Automating IT operations involves using software and tools to streamline routine IT tasks that would otherwise be performed manually. It allows overworked IT teams to focus on more strategic work that supports business goals. Some key things to know:
Automating IT operations means using technologies like scripts, robotic process automation (RPA), and configuration management databases (CMDBs) to complete repetitive IT jobs automatically.
Everyday tasks that lend themselves well to automation include system provisioning, application deployments, software patching, backup/recovery workflows, and monitoring/alerting.
By automating these everyday chores, IT teams save time that can be spent on innovation, security, and projects to help the business grow. It helps ensure technology remains supportive of employees rather than a hindrance.
Automation aims to make IT operations run more smoothly and free up staff to tackle new priorities through standardizing and streamlining routine maintenance duties. Let’s explore some specific automation use cases and strategies.
Automation Basics
As we mentioned, automating IT operations involves leveraging various technologies to systematize commonplace tasks. Let’s break down some key automation concepts:
Scripting
IT teams have long relied on scripts to perform repetitive functions like installing software, applying configurations, or backing up data according to schedules. Scripts allow the replication of manual processes consistently and at scale through programming code.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
RPA “robots” mimic human actions by interpreting applications just like users. They can assist with data entry, form submissions, and file organization. It helps reduce workload while maintaining compliance.
Configuration Management Databases (CMDBs)
CMDBs provide a centralized repository of all IT assets and their relationships. They help automate service desk requests, track changes, monitor compliance, and simplify audits.
Workflows and Pipelines
By stringing together individual automation building blocks, you can establish workflows for processes like incident response that trigger actions sequentially. It ensures procedures run smoothly from start to finish.
Monitoring and Alerting
Leveraging tools that track systems, services, and metrics allows automatic problem detection. You can configure alerts to notify the right teams when certain thresholds are breached so issues don’t fall through the cracks.
While these concepts may seem complex, the goal is to streamline repetitive tasks through standardized, repeatable processes. It allows reallocating resources from mundane maintenance to strategic projects. Automation also promotes compliance by reducing human errors and enforcing best practices. Through automating IT operations, teams can focus on supporting business objectives and fueling innovation.
The key is identifying routine jobs well-suited to these automation approaches based on your unique environment and priorities. In the next section, we’ll thoughtfully explore how to select automation opportunities for maximum benefit.
Getting Started with Automation
Now that we understand the basics, let’s discuss how to implement automation solutions effectively. The first step is identifying opportunities through evaluation.
Assessing Automation Fit
Carefully audit your workflows to find manual or repetitive tasks that consume significant time and resources. Good candidates exhibit rules-based logic, involve data entry, or can be broken into discrete steps. Avoid complex jobs requiring human judgment for now.
Prioritizing the Workload
With limited bandwidth, focus first on automating one to three high-impact processes with clear ROI potential. Tackle more straightforward initiatives to build momentum before taking on more challenging automation.
Selecting the Right Tools
Research solutions tailored to your priority tasks. Consider open-source, low-code, and SaaS options to balance capabilities and costs. Don’t invest in more tooling than necessary at this stage.
Planning the Implementation
Develop a project plan with milestones, dependencies, and success metrics. Assign owners, get stakeholder buy-in, and allow time for testing before production rollout. Consider consulting experts for complex undertakings.
Testing and Refinement
User-acceptance testing (UAT) is critical before launch to identify gaps. Monitor performance after going live and refine processes based on learnings. Automation is iterative – plan for continuous improvement.
Documentation and Training
Ensure documentation and runbooks detail how automation works and common troubleshooting steps. Provide training for support teams to establish roles and responsibilities.
These best practices aim to start small, learn fast, and scale successes strategically. Doing so builds experience and support for future expansions of your automation program.
Automation in Action
Now that the planning work is done let’s explore some real-world examples of automation in IT operations:
● Server Provisioning and Configuration: Many IT teams automate server builds through configuration management tools. I ensure new machines are consistently deployed according to gold standards.
● Patch Management: Automated patch testing and deployment prevent security vulnerabilities. It also frees up weeks previously spent on manual patching each month.
● Backup Verification: Scheduling backup validations and integrating them into monitoring dashboards assures data protection without manual spot-checks.
