1. Eliminates costly inefficiencies related to routine work

Repetitive tasks do not generate revenue, they drain it. Every hour spent on routine maintenance is an hour not spent improving client systems, identifying upsell opportunities or expanding service offerings. This inefficiency slows response times, reduces client satisfaction and ultimately leads to higher churn rates, which negatively impacts your bottom line.

Automation solves this by eliminating the manual workload, allowing technicians to focus on high-value tasks that drive profitability. According to our upcoming 2025 Global MSP Benchmark Survey Report, nearly 60% of MSPs ranked automation, including auto-remediation of tickets, as the most valuable RMM feature.

Some of the ways automation helps cut costs and improve efficiency are:

• Fewer on-site visits and emergency calls: Automated monitoring and remediation allow for remote issue resolution, reducing infrastructure and labor costs.
• Optimized software licensing: Better resource allocation ensures that MSPs only pay for the licenses they actually need instead of overprovisioning.
• Reduce downtime-related losses: Proactive automation keeps systems up and running, reducing financial losses associated with downtime for both MSPs and their clients.
• Minimize SLA breaches and penalties: Automated alerts, patching and system optimizations help meet SLAs consistently, preventing costly service credits or contract penalties.

2. Helps you scale cost-effectively

Every new client brings more tickets, more maintenance and bigger security challenges. Without streamlined processes, the only way to keep up is to hire more technicians, which drives up payroll costs and cuts into precious profits.

Instead of expanding your team, automation helps you do more with the resources you already have. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes without constant technician intervention. This efficiency increases revenue per technician, driving higher profitability per client and improving overall margins.

The survey also found that winning new clients is the biggest challenge for MSPs in 2025, with competition making it harder to stand out. Without automation, scaling will only get tougher. By automating routine tasks, the leadership team can shift focus from daily IT operations to building a strong sales infrastructure, improving marketing efforts and expanding the client base.

Check out Kaseya’s Partner First Pledge, designed to share both the success and risk our partners experience.

3. Enables more reliable service for higher profitability

MSPs that struggle with slow response times, unresolved tickets and inconsistent service risk losing business to competitors who deliver faster, more reliable support. Frustrated clients lead to churn, negative reviews and lost revenue.

Automation makes IT support faster, more proactive and highly efficient. Instead of waiting for problems to escalate, MSPs can resolve issues instantly, often before clients even realize there is a problem. Here’s how automation helps you deliver better service and drive profitability:

• Faster resolution, happier clients: Automated IT monitoring fixes issues in real-time, reducing downtime and ticket volume. Clients enjoy seamless IT support, leading to stronger retention and fewer escalations.
• Proactive vs. reactive support: Scheduled maintenance, automated updates and AI-driven diagnostics reduce emergency fixes, lowering operational costs while improving service efficiency.
• Consistent, high-quality service: Manual processes leave room for human error and inconsistency. Automation creates standardized workflows and delivers predictable outcomes, so every client receives the same high level of service — critical for securing long-term contracts.
• Increased client referrals and upsell opportunities: Happy clients stay longer, renew contracts and recommend your MSP to others.

4. Makes security your strong suite

Security is not just another service on your roster — it is a key driver of profitability. Our MSP Benchmark Survey found that MSPs earning 15% or higher margins have advanced security services in their portfolio. However, offering cybersecurity alone is not enough. To command higher prices and scale profitably, automation is essential.

Cyberthreats are relentless, and ransomware attacks, data breaches and compliance failures can lead to devastating legal fees, regulatory fines, downtime and lost business. Worse, a single security lapse can permanently damage your reputation, making it harder to retain or attract clients.

Automation is the key to delivering strong, scalable security while keeping costs under control. Here’s how:

• Premium security equals higher margins: You can differentiate your MSP by offering advanced security solutions, like managed detection and response (MDR), AI-driven threat protection and automated compliance management, that justify higher service fees.
• Lower incident response costs: Automating patching, vulnerability scanning and endpoint protection prevents issues before they escalate, reducing the need for expensive emergency response efforts.
• Scaling without hiring a full security team: Cybersecurity expertise is expensive. Instead of hiring a team of specialists, automation enables your team to manage security at scale with AI-driven threat detection, automated response playbooks and proactive monitoring.
• Stronger compliance: Meeting security and compliance standards manually is time-consuming and expensive. Automated security tools ensure policies are enforced, logs are maintained and reports are generated instantly, helping avoid costly fines and contract breaches.

5. Empower technicians to perform and drive revenue

When technicians are buried under repetitive tasks, productivity drops, burnout sets in and top talent walks out the door. Losing skilled IT professionals is costly and disruptive, making it harder to scale your MSP.

Now, imagine a stress-free team where technicians log in to start their day and see that routine patches, updates and security scans have already run overnight. Instead of wasting time on tedious maintenance, they focus on high-impact projects that strengthen client relationships, improve service quality and create new revenue opportunities.

Automation frees technicians to do their best work and actively contribute to business growth. Here’s how:

• Lower stress, fewer mistakes: Automating routine tasks reduces errors, prevents downtime and helps meet SLAs effortlessly.
• More time for high-value work: Technicians can focus on strategic initiatives, security improvements and proactive client support instead of endless troubleshooting.
• Increased revenue potential: A technician who is not overwhelmed with busy work can spot upsell opportunities, recommend security enhancements and drive service expansions — turning IT support into a profit center.

Scale and save with Kaseya 365 Endpoint

You don’t need multiple tools or a complicated strategy to achieve everything we just covered. One solution does it all. Kaseya 365 Endpoint gives you everything you need to manage, secure, back up and automate your endpoints, all under a single subscription. By consolidating tools into one powerful platform, you reduce licensing costs, eliminate manual inefficiencies and lighten the administrative workload. With up to 70% cost savings, your MSP is set up for success — less stress, more control and the confidence todominate your market. Click here to know more about Kaseya 365 Endpoint.

The post Top 5 Ways Automation Increases Profitability appeared first on Kaseya.

Understanding Kaseya 365

Using fragmented tools is one of the biggest challenges that prevents IT teams from doing their best work. Kaseya 365 addresses this issue by enabling IT professionals to manage, secure, back up and automate endpoints from a single interface. The service integrates and provides seamless access to Kaseya’s top solutions in endpoint management, security and backup, all for an affordable subscription — the cost of a cup of coffee.

The three tenets of Kaseya 365 are:

• Simple: Kaseya 365 consolidates all critical components into one easy-to-manage subscription, reducing vendor fatigue and simplifying IT management.
• Efficient: Workflow integrations and automations significantly improve technician efficiency, enabling them to focus on more strategic tasks.
• Affordable: Businesses can save up to 75% compared to using a mix of separate solutions, making Kaseya 365 a cost-effective choice.

Serving as the essential starter kit for IT professionals, Kaseya 365 is the core subscription for the Kaseya IT Complete platform. Since all the solutions are by Kaseya, they are seamlessly integrated, allowing users to expand anytime and take advantage of the 30+ modules and over 1,300 integrations IT Complete provides. The possibilities for increased potential and productivity are limitless.

Kaseya 365 comes in two variants: 365 Express and 365 Pro. Its key capabilities are:

• Remote monitoring and management (RMM): Centralized oversight of endpoints with real-time monitoring, maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Patch management: Automates software updates and patches to minimize vulnerabilities and ensure compliance.
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR): Comprehensive threat detection, analysis and response to protect endpoints from sophisticated threats.
• Antivirus: Robust malware and virus protection with real-time scanning and automatic updates.
• Ransomware detection: Advanced algorithms identify and neutralize ransomware, preventing data encryption and potential damage from it.
• Endpoint backup: Regular, automated backups for rapid data recovery and continuity.
• Managed detection and response (MDR): Enhanced threat detection and incident response managed by cybersecurity experts, exclusive to the 365 Pro version. Click here to know more about MDR.

