IT Process Automation and Operational Process Automation (OPA) is about getting the right systems in place to automate repetitive operational tasks to improve efficiency and ensure consistency in operations teams. OPA delivers process automation specifically to IT and network operations teams. As well as emulating actions that network engineers take within a network management system, OPA can also perform advanced maintenance tasks, assist in the interpretation of network data and communicate effectively with other digital systems to categorize, resolve and escalate potential network issues.  

OPA is like having another team member that doesn’t take time off. They complete tasks accurately and the same way each time, and like a human – learn and become more efficient as time goes on. However, they can also be trained to take on more complex tasks that are specific to your network, or to your MSP environment to support your end-users through automated RMM.

Here are some suggestions for automating your network management to improve mean time to resolution and decrease the costs of operations:   

1.     Manage IP addresses  

Whether you’re a small organization or an enterprise, efficient management of IP addresses can be the difference between a functional network and an inaccessible service. Network automation can allocate and track IP addresses dynamically. Search, view and manage address information, ensuring a critical information baseline is established.  

2.     Check for connectivity  

Network automation can help you check connections such as router to switch, switch to switch or EtherChannel groups. For example, you can automate a check to make sure that all your devices, whether they are routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers or otherwise, are all connecting accurately.  

3.     Password management  

Having to manually reset passwords for your devices can be tedious and time consuming. Automation can speed up this task by implementing rules that automate password resets, including two-factor authentication, policies for user activity and a way to store passwords securely.  

4.   Maintain compliance  

Ensuring that your network configurations are compliant with your configuration standards is of critical importance to organizations with regulatory responsibilities. Network Configuration Management (NCM) systems work closely with all devices in a set network, transmitting and receiving data from a wide range of devices to ensure that everything is acting in a compliant manner. In addition to this, an NCM which supports Configuration and Compliance Management can ensure that your devices are configured correctly, and in the case that they are not, can schedule reconfigurations at a time that is convenient to the user.  

5.     Network and server performance management  

In addition to tracking the configuration of your devices, network automation can also be used as a performance tracking tool. By performing automated network management, the system is also taking in significant amounts of data, including the levels of packet loss within the network over a set period of time, as well as the performance of servers. This can help you in an audit to establish whether the performance of a particular server is degrading. If the performance declines, you can compare this data with configuration changes to ensure that your network is using the optimal settings and resolve the issue without having to go through a more thorough investigation of your network. The data is already collected and ready to be analyzed.  

6.     Improve operations efficiency and consistency  

By performing common network engineer actions in a network management system, OPA ensures the actions are completed consistently and frees up staff to focus on more complex tasks. Additionally, OPA interprets network data and communicates with connected digital systems to categorize, resolve and escalate potential network issues as soon as possible to reduce network downtime. Ultimately, OPA is about improving the mean time to resolve (MTTR) and decreasing the cost of operations.  

7.     Identify trends  

OPA tools can identify future organizational requirements and network trends through trending dashboards that help to pinpoint new patterns as they begin occurring. This allows you to streamline budgeting, planning and the implementation of upgrades with new insight into network usage patterns and changes. Additionally, it can improve and optimize service delivery using trend data and event triggers to alert staff when a performance issue is at risk of occurring.  

8.     Event management  

Having unnecessary events show up in an alarm display creates a lot of “noise” and “false positives” on the network that don’t require action. A lot of these extraneous events can be caused by upstream outages. In support of your event and incident management processes, OPA tools can be used for event correlation and suppressing downstream alerts automatically, minimizing the alarm display and unnecessary incident tickets.  

Automation tools can also help identify the majority of the events seen on the network so you can decide on which ones to initially focus on. Once you have identified actionable events, you can set up email notifications and customize the email template if you like.   

9.     Ticket resolution  

The opening and closing of tickets can be automated. Your tool can be set up to automatically close events if a cause has been resolved. You can also customize your setup to resolve events automatically. Meanwhile, escalation policies will stop if the issue is resolved.  

10.  Policy-based management systems  

There are many common network administration activities which should be handled by the network management system automatically. These systems should not require repeated configuration but instead be configured through policy which captures the business rules and ensures that devices are handled consistently. Automated device discovery and classification is another important aspect, automatically determining what the device is, what to monitor and what type of alerts and events will be generated, all without human intervention.  

