SharePoint Got One Thing Right — Now ServiceNow Can Too
Let’s be honest — SharePoint’s user experience has its quirks. But even skeptics have to admit: Access Requests were a brilliant move.
If you’ve spent any time in SharePoint, you’ve likely seen the familiar screen: you try to access a page, only to be met with a message that you don’t have permission. Frustrating — until you click “Request Access.” Behind the scenes, the request is routed to the right owner for approval. No guesswork, no hallway conversations, no help desk tickets. Just a streamlined, self-service approach to access.
Why doesn’t ServiceNow work this way?
The Problem with Access in ServiceNow
In ServiceNow, hitting a permissions wall usually means the end of the road.
- If you know who owns the data, maybe you’ll ask to be added to the right group or role.
- More often, you don’t — and the workaround is inefficient and insecure: screenshots, copy-pasted text, or PDFs flying around via email or chat.
That means:
- ❌ It’s inconvenient
- ❌ It’s non-interactive — you can’t take action on the record
- ❌ It’s a security risk
There’s a better way.
Meet Simple Access Requests
Part of our popular Simple Data Separation app, Simple Access Requests bring SharePoint-style access requests to ServiceNow — with enterprise-grade governance baked in.
With this new capability, users can request access to specific records in a way that is:
- ✅ Auditable — every request is tracked
- ✅ Time-bound — access expires automatically
- ✅ Approval-driven — nothing gets through without authorization
No more guessing. No more workaround screenshots. Just clean, controlled, secure access — exactly when it’s needed.
How It Works
To use Simple Access Requests, your instance must be leveraging Simple Data Separation, which many ServiceNow customers already trust to segment sensitive data.
Since Simple Data Separation is already enforcing access rules, it knows who can see what. Now, it can also offer access — on demand — when users hit a wall.
Admins can easily configure which Separation Rules allow for Simple Access Requests, customize the request messaging, and define what access options are available for each table. The result: a smooth, intelligent experience that aligns with your governance policies.
Why It Matters
This is the first solution of its kind for ServiceNow — a powerful new way to remove access bottlenecks without compromising control.
It’s already transforming the way our customers work — especially in highly regulated industries like government, financial services, and healthcare — where data needs to be both secure and accessible.
And we’re just getting started. Learn more at the links below, and let us know how we can make Simple Access Request even better!
👉 Explore the documentation
👉 Start a free trial of Simple Data Separation
Let your users request the access they need — and give your admins peace of mind. That’s the power of Simple Access Requests.