Importance of IT management solutions in modern business

With an increasing number and variety of endpoints to manage, not to mention the growing complexity of IT environments, the demands placed on technicians is constantly rising. Many businesses still depend on fragmented solutions that require individual upkeep and frequent license renewals, while often failing to integrate well with other essential IT tools. This fragmented approach reduces efficiency and drives up costs for companies. For instance, when monitoring and patching tools aren’t integrated, technicians must switch between them to apply a simple patch. This is both frustrating and time-consuming. Now, imagine the stress when a critical security patch is at stake.

Effective IT management solutions operate on the principle that IT infrastructures work as a cohesive whole and should be managed as such. These solutions allow technicians to manage every aspect of their IT environment from a single platform, eliminating the inefficiencies caused by tool hopping. This unified approach not only streamlines workflows but also boosts productivity and efficiency, enabling IT teams to work smarter and more effectively.

How Kaseya 365 integrates with existing IT infrastructure

Kaseya 365 provides advanced integration and automation, empowering IT teams to streamline operations, boost security and ensure data integrity with the push of a button. By integrating endpoint management, security and backup tools, Kaseya 365 allows technicians to swiftly complete tasks like identifying and patching vulnerabilities, scanning for threats and backing up data — all from a single, unified interface. And that’s just the beginning. This streamlined approach not only simplifies processes but also significantly enhances overall efficiency.

But Kaseya 365 doesn’t stop there. It offers advanced automation capabilities that handle everything from mundane tasks, like disk cleanups, to critical tasks, such as ransomware detection and remediation. These are just a few examples, so imagine the possibilities with more than 50 built-in automations. Consider the positive impact on your service delivery, accuracy and team productivity. Technicians will no longer struggle to manually complete tasks within tight deadlines.

Kaseya 365’s comprehensive approach ensures that IT environments remain secure, efficient and resilient, enabling IT teams to focus on more strategic initiatives.

The benefits of IT automation

By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, organizations can achieve significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy and overall productivity. For example, an IT team using automation tools can schedule software updates across hundreds of devices simultaneously, freeing up time for more strategic projects. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Time-saving: Automating routine tasks such as system updates, data backups and network monitoring saves valuable time, allowing IT teams to focus on more critical issues.
• Efficiency improvements: Automation streamlines processes, making workflows faster and more efficient, leading to quicker response times and better service delivery.
• Reduction in human error: Automation minimizes the risk of errors that can occur with manual processes, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and consistently.
• Enhanced productivity and focus on strategic tasks: With routine tasks automated, IT professionals can dedicate more time to strategic initiatives that drive business growth and innovation.
• Cost savings and resource optimization: Automation reduces the need for extensive manual labor, leading to significant cost savings and better resource allocation.
• Improved compliance and security: Automated processes ensure that security protocols and compliance measures are consistently applied, reducing the risk of breaches and regulatory penalties.

Core automation capabilities of Kaseya 365

Kaseya 365 offers advanced automation features that streamline IT operations and elevate efficiency. These capabilities enable IT teams to automate complex tasks, enforce policies and gain valuable insights, making Kaseya 365 a powerful tool for modern businesses. Here are the key automation capabilities that make Kaseya 365 a leader in IT management solutions:

Automated monitoring and alerts

• Real-time system monitoring: Continuously monitors system performance and health, providing instant insights into potential issues.
• Automatic issue detection and alert generation: Identifies and alerts IT teams about problems as they occur, enabling prompt resolution and minimizing downtime.

Patch management

• Automatic updates and patch deployments: Ensures all systems receive the latest updates without manual intervention, reducing vulnerabilities.
• Ensure systems are always up to date: Keeps software and security patches current, protecting against potential threats while enhancing performance.

Backup and disaster recovery

• Scheduled backups: Regularly backs up critical data to prevent loss and ensure data integrity.
• Automated recovery processes in case of failures: Facilitates quick and efficient recovery of data and systems, minimizing disruption in the event of failures.

Software deployment

• Automated software installation and updates: Simplifies the deployment of applications across multiple devices, ensuring consistency and reducing manual effort.
• Streamlined application management across devices: Manages software versions and updates seamlessly at scale, enhancing productivity and ensuring uniformity.

Routine maintenance tasks

• Scheduled system cleanups: Automatically performs regular system maintenance to optimize performance and prevent issues.
• Regular system health checks: Conducts ongoing health checks to identify and resolve potential problems before they impact operations.

Advanced automation features

By leveraging IT automation, businesses can streamline operations, boost security and optimize resource utilization, achieving better outcomes and positioning themselves for future success. The following advanced automation features set Kaseya 365 apart:

Script automation

• Custom script creation and deployment: Allows IT technicians to develop and deploy custom scripts tailored to specific needs, enabling precise control over automation processes.
• Automate complex and repetitive tasks: Simplifies the execution of intricate and repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing the likelihood of human error.

Policy-based automation

• Create and enforce IT policies automatically: Automates the creation and enforcement of IT policies, ensuring consistency and adherence to organizational standards.
• Ensure compliance with organizational standards: Helps maintain compliance with internal and external regulations by automatically applying and monitoring policy adherence.

Reporting and analytics

• Automate report generation: Automatically generates and distributes comprehensive reports, providing detailed insights into system performance, security status and other critical metrics.
• Insights through data analytics for better decision-making: Leverages data analytics to offer actionable insights, empowering IT teams to make informed decisions and optimize operations.

Getting started with Kaseya 365 automations

Implementing Kaseya 365 automation in your organization is straightforward and highly beneficial. Begin by assessing your current IT environment, followed by planning and deploying Kaseya 365 to align with your specific needs.

• Assess your needs: Identify the specific requirements of your IT environment.
• Choose the right variant: Decide between 365 Express and 365 Pro based on your needs.
• Plan your deployment: Develop a deployment strategy that includes timelines and milestones.
• Leverage the four main pillars: Customize solutions to meet your business needs using the manage, secure, back up and automate pillars.
• Train your team: Ensure your team is well-trained to maximize the benefits of Kaseya 365.

Best practices for maximizing automation benefits

Adopt strategies to ensure you get the most out of Kaseya 365’s automation capabilities.

• Document automation workflows: Maintain detailed documentation of automation processes for transparency and ease of troubleshooting.
• Continuously refine and optimize: Regularly review and improve automation workflows to adapt to evolving business needs and technological advancements.
• Monitor automated processes: Keep an eye on automated tasks to quickly identify and resolve any issues that arise.
• Analyze performance metrics: Use data from automated reports to assess the effectiveness of automation and make necessary adjustments.
• Train staff on automation tools: Provide ongoing training to IT personnel to keep them proficient with the latest automation features and best practices.
• Regularly update the system: Ensure Kaseya 365 is always running the latest version to maintain peak performance and security.

Tips for customizing automation workflows to meet specific business needs

Tailor the automation workflows to fit your organization’s unique requirements.

• Identify key processes for automation: Focus on automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks to free up resources for more strategic activities.
• Leverage custom scripts and policies: Utilize custom scripts and policy-based automation to address specific business challenges and ensure compliance.
• Continuously refine workflows: Regularly review and refine your automation workflows to adapt to changing business needs and technological advancements.

