IT teams all over the world can surely benefit from a little more time to offer the personalized attention only humans can provide. π€ That's why having a tool like Au2mator can go a long way for Support Departments.
Today we talk about automation, tech, and localization with Michael Seidl, CEO of this Austrian Self Service Portal that defines and simplifies IT processes.
π» The Solution
Hi, Michael! Congratulations on your product. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
Hello there! We are a Self Service Portal for Microsoft Automation. With au2mator, you can build forms and workflows, and trigger PowerShell, Orchestrator, SMA, or Azure Automation Runbooks. In other words: the portal allows IT teams to save time β³ and increase their quality in workflows and standards by automating different processes π. Then, they can publish them to their users for Self Service.
So I assume your clients are very busy IT departments?
Our clients are worldwide companies starting with 250+ employees. We aim to make their work routines much easier.
How does your product improve workflows?
What we provide is a frontend to trigger and delegate automation made with Microsoft Products. There are awesome products from Microsoft to build your automation, but the next step is to delegate that automation to your clients/users or customers so they can trigger it as they need without any interaction of the IT department. We fill that gap.
For instance, imagine a form π where your HR Department can fill in all information about a new employee. Automation will create all needed IT resources automatically, freeing the staff from doing so. This works for many user on- or offboarding actions, Helpdesk tasks, and access requests.
Awesome! Automation has lots of benefits for IT professionals, I see.
Indeed. Simple and complex tasks can be delegated to secure their environment. Every task is executed the same way, no matter who triggered it, and each step of the process is documented. It allows IT teams to concentrate and focus π‘ on evolving their IT instead of spending time on daily, recurring tasks. Some customers weren't aware that it could be so easy to solve problems they had been facing for so many years with such a simple piece of software. It's a real life-saver!
Totally agree; the motivation to help others focus on important things via automation is pretty similar in both au2mator and Localazy π
π Talking Business
What has your personal business journey looked like? What is your academic background, and how did you end up developing IT solutions?
This is maybe an uncomfortable truth, but I haven't any. I just did what was necessary to finish school and started working as an IT consultant from my first day. I had a passion for automation in business and personal life. And someday in 2015, the idea was born to start au2mator, as we wanted to create a solution to fill a gap our customers asked for.
Do you think the drive for entrepreneurship is something people are either born with or not, or is it something that can be taught?
I think it's something you're born with. Then you decide if you want to act on it. Some people want to change something but find excuses not to do so. There are also many people who prefer to stay in a safe place (daily work, being an employee). That is absolutely fine and needed π, but others take that step and dive into entrepreneurship. It's a decision you have to make and follow, like every goal you set in your life.
How has your business grown in the last 7 years? Would you do anything differently?
Nothing. ο»Ώπ Β I wouldnβt be here where I am right nowο»Ώ if I did. We cannot tell any detailed numbers, but every year has been the most successful year in history for us. We keep growing, which gives us the confirmation that we are just at the beginning of IT Process Automation.
Any future funding plans?
au2mator was funded with savings, and we don't intend to modify our current runway. We are a healthy company and do not need any funding. Our goal is to grow each year π and keep helping companies around the world automate and delegate IT processes.
That's impressive! But surely there are some risks and challenges...
Of course. One of them is keeping track of new changes in a hybrid world, but that's exactly what drives us every day. au2mator started as a Frontend for Microsoft System Center Orchestrator. We have added PowerShell, SMA, and Azure Automation over the last years, but the next step is to provide a Cloud Online solution π on top. Also, other Microsoft Automation Engines π are considered to be added to the product.
π€ Incoming Challenges
What do you think β what will your industry look like in, let's say, 10 years from now?
To be honest, I am not sure what's in store for us in 10 years. Hopefully, we'll have solved all IT process problems π§ that exist right now so we can take care of new challenges. If somebody had asked me that same question a decade ago, I definitely wouldn't have predicted I would be doing this right now.
Do you think automation is going to dominate the future of businesses?
Automation will definitely be a major topic in the next year or even decades. We all see the lack of professional staff, so we need to automate as much as possible. We've been talking about cloud computing for more than 10 years, and, in my opinion, it is now that we have adopted it at an acceptable rate. And I think we are at a point where many are starting to talk about automation, so there's a long way to go β©.
Learn why Localazy is the best tool for localization automation.
βοΈ Why Localazy?
What is your motivation for localization, and why did you choose us?
It is the easiest way I can imagine to bring our solution to people around the world. Localazy has helped us add over 10 languages to our product already!
Could you point out 3 favorite features of Localazy?
We are glad you like it!
π§ Resources & more
Thank you, Michael! π Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Yes! If your IT team needs a much-deserved break, take a look at our packages or book a call with us! You can also try au2mator at no cost by downloading our trial version β‘οΈ here.
Great! And if you're in the IT sector and need some localization solutions for your business, don't forget you can contact us anytime. We'll be happy to help you!
π Get featured on the Localazy Blog
Do you love Localazy? Would you like to share your own success story? Head to the community section and apply for an interview now! We will promote your product on our blog, and you'll get rewarded for it! π
Get featured on the blog - answer our questionnaire in the community section to get the ball rolling!
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://localazy.com/blog/interview-it-life-easier-au2mator