Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with reduced human intervention. It involves the creation and application of technologies to produce and deliver goods and services with minimal human intervention. Automation encompasses a wide range of technologies that reduce human intervention in processes, such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers, and heat-treating ovens, switching on telephone networks, steering, and stabilization of ships, aircraft, and other applications and vehicles with reduced human intervention.

There are different levels of automation, including basic or task automation, process automation, and intelligent automation. Basic automation takes simple, repetitive tasks and automates them, such as using a shared messaging system instead of having information in disconnected silos. Process automation includes process mining, workflow automation, and business process management. The most advanced level of automation is intelligent automation, which combines automation with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities. This means that machines that automate can continuously “learn” and enable better decision making and actions based on data from past situations they have encountered and analyzed.

Automation is used in various industries, including manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and defense. It provides benefits such as relieving humans of dangerous work stresses and occupational injuries, accelerating the pace of transactional work, and freeing up people’s time to do higher value, more meaningful work. IT automation is a powerful tool that can scale a business, provide significant cost savings, and allow IT staff to focus on strategic rather than administrative work. However, automation is not meant to replace people, but rather to augment human capabilities.