According to Gartner, “the undisputed number one cause of network outages is human error.” As humans, we all make mistakes, which is why it’s necessary for businesses to have comprehensive automation in place. Automation can reduce the likelihood of issues being missed by ensuring consistency and reducing the need for tedious manual configuration. It can also save time and money and improve productivity.  

Combining People and Process Automation  

According to Forrester, 56% of global infrastructure technology decision makers have implemented/are implementing or are expanding/upgrading their implementation of automation software. It’s important to note that automation does not mean the replacement of individuals. Instead, it can benefit IT workers by transferring routine and tedious elements of managing networks to machine learning models that can reduce the noise from the vast number of alerts and notifications. For organizations that are looking to scale, a combination of people and process automation will yield the best results.  

Ready to see how OPA can make your organization future fit? Speak to our experts about your requirements and learn more about automation. We’re a technically led team, so prepare for a conversation about solutions, not sales.   

IT Process Automation (ITPA), also known as process automation, is a strategic approach that leverages software tools to automate repetitive tasks, streamline business processes, and enhance the efficiency of IT operations. It is a key component in the digital transformation journey of many organizations, enabling them to achieve positive business outcomes by automating routine tasks and creating consistent process frameworks with a process automation solution.

IT Process Automation Definition

IT Process Automation (ITPA) is a method of using software tools to automate and streamline repetitive and routine IT tasks, thereby improving efficiency and reducing the risk of human error.

Understanding IT Processes

An IT process refers to a standardized workflow that helps streamline all information technology-related activities within a company. These processes, which include ticketing system management, asset management, and service requests handling, form the backbone of an organization’s IT infrastructure. They ensure the efficient delivery of services and minimize error potential in everyday IT-related activities.

When Would an Organization Use Process Automation?

Organizations turn to process automation in a variety of scenarios, all aimed at improving efficiency, reducing errors, and freeing up staff for more strategic tasks. The following are examples of when an organization could use a process automation solution.

1. Repetitive Tasks

If an organization has tasks that are repetitive and time-consuming, such as data entry, form filling, ticketing system or report generation, process automation can be used to perform these tasks more efficiently and accurately. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of human error.

2. Streamlining Processes

When an organization wants to streamline its business processes, it typically employs process automation. This workflow automation could be anything from automating the employee onboarding process to streamlining the handling of service requests. By automating these processes, organizations can ensure consistency and efficiency.

3. Reducing Costs

Process automation can lead to significant cost savings. By using process workflows to automate routine tasks, organizations can reduce the need for manual labor, leading to lower operational costs.

4. Improving Customer Service

Process automation can also be used to improve customer service. For example, automation can be used to handle customer inquiries, process orders, and provide timely responses. This can lead to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.

5. Risk Management and Compliance

Organizations in regulated industries often use process and automation technologies to ensure compliance with regulations. Automated processes can be designed to follow specific rules and standards, reducing the risk of non-compliance.

6. Data Analysis and Decision-Making

Process automation tools often come with analytics capabilities that can provide valuable insights into business operations. These insights can be used in change management helping the business to make better-informed decisions resulting in improved business outcomes.

Process automation is a versatile tool that can be used in a variety of scenarios to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer service. By identifying tasks that are suitable for automation, organizations can make the most of this technology and reap its many benefits.

View full-size image

Types of Process Automation

Process automation comes in various forms, each designed to address specific needs within an organization.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a type of process automation technology that uses bots to perform high-volume, repetitive tasks such as data entry. It promotes cost savings and greater efficiency in processes that involve extensive documentation.

Business Process Automation (BPA)

Business Process Automation (BPA), on the other hand, is a broader concept that focuses on automating complex business operations to streamline and reduce costs. It is often associated with digital transformation initiatives aimed at improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

IT Process Automation (ITPA)

ITPA, a specialized form of process automation, focuses on automating IT tasks. It uses process automation software to automate complex business operations and often time-consuming tasks, reducing the need for human intervention and improving efficiency.

How Does IT Process Automation Work?

