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IT automation — also known as IT infrastructure automation — is the use of software and scripts to execute repeatable instructions, freeing up staff by automating standardized processes. Automation is a critical part of IT optimization and plays an important role in digital transformation in a world where companies rely on the ability to quickly handle large-scale IT tasks.
Why is IT automation on the rise?
Automation goes hand in hand with the increasing focus on complete optimization of all operational processes. For IT departments, this means reducing operating costs and gaining freedom by using employee labor for strategically important projects instead of manually processing mundane, repetitive tasks.
Likewise, you offer the opportunity to deploy employees in areas where their expertise adds value to the company, rather than tying them to trivial tasks that take up your working time. This is not only beneficial for the company, as capable employees can be entrusted with relevant tasks, but it is also a great advantage for IT professionals, who feel that their skills are being better utilized.
Which areas of IT administration can be automated?
Some degree of automation can be applied to most IT-related tasks, provided there is an automation system or platform in place that can be integrated into the business processes. For example, automation is often used in the management of networks/infrastructures, cloud services and standard operating environments (SOEs), configuration management, and software deployment.
IT migration
Depending on the project, an IT migration can involve moving multiple asset types from one system to another. Common terms include data migration, software migration, operating system migration, and cloud migration. IT migration projects are often complex — especially because they must be tailored specifically to the needs of the business. Automation facilitates faster and smoother IT migrations because many repetitive processes are removed from technician workflows and handled using scripts or software solutions.
configuration management
Once the applications are deployed, a generally lengthy (and sometimes tedious) configuration process begins. Resources must be prepared for the specific environment and the applications being installed. This becomes very complex when the IT environment expands, overlaps, or is too complex.
A professional configuration management solution relies on automation to ease some of this effort. Developers can define the infrastructure so that automation tools can use ad-hoc scripts and other conveniences to gain more time for strategic projects.
provisioning
Modern businesses need an IT infrastructure to function, and that infrastructure needs to be put in place. Even in our world of virtualized assets and cloud services, processes need to be developed to ensure that provisioning works efficiently and smoothly.
Due to the trend away from physical servers and towards bare metal, the majority of all IT tasks are handled by software. This has increased the scope and speed of what IT teams can achieve. But this fact also requires more sustainable development and documentation of processes.
Infrastructure codification, which has already become common practice, gives IT teams a template to follow when deploying infrastructure across the entire IT environment. Automation takes care of these routine tasks and checklists, with minimal human intervention.
orchestration
Business IT systems are often very complex, and as these systems become more complex, more automated tasks and configurations must be deployed across the multitude of systems or devices. Orchestration is the management of these large-scale processes. Automation helps IT professionals easily manage and track these orchestrated deployments and other tasks that need to be completed at scale.
software development
Modern software development relies heavily on automation, especially when it comes to application development. Automation helps development teams achieve repeatable and efficient results at all stages of software development, right through to testing and final delivery. This reduces the likelihood of human errors that could affect the development process and ensures that configurations and developments remain consistent throughout.
Security and Compliance
Automation is also becoming increasingly prominent in the field of modern cybersecurity. New applications for AI and machine learning extend well beyond standardizing processes and workflows for compliance processes. Automation is used extensively for learning and analyzing behavioral patterns, detecting suspicious activity, and alerting IT teams or security operations center (SOC) staff to potential threats.