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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.
But with the right strategies and tools, IT leaders can feel confident that they’ll have a successful migration.

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. What used to require a simple workload scheduler may now require much more manual intervention as teams try to accommodate new business requirements. Gartner estimates that by 2025, more than 95% of new digital workloads will deploy on cloud-native platforms, and teams need tools that make that process seamless.
As businesses strive to bring digital transformation to their organization, many find that their hybrid workload automation environments create data silos, have too many dependencies, and simply aren’t scalable.
Without a single point of control to handle on-demand orchestration, many organizations are moving off of their legacy scheduling tools and migrating to a SaaS-based workflow automation solution like RunMyJobs by Redwood.

The modern automation methodology

Gartner predicted that 80% of organizations delivering workload automation will migrate to service orchestration and automation platforms (SOAPs) to orchestrate workloads across complex hybrid, multi-cloud, and on-premises environments. SOAPs have six capabilities that differentiate them from legacy schedulers and workload automation platforms:

  • End-to-end workflow orchestration
  • Event-driven automation
  • Scheduling, monitoring, visibility, and alerting
  • Self-service automation
  • Resource provisioning
  • Managing data flows

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 for cloud-based workload automation platforms. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Redwood support the workload automation migration process?

Yes. We begin with a process automation assessment to gain insights into your current setup and consider how to align your automation strategy, the state of your current automation, and how Redwood can best support your specific needs. During migration, we help you define standards and configure basic tools. We also review and adjust implementation for validation, and train your teams so you see value from RunMyJobs by Redwood quickly. Learn more about how Redwood assists in workload automation migration.

Is it easy to migrate from other tools like AutoSys?

Many workload automation vendors make it easy to migrate to their solutions. For example, 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, and on-demand training courses to help IT teams expand their skills and expertise. See how Redwood can help turn your IT vision into reality.

What are the best workload automation tools to migrate to?