Why automate my servers?
Are you a developer irritated by slow server speeds? Looking to boost your productivity through AWS automation? Then get ready to win-over your manager, with our quick guide on how to speak their language.
Firstly, let’s quickly recap on why some businesses decide to invest in AWS automation. From start-ups right through to large multinationals, automation is often used as a way to reduce wastage and increase resources with cloud-based PaaS or IaaS organisations, either as part of a planned process, or (more likely) a new decision made after a surprisingly large AWS bill. However, the root-causes of a big bill can be summarised as:
- Over provisioning – scalability concerns create a surplus of resources
- Demand fluctuation – servers remain idle after usage without purpose
At the same time, you’ve probably experienced slow server response time during peak demand and a lack of flexible control generally – whilst any requests for a faster server have been ignored by your line manager. This is understandable if you see that your manager (and perhaps their manager), will attribute the cost overheads to the spend on underutilised and inactive servers.
How can AWS automation help?
AWS automation looks to improve these issues by switching off servers when idle capacity is identified, and adjusting them to changes in demand-fluctuation. The benefits of this allow businesses to control the usage of their servers more effectively and subsequently save money and support long term cost-efficiency.
More specifically, automation allows a manager to program when a server should turn on or off – for example outside of normal office hours. This minimises unnecessary costs accrued from idle server time, whilst improving server speeds that benefit project progression.
Automation helps you as a developer because it allows you to spin-up your servers to provide more power, have more flexible management, and generate savings that could go towards funding a faster server.
Businesses can perform server automation through several different methods. Amazon themselves have additional software available to address this, but there’s also range of third-party software that delivers the same dedicated functionality.
Why should my manager listen?
Server automation makes for a compelling argument: it can help towards the completion of the business goals faster and more efficiently. But for any new procedure, what a manager requires more than anything is a clear business case.
Most likely your boss is an I.T manager/head of department, who themselves report to the CEO/business owner. They are probably aware of their increased AWS bill, but for them to support automation, we firstly need to understand their areas of concern, and communicate the benefits to them. So what are these points?
Cost Reduction: Managers are always looking to reduce their expenditure, free-up resources and support reinvestment. Yet, critically, they require the tools to provide control, clarity, and monitor such transactions.
Time Scarcity: In short – they need more of it, and proposed solutions need to work first time, and autonomously. They likely won’t have the time to research these areas as much as you can.
Project Completion: This is the end-goal for any manager; to deliver projects on-time and on-budget. Alongside the valuable factors above, any solution they consider must also work to reduce risk, integrate well with current systems, and be easily adopted by staff (and themselves!).
Great – but how do I convince them?
The easiest way to convince your manager of the need for server automation is by gathering enough relevant materials to ease their areas of concern. By doing so, we’re helping to educate your manager about the benefits of automation, lowering their knowledge barrier, and making it easier for them to agree! You can start to prepare these materials in a number of ways. For example:
#1) Use a savings estimator against your current usage rates, and quantify how much you could be saving now and in the future. If you don’t know this information, perhaps ask your colleagues and start recording your usage rates (you may be shocked).
#2) What do managers like more than potential results? Seeing how well it has worked for others. Case studies, whitepapers, and videos are a great resource to add to your arsenal. If you can’t find the information you need on the internet, try calling and contacting those providers directly. Most organisations will gladly provide you with the information you need to take a proposal forward.
#3) Cherry-pick a handful of suggested solutions – and do the homework for them. However, make sure to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each, with a clear knowledge of pricing structures and integration time. Such solutions might also provide a free-trial, allowing you to test their effectiveness.
Keep in mind, server automation doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and is actually just a small part of the larger AWS efficiency argument. Try to predict their concerns, and prepare answers on expanded topics such as AWS on-demand access, server scheduling, interface ease-of-use, and cost reporting. All of which co-exist and support the rollout of automation.
Getting started
When you’re ready to communicate the benefits of automation to your manager, perhaps you should consider the following software – Cloud Machine Manager (CMM). A server management tool with automation and a range of other features, which works to reduce your EC2 bills and deliver real AWS cost savings by up to 90%
To start collecting your materials – try using our savings estimator!