Unlock the power of Kaseya 365 automations

Embracing IT automation is the way forward, and its adoption is set to bring countless benefits. It is transforming how businesses operate. Kaseya 365 is at the forefront of this evolution, continually building solutions that tackle complex tasks with ease.

By equipping IT teams with a powerful array of features, including automated monitoring and alerts, patch management, backup and disaster recovery, and policy-based automation, Kaseya 365 is empowering IT teams to increase efficiency, reduce errors and optimize resources. Additionally, it offers invaluable insights through automated reporting and analytics, which enhance decision-making and improve strategic planning for IT teams. Could this be the solution you’ve been searching for?

Discover how Kaseya 365’s robust automation tools can revolutionize your IT infrastructure and drive your business forward.

Schedule a demo of Kaseya 365 today!

The post Maximize Efficiency With Kaseya 365’s Automation Power appeared first on Kaseya.

Kaseya can change that. Whether you use the flagship remote monitoring and management (RMM) solutions VSA or Datto RMM, or the recently launched Kaseya 365 subscription service, their built-in powerful automation and extensive script library will boost your IT efficiency and free up your summer.

The daily grind of IT pros and MSPs

IT professionals and MSPs face a daily barrage of tasks that are not only time-consuming but also monotonous. Think about it: system updates, security checks, routine maintenance and managing common tickets, like printer issues, are just the tip of the iceberg. They also have to handle the complicated process of onboarding and offboarding employees, which adds another layer of complexity and workload.

All these tasks consume most of the day, making it hard to focus on anything else. IT teams caught in this endless cycle of repetitive work have no time for exciting projects or even a bit of relaxation. As a result, productivity drops and achieving a healthy work-life balance becomes a real challenge. This constant grind can lead to burnout, further complicating the struggle to maintain a balanced and fulfilling life.

But does it really have to be this hard?

Introducing Kaseya’s RMM automation

Enter Kaseya’s RMM tools, VSA and Datto RMM, designed to relieve pressure and make life as easy as a day at the beach.

VSA: Your easy-going automation buddy

VSA offers a drag-and-drop user interface, making it accessible to users with varying technical skills. You don’t need to be a coding wizard to automate your tasks. Whether you’re a beginner who prefers no-code solutions, someone with a bit of experience looking for low-code options or a pro ready to dive into complex automation, VSA has you covered. You can also use policy-based automation to handle common IT processes and fix IT issues automatically. Plus, you can share, buy and sell automation assets with Kaseya’s community of customers and partners on Automation Exchange. With over 600 out-of-the-box scripts, monitor sets and reports, you can instantly boost your productivity.

Datto RMM: The lifeguard of complex tasks

On the other hand, Datto RMM uses an intelligent script-based engine, which means it can handle even the most complex tasks with ease. And here’s the best part: you don’t have to start from scratch. It comes with a massive script library known as the ComStore. Need to deploy updates across multiple devices? There’s a script for that. Want to run security checks? Covered. Routine maintenance? Done in a flash. The ComStore has a script to automate just about anything you can think of, saving you time and effort.

The power of automation engine + script library

Kaseya believes in combining a powerful automation engine with a rich content library. Think about it: even the best IT automation engine is only as useful as the scripts and templates it can run. That’s why Kaseya makes sure you have access to a huge library of pre-built scripts and templates. No more reinventing the wheel or getting stuck on repetitive tasks.

Kaseya 365 and IT Complete

Both VSA and Datto RMM form the backbone of Kaseya 365 and the IT Complete Platform. They integrate seamlessly with all the other tools in the Kaseya family and give you the power to streamline your daily workload of tasks and tickets. So, why not let them handle the repetitive tasks and enjoy a more productive and balanced workday?

Key benefits of RMM automation

With Kaseya’s RMM tools, you can achieve more free time and less stress in your IT role and gear up for a well-deserved summer vacation. Here are some key benefits of IT automation that will make your summer feel like a breeze:

• Time savings: Consider the process of deploying software updates. Manually updating each device in a network can take days. With RMM automation, this task can be completed in a fraction of the time, often within hours. This not only ensures that all devices are up to date but also reduces downtime for end users.
• Increased productivity: When repetitive tasks are automated, IT teams can shift their focus to projects that require human intelligence and creativity. This shift from routine maintenance to strategic projects significantly boosts summer productivity. For example, instead of manually managing backups, IT professionals can work on improving cybersecurity measures or developing new IT solutions.
• Improved accuracy: Human error is an inevitable part of manual processes. Kaseya RMM automation minimizes these errors, ensuring greater accuracy and reliability in routine processes.
• Enhanced work-life balance: The demands of the IT industry often lead to long hours and high stress levels. With automation handling the bulk of repetitive tasks, IT staff can enjoy more personal time. A better work-life balance leads to happier, more motivated employees, which in turn boosts overall productivity and job satisfaction. Additionally, automation reduces the need for after-hours work. This 24/7 reliability gives IT staff the peace of mind to disconnect after work.

Practical examples of automation in action

RMM automation is making waves in the real world, and Kaseya’s RMM solutions are leading the charge. These powerful tools are transforming IT operations, making them more efficient and less time-consuming. Here are some real-world use cases where Kaseya’s RMM automation has been a game-changer.

1. Automated patch management

Traditionally, the patch management process involves manually identifying, testing and deploying patches across various devices and systems, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Kaseya’s RMM solution automatically scans all connected devices for missing patches and schedules them for deployment at optimal times.

• Proactive network monitoring

In a typical IT environment, network issues can arise at any time, often requiring immediate attention to prevent downtime. Manual monitoring is not only labor-intensive but also less effective in catching issues early. Kaseya’s RMM solution continuously monitors network performance, identifying potential issues before they escalate into critical problems.

• Automated alerts

Whenever anomalies are detected, the IT team receives automated alerts, enabling quick response times. For example, if a server’s performance drops below a certain threshold, an automated alert is triggered, allowing the team to investigate and resolve the issue promptly. This proactive approach helps maintain network stability and reduces the likelihood of unexpected outages.

• Automated backup and recovery

Data loss can be catastrophic for any organization. Kaseya’s RMM automates the backup process, ensuring that all critical data is regularly backed up and easily recoverable. Automated backups run on schedules set by the IT team, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring that data is protected. In the event of data loss, automated recovery processes can quickly restore operations, minimizing downtime.

• Software deployment

Deploying software across multiple devices can be a daunting task. Kaseya’s RMM simplifies this by automating the software deployment process. IT teams can schedule deployments during off-peak hours, ensuring minimal disruption. This automation ensures that all devices are running the necessary software versions, enhancing compatibility and security across the network.

• Remote management and troubleshooting

Remote management is crucial for quickly resolving IT issues, especially in a geographically dispersed organization. Kaseya’s RMM enables IT teams to remotely access and troubleshoot devices without needing to be physically present. Automated scripts can run diagnostic checks and apply fixes, reducing the time spent on manual troubleshooting and improving response times.

Case study on Kaseya RMM automation

Many IT professionals and MSPs have reaped the benefits of Kaseya’s RMM automation, including CST Group Inc. This New York-based MSP manages over 730 endpoints for government agencies from Northern New York to Southwest Florida. By leveraging VSA 10, Kaseya’s flagship RMM solution, CST Group streamlined its IT tasks, making operations more efficient and less labor-intensive. This automation allowed them to onboard clients and manage endpoints more effectively, freeing up IT professionals to focus on strategic initiatives. Looking ahead, CST Group plans to use VSA 10’s automation and scalability to expand its client base and manage more endpoints efficiently. Click the link to read the full case study.

