Digital transformation has ensured the digitization and computerization of all processes in a business. All these processes run on the backbone of technology and its associated infrastructure. Without IT infrastructure, all efforts of digitization would come to naught. IT infrastructure is the lifeline of an enterprise’s technology strategy today.
The Role of IT Infrastructure in an Enterprise
With the automation and streamlining of business processes (powered by robust IT infrastructure), there is an increase in the efficiency of business operations and a reduction in errors that are caused due to manual interventions.
IT infrastructure provides the necessary technology framework to support the enterprise systems that underpin regular business operations. This includes ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems, CRM systems (customer relationship management) as well as supply chain management solutions, any many others. Tracking customer interactions and feedback and analysing much-needed customer behaviour and preferences are just a few of the instances where sophisticated IT infrastructure plays a crucial role.
It’s the IT infrastructure that allows organisations to provide 24/7 customer service and self-service options through online portals and chatbots, improving the levels of customer experience and increasing customer loyalty. The foundation of modern digital expansion has been mobile access. This is also enabled by IT infrastructure, thus allowing customers to access services and information from their mobile devices and, as such, providing convenience and accessibility globally.
There is a substantial increase in the level and criticality of communication and collaboration between employees, vendors, customers, and partners both within the organisation and beyond the boundaries of the enterprise. The hybrid workplace has only become possible due to the existence of sophisticated IT infrastructure. It’s this infrastructure that enables employees to work from anywhere.
There is a huge jump in productivity (and profits) within an enterprise with the right IT infrastructure in place. More can be done in less time and resources. For instance, workflow planning and management of data, along with data analysis for making data-driven decisions, can only be facilitated with the appropriate IT infrastructure in place, which in turn increases an organization’s business valuation.
Data security, privacy data governance, and adherence to compliances and protocols are possible due to tools and technologies that are maintained and executed on available infrastructure across the enterprise.
IT Infrastructure Becomes Complex
1. Increased Sophistication of Technology
As technology continues to evolve, the systems and tools used to manage IT infrastructure are becoming more complex. This requires organisations to hire experts who have a profound understanding of these technologies and the ability to implement and manage them effectively. Hiring and retaining such personnel is mandatory but expensive.
2. The Explosion of the User Base
The increasing number of users accessing IT infrastructure, both within and outside of the enterprise, is making operations more complex to manage and maintain. Customers are increasingly demanding access to services and information anytime, anywhere, and on any device. This requires organisations to provide a consistent and seamless experience across multiple channels, which can be challenging to achieve and maintain.
3. Increased Digital Transformation and Remote Work
As organisations continue to adopt digital technologies and move away from traditional business models, the complexity of IT infrastructure management is increasing. This requires organisations to implement and manage new technologies and systems, such as cloud computing, mobile devices, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The shift towards a hybrid workplace culture has added a layer of complexity to IT infrastructure management, as organisations must ensure that employees have access to the systems and tools they need to work effectively from anywhere.
3. Cybersecurity Concerns
With the rise of cyber-threats and data breaches, organisations must ensure that their IT infrastructure is secure and that confidential information is protected. This requires a complex set of controls and protocols within the IT infrastructure, which must be implemented and managed effectively.
Automation Is Key
A lot of tasks in infrastructure management are repetitive and can (indeed, must) be automated. Automation reduces human error and ensures that configuration tasks are completed systematically. Automation reduces the time and effort required to perform routine tasks, freeing up the IT team to focus on other responsibilities within the enterprise. This leads to improved productivity and efficiency in infrastructure management as well as reducing the overall running costs of the team.
Besides, scalability is easier with automation as manual intervention is nominal hence allowing organisations to scale up their infrastructure as needed without worrying about staffing.
Automation also allows for improved metric collection along with detailed monitoring of systems with detailed reporting. This data gives IT teams better visibility into their infrastructure, helping organisations quickly detect and resolve issues before they become critical, thus reducing downtime and improving availability.
Furthermore, automated tools can help enforce security policies and standards, reducing the risk of security breaches and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
AI in the Arena of Automation and Infrastructure Management
AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations) uses AI and ML to automate tasks and improve the efficiency of IT operations and infrastructure management. With the aid of technology and tools, AIOps reduces the complexity of IT infrastructure management, detecting and mitigating issues before they become critical. The usage of these AI-based systems thus results in improved efficiency, scalability, and availability.
Self-healing infrastructure, predictive analytics, and anomaly detection tools are some examples of how AI is being merged into the automation of infrastructure management.
Digital transformation of businesses has increased the importance of IT infrastructure as the backbone of technology. However, the increased sophistication of technology, explosion of the user base, digital transformation and remote work, and cybersecurity concerns have made IT infrastructure management more complex.
Automation is to reduce the complexities of infrastructure management. The integration of AIOps into automation further improves the efficiency and performance of IT infrastructure management, enabling organizations to detect and mitigate issues before they become critical. Get in touch with our experts to learn more about the viability of AIOps for your enterprise’s IT strategy.