infrastructure, but it lacks a built-in approval system. To address this limitation, we can use ServiceNow as an external approval system. ServiceNow provides a comprehensive service management platform that includes approval workflows. By integrating vRA with ServiceNow, we can leverage the power of ServiceNow’s approval capabilities to enhance the user experience and improve the overall efficiency of our IT operations.

Requirements

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To set up the integration between vRA and ServiceNow, we need to fulfill the following requirements:

1. vRA 8.x or later version

2. ServiceNow 8.x or later version

3. REST API access to ServiceNow

4. A service user with access to the chosen catalog item in ServiceNow

5. An approval policy in ServiceBroker for deployment create actions

Steps to Integrate vRA with ServiceNow

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Here are the steps required to integrate vRA with ServiceNow:

Step 1: Register a Developer Instance of ServiceNow

To set up the integration, we need to register a developer instance of ServiceNow. We can do this by visiting the ServiceNow developer website and following the registration process.

Step 2: Create a Service User for REST API Access

We need to create a service user with access to the chosen catalog item in ServiceNow. This user will be used to authenticate our vRA requests with ServiceNow.

Step 3: Create an Approval Policy in ServiceBroker

We need to create an approval policy in ServiceBroker for deployment create actions. This policy will define the conditions under which a request is approved or rejected.

Step 4: Configure Event Subscriptions

We need to configure event subscriptions to trigger the approval workflow when a deployment request is submitted. We can use the Event Broker in ServiceNow to subscribe to the “Deployment Requested” event.

Step 5: Create a REST Host for vRA REST API

We need to create a REST host for the vRA REST API. This host will provide the credentials required for authentication with ServiceNow.

Step 6: Import the Integration Package

We can import the integration package “com.servicenow.approval” to provide the workflows required for the integration. The package can be downloaded from GitHub.

Step 7: Create an EBS Triggering the Workflow

We need to create an EBS (Event-Based Service) that will trigger the approval workflow when a deployment request is submitted. The event topic for this EBS should be “Deployment Requested.”

Step 8: Filter the Event by Type

To ensure only deployment create requests trigger the workflow, we need to filter the event by type. We can do this by using the “Event Filters” feature in ServiceNow.

Step 9: Test the Solution

Once we have set up the integration, we can test the solution by submitting a deployment request in vRA. If the request requires approval, it will be routed to the ServiceNow approval workflow for review and approval.

Benefits of Integrating vRA with ServiceNow

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By integrating vRA with ServiceNow, we can provide a better user experience and improve the overall efficiency of our IT operations. The benefits of this integration include:

1. Improved User Experience: The integration provides a seamless experience for users by leveraging the power of ServiceNow’s approval capabilities.

2. Enhanced Efficiency: The integration automates the approval process, reducing manual intervention and improving the overall efficiency of our IT operations.

3. Better Visibility: The integration provides better visibility into the approval process, allowing us to track the status of requests and identify any bottlenecks or issues.

4. Improved Security: By using ServiceNow’s REST API, we can secure our vRA deployment requests with authentication and authorization.

Conclusion

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In this blog post, we have discussed how to integrate vRealize Automation (vRA) with ServiceNow for external approvals. We have provided a step-by-step guide on how to set up the integration and highlighted the benefits of this integration. By leveraging the power of ServiceNow’s approval capabilities, we can provide a better user experience and improve the overall efficiency of our IT operations.