Tips for identifying tasks that are ripe for automation

Here are some tips to help you identify tasks that are perfect for automation. You can also read our blog, Top Seven Everyday IT Tasks You Should Be Automating, for more info.

• Repetitive tasks: Any task that is performed regularly and follows a predictable pattern is a good candidate for automation. Examples include software updates, backup processes and system monitoring.
• Time-consuming processes: Tasks that consume significant amounts of time but do not require critical thinking, such as patch management and data synchronization, should be automated to free up your team’s time.
• Tasks prone to human error: Processes that are highly susceptible to human error, such as data entry and routine system checks, benefit greatly from automation.
• Routine maintenance: Regularly scheduled maintenance activities, such as defragmenting hard drives or clearing log files, are perfect for automation. These tasks can run in the background without human intervention.

Best practices for maintaining automated systems

Ensure your automated systems run smoothly with these best practices.

• Regular audits and reviews: Periodically review your automated processes to ensure they are running as expected. Check logs, review alerts and update policies as needed to keep your automation effective and relevant.
• Update automation scripts: As your IT environment evolves, so should your automation scripts. Regularly update and test scripts to accommodate changes in software, hardware and network configurations.
• Monitor automation performance: Use Kaseya’s reporting tools to monitor the performance of your automated tasks. Analyze the data to identify any bottlenecks or areas for improvement.
• Document automation procedures: Maintain detailed documentation of all automated processes, including the steps for setting them up, the parameters used and any troubleshooting steps. This ensures continuity and helps new team members understand the automation setup.
• Maintain security protocols: Ensure that automated tasks adhere to your organization’s security policies. Regularly update passwords, use encryption where necessary and monitor for any unauthorized access or changes to automated scripts.

Conclusion

As we head into the summer, there’s no better time for IT professionals and MSPs to take the first step towards automation. Whether you choose VSA or Datto RMM, both tools offer robust automation capabilities that can transform your IT operations.

Start exploring Kaseya’s RMM tool today and begin automating your IT tasks to reclaim your time. Enjoy a more balanced summer, free from the constant pressure of routine IT maintenance. Click here to sign up for a VSA / Datto RMM demo and see firsthand how Kaseya’s RMM automation can revolutionize your workflow.

The post Reclaim Your Summer by Automating Daily IT Tasks With RMM Automation appeared first on Kaseya.

Fortunately, breaking free might be simpler than you think. Time to channel your inner Bill Murray from everyone’s favorite time loop movie and snap out of the cycle with — automation.

Read on to find out what key IT tasks you should automate to liberate yourself from monotony and unlock high efficiency.

10 IT tasks to automate

Here are some common IT tasks that you should start automating right away.

User onboarding

Make your onboarding process hassle-free with automation so you can impress clients and end users with a seamless experience. Imagine a process where all onboarding tasks, like configuration hardening, software deployment, patching and even removing bloatware, seamlessly run side by side. Kaseya VSA’s automation workflow builder can make it happen for real by stringing all these actions together into one coherent and blazing-fast automated workflow. With automation as your ally, you not only save time but also elevate your user experience to a whole new level.

Password resets

Dealing with password reset requests from clients and end users can be a real headache for IT professionals. With 20% to 50% of help desk tickets revolving around password resets, the frustration is real. However, despite the annoyance, the task is undeniably crucial for end users. VSA gives you the power to turn things around. You can either automate the process using your scripting skills using PowerShell or Batch, or you can dive into VSA 10’s script library for ready-made solutions.

Freeing up disk space

IT professionals would be millionaires if they got a penny for every time a customer complained about their slow computer. VSA is equipped to detect low disk space and fix the issue automatically.  From clearing out the recycling bin to deleting those pesky temporary files and even tagging an endpoint as a frequent offender — we’ve got the tools to help you keep those slowdown complaints at bay.

Rebooting machines

The number of tickets you receive can be significantly reduced if end users reboot their endpoints enough times. Using VSA, you can set up policies to automate reboots so that they occur at a time convenient for the end user. You can even detect whether an endpoint has been put to sleep at the end of a day so a reboot can be initiated. The best part? You don’t need a script.

Restarting services

With VSA, you can proactively solve problems for your end users by restarting services as soon as they crash while also freeing your IT team from the load of high-volume, low-value tickets. All you have to do is monitor critical services and applications and restart these vital components as soon as they go down. Besides resolving issues proactively, you also prevent them from causing a tidal wave of support tickets.

Deploying software

Experience effortless software deployment with VSA’s extensive library, featuring over 280 third-party applications. Whether you’re deploying the right software to specific endpoints or adding additional applications through .msi or .exe formats, VSA makes the process incredibly straightforward. In contrast to the tedious maneuvers required by conventional remote monitoring and management (RMM) solutions, VSA stands out with its instant and user-friendly approach. Streamline your operations and experience software deployment as a one-click affair.

Patching

In a world where 57% of successful ransomware attacks result from unpatched software, patching should not be treated as optional. Cyber insurance and major compliance standards enforce this essential practice, even if it’s not the favorite task of tech professionals. With a concerning 26,447 vulnerabilities disclosed in 2023, 1,500 more than the previous year, the time to take action is now. VSA steps in to ensure thorough patching across Windows, Mac and Linux devices, covering even third-party applications. Finding the right balance, VSA allows you to set reboot controls, providing end-user flexibility without compromising security. It’s a proactive approach that fortifies your defenses, keeping cyberthreats at bay.

Backups

Taking regular backups of your crucial data and applications is a crucial cybersecurity measure. With VSA, automating backup management becomes a breeze. It seamlessly integrates with both appliance-based and cloud-based backups, such as Datto BCDR, Unitrends or Spanning. This ensures that your data remains safe and secure, providing peace of mind regardless of unforeseen circumstances.

Ensuring 100% antivirus, antimalware, endpoint detection and response (EDR) compliance

Ensuring the uninterrupted operation of your security solutions is as crucial as any other security function. In today’s highly critical cybersecurity environment, VSA makes deploying AV, AM and EDR solutions a seamless experience. With VSA, organizations can be one step ahead of ever-evolving threats and 100% compliant with the required regulations.

IT reporting

VSA has an extensive library of high-value reports that makes showcasing your work to stakeholders extremely easy. The report templates are tailored to satisfy the requirements of different stakeholders with varying levels of technical competencies. Whether you’re aiming to showcase patching compliance, track warranty expiration dates or highlight your team’s value to the executive suite, VSA has you covered.

Conclusion

Automation is the key to breaking free from your own IT Groundhog Day.

Most conventional RMM solutions come with inadequate automation capabilities that don’t help much to build integrated workflows. Eventually, MSPs and internal IT teams wind up investing in a big stack of solutions that end up being expensive. Furthermore, a lack of integration between tools results in technicians grappling with “toggle tax,” leading to a decline in overall efficiency.

This is why Kaseya VSA is a game changer in the world of RMMs. It is equipped with the most advanced automation capabilities to streamline all mundane and monotonous tasks. This not only frees up technicians to focus on more important tasks but also reduces the cost of managing IT infrastructure and maximizes efficiency. Experience the power of VSA automation by scheduling your free demo today!

The post Break Free From Your IT Groundhog Day: Top Tasks to Automate appeared first on Kaseya.

As far as the world of IT goes, automation holds the key to the future, and will play a pivotal role in helping SMBs achieve higher productivity, profitability and unprecedented growth. Due to its many benefits and potential to drastically reduce technician workloads, automation is top of mind for SMBs.