● Software Distribution: Automating application packaging and rollouts through centralized software repositories streamlines upgrades and lowers support tickets.
● Self-Healing Infrastructure: Leveraging tools that auto-remediate issues like failed hard drives or missing security patches minimizes downtime. Problems can resolve themselves around the clock.
● Service Request Fulfillment: Automation can fulfill low-risk service requests without human intervention per predefined SLAs by integrating asset, change, and service desk management.
The possibilities are endless. The key is starting small, proving value fast, and expanding appropriately. For example, one company automated over 200 IT tasks, reducing staff hours by 25% and supporting 10x growth. Focus on processes with measurable before-and-after metrics to showcase benefits and obtain buy-in. With the proper evaluation and planning, any IT organization can start reaping the rewards of automation.
The Future of Automated IT
As automation continues advancing, exciting possibilities are emerging for IT operations. Let’s explore some technologies set to transform automation in the coming years:
● AI-Assisted Automation: Leveraging AI through features like natural language processing, computer vision, and machine learning can enhance automation. For instance, AI may help automate problem diagnosis or user support interactions.
● Intelligent RPA Bots: As robotic process automation evolves, bots will gain more intelligent capabilities. They’ll be able to adapt to changes, learn from exceptions, and even automate tasks that were too complex for previous RPA versions.
● Self-Driving Infrastructures: Infrastructure-as-code concepts will fuse with AIOps to enable truly self-managing IT environments. Systems autonomously monitor, remediate, patch, and optimize themselves with minimal human oversight.
● Edge and Fog Computing: Distributed automation approaches will be vital to the secure and seamless provision of edge resources as workloads disperse from centralized data centers to the network edge.
● Process Mining: Leveraging process mining on task logs allows the discovery of inefficiencies to continuously improve existing automation and identify new opportunities for automation based on data-driven insights.
While these technologies portend a future with less hands-on IT management, human skills will still be critical – just applied at a higher level. Automation is ultimately a means of augmenting human capabilities, not replacing them. Its role will expand to assimilate more knowledge work and support rapid change, leaving staff free to focus on strategic priorities, innovation, and exceptional customer experiences. With care and planning, emerging automation technologies can take IT operations to new heights.
Conclusion
Automating everyday IT tasks like software deployments, backups, and monitoring frees up overworked teams to focus on higher priorities.
Tools like scripts, RPA bots, and CMDBs systematize repetitive jobs so they run predictably according to best practices.
Automation projects deliver fast wins that build momentum by starting small with the proper planning, testing, and documentation.
Emerging technologies will enhance automation capabilities through AI, edge computing, and other innovations.
Automation supports scalability, security, and business flexibility through standardized processes when implemented thoughtfully.
With careful evaluation of your unique IT environment and priorities, automation presents a compelling way to maximize resources while ensuring operations run as efficiently as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best automation tools for my business?
Consider your top priorities and budget—research solutions tailored for those use cases. Evaluate features, ease of use, and support options—pilot top contenders on small projects. Monitor performance and solicit feedback. Select the option that aligns well with your team’s skills while supporting scalability.
What types of IT tasks can be automated right away?
Audit for repetitive jobs with set procedures like software deployments, backup verification, or ticket fulfillment. Also, look for data entry-heavy workflows and routine monitoring/alerting. These offer quick wins with minimal effort. Start small to build experience before automating more complex processes.
How much time and money can automation save in the long run?
Savings vary by organization but typically range from 15-30% of IT staff hours recovered yearly as automation matures. Hard dollar savings come from reallocating roles, lowering operating costs, and supporting growth without extensive hiring. Even small teams often achieve ROI within 6-12 months by focusing on high-impact use cases first.
What skills are needed to implement and manage automation?
Core skills include scripting, configuration management, and software/technology troubleshooting. Project management expertise helps with planning and testing. Technical writers document processes. Change management skills promote adoption. Experts can often implement initial automation, but in-house “citizen developers” maintain momentum long-term through hands-on learning.
How can automation help support business growth and flexibility?
By standardizing operations through repeatable processes, automation accommodates changes more seamlessly. It also frees the capacity to take on new projects. As your needs evolve, automation can scale up or adapt more nimbly than manual workflows to keep IT aligned with business goals. Proper planning ensures automation enhances rather than hinders adaptability.