ITPA operates on an action-reaction system. It uses automation software to monitor business applications and track system performance metrics. When a predefined event occurs, the ITPA system detects it and kick-starts an automated workflow. This reaction can be anything from steps to restore system performance, directing workflows to the service desk, or automated spreadsheet operations. This is how process automation works to streamline IT processes and reduce the burden on the whole IT department or team.

Benefits of IT Process Automation

One of the primary benefits of ITPA is the reduction of operational costs. By automating routine tasks, businesses can streamline IT management without having to increase headcount. This leads to cost savings and allows the IT department to focus on more strategic tasks.

ITPA also reduces the scope of human errors in business systems, minimizing the risk of system malfunctions and security events. By automating IT processes, businesses can ensure a more consistent and standardized approach to handling service requests and managing IT infrastructure.

Furthermore, ITPA improves productivity and efficiency by offloading routine tasks from the IT team. It also enables quicker detection and response rates, improving service levels and enhancing the overall user experience.

Challenges and Limitations of IT Process Automation

Despite its numerous tangible benefits, ITPA also has its challenges. One of the main concerns is the potential for job loss as automation replaces manual tasks. This can lead to a reduction in the number of IT staff needed to perform certain tasks.

Another challenge is the potential for complacency among IT teams. Knowing that most of the routine tasks will be taken care of automatically can lead to a lack of vigilance in monitoring and maintaining IT systems.

Furthermore, the implementation of ITPA can lead to a loss of the human element in decision-making. While automation can handle routine tasks efficiently, there are instances where human intuition and decision-making skills are invaluable.

IT Process Automation Software

ITPA software applications and process automation tools help streamline IT operations by automating and eliminating repetitive work, manual workflows, tasks, and processes. These tools can be implemented across multiple databases and systems and can help automate processes between them without the need for human intervention.

Based on predefined control workflows, your ITPA tool can automatically identify tasks to remediate a system issue or send alerts or escalations to the appropriate IT team members. Some examples of ITPA tools include the automation capabilities within FirstWave’s network management suite of products and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) products.

View full-size image

IT Process Automation Use Cases

IT Process Automation (ITPA) can be applied in various IT processes, offering significant benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings. Here are some expanded use cases, including examples and case studies from FirstWave:

1. Handling Service Requests: One of the most common applications of ITPA is the automation of service requests. For instance, when a service request is received, the ITPA tool can automatically categorize and prioritize the request, assign it to the appropriate IT team member, and even provide automated responses to common issues. This not only speeds up the response time but also ensures consistency and reduces the risk of errors. The automation capabilities within FirstWave’s network management suite of products are designed to streamline this process, offering an intuitive user interface and automated workflows to handle service requests efficiently.
2. Employee Onboarding: ITPA can significantly streamline the employee onboarding process. It can automate the process of setting up new user accounts, provisioning resources, and providing access to necessary systems and applications. This not only speeds up the onboarding process but also ensures consistency and reduces the risk of errors. The automation capabilities within FirstWave’s network management suite of products can be used to automate these tasks, ensuring a smooth and efficient onboarding process for new employees.
3. Incident Response: ITPA can be used to improve incident response times. By integrating ITPA with network management solutions like NMIS, organizations can automate the process of detecting and responding to incidents. This can lead to faster response times, reduced downtime, and improved operational efficiency. Our blog post on “Streamlining Incident Response” provides a detailed case study on how ITPA can be used to enhance incident response.
4. Network Process Automation: ITPA can be used to automate various network processes, allowing IT teams to focus on more strategic tasks. For instance, it can be used to automate the process of monitoring network performance, detecting anomalies, and initiating corrective actions. Our blog post on “Network Process Automation: Focus on Tasks” provides insights into how ITPA can be used to automate network processes.
5. Automate Complex Business Processes: ITPA can also be used to automate complex business operations that involve multiple steps and require coordination between different systems and applications. For instance, it can be used to automate the process of managing change requests, ensuring that all steps are followed correctly and that all necessary approvals are obtained. The automation capabilities within FirstWave’s network management suite of products offer the capability to automate these complex processes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

ITPA offers a wide range of applications, from automating routine tasks to streamlining business processes. By leveraging ITPA, organizations can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and free up their IT teams to focus on more strategic tasks.