Before we take a look at the IT Operations Survey findings on the impact and importance of automation, let’s look at the business profile of the respondents.

Meet the respondents

The IT Operations Survey has grown in scope over the years, delivering a better and deeper understanding of IT issues. In line with previous years, technology, manufacturing, healthcare, education and financial services remain the top five sectors most of our SMB respondents hail from.

Thanks to participation from larger companies, the average company size increased in the 2023 survey, providing us with a more extensive understanding of the IT landscape. About 66% of 2023 respondents are employed at organizations with more than 500 employees, up from 48% in 2022. 

Revenue, too, increased in correlation with the average company size. Download the 2023 IT Operations Survey report for a detailed breakdown.

IT maturity

As companies take steps to maximize the potential of their IT infrastructure, they increasingly identify with more effective, unified and collaborative IT management models. This trend is reflected in data from the past three years — there has been a decline in respondents who consider their IT department to be reactive while there was an increase year over year in respondents who view their IT management strategy as efficient and aligned.

In the spotlight: Automation 

Almost 40% of the respondents want to invest in automation more than any other technology in 2024. SMBs grow at breakneck speed, and manually managing tasks and tickets becomes impossible as their IT environment expands. It also takes away hours of productive work from technicians, delaying critical projects, increasing the margin of error and affecting the quality and consistency of IT services delivery. All of this leads to higher workloads as well.

By automating a host of time-consuming albeit critical tasks, such as software monitoring and management, patch management, backup and recovery, and even cybersecurity, technicians can streamline workflows for greater efficiency, reduce errors, increase uptime and even lower operational costs. 

Cybersecurity is of such paramount importance that five of the top 10 technologies that respondents intend to invest in are cybersecurity-related. Automation is a boon for cybersecurity as well. IT teams can address only so many security issues manually. By using an advanced endpoint management tool with automation capabilities, technicians can set up workflows to identify and auto-remediate a variety of security issues, including the dreaded ransomware.

Moreover, automation goes a long way toward achieving the elusive work-life balance. The exhausting workloads and round-the-clock schedules followed by IT professionals are always topics of discussion. Nearly half of the respondents confessed to pulling an all-nighter, while about 40% admitted to working 50+ hour weeks consecutively. Check out the report to hear the story on the ground and directly from the source. 

Automation is the fuel driving productivity 

Increasing IT productivity through automation is the second-most important IT priority for SMBs (31%) behind improving IT security. Fortunately, automation can also improve cybersecurity. 

SMBs can also leverage automation to achieve several of their IT priorities, including delivering higher service levels and reducing unplanned downtime and disruptions. In general, automation helps businesses streamline processes, optimize resource use and reduce the need to hire more people to manage increasing workloads, leading to significant cost reductions in the long run.

What is the biggest obstacle to automation for SMBs?

Automation begins with integration. Unfortunately, many SMBs still run their IT operations using legacy systems and tools that operate in silos, with little to no integration capabilities. Rightly so, a quarter (24%) of respondents cited this as a challenge, hampering growth and innovation at their business.

How Kaseya can help

For businesses to fully experience the power of automation, they must first invest in an endpoint management solution that centralizes IT infrastructure management. Kaseya VSA is a unified endpoint management (UEM) solution that lets you manage all your IT from a single pane of glass. It packs monitoring, security, patching, service desk, IT documentation and more in one solution so you can multiply growth and accomplish things you never thought possible.

VSA’s automation capabilities are unrivaled. VSA empowers IT departments with extensive out-of-the-box automation content packs that make getting started with automation a breeze. You can leverage the drag-and-drop automation workflow builder to combine standard automation actions, tasks, ticketing functions and scripts from anywhere, anytime, to automate almost any task — from patching and routine server maintenance to ransomware detection and quarantine of infected devices.

In fact, the Kaseya IT Complete platform has every solution you could possibly need to manage your IT. Each application under the IT Complete platform is tailored to the needs of multitasking technicians, with the interfaces designed to mirror one another, saving valuable time. Moreover, each application is automated and streamlined to provide unparalleled efficiency.

Concluding thoughts

The IT Operations Survey Report provides insights into how other businesses run their operations and the strategies they are implementing to cope with uncertain economic times. What impact do they foresee from the changes taking place and, more importantly, how they plan to protect themselves? Dive deep into IT priorities, challenges, business drivers and budgets, and uncover insights to set your business apart. Click here to download the full report.

The post 2023 IT Ops Survey: The Impact of Automation on SMBs and Their Growth appeared first on Kaseya.

By Daniel Garcia, CCO of Pia
Guest Author 

In today’s current technological climate, managed services providers (MSPs) are in demand more than ever. With more businesses looking to outsource their IT, there are endless opportunities to seize. That said, it’s important to recognize that the need to scale operations is equally key to business growth. 

As an MSP, you know that your technicians play a crucial role in your business. They’re the backbone of your service desks and often are the first people in the office and last out. Having an entire service desk operation, complete with technicians, enables you to deliver on the promises you make to your customers. However, all too often, the technicians get stuck doing mundane and repetitive, time-consuming tasks. Password resets, new user creations and user terminations are just a few examples. Doing the same repetitive tasks can often lead to employees becoming dissatisfied with their roles and looking for the nearest exit. 

What if there was a solution to this? What if there was a tool you could implement that would free up your tech’s time, enabling them to focus more attention on more complex areas of their roles? Sounds too good to be true, right? 

Automation Is Key to Success 

Implementing an automation solution will help your company improve its service desk. By definition, automation is the process in which technology is used to complete daily tasks with minimal human interaction. So, rather than your techs working their way through an endless stream of tickets, you can use the automation tool to quickly and efficiently sieve through the noise. The result? A better night’s sleep for your techs and improved operational efficiency across the board, which will result in higher customer satisfaction rates as tickets are being resolved promptly. 

Automating tickets will enable you to improve your operational efficiency. According to Logic Monitors’ recent research report, “The Next-Gen Managed Service Provider” (registration required), 95% of the 600 businesses surveyed say automating their processes is necessary to gain the time to focus on innovation and strategic goals. This suggests that if you automate the most time-consuming and repetitive tickets, your techs will have more time to focus on growing their skill set, building relationships with customers and working on areas that will help you grow your business and become more profitable. 

Let’s take the number of errors you usually see across your service desk. As humans, we all make mistakes and get a little burnt out sometimes. However, an automation solution will help reduce the number of errors. This is because when a ticket is logged in, specific instructions for that ticket and those like it will be triggered and performed the same way each time, leaving little to no room for error. 

In the same way that you will see a reduction in errors, you will also see an increase in productivity. Again, this is because each ticket has a set of specific instructions, which are automatically performed the same way each time, even if your techs are out of the office. This speeds up the resolution process and gives your techs more time to focus on other key aspects of their roles that will contribute to business growth and improved customer satisfaction. 

Which Type of Automation Is Right for My Company? 

As with any solution, the options available are endless, but finding the right one for your business can be challenging. Do your research before you dive headfirst into purchasing and implementing an automation solution. Spend some time hopping on a few demos and seeing how the solutions work and integrate. You should also consider if the solution can help mitigate your pain points. Can it help to save you time, money, and resources? Will it deliver faster ticket resolution times? And most importantly, does the vendor align with you and your business needs? 

