Combined version and service (module) name is too long when deploying with App Engine

Issue

An organization deploying to App Engine runs into the following error. Combined version and service (module) name is too long. This happens in Google Cloud Platform - using App Engine Flex when deploying services. The character length maximum is 48 characters. Names can reach more than 48 characters when environments, users, and services are all combined. 

Cause

Google App Engine Flex has a limitation of 48 characters when naming a service. This includes versions and the default settings.  You can see an example app.yaml file here.

runtime: custom
env: flex
service: data-replication-service
env_variables:
  SPRING_PROFILES_ACTIVE: dev
runtime_config:
  jdk: openjdk8
resources:
  cpu: 1
  memory_gb: 1
  disk_size_gb: 10
handlers:
  - url: /.*
    script: this field is required, but ignored

Combining the Service, Name, as well as Version that's being committed can go over 48 characters.