In this blog post
Understanding Zero Touch Operations
Traditional IT infrastructure entails and necessitates human involvement. Professionals need to access the infrastructure not only to obtain information, but also to monitor and correct problems. A steady source of tools and solutions that can assist with management is required. This is no longer an issue with Zero Touch Operations. It can automate and handle itself, freeing up professionals to focus on other important tasks.
Getting to Know Zero Touch Operations
Majority of firms that deal with complex IT infrastructure are implementing AI-based IT automation. This automation is more straightforward when employing Zero Touch Operations, or ZTO. It aids in the optimization of various processes and the creation of outputs that garner favorable user feedback and help produce more revenue. Models for Zero Touch Operations are often run-time models that can scale, manage, and heal systems. The name ZTO comes from the fact that such a model can govern itself without the need for a manual labor or human intervention at any stage.
When it comes to integrating several software systems, IT businesses frequently adopt Zero Touch Operations. These software and technologies are frequently required for ensuring operational outcomes in a variety of business processes. ZTO can help in road mapping. An effective ZTO model will assist firms in generating and saving revenue as well as reducing the risks associated with day-to-day operations.
The primary goal of Zero Touch Operations is to improve business outcomes. The following are the outcomes that can be expected after using ZTO:
- MTTR/MTTI will reduce by more than 50%
- Ticket volumes will reduce every month
- Improvement of alert to ticket compression ratio
- SLA improvement by at least 50%
- Programmatic automation for the acceleration of all operations
- Actionable and accurate insights will be in real-time
- Overall costs will reduce significantly
- Risks in business processes will lessen
- Automation of metal code
Zero Touch Operations Stages
Zero Touch Operations is not something that can be implemented overnight by professionals. Companies must strategize ahead of time and go through precise stages to guarantee that the ZTO is as advantageous as they want. As a result, there are four stages to implementing Zero Touch Operations and making a beneficial influence on the business process. Below is a list of these stages:
- Stage 1: Traditional
The traditional phase in ZTO starts with the physical networks. These are not automated and are part of the older infrastructure or processes. Since ZTO works towards complete automation and optimization, it needs to start with these traditional networks.
- Stage 2: Reactive
In the reactive stage, the networks evolve from being traditional or physical to slightly automated ones. This stage is the first push towards network automation through ZTO.
- Stage 3: Progressive
IT companies are moving towards automation in all aspects. Most invest in a software test automation platform. However, before implementing ZTO, networks tend to depend on their non-automated, physical elements. During this stage, one can see networks that are almost entirely virtualized and automated. This is a crucial step, even though some parts of the networks remain traditional or at least reactive.
- Stage 4: Reformist
The reformist stage is when the networks have achieved complete automation and ZTO has been implemented successfully. Once the networks reach this stage, the ZTO will manage and monitor itself without any external assistance.
For this four-step process of implementing Zero Touch Operations, end-to-end virtualization is essential. The virtualization is for various networks across all new-age technology and legacy. Before the first stage begins, communication service providers or CSPs need to check all the networks. The networks should have the maturity to enable the starting phase and sustain the ZTO journey.
Accomplishing Zero Touch Operations
But even though the path to Zero Touch Operations is only four stages long, it is difficult to complete. To achieve ZTO through a realistic method, it is difficult and demands skill and effort. To achieve ZTO, you must first implement hybrid environment services. Almost all companies are adopting Cloud infrastructure and are using cloud enablement services. However, some companies use infrastructure that is not Cloud-native. Several legacy technologies are not based on Cloud infrastructure and cannot be migrated. ZTO is possible for such networks as well, especially by creating a hybrid environment.
It will be easier to achieve Cloud Zero Touch Operations if companies can establish managed services that one can run on various industrial processes as they often use IT operations management software solutions and tools. These services can also leverage code that is readymade and contextualized. They can be easily automated. ZTO for these services is proactive and constantly monitors all processes so that there is no error in applications that goes unnoticed.
Zero Touch Operations Challenges
Although Zero Touch Operations are helpful and effective, they do come with their own set of difficulties. Some businesses find it difficult to overcome these obstacles and are unable to attain ZTO. But with the right tools and solutions, a realistic implementation of ZTO is doable.
The following are some of the difficulties that may arise when applying the ZTO model:
- High Price of Zero Touch Operations Model
Companies have to spend a considerable amount of money on a cloud migration assessment tool for business while migrating from on-premise platforms. On top of this, the transformation to ZTO can cost a lot too. Even for hybrid environments, implementation of ZTO, particularly for large-scale projects, can become very expensive. Companies tend only to allow the transformation for small projects that do not cost much to deal with this challenge.
- Inadequate Lifecycle Automation
The software that ZTO supports may not automate the entire lifecycle. The software is useful for automation of deployment and redeployment and can identify if any operating conditions are unsuitable. The alarm loops are also not closed properly. It leads to issues with timely responses.
- Fault Avalanche
Fault avalanche is where different applications, services and processes depend on a lower level, and that level fails. When this happens, all applications and services crash causing a system-wide issue that is difficult to rectify. While this is a rare occurrence, it may happen after achieving ZTO.
Conclusion
Despite the challenges, Zero Touch Operations is the way to ensure error-free business processes that can generate more revenue while providing good service. It’s the proper approach to risk reduction and IT operations management.