Automating ticket resolution is a game-changer for MSPs. However, going through the buying and implementation process can be challenging as you need to fine-tune what works for you and your business. What can be said for automation is that in doing it, you will be allowing yourself to provide your customers with a lot more, which will ultimately contribute to ensuring your MSP remains profitable and grows in the right direction. 

This is a sponsored blog post.

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By leveraging the power of best-in-class remote monitoring and endpoint management (RMM) solution, you can automate several routine IT tasks that are otherwise time-consuming and mundane. This step will instantly de-stress you and your technicians/system admins, resulting in a 50% increase in overall efficiency and better performance on your service level agreement (SLA) targets. According to the 2022 IT Operations Survey Report, 33% of respondents placed increasing IT productivity through automation among the top three business priorities for 2022.

Automation will help you clear your task list faster than ever, giving you more time to pursue high-impact revenue-generating tasks to help you achieve a better work-life balance. Here are seven everyday IT tasks that you must automate today to be more productive and make your life easier.

1. System-level policy changes

   Automating actions like enabling or disabling peripheral devices, like USB drives, setting local password policies or tracking stolen laptops will significantly simplify your life. As the workplace becomes more diversified, technicians must stay on top of a constantly changing set of IT policies. Manually implementing policy changes takes considerable time and increases the chance of error. With automation, technicians can quickly implement system-level policy changes on a large scale. Additionally, by simplifying IT environment you can ensure users adopt new policies without delay.

2. OS and third-party patch management

   Manual patching method is incredibly laborious and is fraught with errors. Increase your team’s efficiency and improve IT security by automating software patch management across Windows, macOS and third-party applications.

   Automating the asset inventory process ensures that every new device and software is discovered and patched as soon as possible. Your endpoint management solution (or RMM) should gather all necessary patches and install them based on specified policies and priorities. To prevent software conflicts, you may want to test the patch before deploying it, which can be automated as well through acceptance testing and rollback capability.

   Following the wrong patching process can wreak havoc on your operations, cause system downtime and damage your SLAs with your clients or end users. Automated patching translates to a more accurate and efficient patching system at work, more support uptime and happier users and customers.

3. Onboarding new users

   Leverage automation to create a seamless onboarding experience for new users and employees. Streamline simple tasks such as auto-filling forms, sharing resources, assigning roles and responsibilities and welcoming new team members. Also, automate the creation of user profiles, hardened configurations and deployment of critical software for newly provisioned computers. In addition to improving workflow efficiencies, this will reduce errors and leave a good first impression on new users.

4. Backup

   In 1998, before the release of “Toy Story 2,” an animator intending to run a routine file cleanup entered a command that deleted almost all the production files of the movie. Since the creators were taking daily backups, they did not panic at first. However, when they attempted to recover the files, they realized that the backup solution hadn’t worked. Fortunately, the movie’s technical director had a backup that worked, so the movie was restored and released on schedule. Imagine if they had lost a year’s work and with that a $100 million.

   Automation helps back up all systems efficiently on a routine basis, so you never have to worry about the task, fear losing data to cyberattacks or face the wrath of your boss. Set up centralized and alert-driven automation where a failed backup can be auto-remediated without direct intervention. This will go a long way toward ensuring yours and clients’ data integrity and security.

5. Security

   Strengthen your cybersecurity framework by setting policies that automatically deploy endpoint security suites at target devices. With the help of a modern RMM tool, you can deploy security solutions and oversee and manage all security settings and incident responses remotely. Maintain a bird’s eye view of the protection status of assets you manage.

   Research by IBM shows that automated security catches about 40% more threats than conventional security, including zero-day exploits. The automated remediation of IT incidents includes defining the events and conditions you want to monitor in your IT environment. Then, define the process to respond to that event or condition, including executing a script to remediate the problem. Set centralized alerts for virus and ransomware detections and specify the process for your RMM to quarantine potentially infected endpoints automatically.

6. Reporting

   With a potential recession brewing, it’s more important than ever to demonstrate your value to your organization and clients through consistent reporting. One of the best ways to showcase your value to your company is to automate the delivery of your value-driven reports.

   A common complaint we hear is the time it takes to prepare and distribute reports. A best-in-class endpoint management solution (or RMM) will offer the ability to automate both the preparation and delivery of reports to the right members of your client organizations. You can analyze data quickly using automated IT reports, gaining insights that will improve productivity and grow your business.

7. Auto-remediate common tickets

   We saved the best for last. Through tight, commercial-level workflow integrations between your RMM and professional services automation (PSA) tool, you can near-instantly solve recurring IT tickets without them ever hitting your ticket queue. According to the 2022 Global MSP Benchmark Survey Report, a whopping 96% of MSP respondents believe integrating core applications like RMM, PSA and IT documentation is important to their business, and around 78% said that it helps drive bottom-line profits.

   It is common for IT professionals to solve tickets such as rebooting print spoolers, resetting passwords or improving endpoint performance by killing thirsty background processes every day. When your RMM and PSA integrate effectively, you can set up workflows for your PSA to detect frequently occurring tickets and trigger an automated script from your RMM to address them.

   Consider the print spooler example: an end user submits a ticket about their printer not working, in response to which your RMM clears the printer queue and sends an email to the end user asking whether the problem is resolved. The ticket gets escalated if only the issue stays unresolved. Thankfully, the days of “have you tried turning it off and on again” have passed.

One tool for all your automation needs

Kaseya VSA is a state-of-the-art endpoint management solution that packs more punch than we can cover in this blog. With VSA, you can automate your everyday tasks and spend time on high-value activities. You can create, edit and implement automation using an easy-to-use agent procedure editor and set policies that let you standardize IT management best practices. VSA can manage tens of thousands of endpoints on a single SaaS instance, which means you can scale VSA usage in tandem with your business growth without a fuss.

Hold on; we have something more to make the process of automation a breezy one for you. With over 600 listings, Automation Exchange by Kaseya is a community-driven marketplace where you can get out-of-the-box scripts for common IT tasks. Here, you can find the automation package you need, saving you time and increasing your productivity.

Does your endpoint management solution or RMM come packed with these features and capabilities? Most likely not. Let’s talk. Schedule your demo today.

The post Top Seven Everyday IT Tasks You Should be Automating appeared first on Kaseya.

Due to all these factors, patching has become a perennial thorn in the side of IT professionals. This blog will discuss why patching is necessary, why it’s so hard to achieve high deployment and success rates and why 100% patch compliance is now within reach. Get ready to become a patching pro so you can spend less time in front of your screen and more time on the beach.

Why patching is important 

Regularly patching applications and operating systems (OS) is a crucial security practice. It fixes vulnerabilities that cybercriminals would otherwise use as a backdoor to gain access to your or your clients’ business and compromise organizational integrity. Patch management also helps fix functional bugs so organizations can continue running their business without a hitch. Here are the four main advantages of patching.

Mitigating security risks

A common way for cybercriminals to gain access to organizations is by exploiting software, web applications and OS vulnerabilities. 

In mid-2021, cybercriminals exploited an old, unpatched memory corruption vulnerability in Microsoft Office that allowed them to execute code remotely on vulnerable devices. This vulnerability was disclosed in 2017 and was found to be one of the most exploited by nation-state hackers. 

Cybercriminals delight in exploiting software vulnerabilities to conduct corporate espionage, steal confidential data or launch devastating ransomware attacks. In 2021, 66% of mid-sized organizations’ cyberdefenses were tested by would-be ransomware attackers, with the average cost of a successful incident amounting to $1.4 million according to Cybersecurity Dive. 

Therefore, promptly patching software vulnerabilities significantly reduces the risk of malicious outsiders gaining access to private company data or networks. Patch management ensures the safety and security of your company and your clients. 

