The value of no-code in IT automation

As an IT admin, you’re on the front lines, constantly juggling support tickets, managing infrastructure, and implementing new systems. You understand the time waste of repetitive tasks and the bottlenecks that can arise. 

You’ve likely thought, “There has to be a better way!” There is, and it’s called no-code automation.

This isn’t about replacing your valuable skills or the crucial work of your developer colleagues. Instead, no-code tools are a powerful addition to your arsenal, enabling you to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and deliver value back to the business at a pace traditional methods simply can’t match.

But how do you articulate this value to your boss? This blog post is designed to help you make that case.

The challenge: Drowning in repetition and development queues

Let’s be honest: a significant portion of an IT admin’s day can be consumed by manual, repetitive tasks. Provisioning users, managing permissions, generating reports, basic system checks – these are essential duties, but they take time, are prone to human error, and pull you away from more strategic initiatives.

When a need for automation arises, the traditional path often involves writing scripts or relying on development teams. This can lead to:

• Lengthy development cycles: Developers are often swamped with mission-critical projects, pushing your automation needs down the priority list.
• Increased costs: Custom development requires specialized skills and significant time investment, translating directly to higher operational costs.
• Dependency bottlenecks: Your ability to implement solutions is tied to the availability of development resources, slowing down your response to business needs.
• Maintenance headaches: Custom scripts require ongoing maintenance and updates, adding to your workload.

This is where no-code automation steps in, offering a compelling alternative that empowers you to solve many of these problems directly.

The solution: Empowering IT with no-code automation

No-code automation platforms provide intuitive visual interfaces, often drag-and-drop, that allow you to build automated workflows and applications without writing a single line of traditional code. Think of them as powerful digital building blocks for your IT processes.

Here’s the value proposition for you and your boss:

Supercharged efficiency and productivity

The routine tasks that are a time suck for your day? They can be done away with when automated in a no-code platform. Easily build workflows to handle routine tasks like user onboarding/offboarding, ticket routing, system alerts, and data synchronization between applications. 

Need to incorporate a new approval process or integrate more than one app? BetterCloud enables you to create granular workflows without the need to code to deploy workflows that are error-free and save you serious time.

Significant cost savings

With the ability to build automations yourself, no-code dramatically reduces the need for expensive custom development or reliance on external consultants.

Beyond saving on expensive custom work, no-code automations allow for quicker implementation and therefore faster time-to-value.

Increased agility and faster response to business needs

When we say anyone in IT can automate, we mean it. Equipped with the right capabilities, anyone can rapidly develop and test automation concepts. Because we all see things differently, diverse perspectives often uncover innovative solutions. 

This is precisely why no-code tools are a game-changer for IT administrators, empowering teams to become robust automators and directly tackle operational challenges without slow development processes.

Enhanced control and visibility

No code platforms, such as BetterCloud, offer a centralized dashboard to monitor and manage all of your automated workflows.

While automation can be set on a “set it and forget it” model, it’s important to note that changes and updates are sometimes necessary. Whether new compliance requirements arise or an API changes, the ability to quickly update a workflow is necessary to keep your business up and running. 

Making the case to your boss: Focusing on business value

When you talk to your boss, frame the need for a no-code automation tool around the tangible benefits for the business. Use the points above, but translate them into the language of business value:

• Start with the pain points: Highlight specific examples of repetitive tasks or inefficient processes that are costing time and money or creating bottlenecks. Quantify these if possible (e.g., “We spend approximately 10 hours a week manually processing X requests, which equates to $Y in labor costs”).
• Present no-code as a solution to those pain points: Explain how a no-code tool would directly address the inefficiencies you’ve identified.
• Emphasize cost savings and ROI: Focus on how no-code reduces development costs, increases operational efficiency, and provides a faster return on investment.
• Highlight increased agility and faster time-to-value: Explain how quicker automation implementation allows the business to respond more rapidly to changing market conditions and opportunities.
• Position IT as a strategic enabler: Show how no-code empowers the IT team to be more proactive and strategic, rather than just reactive to support requests.
• Address potential concerns: Be prepared to discuss security and governance, as reputable no-code platforms have built-in features to address these. Start with a pilot project to demonstrate success on a smaller scale.

Author’s note: We also have this handy blog on making the business case to your CFO!

Conclusion: A strategic investment in efficiency

Investing in a no-code automation tool is not just about making an IT admin’s life easier; it’s a strategic decision that can significantly impact the entire organization’s efficiency, agility, and bottom line. By empowering your IT team with the ability to quickly and easily automate routine processes, you unlock valuable time, reduce costs, and accelerate the pace of digital transformation within your company.

Prepare your case, highlight the business benefits, and show your boss how a no-code automation tool is an investment that will pay dividends in the form of a more efficient, agile, and cost-effective IT operation. The value of no-code in IT automation is clear, and it’s time to bring that value to your organization.

To see BetterCloud’s power no-code workflow automation in action, book a demo.