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Repetitive tasks are in every single place – think generating reports, sorting emails, and checking systems – but most corporations still find them daunting. Unfortunately, though 90% corporations see the obvious advantages of automation, 70% are still under the misconception that it is complex and difficult to adopt.
At the same time, senior management is under pressure to deliver in the face of prolonged inflation, supply chain disruptions, market volatility and fears of a recession. This pressure forces them to cut costs and increase efficiency. Through it all, ensuring a higher experience for customers and employees is all the time at the forefront of my mind.
Given all these challenges, it’s time to break the myths and focus on the proven fact that automation is not only a nice-to-have – it’s a productivity necessity.
Beyond automation buzzwords
Automation is greater than just a trend for corporations that have truly embraced it and recognize it as a strategic asset. Today, 91% organization has dedicated teams focused on IT automation. Even small and medium-sized corporations see automation as a game changer.
In fact, 88% Small and medium-sized business owners imagine that automation allows them to compete head-to-head with larger players, enabling these corporations to scale smarter, respond faster and higher optimize the limited resources at their disposal while remaining competitive.
The potential of automation goes far beyond routine maintenance tasks. Yes, it can handle system updates, data backups, user provisioning, etc., and also replace IT teams in their day by day tasks. However, automation also plays a key role in areas that can’t afford risk and error, corresponding to network security, access management, and patch management.
In such cases, real-time monitoring tools can discover potential risks or unusual activity as they occur, giving IT teams the time to take motion before minor issues escalate. Automating these critical areas can mean greater security, less human error, and faster response to changing threats.
Moreover, in environments where the stakes are high, automation becomes a compliance ally by creating audit-ready logs and quickly adapting to regulatory changes without additional work. For management, the advantages are clear and measurable. They imagine that automation can increase their workforce potential, which is tantamount to addition 2.4 million additional full-time employees.
Five things to consider when bringing automation to the table
Automation has the potential to change the way corporations work, but for it to be effective, we must select correctly where and how it is used. Here’s what to keep in mind when getting began.
1. Focus on high-impact areas to apply automation. Automation applied to an inefficient operation will only increase that inefficiency. So start small by analyzing your day by day workflows and identifying repetitive tasks that take up your time. Prioritizing these tasks for automation may result in rapid productivity gains. Establish clear success metrics to ensure your automation is working as intended and delivering meaningful results.
2. Choose platforms that fit perfectly into your stack. For an automation tool to truly add value, it must fit seamlessly into your existing technology stack. Already, 30% users say their automation tools lack full integration with cloud and SaaS technologies, resulting in costly gaps. To avoid these pitfalls, it’s best to prioritize platforms that may be easily integrated with your core IT tools. Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solutions can be effective, combining various applications, data sources, and local and cloud systems into a unified IT automation structure.
3. Choose scalable platforms that grow with you. Choose platforms that may scale and evolve with your corporation, adding advanced features as your needs grow. For example, a modular approach to automation provides the flexibility to initially automate basic workflows and later integrate advanced analytics or AI-based decision-making modules. A very scalable IT automation platform adapts to your organization’s growth path while supporting a flexible environment that keeps pace with your changing needs
4. Prioritize platforms with built-in security and compliance. With large amounts of knowledge processed and tasks performed autonomously without human intervention, it’s imperative to look for platforms with robust safety features, corresponding to end-to-end encryption and automatic compliance checks. These features protect sensitive information, block unauthorized access, and ensure compliance with industry regulations corresponding to GDPR or HIPAA.
5. Look for flexible platforms that adapt to your needs. Choose platforms that allow you to customize configurations unique to your organization’s needs. This flexibility may include organising detailed audit trails to track system changes or implementing industry-specific workflows corresponding to supply chain logistics or patient record management in healthcare. This flexibility ensures that your automation solution is not a one-size-matches-all solution, but tailored to the structure of your organization.
Unlock the full potential of automation
Even with advanced automation tools, automating some tasks should remain out of reach. This is where custom scripts come in and provide last-mile coverage, allowing IT administrators to design solutions tailored to unique business needs. However, deploying scripts to endpoints comes with its own challenges, especially around validation and scheduling. Implementing them at the right time is often the hardest part.
Unified endpoint management platforms could simplify this process by helping IT administrators generate, validate, and schedule scripts for timely deployment. And thanks to artificial intelligence, automation has increased, creating possibilities limited only by the imagination of those designing workflows.
Ultimately, getting the most out of automation is not only about implementing the right tools. Rather, it is a piecemeal process that requires careful evaluation, refinement, and maintenance. It is equally essential to train employees working closely with these tools, which can enable them to fully use the platform’s potential. By strategically tailoring automation strategies to their unique needs and size, corporations can position themselves to stay ahead of the competition.