IT Briefcase Exclusive Interview: How Automation and Machine Learning Are Solving the Technology Staffing Crunch

Browse any tech news site today and you’re bound to see at least one headline pertaining to automation and machine learning. The fact is, this technology has made leaps and bounds in advancements since it was first introduced, which has led to its more widespread adoption in almost every industry across the globe. One specific area where intelligent automation technology is making a significant impact is in that of the staffing IT shortage.

We recently sat down with Gabby Nizri, Co-Founder and CEO of Ayehu Inc., to learn a little bit more about how automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence are being used as a force multiplier to help organizations overcome the staffing crunch and operate at peak performance.

• Q. What is machine learning?

A. Machine learning is a level up from basic process automation. Instead of simply automating pre-defined or ordered steps and workflows, machine learning uses an algorithm that is capable of learning patterns in existing data and then using that information to predict similar patterns in new data. Essentially, it uses intelligent technology to implement dynamic rules and workflows while also recommending next best actions for further business optimization and better decision making.

• Q. What are the benefits to IT?

A. The most obvious benefit of automation and machine learning technology is its efficiency. Transferring time-consuming, repetitive tasks and workflows from human to machine can dramatically speed up operations. It also eliminates human error, which can reduce costs and improve satisfaction levels.

What many organizations are now realizing, however, is that automation can also provide a solution to their staffing woes. We all know that skilled IT professionals are at a premium, particularly those who are experienced in the area of cybersecurity.

By leveraging automation to do much of the heavy lifting, essential business functions like incident management can be handled electronically while existing IT personnel are freed up to focus their skills on more mission-critical tasks and projects.

• Q. How is it having an impact on the industry?

A. Thanks to the overabundance in available data and more affordable tools for gathering, processing, deciphering and storing that data, machine learning algorithms can now easily be applied to produce fast, affordable results for businesses of every size and industry. Companies are no longer held back by the fact that they are smaller or have limited staff or IT budgets. That’s why we like to call it a force multiplier, because it truly is a game changer for many organizations.

• Q. Why should organizations should embrace it rather than fear it?

A. It’s understandable why many people view automation and machine learning as a threat, but what they need to realize is that this technology isn’t designed to eliminate humans from the workplace. To the contrary, its purpose is to augment and complement human capabilities. In other words, the ideal scenario is to have humans and machines working side by side.

Will some jobs be eliminated? Likely so, but in reality, those types of jobs were actually better suited for automation anyway. At the same time, the adoption of machine learning and introduction of artificial intelligence into the workplace will also create new roles and opportunities. So, those individuals whose jobs are made redundant may have the chance to learn new skills and change their career paths.

Overall, the benefits far outweigh any downsides, particularly in how automation helps organizations do more with less. So, even those operating on a shoestring budget or with a skeleton crew of IT workers can remain competitive.

• Q. How is Ayehu using artificial intelligence and machine learning?

A. The next generation of Ayehu is a simple yet powerful web-based automation and orchestration platform for IT and security operations. The platform leverages proprietary, sophisticated machine learning algorithms to provide decision support via suggestions to optimize workflows and dynamically create rule-based recommendations, insights and correlations. It is both agentless and codeless, and is easily deployed, allowing users to rapidly automate tasks and processes, including interoperability across multiple, disparate solutions and systems from one, standalone platform.

• Q. What is the role of automation in the future?

A. What I find most exciting is that we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface with automation and machine learning. As these technologies continue to develop and improve, the way they can benefit businesses will only continue to increase as well. What we’re seeing now – and it’s pretty amazing stuff – is really just the tip of the iceberg. In my opinion, the best is yet to come.

Gabby Nizri is Co-Founder and CEO of Ayehu, the IT Automation and Orchestration Platform built for the Digital Era. With nearly 20 years of experience in technology innovation, Gabby is a thought leader in IT automation and the driving force behind the Ayehu platform, which continues to earn accolades from customers, partners and industry experts including Gartner, Red Herring and Deloitte. Prior to founding Ayehu, Gabby held various operational and management positions at successful Israeli technology enterprises including Infogate Online Ltd, Webmaster and Walla Communications Ltd. Learn more about Ayehu at www.ayehu.com.