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Automations
Learn about IT process automation, its benefits, and common applications. Discover how to implement it with ease using Level.
Level
Thursday, October 31, 2024
As an IT manager, you maintain system uptime, secure data, deploy software updates, and oversee your team simultaneously.
IT process automation offers a way to simplify these tasks. It lets you focus on more strategic initiatives without compromising performance or security.
In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about IT process automation, from the types to key benefits. We'll also cover common applications and tips for successful implementation.
IT process automation (ITPA), uses digital software to manage tasks humans typically handle. It can automate business processes, such as remote device monitoring, asset tracking, and IT management.
This process automation solution can also address various activities important for business operations. For instance, ITPA systems manage emails and organize data. They can also process service requests and oversee employee onboarding in the IT department.
After understanding what the IT process automation journey entails, let’s discuss the various types of automation available.
Each type serves different needs, and knowing which one is right for your team can transform how you manage your IT processes.
RPA focuses on automating repetitive tasks. Think of it as a "digital assistant" for your IT team. It can handle routine jobs like data entry, file transfers, and software installation.
RPA operates through scripts or bots that mimic human interactions with software applications. It is ideal for tasks with clear rules and little variation. This software can significantly reduce the time spent on everyday administrative work.
DPA goes beyond simple task automation. It can improve entire workflows by integrating various digital systems and applications.
This type of automation is great for simplifying end-to-end processes like service desk ticketing or incident management.
By connecting different tools, DPA helps your team work more efficiently and keeps information flowing smoothly across systems.
BPA is designed to automate business process management. It bridges the gap between IT and other business functions, such as HR, finance, and procurement.
BPA also manages multi-step workflows to ensure that tasks move seamlessly from one stage to the next. For example, automating employee onboarding or procurement requests can save significant time while maintaining data accuracy.
IPA combines traditional automation with artificial intelligence technologies, such as machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP). It handles tasks that require understanding or decision-making, not just simple rule-based activities.
Intelligent process automation is ideal for unstructured tasks like email sorting or predictive maintenance.
WLA can schedule, manage, and optimize IT jobs across different systems and platforms. It’s often applied in batch processing environments to handle large volumes of data on time and in sequence.
WLA tools automatically handle workloads, such as backups, data integration, and patch management. This guarantees consistency and increases efficiency in large IT environments.
Process automation solutions improve business efficiency in numerous ways. They offer many benefits that lead to stronger and more efficient operations. Let's take a closer look at these advantages below:
Automating routine tasks allows your IT team to focus on more strategic projects.
Tasks that used to take hours, like patch updates, software deployments, or data backups, are now handled in the background.
This allows your IT team to be more productive without being bogged down by manual work.
Manual processes are prone to mistakes. Whether it’s a missed software update or a configuration error, small mistakes can lead to larger issues later on.
Fortunately, automation tools ensure that tasks are done correctly every time. It uses predefined rules and workflows to minimize the risk of human error. This can also improve the reliability of your systems and reduce downtime.
Automated software may require an initial investment, but the long-term savings are significant.
Since it minimizes the need for manual labor, it can cut down on operational costs. It can also prevent costly downtime and the financial risks associated with human errors.
Plus, automation can complete tasks faster and more accurately. This can further reduce costs, as your team's time is used more efficiently.
Automation can help enforce security policies consistently across your IT environment.
For example, automated patch management, security updates, and compliance checks ensure that you meet regulatory standards without fail. This reduces the chances of security breaches or compliance violations, which can be costly and damaging to your reputation.
In short, automation offers better control over who has access to what resources. This can significantly reduce the risk of security loopholes.
As your organization grows, manual processes become harder to manage.
Fortunately, automation allows your IT operations to scale smoothly. Whether you need to handle a larger volume of data or add more users, automated systems can easily adapt to increased demands without requiring extra manpower.
This flexibility allows your IT infrastructure to grow alongside your business without introducing new bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
After learning the benefits of IT process automation, you're probably curious to know where to use it. Below are key areas where automation can make the biggest difference in your daily IT operations:
Automation tools allow you to monitor endpoints without having physical access to them. Instead of manually checking servers and networks, these platforms handle everything for you.
They provide deep insights into system health, current status, location, and other important information. These tools also allow you to organize devices, so you can easily track everything.
Manually configuring networks can be complex and error-prone.
Automation simplifies this task by implementing consistent network settings across all devices and systems. It allows you to set and apply standard rules to your entire IT infrastructure.
