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Automations
IT Process Automation: Tools, Benefits, and How to Start
Level
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Managing IT operations across growing environments can be overwhelming. Between patching, endpoint monitoring, security enforcement, and software deployment, manual processes are no longer sustainable, especially for small IT teams. That’s where IT automation steps in.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to use IT process automation (ITPA) to reduce manual IT workload, increase operational efficiency, and improve business outcomes. We’ll cover the benefits of IT automation for businesses, explore different IT automation tools, share real-world success stories, and outline exactly how to choose the best IT automation tools for your needs.
IT process automation uses IT automation software to execute tasks that would otherwise require human intervention. This might mean scheduling patch management automation, running automate incident response protocols, or performing real-time endpoint monitoring.
Modern platforms integrate with IT management software to give IT teams a centralized place to track performance, security, and compliance.
When comparing IT automation vs manual operations, automation is superior in speed, accuracy, and repeatability. Manual work is error-prone and time-consuming, while automation ensures the same process is run consistently every time.
IT automation for small business isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a competitive advantage. Smaller IT teams face the same security threats, compliance requirements, and uptime expectations as large enterprises but with fewer resources.
With the right automation for small IT teams:
Here are the core categories of automation tools for IT:
A regional hospital network managing over 2,000 endpoints was struggling with slow patch cycles and audit failures. Before automation, their small IT team spent up to 20 hours a week manually tracking device updates. By deploying IT process automation through RMM software, they set up patch management automation policies to run during off-hours.
They also implemented asset tracking software to automatically record hardware details, installed applications, and update statuses. This integration allowed them to quickly identify vulnerable devices before compliance deadlines.
The result: Patch compliance rose from 68% to 99% in just three months, and they passed their HIPAA audits without last-minute scramble.
A large school district needed to prepare thousands of student laptops for the start of the academic year. Manually installing learning apps, security updates, and firewall rules would have taken weeks.
They used script automation tools to push installations to all devices simultaneously. Before deployment, automation testing tools verified that every app ran properly and that there were no conflicts with the district’s learning management system.
Additionally, network automation tools applied consistent firewall configurations to prevent unauthorized access to exam materials.
This reduced their setup time from 4 weeks to just 4 days, allowing teachers to start the term without IT delays.
A mid-sized bank was spending significant man-hours generating monthly compliance reports. Data had to be manually gathered from multiple systems, validated, and formatted before submission. They implemented business process automation connected to their core banking systems. The workflow automatically pulled data, cross-referenced it with compliance standards, and generated fully formatted reports. They also used automation scheduling software to trigger these reports at the end of each month and automate incident response to flag any unusual transactions.
This reduced reporting time from 20 hours per month to under 1 hour and eliminated errors caused by manual entry.
One MSP managing 40 different client networks had constant issues with delayed maintenance, missed updates, and client dissatisfaction. By rolling out RMM software with automation scheduling software, they set recurring tasks for proactive endpoint management, routine patching, and system health checks. They integrated a service desk automation workflow with an automated ticketing system so alerts triggered tickets automatically, complete with diagnostic logs.
This reduced average resolution time by 60% and enabled the MSP to onboard 5 new clients without hiring additional staff.
A manufacturing company with multiple production sites faced frequent downtime caused by inconsistent firewall settings and misconfigured switches. They implemented network automation tools to ensure identical firewall configurations across all plants. They also used configuration management tools to standardize device settings and ensure compliance with internal IT policies. Combined with asset tracking software, the IT team could now monitor all hardware in real time, ensuring quick replacement if a machine failed.
Downtime dropped by 35%, and incident response times were cut in half.
A national retail chain had high turnover during seasonal sales, creating account security risks. IT staff struggled to create and remove accounts for hundreds of temporary employees in time. By implementing SaaS management tools, they automated automating onboarding and offboarding in IT workflows. New hires were granted system access on their start date, and accounts were automatically disabled when their contract ended. Workflow orchestration ensured this process also updated HR and payroll systems, eliminating duplicate data entry.
This reduced onboarding from 3 days to a few hours, while preventing dormant accounts from being exploited.
Integrate cybersecurity automation with patching, vulnerability scans, and firewall updates. Use network automation tools to push security changes instantly.
Tie IT, HR, and finance processes together using business process automation. Example: HR adds a new employee, triggering automating onboarding and offboarding in IT plus payroll updates.
Use task scheduling tools and automation scheduling software to manage thousands of endpoints. Maintain visibility with asset tracking software.
Adopt intelligent process automation to analyze system health and predict issues. Trigger automate IT tasks when anomalies occur.
Q: What is intelligent process automation?
A: The combination of AI-powered automation and workflow orchestration for adaptive IT processes.
Q: What are the best automation tools for patch management?
A: Level, SolarWinds, and Automox.
Q: How to automate IT processes without disruption?
A: Start small, integrate with existing IT systems, and test before scaling.
Q: Can automation improve compliance?
A: Yes, IT compliance automation ensures consistent enforcement of standards.
Q: Is automation suitable for small teams?
A: Yes, automation for small IT teams reduces workload and improves efficiency.
Q: How does automation improve security?
A: Cybersecurity automation reacts instantly to threats, and proactive endpoint management keeps systems secure.
Whether you manage 50 or 50,000 devices, the right IT automation tools can transform your operations. From reduce manual IT workload to enabling digital transformation, automation drives measurable gains in efficiency, compliance, and security.
Try Level free for 14 days and see how IT automation for small business can deliver enterprise-grade capabilities without the complexity.
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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