Prepare For A Workload Automation Migration

Migrating to a new workload automation solution is a daunting task. With questions about timeline, cost, logistics, data security, compatibility, functionality and more, IT teams know that undergoing a migration process is a significant project. The complexity of coordinating systems, workflows and stakeholders across the business adds another layer of challenges.

With the right strategies, tools and planning, you can mitigate the risk of downtime, disruptions to operations and data loss and confidently pull off a successful migration project.

Why migrate automation platforms?

IT processes and environments haven’t maintained the status quo in recent years; they’ve gotten more complex while also growing radically. New variables brought about by hybrid and multi-cloud workload automation environments and a mix of legacy systems and modern tools with non-scalable dependencies have made migrating to new automation solutions a greater undertaking than it once was.

A simple workload scheduler may have done the trick years ago, but now you might find your team once again engaging in manual processes and patchwork solutions. Without a single point of control to handle on-demand orchestration, many organizations are abandoning their legacy scheduling tools and migrating to a SaaS-based workflow automation solution.

Not only can these tools modernize your tech stack and business processes, but they’re designed to streamline your workflows across functions and IT environments.

The modern automation methodology

Today’s workload automation solutions are becoming even more powerful, delivering advanced process automation and orchestration capabilities. The Gartner® model for modern workload automation involves using Service Orchestration and Automation Platforms (SOAPs).

According to the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for SOAP report, SOAPs have three mandatory features that differentiate them from legacy schedulers and workload automation platforms:

Managing workloads in complex technology and deployment topologies
Managing workflows that span the operating environment
Broad integration capabilities

Additional common features include jobs-as-code development capabilities, generative artificial intelligence (AI) support, event-driven automation and data pipeline support.

In the same report, Gartner predicts that by 2027, 90% of organizations that currently deliver workload automation (WLA) will use SOAPs to orchestrate workloads and data pipelines.

Preparing for migration

Before migrating your workload automation platform to a SOAP, your teams will need to:

Audit your apps, tools and platforms to determine your needs.
Determine the types of business processes, job scheduling and workflows you would like to implement automated workflows for — even if you can’t automate those things yet.
Vet SOAP vendors with in-depth research, taking care to assess the platform’s user interface, downtime SLAs and contingency plans, migration services, conversion tools, capabilities and ability to integrate with your vital tools.

Important considerations

There are some key features and functionality to keep in mind when investigating cloud-based workload automation tools. Make sure the solution can:

Provide real-time metrics overviews and dashboards.
Integrate with your data center.
Enable self-updating agents across Microsoft Windows, Linux, AIX, HPUX, macOS, OpenVMS, Solaris and the like.
Easily onboard users with an intuitive UI that enables self-service across IT and business operations.
Integrate seamlessly with ERPs (like SAP and Oracle) and provide APIs for simple web services integrations.

Optimize the migration process

Ensure you have an optimal migration experience by completing the following steps:

Define the architecture of your new SOAP.
Test automation workloads to ensure they meet your business requirements.
Transition your data to your workload automation database.
Compare your new workload definitions and ensure workload validation.
Ensure every requirement has been met.

Go live and never look back

While a smooth automation migration does require some planning, it is possible. Careful, step-by-step implementation using a trusted migration process and tools will help mitigate risk and ensure a successful transition.

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to migrate while fully supported by Redwood. Book a demo today.

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What is the workload migration process?

The workload migration process involved several key steps aimed at transitioning from an existing workload automation platform to a new solution without disrupting ongoing business operations. Although the specific process can vary depending on the complexity of your environment, the general stages are as follows:

Assessment and planning: As the most critical step, this requires analyzing your current workload automation environment, identifying the workflows, systems and applications involved and understanding how they connect. In this stage, your IT team should define the business requirements for the new platform and set timelines, allocate resources and prepare contingency plans.
Data and workflow mapping: Before migrating, you need to map out every automated process in detail. This includes dependencies between systems. It’s also important to account for legacy scripts or processes that need modification.
Selecting the right migration support: It’s essential to choose a solution with high-quality migration services and a winning support team. They can ensure your tools are compatible and step in when issues arise.
Testing and pilot migration: Before full migration, your IT team may want to run pilot tests to ensure that workflows execute correctly in the new environment. Replicating a small, non-critical set of workflows can help you iron out problems prior to full-scale migration.
Execution of full migration: While your migration may happen in phases, this is the stage where all of your data, workflows and applications are transferred to the new system and activated.
Post-migration validation: Once in your new system, it’s important to monitor for proper functioning. Your team will want to watch performance metrics and optimize workflows for the new environment.
Training and support: Once migration is complete, your staff must be trained on the new platform. The most successful migrations involve well-thought-out trainings and thorough support mechanisms.

What is the difference between workload automation and orchestration?

The terms workload automation and orchestration are often used interchangeably, but they’re distinct concepts. Workload automation is the use of software tools to automate repetitive and routine tasks such as batch scheduling, file transfers and data processing. It’s often limited to a single system or environment.

Workload orchestration goes a step further by coordinating multiple automated workflows across different systems, applications and environments. It’s about managing the entire ecosystem of interconnected tasks and handling complex dependencies.

How easy is it to migrate to Redwood?

Redwood uses a tested methodology for streamlined migration. Our team works alongside yours to ensure smooth onboarding. We also provide 24x7 in-house support, periodic health checks to maintain system health and proactively address issues, plus on-demand training courses to help IT teams expand their skills and expertise. See how Redwood can help turn your IT vision into reality.

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How to prepare for workload automation migration