Automating Routine IT Tasks for Small Business Efficiency
For small businesses, maximizing time and resources is critical. This is especially true for those who have limited resources. While the digital demands of today’s business environment continually increase, the IT budget often does not. Doing more with less has become a mantra many small businesses have needed to accept. That is why it is more important than ever to adopt an automation framework to increase productivity while maintaining a high level of security and compliance.
Automating routine IT tasks has been a staple for large organizations but with the advent of powerful tools like Microsoft Power Automate, Azure Automation and third-party RMM platforms, automation has become easier to accomplish for small businesses. This helps to reduce overhead while enhancing system reliability. Sound Computers can provide guidance on the most effective ways to automate IT routines.
IT Automation and SMBs
IT departments (whether small or large) face a great deal of repetitive tasks. From user account creation, patch management and password resets to managing software updates and system monitoring, it can become tedious. It can also cause staff to lose focus and make mistakes.
One way to combat this is by introducing automated procedures to take time-consuming work off the staff. By removing these functions from staff, they can focus on more important aspects of the IT environment.
Areas to Automate
Many platforms offer low-code or no-code options to manage and implement automated solutions. Below are areas to consider automating.
Onboarding and Offboarding Procedures
Automating account procedures helps ensure every employee is given the same training when first working for the company. This also ensures they have access to all applications and files they need to do their job effectively. The same procedures can be developed during offboarding. Revoking access and wiping devices can all be done by automated procedures.
Doing this manually can be incredibly time-consuming. In some organizations, there might be hundreds of endpoints that need to be reconfigured. Integrating solutions like Azure AD, Microsoft 365, Okta or Duo can help automate user tasks.
Patch Management
One area that is critical to maintaining compliance and a secure digital environment is patch management. This can also be automated to improve efficiency. Automation platforms like Atera, Microsoft Endpoint Manager or NinjaOne can provide IT staff with the power to apply updates across all devices during off-hours. This helps small businesses avoid vulnerabilities.
Routine Maintenance and Monitoring
With automated health checks, staff can be alerted to issues even before users notice them. This could include CPU load, backup issues and low disk space warnings. When these thresholds are exceeded, procedures could be automated. This might include clearing temporary files, initiating backup processes or restarting devices.
Tools That Make Automation Accessible
A common myth regarding automation is the belief that it requires a great deal of technical knowledge and experience. Most modern IT platforms providing automated solutions offer features designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses.
Microsoft Power Automate
This platform offers organizations the ability to create various workflows through a visual designer. IT staff can build workflows that trigger processes when an email arrives or a file is uploaded. It also provides full integration of Teams, Outlook and SharePoint as well as various third-party platforms.
Azure Automation
For those businesses operating in hybrid environments, this platform allows IT staff to provide advanced scripting and orchestration. This includes executing PowerShell runbooks and VM lifecycles.
Addressing Common Concerns
Small businesses might hesitate at the thought of using another IT solution due to cost concerns. These concerns are unfounded with regard to automation.
Automation doesn’t involve replacing existing systems. It involves improving them. Most automation platforms are simply integrated into the current infrastructure and configured to properly match ongoing procedures and protocols. This can also greatly minimize human error and improve overall efficiency with little to no human intervention.
With regard to cost, most automated solutions are priced per device or user and can be scaled as the business’ needs change. This design decreases ongoing operational costs.
The Long-Term Benefits
Making the investment can be daunting for some businesses but it is an absolute necessity. Operating in an environment where costs and staffing limitations can strangle growth, small businesses should fully embrace the idea of automation.
Automation provides the framework for fully scalable options that enable small businesses to grow without needing to increase staffing. It also eliminates the need to constantly upgrade staff information technology certifications. Integrating automated solutions can also be the solution for business continuity by not relying on staff for knowledge concerning how procedures are executed.
It also allows businesses to more quickly adapt to external and internal changes. Whether it is new compliance standards or spikes in user support tickets, all of it can be handled through automation.
Smarter IT Management
When faced with the need to do more with less, many small businesses simply vapor lock. They are stuck in a vicious cycle. Automation allows them some breathing room. They can move from a reactive stance in IT support to a proactive mindset. This helps to streamline processes and improve security.
Ready to take the first step toward more innovative IT management? Contact Sound Computers to schedule a consultation and discover how automation can transform your small business.
