The term “automation” refers to a broad spectrum of technological approaches that minimize human intervention in everyday processes. Humans are reduced from the loop of control in most automated procedures-from initial decisions controlling the machine, all the way down to the detail of the last operation. Artificial intelligence applies this same approach in all areas of life from banking to transportation, from manufacturing to entertainment. In each area of automation, the ultimate goal is the same: computers that can do all the work humans would traditionally be required to do. In the case of AI, the ultimate goal is the development of artificial intelligence that can beat every human grandmaster in a game show.
Traditional methods of automation involved humans spending their time reading instructions, making corrections, analyzing results, and so on. But as machine learning and Artificial Intelligence technologies improve, even these tasks will become routine tasks. To move from today’s strictly manual methods to fully automated systems, we must adopt new attitudes toward how we use machines. Our minds need to understand that automation does not strip us of our creative edge, nor does it mean that we will be left behind in the economy, or in the world. Automated processes simply provide us with an increased tool for doing the jobs we need to do.
If you have been operating your business using routines like reading maintenance schedules, ordering parts, producing reports, writing sales letters, or programming the accounting system, automation is certainly making things more convenient for you. But as machines continue to replace routine tasks, you may begin to notice that the quality of your work is slipping. Even worse, if your business is using mostly automated processes to automate most of the operations, then the profitability of the business may be decreasing instead of increasing.
To fully automate a process, the computer must be able to execute at a high rate of speed. And this is possible only if the machine has memory, a fast CPU, and no errors. This kind of machine is called a “versatile” or “ultra-mobile” machine. A good example of a highly mobile, or semi-mobile, automation process is industrial maintenance. Although many industries still use manual processes to perform basic maintenance tasks, more businesses are turning to automated processes that can perform these tasks almost at the speed of thought.
Another reason why automation is creating so many cost savings is because the machine is able to complete repetitive tasks much faster. And as long as the machine is programmed correctly, it can perform these tasks at the same or even faster rate than human workers. It is also true that the machine can detect errors much sooner than human workers. All these reasons make it possible for businesses to use automation to save more money.
However, the biggest obstacle to using automated processes is the mentality of managers and other employees. We are still human and it takes a certain amount of patience to be trained how to use automated systems in place. Similarly, some people may resist automation because they believe that it will reduce their control over their operations. They may also feel uncomfortable letting their human subordinates operate something that they consider as automated. With these problems, automated processes could not only increase operational costs but also lower company profits.
The automation strategy should therefore address these issues head-on by ensuring that all employees are made comfortable with the use of automation and are trained accordingly. Human relations training is also important if your business is planning to put automation to work in its data center. Data center automation requires the automation of various processes such as switching power supplies, cooling and heating systems, securing the data and managing redundant resources. Only highly trained personnel should be assigned the responsibility of operating the automated machines in your data center.
Automation does have its disadvantages. One of them is that it is only applicable for very specific tasks. In other words, it can only be used for processes that can be easily automated. As a result, not all processes in your business can be fully automated. However, advancements in technology and the use of automation tools in data center automation can make tasks that were not possible before easy to perform.