In this blog post
Understanding the necessity of Automation for MSPs
Many businesses depend on managed service providers (MSPs) to manage their IT infrastructure and related processes. Without MSPs, it can be difficult for businesses to manage repetitive IT infrastructure tasks. In addition to businesses, government agencies and non-profits rely on MSPs (Managed Services Providers) to manage their IT infrastructure. However, the complexity of IT infrastructure is increasing on a daily basis, which presents a challenge for MSPs. MSPs must devote both technological and human resources to managing the growing complexity of IT infrastructure. MSPs require automation for IT infrastructure-managed services. Continue reading to learn why MSPs will urgently need automation in 2022.
Recognizing how automation is needed in the industry
MSPs assist their customers in managing various IT infrastructure tasks. MSPs also handle a variety of management tasks for their clients remotely. MSPs must hire a large number of employees and rely on a wide range of technology to manage large IT infrastructures. At the moment, businesses prefer digital transformation services and IT management solutions. Even for MSPs, some digital transformation services and solutions are new and complex. As the workload grows, MSPs have no choice but to hire more employees to handle complex IT infrastructures.
How long can MSPs keep hiring more employees for the management of IT infrastructures? There will be a time when overhead costs will become a burden on the MSP. Since the volume of work is increasing, MSPs need automation to slash overhead costs. Also, there are several repetitive tasks to be completed by MSPs. For example, monitoring software systems connected to the IT infrastructure is a mundane task for MSPs. Application performance monitoring is essential at all times for detecting errors and performance issues. An MSP cannot keep hiring system administrators every time the number of software systems increases. Similarly, there are many other mundane tasks to be completed by MSPs on behalf of their clients.
Completing mundane tasks on time is the biggest reason why MSPs need automation. Tasks that need to be repeated daily can be automated, and the need for human labour will be decreased. MSPs also need automation to predict service availability of a client. When an MSP predicts high service availability, the client’s mind is at ease. Human minds aren’t capable of predicting the service availability for now. It can only be done with the help of automation technologies and AI/ML algorithms. To keep with their promises regarding service reliability and availability, MSPs need automation more than ever. Also, automation technologies play a major role in boosting the productivity of MSPs.
The Benefits of Automation for MSPs
In 2022, MSPs will reap several benefits from automation. Automation technologies are now mature, and MSPs are leveraging their capabilities to increase productivity. The following are some of the major advantages of automation for MSPs in 2022:
Good workflow efficiency
There are several activities conducted by MSPs that need a proper workflow. For example, incident management is a task for MSPs that needs a proper workflow. Incident management passes through several steps from its initiation to completion. For example, it starts with rigorous monitoring and is followed by correlation, root cause analysis, and many other processes. If any processes are overlooked, incident management cannot be completed effectively. It is why MSPs need a workflow automation software architecture more than ever. A dedicated workflow helps in making the best use of the available business resources. Automation technologies can help MSPs design a clear workflow for several activities.
System recovery
MSPs are also responsible for recovering software systems during emergencies. Every business depends on some crucial software systems for the delivery of services. If the crucial software systems fail, the business cannot offer any service to the customers. A single minute of downtime can result in a huge loss for the respective organization. MSPs have to predict system outages and failures on behalf of their clients. Also, they have to find ways to reduce system failures and downtime. All this isn’t possible without automation for MSPs. Manually, one may keep searching for the root cause of a system failure and may never find it. Automation technologies reduce the system recovery time and boost service availability.
Carry out routine tasks
Sometimes, an MSP can face employee shortages or any other crisis. How will an MSP offer the basic services to clients during a crisis? With automation, an MSP can ensure that basic services are offered at all times. For example, automation technology can perform routine tasks like patching and monitoring without any human interference. The client of an MSP will know that even during adverse times, the MSP will offer the basic services. Consider the example of the recent COVID pandemic, where MSPs faced a labour shortage. During the pandemic, MSPs that used automation services maintained their service availability and satisfied the clients. Routine tasks can be easily automated with an automation technology like AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations).
Industry applications of automation technologies
MSPs rely on automation technologies for several tasks, which are as follows:
- MSPs rely on automation for real-time monitoring of software systems, network devices, endpoints, and more. For example, an AIOps-based analytics platform can perform monitoring tasks even when there is no staff or employee.
- With the help of automation technologies, MSPs can easily offer remote support to their clients.
- With the help of automation technologies, MSPs can offer proactive support to their clients. They can predict performance issues even before the client complains about them.
- With a centralized automated solution, an MSP can control all IT activities from one place. For example, MSPs prefer AIOps-based analytics platforms for a unified view of the entire IT infrastructure.
- With the help of automation technology, an MSP can schedule maintenance tasks.
Because of its capabilities, many MSPs prefer an AIOps-based solution in 2022. The best AIOps products and tools will increase MSP service availability. Begin moving toward hyper-automation now for better results later!
