Automation, the use of software to replace or reduce human interaction with managing and adapting IT and network infrastructure, is becoming increasingly important in today’s complex and rapidly evolving business landscape. By automating repetitive tasks and streamlining processes, service providers can achieve efficiencies, improve decision-making, and reduce costs.
To successfully implement automation across an organization, service providers need to adopt a holistic approach that goes beyond domain-specific network configurations and service deployments. This involves automating everything seamlessly, from infrastructure to network and business applications.
One term that has gained recognition in the automation space is “hyperautomation.” This refers to the rapid automation of business and IT processes to achieve economies of scale and optimized efficiencies. IT automation plays a crucial role in this approach, enabling improved productivity, security, speed, and agility across business operations.
Implementing a declarative GitOps software-based approach to automation can unlock significant benefits for service providers. This approach allows for improved efficiency, security, and competitiveness across the organization by eliminating errors and automating tasks such as monitoring and reporting on legacy systems, cloud services, and AI models.
There are several key areas that service providers should consider when developing an organization-wide automation strategy. First, embracing a dynamic software-driven model is essential. This involves operationalizing infrastructure through declarative software commands and open-source tools, enabling continuous innovation and accelerated deployment of applications.
Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) is another important aspect of automation. ZTP involves automating infrastructure configuration and management without physical interaction with devices. This approach is particularly valuable for addressing the scale and complexity of evolving network infrastructure, such as the demands of 5G networks.
Security is another critical consideration in automation. It is vital to embed security into every step of the automation process, rather than treating it as an add-on. By integrating security into development workflows (DevSecOps) and adopting a zero-trust approach, service providers can ensure that all actors within the network are authorized and continuously verified.
Expanding automation beyond network and infrastructure is also crucial for service providers. This means applying automation to enterprise offerings, including business applications and processes. By automating customer-facing applications and improving operational efficiency, service providers can deliver better services and enhance overall productivity.
The future of automation lies in AI and event-driven technology. Applying AI to automation can provide intelligent insights and predictive actions, driving efficiency, security, and resiliency. AI-powered automation can optimize network performance, freeing up IT teams to focus on value-adding activities.
In conclusion, automation is no longer optional for service providers. To remain competitive and drive innovation in today’s business environment, automation is a necessity. By taking a holistic approach to automation and connecting infrastructure, network, and business applications, service providers can achieve efficiency, cost reduction, and competitive advantage.
Sources:
– Gartner (source: “Hyperautomation: The Future of Work?”)
– TechTarget (source: “What is zero-touch provisioning?”)
– DevOps.com (source: “DevSecOps: Embracing Speed and Security”)