Leveraging new features 

There’s more to patching than just security though. Software updates often improve the function and capabilities of applications. These updates fix existing trouble spots or introduce new features that help make applications more valuable and end users more productive. You’re leaving money on the table if you subscribe to a software but don’t apply the latest update. For an MSP, it means lost efficiency and therefore profit, while for an SMB, it means wasting your hard-fought budget.

More system uptime

As IT processes become increasingly integrated, a glitch in one application can disrupt an entire integration workflow. Timely patching ensures that applications continue to work without a hitch, leading to more system uptime. As a result, productivity increases and revenue goes up. 

Avoiding non-compliance penalties 

Another key reason to apply patches is to help maintain regulatory or insurance compliance. Several compliance standards and most IT insurance policies require software to be updated regularly. Failure to stay in compliance can lead to audits, fines and even denial of insurance claims in the case of a breach.

Why 100% patch compliance is hard 

Patching is misleadingly simple to talk about but quite complex to implement. The biggest roadblock to 100% patch compliance is the end users, who often block a patch from being applied to prevent disruption to their workday. Often, these interruptions cause applications to fail on day one. 

The manual patching method gives you a slim chance of identifying and installing all the patches you need. It is simpler and more efficient to automate all steps in the patch process. The asset inventory process should be easy to repeat regularly, so automating it helps ensure that every new device and piece of software is quickly discovered and patched. Your RMM should gather all required patches and install them based on the specified policies and priorities. To avoid software conflicts, you may want to test the patch before deploying, which should also be automated through acceptance testing and the ability to roll back.

Businesses and IT service providers that still use traditional remote monitoring and management (RMM) solutions often grapple with subpar automated patching features and lack modern capabilities like offline patching. The key to 100% patch compliance is an advanced RMM solution that will replace the limitations of manual patching with automation capabilities.

Why 100% patch compliance is now within reach 

You can efficiently address the difficulties associated with patch management by automating the entire process using Kaseya VSA. 

The solution manages patches for Windows, macOS and Linux platforms, detects and remediates vulnerabilities, and monitors and maintains patch compliance with ease. VSA also automates the scheduling of patches by time, computer, group or user-defined collections of computers. You get ready-to-deploy pretested patches, which minimizes the burden of packaging and testing patches.

Are you worried about systems that are not in the inventory? The deep discovery feature of VSA patch management module will let you identify unmanaged machines and patch them too.

Are patches not being applied by end users? You can take advantage of the sleep-proof patching feature, which wakes a computer up in the middle of the night, patches it and turns it off again. Additionally, you can see patch history and review and override patches.

What about third-party patches? We’ve got that covered as well. You can keep your environment completely secure by utilizing VSA’s catalog of 250 third-party software patching licenses.

VSA’s scalable, secure and highly configurable policy-driven approach is location-independent and bandwidth-friendly. It helps ensure all machines comply with patching policies and are secured against cyberattacks. By leveraging all these features in VSA, you can achieve 98%+ patch compliance. The automated patch management workflows will protect your organization behind the scenes while freeing up your time for “higher-value” activities like going to the beach.

To get your hands on a word-class patching setup, request your demo today.

The post Automated Patching: Spend Less Time Patching and More Time on the Beach  appeared first on Kaseya.

IT process automation (ITPA) makes use of technology to automate complex business processes, such as IT services, administration and support, into workflows to avoid the costs and time involved in otherwise managing them manually. 

ITPA solutions are designed to eliminate bottlenecks and unify infrastructure by bridging the gap between multiple platforms, applications and systems. In addition to improving transparency and increasing cross-department communication, ITPA also helps reduce errors, prevent data loss and improve processing speed.  

What is an IT process?

IT processes are essentially standardized workflows that help streamline all information technology-related activities within a company. With these IT processes in place, you can ensure efficient delivery of services regardless of who executes them.  

On the other hand, in the absence of clearly defined IT processes, you run a higher risk of errors in your routine, IT-related activities. Examples of common IT processes include ticketing, asset management, patch management, service desk operations and more. 

What are the different types of process automation?

Although ITPA is often confused with other types of process automation, it is very different in several aspects. Let’s discuss some of the different types of process automation and how they differ from ITPA. 

IT process automation (ITPA)

ITPA is focused on improving efficiency by cutting back on the manual work involved in measuring and executing routine IT tasks such as executing security policies/backups, configuring new network devices or servers, patching systems and so on.  

ITPA systems help reduce service delivery times and enable the perfect orchestration of multifunctional processes and workflows. In addition to this, ITPA also facilitates consistency and standardization of the different technologies and software versions available in the company. Also, in the event of a service disruption, ITPA dramatically simplifies problem-solving through automation and reduces the time needed to resolve the incident. 

Robotic process automation (RPA)

As the name suggests, robotic process automation (RPA) enables all repetitive administrative activities and processes to be handled by robots that act as “virtual workers.” RPA systems involve the use of bots that have been trained to perform high-volume, repetitive tasks using machine learning. These bots are adept at performing routine IT tasks such as form checking, data entry and so on. 

RPA promotes cost-saving and greater efficiency and reliability in processes. RPA systems are also great at managing workflows that involve extensive documentation and which are generally more prone to human error. Industries like healthcare, banking, human resources and supply chain benefit greatly from implementing RPA.   

Business process automation (BPA)

Also known as digital transformation, business process automation (BPA) may be described as the technology-enabled automation of complex, multistep business transactions/processes. BPA can help you achieve an array of goals such as achieving digital transformation, streamlining business to make it simpler, boosting service quality, improving service delivery, reducing costs and more. BPA systems are usually tailored to suit the unique requirements of a business.  

Some of the common business processes that can be automated through BPA include new employee onboarding, data entry, invoicing purchase orders and approving loan applications. 

Digital process automation (DPA)

Digital process automation or DPA involves automating processes that need to be performed using multiple different applications. DPA systems may be used to automate a variety of business processes that typically require some kind of human interaction. 

DPA is often considered to be the evolved version of BPM. Having said that, companies that have already implemented BPM find it easier to implement DPA. DPA is often used in enterprise digital transformation initiatives to optimize customer journeys and streamline business processes. Common business functions that can benefit from DPA include workflows such as production, IT, management, marketing and sales. 

How does IT process automation work? 

ITPA tools usually operate on an action-reaction system. As such, for ITPA to work, IT departments must plan for predefined events that will trigger ITPA systems while setting them up. Common events that can be set up to trigger ITPA tools include: 

• Routine daily checks and upgrades 
• Frequent technical issues such as system errors and bugs 
• Predefined workflows such as service desk 

Once the triggers have been defined, ITPA systems are ready for use. Let’s look at the step-by-step process of how an ITPA system works: 

• Monitoring: ITPA systems regularly monitor business applications and track system performance metrics. ITPA systems continue to run on this step until a predefined trigger is detected. 
• Trigger: Once a predefined event occurs, the ITPA system detects it and kick-starts an automated workflow. 
• Reaction: The ITPA system automatically performs a task as a reaction to the trigger event. This reaction can be anything from steps to restore system performance, directing workflows to service desk, automated spreadsheet operations and so on. 

What are some IT process automation use cases? 

