The Normalization Data Services (NDS) plugin is a fundamental component of Software Asset Management (SAM) Professional. It is automatically activated when the SAM Professional plugin is enabled. Its primary function is to standardize raw software discovery data by comparing it against the ServiceNow Content Library, ensuring consistency in publisher names, product titles, and versions. The guided setup for SAM Professional includes specific tasks to configure and schedule normalization jobs, making it an integral part of the initial setup process required for accurate license compliance and reconciliation.

A. Vendor Procurement: This is a separate application for managing the purchasing lifecycle and is not a core dependency configured during the initial SAM Professional setup.

B. Asset Cost Management: While related to the financial aspects of assets, this is not a foundational plugin that is specifically configured during the core SAM Professional setup process.

D. Asset Management: This is a prerequisite base application. SAM Professional builds upon its foundation, but it is not the specific plugin configured during the specialized SAM setup.

E. ITSM Software Asset Management: This refers to a legacy, non-scoped version of the Software Asset Management application. The modern SAM Professional uses a different architecture and set of plugins.

1. ServiceNow Product Documentation: "Components installed with Software Asset Management". This document explicitly lists the "Normalization Data Services (com.snc.normalization)" plugin as a component installed with the core SAM Professional plugin (com.snsampmaster).

Reference: ServiceNow Product Documentation > Software Asset Management > Reference > Components installed with Software Asset Management.

2. ServiceNow Product Documentation: "Set up Software Asset Management". The official guided setup process for SAM Professional includes a dedicated category named "Normalization and Content Service". This section contains tasks for configuring the Content Service and scheduling normalization jobs

confirming it is a key part of the setup.

Reference: ServiceNow Product Documentation > Software Asset Management > Getting started > Set up Software Asset Management > Guided setup for Software Asset Management.