CA Data Center Automation Blog

When talking about automation in the data center we think about the use of tools and processes to coordinate and execute on activities with hopes to reduce complexity, errors, labor, and costs while increasing productivity.  To further automation goals, we have to consider outside influences to the data center as well as existing software tools and processes that are already in place.  It is likely that any given data center environment consists of a spattering of technologies across multiple platforms and vendors.  This platform/vendor mix results in increased data center complexity and can best be dealt with by the proper tools for integrating and orchestrating IT processes across IT silos, regardless of the vendor or vendor specific platforms.  Integration is the key concept and Run Book Automation (RBA), aka IT Process Automation (ITPA), is a critical component in any automation initiative.

Recently CA announced an OEM agreement with Opalis, a leader in RBA tools.  This partnership will allow CA to take advantage of an already established, industry leading technology as well as to further enhance its integration points for CA software.  But, this does not preclude the existing integration points across other vendor platforms, nor Opalis' continued R&D efforts as a vendor neutral solution.

So what does RBA bring to the table?  "IT process automation provides the ability to launch a process in context and pass information from one process to the next with a level of accuracy far superior to that of any entry into an administrator interface. Solutions in this space replace the scripting of application production rules (run book)."  The demand for process automation is driven from senior IT leadership looking to: Increase IT operations efficiencies, especially around the adoption of best practices, increase IT agility and proving IT operations' accountability to the business.  

You may have noticed a theme of process automation, coupled with best practices?  Yes, RBA/ITPA can help achieve higher levels of process maturity, notably those specified in best practices frameworks, such as ITIL.  IT process automation can easily assist IT Operations in automating those processes that are established and repeatable, while setting the stage for future process design and improvements.  As IT Operations continues to identify, define and improve on IT processes, ITPA serves as a fundamental step in furthering their goals.