The Future of IT Process Automation

The future of ITPA is promising, with new technologies such as AI and machine learning expected to play a significant role in its evolution. These technologies can help automate more complex tasks and provide more intelligent and adaptive automation solutions for business users.

For instance, AI can be used to analyze patterns and trends in IT processes, enabling automation software to make more informed decisions and predictions. Machine learning, on the other hand, can enable the software to learn from past experiences and improve its performance over time.

Conclusion

To sum up, IT Process Automation serves as a potent tool aiding businesses in streamlining their IT processes, enhancing efficiency, and cutting costs. By automating routine tasks, businesses can free up their IT teams to focus on more strategic tasks and improve the overall efficiency of their operations.

However, it’s important to remember that automation is not a silver bullet. It’s a tool that can help improve efficiency, but it’s not a replacement for a well-trained, well-equipped IT team. The human element is still crucial in IT operations, and automation should be used as a tool to augment, not replace human skills and expertise.

As businesses continue to evolve and adopt new technologies, the role of IT Process Automation will only become more important. By understanding what is IT Process Automation and how it can benefit your business, you can make informed decisions about how to best leverage this technology to improve your operations and achieve your business goals.

In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven landscape, maintaining uptime and ensuring smooth operations pose significant challenges for organizations. Swift response to incidents and efficient resolution have become critical for IT teams. This is where the power of IT process automation comes into play. In this article, we will explore the numerous benefits of utilizing IT process automation to improve incident response time. Moreover, we will examine how IT process automation, when combined with the NMIS suite of network management solutions, can enhance efficiency and deliver superior outcomes. 

Understanding IT Process Automation:  

IT process automation involves employing software tools to automate routine IT tasks and processes. This ranges from software updates and server reboots to network monitoring and incident management. By automating these tasks, IT teams can save time, reduce errors, and enhance the quality of their service. When it comes to incident management, IT process automation proves particularly advantageous. It reduces response times, assists in root cause identification, and ensures speedy and effective incident resolution. 

Enhancing Incident Response Time:  

Telecommunications carriers, large enterprise organizations, and IT Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are increasingly adopting IT process automation to improve their incident response times. For instance, when a server goes down, an IT team traditionally had to manually log in, identify the issue, and work towards resolving it. This manual process can be time-consuming, especially for complex or hard-to-diagnose issues. By automating this process, IT teams receive immediate alerts as soon as the server experiences an outage. The automation software can then promptly identify and resolve the issue, significantly reducing incident resolution time from hours to mere moments. 

Key Benefits of IT Process Automation for Incident Management:  

There are several advantages to utilizing IT process automation for incident management. First and foremost, it helps to minimize downtime, which can have a substantial impact on an organization’s productivity and revenue. Every minute of downtime for a critical system can translate into thousands of dollars in losses. By automating incident management, IT teams can respond swiftly, ensuring minimal downtime and mitigating financial consequences. 

Furthermore, IT process automation contributes to improving the overall quality of service. By resolving incidents quickly and efficiently, users experience minimal downtime, leading to higher satisfaction levels. This, in turn, fosters better relationships between IT and the rest of the organization, resulting in more efficient and effective business operations. 

Leveraging NMIS and IT Process Automation:  

Integrating IT process automation within the NMIS suite of network management solutions enhances its effectiveness even further. NMIS offers a robust set of tools for network management, encompassing real-time monitoring, event management, and reporting. By enhancing these capabilities with the benefits of process automation, IT teams can move from reactive to proactive, building processes to speed up resolution times or mitigate the impact of issues before they even occur.  

Conclusion:  

In conclusion, IT process automation is a powerful tool for improving incident response times, minimizing downtime, and enhancing service quality. When combined with the NMIS suite of network management solutions, its impact becomes even more profound. By automating routine IT tasks and processes, IT teams save time, reduce errors, and enhance service efficiency. In today’s increasingly demanding IT landscape, embracing automation is crucial for organizations to stay competitive and maintain uptime. 

By leveraging the benefits of IT process automation and NMIS, organizations can optimize incident response, ensure streamlined operations, and provide a superior experience to their users. Embracing automation empowers IT teams to tackle growing demands effectively and deliver high-performance solutions, propelling the organization towards success. 

