Introduction to AutoMate 6

Introduction to AutoMate 6
White Paper
Published: February 2005 For the latest information, please see http://www.networkautomation.com/automate/. REVISION 3 (updated 5/11/2005) Abstract
Businesses today are under constant pressure to lower costs while improving overall operational efficiency. Enterprises of all sizes can reduce costs and improve business agility if they can automate various operational aspects of their IT and business processes. Recognizing this need, Network Automation has designed AutoMate to provide customers with a platform for rapid development of automation tasks at a low total cost of ownership (TCO). This white paper describes the automation, systems integration, and replication challenges currently facing information technology (IT) organizations. It also introduces AutoMate as a complete development, execution and maintenance platform for automated tasks within an organization describing its features, which provide the best-in-class solution to those automation challenges.
The information contained in this document represents the current view of Network Automation, Inc on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Network Automation must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Network Automation, and Network Automation cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication. This white paper is for informational purposes only. NETWORK AUTOMATION MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT. Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user. Without limiting the rights under copyright, no part of this document may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), or for any purpose, without the express written permission of Network Automation. Network Automation may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Network Automation, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property. © 2005 Network Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. AutoMate, AutoMate Professional, AutoMate Server, "Window Dissection" and AutoMate Enterprise are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Network Automation, Inc in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Server, and Windows Server System are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Introduction to AutoMate ii Contents
Today's Automation Challenges...................................................................................................... 1 More Applications, More Users = Exploding Business Process Transaction Growth .............. 1 Demand for Lower IT Budgets .................................................................................................. 1 Human Error Caused By Manual Process Execution ............................................................... 1 What This Means to IT Professionals ....................................................................................... 1
Potential Solutions: Scripting Coupled with Job Scheduling ........................................................... 3 Critical Failing: Loosely coupled scripts and other technologies results in high TCO. ............. 3 The Solution: "AutoMate" automation software ........................................................................ 3
The Basics: AutoMate Highlights..................................................................................................... 4
How AutoMate Works: an Example................................................................................................. 5
Four Common Automation Scenarios ............................................................................................. 7
Major Benefits Of AutoMate ....................................................................... [download for more]