ITPA helps organizations quickly resolve IT issues and streamline management of low-value-adding activities to focus more on business priorities. Let’s discuss some of the characteristics of IT tasks that are suitable for IT process automation: 

• Error-prone 
• Involvement of limited human intervention 
• High transaction volume 
• Easily broken down into multiple explicit tasks 
• Existing in a stable environment 

Some of the common use cases of ITPA include: 

• User management 
• Automating routine tasks 
• IT-related onboarding and offboarding 
• Password reset 
• Service desk automation 
• Data access management 
• System health check 
• Data management 

What is an example of IT process automation?

Automatic management of service requests is one of the most common examples of ITPA. Businesses can leverage automation to receive and organize help desk queries, emails and customer grievances. ITPA can also help weed out duplicate queries, automatically address FAQs and more.  

What are the benefits of IT process automation?

Now that we understand what ITPA is and how it works, let’s dive into the reasons why businesses must implement it. 

• Reduced operational costs: Businesses waste a lot of resources on repetitive, manual IT tasks every day. Implementing ITPA can help you automate most of these routine tasks and streamline IT management without having to increase headcount.
• Fewer human errors: By automating IT processes, you can significantly reduce the scope of human errors and minimize the risk of system malfunctions and security events. Also, since standardized best-practice responses are largely embedded within the ITPA system’s workflow, it helps further minimize the risk of errors.
• Increased productivity and efficiency: ITPA implementation help offload routine tasks from your IT department, thus boosting technician productivity and efficiency.
• Quicker detection and response rates: With constant monitoring of systems and business processes, ITPA enables faster detection of predefined trigger events. With faster detection of trigger events, you are better equipped to quickly remediate the issue before it aggravates into a bigger problem.
• Improved service levels and user experience: ITPA helps automate time-consuming manual tasks, which in turn helps improve service levels. Implementing ITPA helps businesses reduce costs and improve profits, enabling their IT departments to provide better service to their clients and enhance overall user experience.
• Superior IT services integration: ITPA facilitates seamless integration of people, processes and tools through automated workflows, thus streamlining IT management.   

What are some drawbacks of IT process automation? 

Having discussed the benefits of implementing ITPA, let’s now look at some of the potential cons associated with it. 

• Fewer jobs for IT staff: One of the most obvious drawbacks of ITPA is the fact that automation brings with it a reduced need for IT technicians to do the same tasks. By automating most of your routine, manual IT tasks, you take away the need to have more people on the job.
• Potential for complacency: Knowing that most of the routine tasks will be taken care of automatically can end up making your IT technicians complacent about their job.
• Loss of human element: With automation replacing most of the manual tasks, ITPA brings with it a loss of human element that is fairly crucial for businesses to succeed. ITPA systems react to trigger events based on predefined processes. However, sometimes it can be more beneficial to have a human make reactive decisions based on their intuition and impulse.
• Implementation and maintenance needs: Another major drawback of ITPA is that it needs constant monitoring and maintenance to make sure it’s working properly. As such, you must test it thoroughly not only before but also after implementation. Ongoing testing and maintenance are imperative to ensure that the results of your ITPA system are either the same or better than the results you would get from employees doing the same activity. In order to achieve this, you need to constantly update your workflows. 

What are IT process automation tools? 

ITPA tools help streamline IT operations by automating repetitive, manual workflows, tasks and processes and bridging the gap between disparate applications. These tools can be implemented across multiple databases and systems and can help automate processes between them without the need for human intervention. In essence, ITPA tools help create a more uniform and standardized IT infrastructure. 

Based on predefined control workflows, your ITPA tool can automatically remediate a system issue or send alerts or escalations to the relevant IT technician for immediate action. ITPA tools are a boon for both internal IT teams as well as MSPs struggling with multiple disparate workflows and spending too much time on routine manual tasks. ITPA tools provide your IT technicians with the flexibility they need to configure and modify processes as needed. 

Automate key IT processes with Kaseya

With Kaseya VSA’s powerful policy-based automation, you can automate common IT processes, such as routine server maintenance and patch management, to reduce manual effort. Moreover, you can also auto-remediate IT incidents by running scripts in response to an alert. And that’s not all! Kaseya VSA scales with the growth of your business by allowing you to manage tens of thousands of endpoints on a single SaaS instance. 

Want to know more about Kaseya’s powerful automation? Schedule a free demo with us today! 

The post What Is IT Process Automation (ITPA) and How Does It Work? appeared first on Kaseya.

As customers learn more about automation, they realize they can automate as many processes as possible with VSA. The more they automate, the less time and effort it takes for their IT technicians to manage their IT environment on a day-to-day basis.

With Kaseya VSA, you can not only automate common IT processes (see our blog Taking IT Automation to the Next Level) but also auto-remediate IT incidents. Automating the remediation of IT incidents means that you can “manage by exception” and get involved only if the auto-remediation fails in certain cases. This is HUGE!

Now that we know how beneficial it is to automate our IT processes, let’s talk about how policies can guide automation to implement IT best practices and standardize processes across the environment.

Policies guide IT automation and apply standardization by:

• Defining what to monitor — events and/or conditions (states) on the endpoint
• Defining the actions to be taken when an event/condition occurs — set alarms, execute scripts (aka “agent procedures”), create a service ticket or send an email notification
• Specifying the routine processes to be executed and on what schedule — inventory, patching, maintenance, etc.
• Applying specific sets of policies to individual machines, machine groups or organizations, as needed

Changing a machine’s association with a machine group or organization causes the appropriate policies to be automatically re-deployed to that endpoint. (More IT automation).

Maintain Compliance With IT Policies

A compliance cycle checks whether each machine is compliant with applied policies. Listed below are a few policy status icons that indicate the status of each machine for VSA users.

– In Compliance – The agent settings for this machine match the settings of all policies assigned to this machine. No user action is required.

– Marked for Deployment – At least one policy assigned to this machine has been changed and is scheduled to be deployed. No user action is required.

– No Policy Attached – No applied policies are assigned to this machine. Consider assigning applied policies to this machine.

– Out of Compliance – At least one agent setting does not match at least one active policy assigned to this machine. Use the Policy Details window to identify the specific policies and settings that are causing the mismatch.

– Overridden – At least one agent setting does not match at least one active policy assigned to this machine due to a user override

– Inactive – When multiple policies are assigned to a machine and agent settings conflict, policy assignment rules determine which agent settings are obeyed and which agent settings are ignored. Ignored settings are identified as inactive.

Standardize IT Processes Through Policies 

You can define policies for how you want to manage different categories of devices. For example, you can have a policy to manage all your Microsoft SQL Server machines. This standardizes the management of these devices throughout your IT environment. Standardization means that all these machines run the same maintenance processes on a similar schedule to maximize system uptime. With policies, you can apply IT management best practices consistently throughout your environment.

As another example, you could create a patch management policy named ‘servers’ and assign all your servers to be members of this patch policy. Create another patch policy named ‘workstations’ and assign all your desktops and laptops to be members of this policy. This way, you can configure patch approvals differently for servers and workstations.

Leverage Built-in Policies, Scripts and Reports to Implement IT Management Best Practices 

Kaseya VSA provides built-in policies that reflect best-practice solutions for common IT management tasks. It also provides built-in Monitor Sets (what to monitor) and Agent Procedures (scripts) that make it easy to get started.

With VSA, you can automate server and workstation maintenance, OS and third-party application patching, system backups and compliance management, all under the control of policies. You can also auto-remediate common IT issues.

Leverage the Kaseya Automation Exchange — a portal where Kaseya customers and partners share, buy and sell ready-to-use automation scripts, monitor sets, reports and more.

Learn more about Kaseya VSA by requesting a demo.

The post What is Policy Based IT Automation and Why Should You Care? appeared first on Kaseya.