Interested to seeing automation in action for your business? Learn more about how FirstWave supports operational process automation, or book a demo with our team see our software in action.

In the digital age, businesses heavily rely on interconnected network systems to drive their operations, deliver services, and connect with customers. However, the intricate web of dependencies within these networks can have a profound impact on the stability and performance of critical business services. Understanding the interplay between network components and their potential consequences is crucial for network managers and CIOs. In this article, we will delve into the domino effect of complex dependencies and explore how it can significantly impact business services. By gaining a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, businesses can take proactive measures to mitigate risks and enhance overall network performance. 

The Interconnected Network Landscape: 

In today’s digital landscape, networks are no longer isolated entities. They have evolved into complex ecosystems, consisting of a multitude of interconnected devices, servers, applications, and cloud services. Each element plays a critical role in supporting the smooth functioning of business operations. However, this interconnectivity introduces a level of complexity that demands careful management and awareness of potential dependencies. 

Unravelling the Domino Effect: 

When a network component experiences a failure or performance degradation, it can trigger a domino effect, leading to a cascade of issues throughout the network. For instance, a server failure might result in disrupted access to critical applications, impacting user experience and customer satisfaction. This domino effect can quickly propagate, affecting multiple departments, stakeholders, and ultimately, the bottom line of the business. 

Business Impact Visibility: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle: 

To effectively address the domino effect, businesses need comprehensive business impact visibility. Traditional network monitoring systems often focus on technical metrics like server uptime or bandwidth utilization, providing only a limited understanding of the true consequences of network issues. Network management systems equipped with advanced business impact visibility capabilities bridge this gap, allowing network managers and CIOs to assess network health from a business perspective. 

The Power of Network Management Systems: 

Network management systems, such as FirstWave’s NMIS Suite, provide a holistic view of the network infrastructure, enabling businesses to understand the complex dependencies between network elements. These systems offer real-time monitoring and alerting, empowering administrators and management to identify potential issues proactively. With features like Enterprise Services, which enables the ability to drill down to the root cause with a single click, businesses can take immediate action to minimize the domino effect. 

 Mitigating Risks and Ensuring Business Continuity: 

With an enhanced understanding of complex dependencies, businesses can implement proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity. By identifying critical network components and their dependencies, businesses can prioritize resources, implement redundancy measures, and optimize network performance. This proactive approach minimizes the chances of cascading failures and helps businesses maintain a seamless operation of their essential services. 

 In an interconnected digital landscape, businesses must recognize the domino effect of complex network dependencies on their critical services. By embracing network management systems with advanced business impact visibility, businesses can gain a comprehensive understanding of their network infrastructure, proactively address potential issues, and enhance overall network performance. By mitigating the risks associated with the domino effect, businesses can ensure business continuity, bolster customer satisfaction, and achieve sustained success in today’s competitive marketplace. 

To understand how FirstWave’s NMIS Suite can give your enterprise business impact visibility and mitigate the risk of the domino effect, speak with our experts today.  

Effective network management is crucial for organizations of all sizes and industries. Choosing the right network management software plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal performance and streamlined operations. One important aspect to consider when evaluating network management software is its licensing structure. In this article, we will delve into the advantages of licensing per Node or Device with NMIS (Network Management Information System), shedding light on how this approach simplifies licensing, reduces costs, and empowers IT teams to efficiently manage their networks. 

NMIS Overview:  

NMIS is a versatile network management system that offers an array of features, including network monitoring, alerting, reporting, and performance analysis. Its modular architecture allows for easy customization and configuration to align with an organization’s specific needs. However, one standout feature of NMIS lies in its innovative licensing structure, which is based on a per Node/Device model. 

Streamlined Licensing Process:  

Traditional network management software often employs a per-interface licensing model, which can be complex and expensive. NMIS, on the other hand, adopts a more customer-friendly approach. Instead of paying for each interface or port, customers only need to pay for the number of devices they wish to monitor. This straightforward licensing model simplifies the purchasing process and gives customers greater control over their network management budget. 

