As an attentive professional in the information technology sector, you know the importance of automation and how new technologies have gained a reputation every year. Despite being in vogue and always appearing as a technological trend, automation is not new in the corporate sector. For some decades, companies have invested in automation, mechanical or electronic models. With the emergence of digital transformation, popularization, and increased internet capacity, automation has gained enormous popularity.
With the advent of virtualization, IT automation can be implemented and integrated into the entire infrastructure, serving companies of all segments and sizes: industry, retail, telecommunications, startups, etc. The creation of algorithms based on artificial intelligence has the objective of making bureaucratic processes automatic, improving corporate management, and IT governance.
Want to understand the benefits of IT automation better?
It is undeniable that automation in IT brings greater agility and a reduction in the margin of errors. It ensures more security in operations, data protection, and raises the quality of the service. With the automation of repetitive tasks, the company gains productivity. Here are some of the ways to perform IT automation:
Test automation is a significant trend for companies and professionals dedicated to application development. Depending on the project’s size, the number of codes and resources involved, making manual tests will be time-consuming and expensive. The automation tools help to reduce the margin of errors and allow the execution of multiple tests in a short period, generating reports of irregularities, such as code, performance, and function problems, and making automatic corrections.
We cannot forget the tools of continuous integration, as they improve the publication of new versions and the integrated work according to the model Dev-Ops: Development and Operations.
With the popularization of mobile devices and social media, contact between companies and consumers has become much more direct and intense. In this scenario, a challenge has arisen in companies’ management, which does not connect with the target audience, can have disastrous consequences.
IT automation comes in as a streamlining factor in this process. Service providers’ focus should always be on the most relevant issues, without ignoring customers or users who have minor problems, such as doubts or difficulty using a tool. Supported IT companies need an organized and fluid call handling system. In this sense, automation can rationalize repetitive and bureaucratic tasks such as:
Also, with the help of a service desk tool, it is possible to automate more complex tasks.
There are numerous benefits that IT automation can bring to a company. But let’s summarize them in five main topics.
Most automation platforms have a centralized database that allows multiple reports to be issued. Thus, managers will be able to monitor the most relevant indicators and create improvement plans, moving teams to more critical areas. Decisions are based on data, not just feelings.
Another benefit of IT automation is the possibility of working with flexible platforms. For example, when the company chooses to work with cloud solutions, it can increase or reduce resources, including automation tools. Companies that work with seasonal factors, such as retailers, gain time and reduce costs.
Repetitive and bureaucratic tasks in the IT sector occupy professionals who could perform more strategic functions in favor of the core business. Automation reduces this need, reserving employees’ time for more complex services, and giving management more freedom to move professionals according to priority.
It is evident that with automation, we reduce the margin of error, as we will not have common and natural factors to humans, such as forgetfulness, fatigue, or lack of attention. Those who work with IT know that it is currently impractical to depend on manual backups, as simple forgetfulness can cost a lot of money. It applies to other areas, such as the automation of updates and passwords – outdated systems can offer loopholes for hackers.
Yes, if you automate tasks using tools and software, you can work with a small team and focus on what matters. In a crisis, all costs must be aligned to a very strategic return, and having to hire employees to do repetitive tasks can hinder the business’s growth. Many people worry about this, as automation is seen as a threat to formal jobs. The truth is that it is not just a matter of replacing human labor with automation, but working according to the budget, maximizing profits, and increasing the investment margin. The result is the business’s growth, which will consequently increase the demand for qualified professionals, generating jobs and development.
We can define that automation ensures greater efficiency of operations in the IT sector. With the increase of the operational capacity and the reduction of the error margin, we have a more qualified service. The performance improvement guarantees a market differential, which generates competitive advantage, profit, and growth.
One of the significant advantages of automation tools and software is reporting. Thanks to these mechanisms, you will be able to track relevant statistics. Among them, we can mention the server occupancy rate, how many backups were performed, the number of viruses or threats detected on the network, and much other information. Based on this data, you will be able to define with much more assertiveness what are the strengths and weaknesses of your IT infrastructure and invest in the right processes. Automating IT processes does not mean just changing the routine of technology professionals. Various tools also favor employees in other sectors. A typical example is email automation.
After reading this text, we hope that you have understood the importance and benefit that IT automation brings for companies in all sectors. It is true both for those dedicated as a support service provider who can serve more customers without losing quality and for your client, who will benefit from a more effective IT infrastructure.
