Managing an IT environment with hundreds or thousands of devices is a constant challenge. Technical incidents, updates, and repetitive tasks consume valuable time and resources, limiting the team's ability to focus on strategic projects, innovation, and user and customer support. This is where automated scripts become a key tool.
As Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, once said:
In the technological field, innovation is not only about creating new products but also about optimizing processes and improving resource management. Automation, through scripts, is a clear example of how companies can lead change, increasing efficiency and reducing repetitive tasks that consume time and resources.
These scripts execute actions without manual intervention, or with minimal involvement, optimizing processes and improving operational efficiency. Automation not only frees up time for higher-value tasks but also reduces errors, speeds up execution, and enhances work quality.
According to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, automation not only optimizes performance but, in some cases, achieves results beyond human capabilities. Additionally, research from the University of Lima demonstrates that automation can be a significant competitive advantage, helping to reduce costs, streamline operations, and lower labor expenses.
Despite its benefits, many companies are still unaware of the potential of automation and the real impact that scripts can have on their daily operations. In this article, we will explore what automated scripts are, how they can improve efficiency, and why implementing them in IT environments can be a strategic game-changer for any company.
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An automated script is a set of instructions or commands written in a scripting language that executes automatically to perform specific tasks without manual intervention or the need to understand how to write the code. These scripts streamline repetitive processes, minimize errors, and improve operational efficiency and user experience, especially in IT environments such as system administration, software development, and business service automation.
Automated scripts can run automatically through automation platforms or scheduled configurations. For example, a disk cleanup script can be executed on-demand, on a scheduled basis, or automatically if configured to activate when disk usage reaches a certain percentage. This saves time and optimizes productivity by automating tasks without manual intervention.
Impact of Automation on Support and Operations
Source: Flexxible
Microservices, by themselves, are simple scripts or pieces of code. Flexxible unlocks the full potential of these scripts by enabling multiple consumption methods, allowing manual, automatic, conditional, and scheduled execution:
Manual Execution:
Automated Execution:
Conditional Execution:
Microservices are, at their core, small scripts or code fragments. However, Flexxible maximizes their potential by offering different consumption methods that allow these microservices to be executed manually, automatically, conditionally, or on a scheduled basis, adapting to the needs of each situation:
Automated scripts, also known as microservices, are configured via user interfaces or workflow creation, enabling conditions and scheduling. In a platform like Flexxible, microservices can be set up to activate based on a schedule or system conditions.
For example, instead of scheduling a task at a fixed time each day, it is more efficient to execute it when needed. A case in point is disk cleanup: if a lack of space is detected, the system automatically triggers the microservice to optimize storage. These automation workflows enable more efficient and adaptable management.
Here are 8 practical examples for IT optimization in businesses and what to consider if using automated scripts for the first time:
This process detects and resolves common issues in Microsoft Office installations, such as incorrect settings or performance failures, ensuring proper functionality.
How to leverage it in your company:
Self-help solutions from Flexxible enable employees to resolve IT issues on their own, reducing the support workload and increasing productivity. By doing so, problem resolution speed is improved, user satisfaction is optimized, and IT operations are enhanced.
How to leverage it in your company:
This script removes temporary files, logs, and other unnecessary data, freeing up disk space and improving overall device performance.
How to leverage it in your company:
This is an example of the menu used to enable a microservice.
Source: Flexxible
Deletes cached files and resets browser settings to their default values, which can resolve loading or performance issues.
How to leverage it in your company:
This script ensures that browsers are always up to date, which is crucial for security and compatibility with the latest web technologies.
How to leverage it in your company:
The restart is triggered automatically when certain predefined conditions in a workflow are met. For example, every Monday at 8 a.m. if the system is Windows 10 Pro.
Flexxible’s microservices allow scheduled actions through workflows in the portal, ensuring that updates are executed under specific conditions.
This is an example of how to schedule the execution of a microservice:
Source: Flexxible
How to leverage it in your company:
Installs critical updates and security patches automatically to ensure systems are protected against vulnerabilities.
How to leverage it in your company:
This script fixes any incorrect or damaged settings of installed applications, restoring their functionality.
How to leverage it in your company:
Fixes synchronization issues or incorrect settings in employees' mailboxes, restoring full functionality.
How to leverage it in your company:
Flexxible's self-remediation solutions are capable of proactively detecting and resolving common mailbox problems, ensuring that incidents are managed before they impact productivity.
One of the main advantages of Flexxible is its RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) system, which ensures that only users with the appropriate access level can trigger remote restarts. This process does not involve private or sensitive data, but all information regarding the execution of the restart is securely stored and available for future audits.
The creation of these access controls is based on values such as security and control of information systems, principles that ensure data protection at all times.
Additionally, Flexxible allows for the customization of the code behind each process, adapting it to the specific needs of the company. This makes automated scripts more efficient and easier to maintain.
As César Cernuda, president of NetApp, points out:
This statement highlights the importance of properly managing data within companies, especially regarding security and accessibility. In this regard, the Flexxible platform reflects that vision, prioritizing security and control in every operation. Automated scripts are a key part of this approach, enhancing efficiency and reducing risks.
Flexxible's advanced, automated support solution redefines IT support as you know it. It improves first-resolution rates, reduces resolution times, and decreases the number of escalated tickets, further streamlining incident management and the end-user experience. With Flexxible, automation not only optimizes tasks but also improves operational efficiency and significantly reduces the burden on your IT team.
Following this, Luís Sánchez, Senior Pre-Sales Engineer at Flexxible, shares five more examples of how the platform compares to other solutions on the market, highlighting its ability to optimize remote restart management and ensure greater IT administration efficiency through automation scripts.
Take the next step towards automation. With FlexxClient, system failures and common errors are fixed automatically, reducing downtime and improving your team’s productivity.
* Gartner®, Magic Quadrant™ for Digital Employee Experience Management Tools, Dan Wilson, Tom Cipolla, Stuart Downes, Autumn Stanish, Lina Al Dana, 26 August 2024 **Gartner®, Magic Quadrant™ for Desktop as a Service, Stuart Downes, Eri Hariu, Mark Margevicius, Craig Fisler, Sunil Kumar, 16 September 2024
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