• by Ananth Satluri

AIOPS Beginner's Guide

The AIOPs framework was formulated to address the shortcomings of the traditional IT management techniques. These conventional IT management practices were not very effective at helping businesses cope with digital business transformations. This is where the AIOPs framework comes into play. This framework guides firms into using the most suitable procedures and best practices in managing their IT ecosystems. In addition, AIOPs have been crucial in helping firms to embrace innovation and manage digital data more effectively. Gartner is the leading proponent of the AIOPs platform. Let us highlight how digital transformation has resulted in creating the AIOPs framework.

AIOPs originated from digital transformation.

Digital transformation is the "umbrella" encompassing technological frameworks such as DevOps, cloud technology, and other technological inventions. It has contributed to creating concepts like the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). Digital transformation also supports modifying traditional service management strategies, allowing firms to meet their objectives through newer methods and frameworks like AIOPs. So, what exactly is the AIOPs platform?

What are AIOPs?

AIOPs is an acronym that stands for Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations. The multi-layered technological platforms generally support automation and enhance IT operations using analytics and machine learning (ML). AIOPs use big data, and it usually collects data from different IT operations tools to automatically identify and respond to any arising issues in real-time.

According to Gartner, AIOPs operate in a way that an organization moves away from siloed IT data to aggregate the observational data (e.g., the data on job logs) at their disposal and engagement data (e.g., data found in event recording). At this point, AIOPs adopt and implement an analytics and ML strategy against the aggregated IT data.

Organizations can therefore get automation-driven insights that support continuous improvements and fixes. This gives the AIOPs framework a perception of being a continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) for core IT functions in the organization. It, therefore, relies on best practices like service management, performance management, and automation.

Factors that drive the AIOPs framework

A number of the driving forces that have contributed to the increasing adoption of the AIOPs framework into a firm's operations include:

1. IT environments are exceeding human capability.

Traditional IT approaches used to manage IT complexity no longer cut it! This means that the manual efforts that usually require human input are no longer effective in dynamic environments. ITOps has, over the years, been exceeding human capability. Their efficiency has made integrating the AIOPs framework crucial for any organization wishing to surpass any of its rivals in their industry.

2. The amount of data the IT operations (ITOps) framework needs to retain is on an exponential rise.

Performance monitoring usually generates more significant numbers of events. The introduction of IoT devices, APIs, and mobile applications have prompted service ticket volumes to experience step-function increases. It has made manual reporting and analysis a more complex affair.

3. Infrastructure issues in the organization must be addressed at high speeds.

IT is currently the most crucial element of a firm's operations. The evolution of technology has seen a massive shift in the users' expectations. Therefore, firms must respond swiftly and fast to the current needs of their customers. It helps in improving their level of user experience.

4. More computing power is consistently moving to the network's edges.

Cloud infrastructure and third-party services have made it increasingly easy for a firm's line of business (LOB) functions to be empowered. It puts a firm in an excellent position to create the best IT solutions and applications. As a result, control and budget have significantly shifted from the core of IT to the edges of the network. The implication of this is that more computing power is added from outside core IT.

5. Developers have more power, but accountability still rests with core IT.

The DevOps and Agile frameworks have created an environment where programmers have a more significant role in monitoring the application level. However, the overall accountability for the state of the IT ecosystem and the subsequent interactions between applications, services, and infrastructure still rests with core IT.

The elements of AIOPs

1. Extensive and diverse IT data.

One of the most crucial elements of the AIOPs framework is diverse IT data from IT operations management (ITOM). Examples of such data include metrics and events. Also, the data can be derived from the IT service management (ITSM) framework. Examples of data from the ITSM framework include changes and incidents.

2. Aggregated big data.

Aggregated big data, free from silos and linked using analytics, is also a crucial component of the AIOPs framework.

3. Machine learning.

Machine learning is a vital process used to analyze large and diverse quantities of data.

Final Take Away

Digital transformation has made it necessary for firms to adopt faster and more effective operations. One of the most crucial frameworks that can help organizations be more efficient is the AIOPs framework. With vital elements like big data, diverse data, and leveraging technology such as machine learning, the AIOPs framework will play a significant role in a more developed technological era for the foreseeable future.