Repetitive tasks are everywhere – think report generation, email sorting and system audits – but they're still daunting for most businesses. Unfortunately, though 90% of businesses recognize the obvious benefits of automation70% remain blocked by the misconception that it is complex and difficult to adopt.

At the same time, the C-suite is under pressure to drive results amid lingering inflation, supply chain disruptions, market volatility and recession fears. This pressure drives them to cut costs and increase efficiency. Through it all, the imperative to deliver the best customer and employee experiences always remains at the forefront of my mind.

With all these challenges, it is time to cut through the myths and focus on the fact that automation is not just a nice thing – it is a productivity imperative.

Related: Why automation is essential for all small business owners

Beyond the words of automation

Automation is more than just a trend for companies that have truly embraced it and rely on it to be a strategic asset. today, 91% of organizations have dedicated teams focused on IT automation. Even small and medium-sized businesses see automation as a game changer.

In fact, 88% of SMB owners believe automation allows them to go head-to-head with larger players by empowering these businesses to scale smarter, respond faster and better optimize their limited resources while remaining competitive.

The potential of automation goes beyond routine maintenance tasks. Yes, it can handle system updates, data backup, user security, and so on, as well as supplementing IT teams with their day-to-day tasks. However, automation also plays a crucial role in areas that cannot afford risks and errors such as network security, access management and patch management.

In these cases, real-time monitoring tools can identify any potential risks or unusual activity as they arise, giving IT teams an incentive to act before small issues escalate. Automating these critical areas can mean tighter security, less human error and a faster response to evolving threats.

Additionally, in high-stakes environments, automation becomes a ally of compliancecreating audit-ready records and quickly adapting to regulatory changes without additional legal work. For executives, the benefits are clear and measurable. They believe that automation can increase their workforce capacity, equivalent to augmentation 2.4 million additional full-time employees.

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Five things to look for when bringing automation to the table

Automation can transform the way businesses operate, but making it worthwhile means being smart about where and how it's applied. Here's what to keep in mind when getting started.

1. Focus on high impact areas to apply automation. Automation applied to an inefficient operation will only magnify it inefficiencies. So start small by analyzing daily workflows and identifying repetitive tasks that take time. Prioritizing these tasks for automation can bring rapid productivity gains. Establish clear success metrics to ensure automation is working as intended and delivering meaningful results.

2. Choose platforms that fit seamlessly with your stack. For an automation tool to truly add value, it must fit seamlessly within the existing technology stack. However, 30% of users report that their automation tools lack full integration with cloud and SaaS technologies, creating expensive gaps. To avoid these pitfalls, prioritize platforms that can easily integrate with mainstream IT tools. Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solutions can be effective here, connecting disparate applications, data sources, and on-premises and cloud systems into a unified framework for IT automation.

3. Go for scalable platforms that can grow with you. Choose platforms that can scale and grow with your company, adding advanced features as your needs grow. A modular automation approach, for example, provides the flexibility to first automate basic workflows and later integrate advanced analytics or AI-driven decision-making modules. A truly scalable IT automation platform that fits yours growth trajectory supporting an agile environment that keeps pace with evolving needs

4. Prioritize platforms that have built-in security and compliance. With so much data handled and tasks executed autonomously without human intervention, it is imperative to look for platforms that include strong security measures, such as end-to-end encryption and automated compliance checks. These features protect sensitive information, block unauthorized access, and keep us compliant with industry regulations like GDPR or HIPAA.

5. Look for flexible platforms that fit your needs. Choose platforms that allow you to customize configurations unique to your business needs. This flexibility may include establishing detailed audit trails to track system changes or implementing industry-specific workflows, such as supply chain logistics or patient data management in healthcare. This flexibility ensures that your automation solution is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but is tailored to fit the structure of your organization.

Related: 5 Ways Automation Can Help Your Business

Unlock the full potential of automation

Even with advanced automation tools in place, automating certain tasks may still be out of reach. This is where custom scripts come in, providing last-mile coverage that allows IT administrators to design solutions tailored to unique business needs. However, deploying scripts across endpoints comes with its own challenges, especially with authentication and timing. Applying them at the right time is often the hardest part.

Unified Endpoint Management Platforms can simplify this process by helping IT administrators generate, validate, and schedule scripts for timely deployment. And with AI now in the mix, automation has increased, creating possibilities limited only by the imagination of those designing workflows.

After all, getting the most out of automation isn't just about implementing the right tools. It's more of a piecemeal process, requiring thorough evaluation, refinement, and maintenance. Equally important is the training of employees who work closely with these tools, empowering them to take full advantage of the platform's potential. By strategically aligning automation strategies with their unique needs and size, businesses can position themselves to stay ahead of the game.