How are Service Maps stored within an organization?

Service Maps are stored in the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) because this is where all service-related information is centralized and structured, allowing for effective management and retrieval of data related to services and their dependencies. The CMDB is designed to support IT service management practices by maintaining accurate and updated records of all the services and their configurations within an organization.

Storing Service Maps within the CMDB facilitates easy access for IT teams to understand how services interact with various infrastructure components, thus aiding in impact analysis, incident resolution, and change management. This centralization helps organizations maintain a clear view of their IT landscape and supports compliance and operational efficiency.

In contrast, the other options do not provide the same level of structure or accessibility that a CMDB offers. Physical documentation could quickly become outdated and is difficult to manage. Shared drives may lack security and organization, and dedicated cloud storage systems, while useful, do not inherently provide the specialized functionalities that a CMDB does for managing IT services and their interrelations.