What is IT process automation and how to start?

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In the previous part of the article, we talked about how our Issue Templates for Jira app can help you speed up various repetitive processes. Now let's talk more generally about IT automation and how to get started.

IT process automation – what is it?

There are multiple IT processes that companies have to deal with on a daily basis. They include handling service requests, managing hardware and software, implementing new technologies, fixing bugs, monitoring compliance, and maintenance. Automating these processes helps save the time and cost of manually managing them. Nowadays, automation is a must-have amongst IT organizations in a competitive market. Businesses can’t allow delays and bottlenecks in their workflows. For this reason, IT process automation tools are getting more and more popular each year. What’s more, the automation software can connect multiple systems, unify the infrastructure, and eliminate blockages in workflows. The result of implementing them is faster, more efficient processes, fewer errors, cost savings and increased productivity. Plus, the more you automate, the faster bugs and other problems will be identified (and fixed!). 

How to start automating processes?

How to start the automation process inside a company? First, we must have a solid idea of where we want to go. The organization needs to determine its objectives, and how automation will help achieve them. Also, it’s essential to plan how success will be measured. For instance, there can be fewer customer complaints, decreased turnaround time, or a conversion increase. The next step is choosing the manual process to automate in the first place. In the next part, you will find examples of the most common automated processes. 

IT processes automation examples

Change management

Change management deals with the transformation of an organization’s goals, processes, or technologies. The purpose of change management is to implement strategies for effecting as well as controlling change, and helping people adapt to change. ITIL change management plays an important role in project management as each change request must be evaluated for its impact on the project. People responsible for change management must examine how a modification in one area of the project could affect other parts. They also define what impact that change could have on the project as a whole. Efficient automated change management allows for making sure that all team members involved in the projects know about the implemented modifications. Thanks to this, they can always react properly and on time. An automated change management process helps prevent data loss and duplicating work.

Ticketing system

An IT ticketing system makes it possible for IT support to be organized, focused, and productive. Effective ticketing software allows IT support to track, prioritize, and resolve incidents. Implementing automation can transform the way your team deals with repetitive activities. It minimizes the risk of so-called human mistakes in communication. Remember that an internal incident turned public can be a disaster in any company. What’s more, downtime costs money. This is why tools should allow people to spend less time on unnecessary manual processes and thus, free up valuable time for more important work.

Service requests

Service request management usually involves a user submitting a request for something new, whether that’s access to a service, a new phone, or information. In organizations that generate large numbers of service requests, it’s smart to handle service requests automatically. For example, if an employee submits a service request for access to an application, that request can be pre-approved and automatically granted. Thanks to this, the IT team is able to save time and avoid overly complicated workflows. Additionally, getting an IT process automation promotes better customer experience. 

Employee onboarding

Onboarding is a great example of an easily-automated process that can be incorporated in every industry. Automation significantly speeds up preparing tasks for new employees as well as getting them up and running. Onboarding activities are similar each time a newcomer appears in a company. In general, they include providing equipment, scheduling meetings, pairing with a mentor or, for example, delivering a feedback survey. Usually, the only thing that requires change is the personal data of a new team member. Not having to write the same tasks over and over again saves time of HR teams and makes the onboarding process smooth and well-organized. 

As you can see, many processes can be easily automated. See for yourself how you can automate repetitive IT processes inside your company for example with our Issue Templates for Jira app. 😎