An Education in IT

By: Scott Jarvis
Submitted: 2008-02-28 00:17:52
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Though it’s not exactly new, Data Center Automation is sweeping through the world of IT Automation and is changing not only the way networks and their data are managed but is freeing up network resources as well as man power.  Of course with the implementation of IT Automation comes many a benefit for companies large and small.  As a long time computer user I wanted to know a lot more about this process so I decided to speak with a few key individuals.

After having spoken with several different heads of IT departments and teams it became very obvious very quickly that not only is data managed more efficiently but networks incorporating such things as runbook automation and itil service management find that their networks have fewer recourses being eaten up by processor and memory consuming tasks.  This then leads to a faster and more secure network and allows programs dependant on a network to work faster and have less down time.

One of the gentlemen I spoke with early on in my research told me that putting IT Automation into practice equates to “showing an individual who is struggling with his/her workload how to manage their time and resources better and get the work done properly and out on time”  Though I know only the basics of IT but as someone who’s quite competent with computers this explanation really made it clear just how automation works and how much good it has brought about for those companies whom rely on their networks heavily for both organization and for their day to day business.

I was also quite shocked to find that once automation takes root within a company many IT professionals who where once used to chase bugs and holes in the network where now being given more meaningful and productive tasks such as programming new proprietary software, alpha and beta testing, and many other duties that serve their companies in more dynamic means than they used to.  Of the four individuals I spoke with, only one made little to no emphasis on this particular benefit.  The other three touted this as the sole motive behind the decision to automate parts of their network.  As a former business owner I can see just how motivating something like that would be too as making an employee more productive and efficient always helps the bottom line.

The one thing that all four of these gentlemen stressed however was just how important it is to spend time researching services and programs before any decisions are made.  I was given one example of an ex employer who had rushed into and through the automation process only to find the services they had opted for delivered either to much or to little in the areas of need and therefore created a situation that created more problems for the network than it solved.  There was further emphasis on research and planning as a lack of detail in those phases can help to speed a company to its demise in worst case scenarios.

So what have I learned through my inquiries with these four people?  Well, I certainly have better understanding of the benefits automation carries with it and I now can say I understand why it’s taking businesses by storm and quickly becoming commonplace.  It was also made clear how automation can hurt an unprepared and negligent company when care isn’t taken in the early stages. My new understanding of IT automation really leads me to believe that in just a few short years data center automation will be part of every business both small and large and will give companies an opportunity to fine tune their networks and the teams they employ to run them.  The world of IT can at time be challenging and overbearing but opting for things like itil service management and even exin services can positively push the boundaries of your IT department.

Article source: Expert Articles