Unrestricted Network Visibility:  

The per Node/Device licensing structure provides IT teams with significant benefits, particularly in terms of network visibility. With NMIS, there are no limitations on the number of interfaces or ports that can be monitored. This eliminates scenarios where vital metrics remain uncollected due to license restrictions. IT teams can now have an unhindered view of their entire network, enabling them to make informed decisions and promptly address any potential issues. Moreover, customers can choose the specific devices they want to monitor without the burden of licensing limitations or additional costs. 

Cost Reduction with NoSQL Database:  

Another aspect worth mentioning is the cost reduction potential associated with NMIS. By utilizing a NoSQL database, such as MongoDB, instead of traditional Microsoft Windows Server and MS SQL Server employed by other network management solutions, organizations can further decrease costs and minimize the total cost of ownership for their network management system. This not only offers financial advantages but also enhances the scalability and performance of the solution. 

Conclusion:  

In conclusion, the per Node/Device licensing structure offered by NMIS delivers significant benefits to IT teams and organizations alike. It simplifies the licensing process, making network management budgeting more manageable. Moreover, it reduces the total cost of ownership for the network management solution, ensuring that IT teams always have a comprehensive and unrestricted view of the network. This flexibility empowers IT teams to efficiently manage their network infrastructure, resulting in more effective and streamlined network management operations. 

When evaluating network management software, it is crucial to consider the licensing structure and determine whether per Node/Device licensing, such as the one offered by NMIS, aligns with your organization’s requirements. By choosing the right network management software, you pave the way for efficient network management and unlock the full potential of your network infrastructure. 

Are you tired of paying too much for your network management software? Look no further than NMIS. In this article, we will compare the licensing frameworks of NMIS and SolarWinds, two popular network management solutions, and show you how you can save big by switching to NMIS. 

Licensing Structure 

One of the major differences between NMIS and SolarWinds is their licensing structure. While SolarWinds charges based on the number of interfaces, NMIS licenses per node/device. Even the most simple of devices has multiple interfaces, with network infrastructure having hundreds of variables worth monitoring. This means that with SolarWinds, you could end up paying for multiple interfaces on a single device, driving up costs unnecessarily. With NMIS, however, you only pay for each device you want to monitor, no matter how many metrics you are collecting from it, making for a more cost-effective solution. This avoids situations where important metrics have not been collected from monitored devices due to licence limitations and means IT teams are always able to have a complete and unrestricted view of their network.  

Database Licensing 

Another significant cost difference between the two solutions is their database licensing. SolarWinds uses Microsoft Windows Server and MS SQL Server, which can be expensive to license. NMIS, on the other hand, uses a NoSQL database (MongoDB) that is much less expensive to license. This can result in significant savings for customers, especially for those with large networks. 

Total Cost of Ownership 

In addition to the licensing costs, it’s essential to consider the total cost of ownership when choosing a network management solution. SolarWinds may have a lower initial cost, but its licensing fees, coupled with the high cost of maintaining a Windows Server and MS SQL Server environment, can drive up the total cost of ownership. In contrast, NMIS’s licensing fees, combined with its lower infrastructure requirements, result in a significantly lower total cost of ownership over time. 

Scalability 

Another benefit of NMIS is its scalability. With SolarWinds, adding more devices to your network can be troublesome – not only in the cost of servers to host the platform, but also limitations in functionality when deployed at significant scale. With NMIS, however, the platform infrastructure requirements are estimated to be nearly 10x more efficient, and more importantly the software has been design with extreme scale in mind. This makes NMIS an excellent choice for large enterprises, telecommunications carriers, or organizations that plan to expand their networks in the future. 

Flexibility 

Finally, the NMIS Suite is a flexible solution that can be customized to meet your organization’s specific needs. It has been developed to suit any environment, and provide insights at any scale. There is an old saying in the organization that “if it has an IP address, NMIS can manage it, and even if it doesn’t NMIS probably still can!” From its early open-source days, the software has been developed with this attitude in mind, making it the ultimate in flexibility for network management systems.  

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable network management solution, NMIS is the way to go. Its per-node licensing structure, use of a NoSQL database, and lower infrastructure requirements make it a more affordable option compared to SolarWinds. Not to mention, its open-source roots provide you with the flexibility you need to customize the software.