IT departments across the enterprises are under pressure when it comes to implementing technological innovation. As the volume of enterprise data is constantly rising, automation of database management practices has become necessary. Enterprises should leverage the application tools, software, and framework to generate the automated sequences based on different triggering events, which has now become critical. However, it is not coming without any challenges.
While executed well, IT process and database management automation can increase productivity and efficiency, reduce the cost, and speed the processing time to value. However, loosely crafted automation sequences and lack of proper integration between different internal and third-party applications may harm application deployment and management and further can have a rippling effect on the database landscape.
Deploying faulty or incompetent automated processes may trigger many errors and can also make it difficult for the administrators to manage the architecture successfully. There can be challenges everywhere in the IT automation process, ranging from planning, implementing to maintaining and troubleshooting the automated database applications. It is also crucial to pinpoint such obstacles before launching any new sequences. Further in this article, in light of the need for enterprises to automate their database workflow, we will explore some common pitfalls and how to tackle those.
Pitfalls in automation to avoid
- Being in a hurry to automate
Implementing agile methodologies and DevOps technologies is crucial in terms of managing the future-generation IT infrastructure. It will enable the enterprises to be more scalable and reliable. So, before starting with a database or IT infrastructure automation project, the implementers need first to get a bird’s-eye view of the impact of the same on various business parts. It is important to make sure that the automation project is made as comprehensive as possible to be effective, not only based on the current needs but also by offering long-term solutions for the organization.
Once all the objectives are well defined, you can choose the process methodology and optimize it. All involved as developers, testers, implementers, and project managers should consider various automation tools and try to become proficient in navigating different software applications by leveraging various techniques and technologies on a scalable platform to do thorough testing and analysis launching any database automation project.
- Failing to identify high-risk areas
Risk mitigation is another crucial aspect of automation. Implementing new automation systems within large enterprisesmay present different failure points. Lack of consideration for any potential risk at the outset may lead only to more pain down the road. Software automation testers need to evaluate the execution plan thoroughly, which may have many risks too. A good execution plan must include the risk mitigation steps, ranking of the potential threats, plan of action for any unforeseen risk, and proper risk treatment on notice.
Along with these, it is also important to consider the antivirus sequences, firewall restrictions, and various other security measures through the development of a risk mitigation plan. Testers should also be fluent in security administration for their products and testing the enterprise database framework one step at a time to ensure compliance with the set standards through the automation process. For database automation, you may also take the assistance of consultants like RemoteDBA.com.
- Automating inaccurate sequences
Testing and screening are very critical in terms of ensuring the efficiency of automation processes. It is also crucial that the developers be attentive to examining the critical details throughout the automation process and ensure that there is no overlook of important information. Missing any key elements or errors without the given sequence will ensure that it may get duplicated until it is spotted and corrected later. Flaws in algorithms may result in repeated database errors and can potentially impact the business as a whole. In many cases, it may also harm the customer experience and brand reputation. Automating the complex proceedings can also be time-consuming.
- Failing to maintain automation consistently
Even when the automation process is implemented, it is not done yet. Rolling out the automation sequence is not a one-time process. You need to actively tweak the automation system and develop consistent maintenance techniques to capture data, combine it, and use machine learning capabilities to identify the failures. The system should also be programmed optimally. There are also needs like triggering requests for maintenance, sending notifications to the technicians, placing an order for part replacement, etc. It is also important that the organizations identify how to execute the system repairs effectively, conduct analyses, and identify the need for repair, which should be simultaneously made to reduce any spending. Before automating any deployments, ensure the project managers make a thorough comparison of maintenance strategies and determine the cost savings to identify the most effective approach.
- Investing in the wrong tools
From planning, implementing, to maintaining automation practices, the choice of wrong tools can wreak havoc in your process. Automation tools to identify and deploy a sequence of intricate actions can be promoted through manual action and can also trigger events specified in the development automation sequence. Not investing in optimized platforms and tools to support the automation process increase the potential for errors. The tools chosen should be broad and useful enough to impact daily activities and aid in agile initiatives.
With this, the teams can better manage all the software and hardware tools efficiently and optimally. Before executing any IT automation project, the teams should also consider the impact of chosen tools in light of executing the right processes for your organization, the benefits offered by these, and how automation of the processes will leverage these specific tools for optimal performance.
Adding to all these technical pitfalls to avoid automatic database IT operations, you need to consider the challenges to be faced while integrating these with the organizational processes. While deploying organizational-wide changes like automation, executives must take the necessary steps for better collaboration and transparency. Also, make sure that the automation is well aligned to the business model of the entire organization. You may use various training approaches to support different learning preferences and ensure that all the employees across various units are well aligned with the goals of automation.
While thinking of automation of database and IT processes, center your goals around your team’s need rather than just the preference of the tools. The goal of automation is to streamline the processes and make the organization more efficient and productive.