This saves time significantly, so your IT team can focus on more important activities. At the same time, it can reduce the risk of misconfigurations that could lead to security vulnerabilities or network failures.
When incidents occur, it's important to fix them immediately before they lead to extensive downtime or security breaches.
Fortunately, business process automation software can automatically identify risks, apply predefined resolutions, and inform the right team about the problem. This allows your staff to address issues right away, leading to faster recovery and less impact on your operations.
Manual IT asset management can be overwhelming, especially in large organizations.
Business process automation solution helps you manage hardware, software, and licenses by tracking them in real time.
It provides visibility into what is being used, where it is located, and when it needs maintenance or upgrades. This helps you optimize resource usage and maximize your IT investments.
If your company owns multiple endpoints, you know it is difficult to keep all assets updated. However, missing crucial updates can leave your systems vulnerable.
Luckily, you can use business process automation software to deploy software patches automatically. You can also track which devices need upgrades and schedule downloads ahead of time. Doing so can protect your company's data against security vulnerabilities.
Data loss can negatively affect your organization's reputation. While manual backups are helpful, they can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Automated data backup processes can regularly back up your company systems. This gives you peace of mind knowing that your data is always safe and can be restored anytime.
Automated tools can implement strict security protocols across your network. They can automatically apply firewall rules, set conditional access policies, and encrypt data to reduce cybersecurity gaps.
They can also provide audit trails, which can help prove your compliance with regulatory requirements.
Automating the onboarding and offboarding processes for employees can save significant time for your IT team.
When a new hire joins your company, automated software can create accounts, assign permissions, and configure devices based on their role.
Likewise, once an employee leaves, the system can automatically revoke access and secure data. This ensures a smooth and secure transition.
The three advanced technologies that not only automate routine tasks but also allow systems to make complex decisions and understand human language are:
Ready to implement ITPA to automate complex business processes? Keep these four steps in mind to make sure the automation tool works well:
The first step involves determining which tasks you'd like to automate.
You can focus on business processes like system monitoring, backups, and software updates. These tasks consume a lot of your IT team's time, but they are crucial to keeping your operations running smoothly.
By prioritizing these key areas, you can achieve quick wins and build momentum for future automation efforts.
While simple tasks are the best place to start, you shouldn't ignore more complex workflows.
You can apply automation to intricate processes like incident resolution or user provisioning.
However, make sure to strategize on how to automate these complex tasks. It might require more effort, but the payoff is worth it.
Once you’ve identified tasks and planned for complexity, you can now implement the automation.
Start with the simple tasks, then gradually take on more complex ones. You should use tools that are easy to integrate into your existing infrastructure.
Then, make sure to involve your IT team early on to avoid potential bottlenecks and guarantee a smooth transition.
Always keep the big picture in mind. Look for how automation can serve long-term goals, not just simplify tasks. Aim for the solution that propels your business solutions forward.
You should also regularly review automated workflows, optimize them as needed, and consider expanding automation across other areas of your IT operations.
Ready to transform your IT operations? Level offers a comprehensive automation platform that handles repetitive tasks and simplifies complex workflows.
It uses event-based triggers, conditional workflows, and powerful automation chaining to reduce manual workload for your IT team. This can save your business valuable time, which you can use for more important activities.
On top of these features, Level has built-in scripting tools. These give you robust automation and customization at your fingertips to manage operations more efficiently.
Book a demo or try Level free for 14 days right now!
ITPA uses software to create automated processes that minimize human intervention and increase efficiency. It involves automated workflows and advanced technologies to simplify manual processes.
Automation can use a ticketing system to prioritize and respond to service requests efficiently. This minimizes delays and helps the IT team focus on more complex issues.
Yes, automation can track assets across multiple systems for more accurate asset management. It also reduces errors and supports compliance testing, which can lead to positive business outcomes.
IT process automation works with existing systems and internal software tools through specified procedures. This allows for seamless digital transformation without disrupting process workflows.
NLP enables automation systems to understand and process unstructured data. This makes it possible for automation tasks like handling innumerable and undocumented requests through natural language inputs.
At Level, we understand the modern challenges faced by IT professionals. That's why we've crafted a robust, browser-based Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) platform that's as flexible as it is secure. Whether your team operates on Windows, Mac, or Linux, Level equips you with the tools to manage, monitor, and control your company's devices seamlessly from anywhere.
Ready to revolutionize how your IT team works? Experience the power of managing a thousand devices as effortlessly as one. Start with Level today—sign up for a free trial or book a demo to see Level in action.
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