Automating Applications or Writing Scripts – Which Should You Choose?
An interesting discussion unfolded on LinkedIn last week focusing on the comparative benefits of automating application deployment versus writing scripts. The debate was prompted by team leader Andrew, whose latest eCommerce project stuck him with the dilemma as to whether he should write more scripts to deploy the application to the middleware environment or make the leap to automation.
Andrew’s is a common enough dilemma. Many operations teams are still working with scripts and debating whether application automation might be a better option. As Andrew expressed online, writing scripts for large-scale operations can come with a substantial set of problems.
Script-based application deployments can be:
- Error-prone
- Time-consuming
- A drain on resources – staff need to constantly learn and maintain new scripts
- Expensive – due to the high cost of employing enough highly skilled personnel to write and maintain the scripts
Of course, automation platforms can also come with their own challenges and you have to be careful to ensure you’re selecting the right platform for your needs. If you don’t select a tool that is easy to implement and use, then you could be in a situation where you’re spending just as much on training staff to use the solution as you would be on hiring employees to write and maintain the scripts.
For people like Andrew who are considering ‘taking the leap’ to automation, they can ensure they will get the right solution by thoroughly evaluating all the tools on the market and setting up a Proof of Concept with appropriate vendors.
It’s worth taking the time on selection; with the right application automation platform, you can significantly reduce costs, accelerate time-to-market, eliminate manual errors and increase operational throughput.
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