The workload automation platform built for simplicity

Recently, the automation industry has taken a few interesting turns. CA Technologies was bought by Broadcom, and then BMC was acquired by KKR. This has resulted in significant unrest and uncertainty for many of their employees. More significantly, that unrest and uncertainty extends to their clients.

If your business could benefit from or already relies on workload automation, then you may be unsure of what the future holds. Or, if you had partnered with CA Technologies or BMC, then these major acquisitions may already be affecting your business.

Understanding the lay of the land in workload automation

CA Technologies was acquired in 2018 by Broadcom. Within months, Broadcom had laid off more than half of CA Technologies’ employees. Their future in the automation industry is now very much in question.

Recently, BMC updated their website to entice existing CA Technologies partners to consider transitioning their workload automation platform. However, BMC’s acquisition by KKR may bring similar complications. Moving from the one automation platform provider to the other won’t do much to alleviate anxiety about acquisitions and transition.

Larger companies typically buy strategically. That is, they purchase companies to round out their services or capture new technology. This means that taking care of the purchased company’s clients is low on their list of priorities.

At SMA Technologies, we’ve heard firsthand accounts of worry and doubt about the future of CA Technologies and BMC. Many feel left in the dark about the outlook for their automation needs. Others are concerned about the direction of their platforms, the future of their products, and the quality of client service.

The Search for Stability in Automation Platforms

The exact wording on BMC’s website was this:

“CA Technologies was recently acquired by Broadcom. Whether or not the acquisition has an impact on your IT infrastructure today, it’s time to consider CA product alternatives.”

It’s a fair assessment of the current IT operations landscape. With all the changes and transitions taking place in the automation industry, now is the best time to reassess who is best able to provide your enterprise with a sophisticated automation platform.

Clearly, one of the focal points going forward is stability — who can provide you with the most stability?

The answer is simple: providers who have both a proven track record and who aren’t going through a major transition themselves are your best bet.

Important considerations for choosing a new automation platform

The goal of most automation platforms is the same: to automate repetitive tasks and processes across an organization. Automation drastically increases efficiency and reduces the time staff spends on manual input and communication.

In this section, we’ll go over a few of the most important things to consider when choosing a new automation platform.

1. Ability to integrate with existing infrastructure

Not all automation platforms work the same. Many platforms present some form of a one-size-fits-all approach. While that can help with scale and profitability, it often means a business must compromise on their operating systems or business applications.

Here at SMA, we pride ourselves on flexibility, customization, and attention to detail. Our workload automation platform, OpCon, can automate any organization’s existing business and IT applications to achieve truly enterprise-wide automation. Our expert automation consultants work with you to identify jobs and processes that can be automated. Then we conduct an onsite install to ensure OpCon is set up quickly and without error. This requires some hands-on work at first, but makes for a seamless conversion that is much simpler for your business and IT staff in the long run.

2. Single point of control

Features such as graphical wizards, managed file transfers, and an uncomplicated dashboard help your organization get set up quickly and without issue. They also make managing complex workflows surprisingly simple. OpCon uses the power of such features, along with its ability to integrate with just about every operating system and business application, to consolidate all your automated processes and systems into a single point of control.

Your staff should also have easy control over both your existing infrastructure and your automation capabilities. Nobody should have to learn complicated procedures to simplify their work. Instead, staff should be able to trigger workflows from a single, simple platform. That’s why OpCon engineers a self-service module that allows end users to trigger workflows with the press of a button. In fact, with OpCon we offer several modules that can make the experience and interface even simpler.

3. Eliminate silos by connecting people across business units

Automation should make employee lives easier, not more difficult. Having a single point of control eliminates silos by connecting people across business units.

Having a single point of control works better when the automation platform can integrate with and incorporate existing infrastructure. By simplifying the software landscape in an organization, users in different departments can more effectively communicate and collaborate.

Enterprise and workflow automation platforms should connect business units on multiple levels. First, they are connected through automation, as automated tasks are usually processes for various business units. Second, they should connect through a single point of control, allowing users direct connection via self-service modules. OpCon connects systems, workflows, and people across the enterprise to break down silos and greatly improve efficiency.

4. Meet even your most complex needs

One-size-fits-all approaches do work for some organizations. However, there is no standard way of operating a business. As such, it’s unrealistic to expect businesses to conform to a rigid set of automation requirements.

When you look for a new automation partner, consider your organization’s needs first. Who is willing to tailor their services to fit your specific needs? Who is able?

Your new automation platform provider should be both willing and able to accommodate your needs. Nothing should be “too complex” for them. That’s where SMA’s unique combination of hands-on expertise with an ultra-powerful automation platform comes into play. Quite simply, we can automate pretty much anything with OpCon.

OpCon is the simple solution in an environment of uncertainty

Whether large or small, simple or complex, all businesses can benefit from workload automation. Fortunately, there are several providers out there, many of whom feature a proven track record of success.

However, the automation industry as a whole is in flux right now. As we’ve seen, some of the major players are in varying states of transition right now. That casts uncertainty not only on their future, but also on their present.

If you’re concerned about the automation landscape, or if you’re uncertain about your future with CA Technologies or BMC, then you should consider OpCon from SMA Technologies. We work closely with our clients to ensure complete simplification and satisfaction.