Notification Overview › Beyond Automation

Beyond Automation

There may be times when you need more than standard automation scripts to handle the complex problems that occur at your data center. Consider the following example.

You work for a bank that has systems that monitor the level of currency in all ATM machines across the city. One of your busiest ATMs is low on currency on a Friday night because of heavier than usual withdrawals. Your system puts out a message letting you know about this problem. Scripts and REXX programs cannot address this situation, as it is one that requires human intervention. This is a time when the notification capabilities of CA Automation Point could prove invaluable.

There are a number of such scenarios that require capabilities that are beyond the scope of automation. They fall into these categories:

• Your automated scripts are not complex enough to handle all of the possible events that occur in your data center.
• Some events are too unusual or complex for automated scripts to apply the kind of judgment required. Human awareness or intervention is required for decisions that must be made.
• Technical experts who could aid in solving a problem may not be readily available.

When automation is not enough to handle events, CA Automation Point provides you with the means to address those problems that require human attention, and possibly intervention. Your staff may need to become aware of these problems so they can make informed decisions about how to resolve them. Sometimes it is necessary to communicate the potential side effects of a problem or resolution to the appropriate people, or to require manual intervention from experts. CA Automation Point supplements inboard and outboard handling of events with notification and escalation policies that meet these needs.