The Cost of Repetitive Manual Tasks: Optimizing IT Efficiency

If you have experience in the field of IT, you're likely familiar with the never-ending cycle of manual scripts, onboarding/offboarding procedures, password resets, name change processes, and routine maintenance of IT tickets. But have you ever paused to reflect on the considerable amount of time consumed by these repetitive manual tasks?

A recent study by Information Week sheds light on this issue:

1. Time Consumed by Repetition: A staggering 58% of organizations report that their IT teams spend more than five hours per week addressing repetitive requests from various business units. This equates to approximately six and a half work weeks annually—time that could be put to more strategic use.

2. Impact on Morale: It's not just about the hours lost; 90% of respondents in the study believe that manual and repetitive IT tasks significantly contribute to low morale and attrition within their organizations. IT professionals often aspire to innovate and solve complex problems, not to be bogged down by repetitive technical tasks.

3. Scripting and Automation: Shockingly, 45% of IT teams spend over five hours per week writing scripts for workflow and automation. This indicates a considerable investment of time and effort in tasks that can often be automated more efficiently.

4. Wasted Time and Resources: Even with the potential for automation, around 40% of those surveyed still report that 25% or more of these repetitive tasks must be done manually for various reasons. This is a significant drain on IT resources.

Let's do a quick calculation to put this in perspective: An IT worker who spends just 10 hours a week on these manual tasks effectively wastes more than one financial quarter every year on activities like resetting passwords. This not only drains corporate resources but also stifles the innovation and problem-solving potential of IT professionals.

When asked to rank the top time-wasting tasks, the study identified the following culprits:

1. Password resets.
2. IT ticket cleanup.
3. Onboarding/offboarding employees.
4. Managing credentials.
5. Software provisioning.

So, what can be done to alleviate this burden and boost IT morale? The answer lies in automation and integration.

Low-code/no-code automation and integration tools like iPaaS (integration platform as a service) are a game-changer. They centralize all integrations into one hub with connectors to common systems, eliminating the need for manual scripting. With data and systems connected, end-users can leverage the platform to automate tasks, create workflows, and trigger actions, all through a user-friendly visual flow builder.

Some IAM companies, like QuickLaunch, take this a step further by combining identity and access management on a single platform. This integration enables automation of both simple and complex tasks while connecting disparate systems, all without the need for coding.

Moreover, iPaaS solutions eliminate the concerns associated with homegrown scripts and automations. While these might seem like quick fixes, they often pose security risks and become challenging to maintain as organizations grow.

Building and maintaining in-house integrations and automations can be time-consuming, adding to backlogs, causing project delays, and ultimately resulting in dissatisfied customers.

QuickLaunch has established a global reputation for its reliability and trustworthiness

Jefferson Community College was manually handling the user account creation and management for years. Implementing QuickLaunch Automated User Provisioning (Banner® to AD®) is a huge step forward for our security infrastructure to know we are actively managing identities. It's going to tremendously enhance our audits and enhance IT productivity."

Don Horton, Chief Information Security Officer

Remember, the cost of repetitive manual tasks in IT goes beyond mere hours. It affects morale, efficiency, and the ability to innovate. Embracing automation and integration through platforms like iPaaS not only saves time but also promotes a smoother, more secure, and more efficient IT environment, allowing IT professionals to focus on strategic initiatives and providing exceptional service to their organizations.

Want to learn more? Schedule a free demo today.