What is cloud automation?
Cloud automation is the use of tools, technologies, and processes to automatically manage cloud-based services. This includes repetitive, time-consuming tasks like setting up new software applications or routing documents for approval. Automation speeds up these activities while reducing misconfigurations and delays in the process.
In a cloud environment, automation relies on a combination of systems that work together to monitor memory usage and perform online backups. By adopting cloud automation software, your IT teams save time and effort in configuring and overseeing solutions, enabling more efficient use of infrastructure.
Key highlights:
- Cloud automation is the use of technology, tools, and processes to automate the management of cloud services, reducing manual tasks like system configuration and performance tracking
- Cloud automation and orchestration are related but distinct — while automation focuses on streamlining individual tasks, orchestration involves syncing multiple activities to establish an efficient flow between cloud systems and services
- The benefits of automation in cloud computing include reduced operating expenses, improved collaboration, agility, scalability, and strengthened security and compliance
- Box offers an Intelligent Content Management platform to automate workflows, strengthen security, and connect effortlessly with your existing apps
What is the role of automation in cloud computing?
Automation in cloud computing simplifies the management of cloud infrastructure by cutting down the time required for manual tasks like enforcing security policies. According to Gartner, over 50% of enterprises will use industry cloud platforms by 2028 to boost their business initiatives. Streamlining your cloud workflows helps you get more from this technology, fueling digital transformation across your organization.
Cloud computing automation gives you:
- Easy access to cloud resources: Teams can manage unstructured data and configure the tools they need without waiting for IT approval
- Automated document workflows: Repetitive tasks like routing or data entry happen automatically, reducing errors like missed approvals and mistyped information
- Smarter resource management: Modern platforms offer scalable cloud data storage that adjusts as demand changes, optimizing costs and performance
Get started with enterprise workflow automation with this 5-step guide.
What is the difference between cloud automation and orchestration?
Cloud automation and orchestration differ in both scope and purpose: while automation focuses on speeding up individual tasks or workflows (like collecting an electronic signature), orchestration involves managing multiple automated tasks, such as connecting a new CRM platform to your existing cloud services, enabling data transfer across the two systems.
To understand how cloud automation and orchestration tools work within a system, think about the variety of apps your teams use every day, from online project management software to communication platforms. One example of automation would be generating weekly reports from project management software, eliminating the need for manual report creation.
Orchestration, on the other hand, coordinates actions between apps, such as automatically informing team members via chat about status updates from the project management software. This way, you ensure these systems integrate, preventing data silos and fostering collaboration in the workplace.
Learn strategies to facilitate collaborative task management in your company.
Top 4 benefits of cloud automation
The increased adoption of cloud solutions and the rapid pace of digital transformation are driving growth in automation. Verified Market Research predicts the cloud automation market will expand from $159.07B in 2023 to $479.76B by 2030, with a CAGR of 20.2% during this period.
Let’s explore the benefits of cloud automation.
- Reduced operating expenses
With cloud automation tools, you minimize the operating costs involved in the processes you automate. For example, in an HR department, teams can use pre-built templates to standardize onboarding, saving time and reducing the workload. These platforms typically offer a pay-as-you-go model, so you can use resources based on your demand.
- Agility and scalability
While scaling automation in on-prem systems can be slow and costly, migrating to a cloud platform lets you quickly adapt to changes in demand. Automation solutions not only integrate with legacy systems but also support many services across public, private, and hybrid clouds.
This flexibility helps you implement new systems and use cloud app integration to keep them agile and connected as your business grows.
- Strengthened security and compliance
Security and compliance in the cloud enable you to prevent potential threats and enforce data governance practices. With automation, cloud solutions classify your sensitive files based on metadata and apply watermarking to monitor access to documents.
You can also enhance cloud security with controls like malware detection and automated alerts, helping IT teams quickly identify and respond to suspicious activities, reinforcing continuous protection.
- Enhanced collaboration
In cloud automation services, teams benefit from collaborative workspaces that support seamless information exchange, centralized communication channels, and integrated tools. For instance, you can create a workflow to speed up the review of sales proposals, assigning documents to all the necessary team members for feedback — eliminating the burden of manually tracking and reminding everyone about their tasks.
Explore the best automated workflows for your content review process.
Types of cloud-based automation
You can rely on many types of cloud automation to drive cost-efficient collaboration and make your business more agile. Take a look at the most common categories and examples.
Types of cloud automation | Purpose | Cloud automation examples |
Cloud infrastructure automation | Manage cloud computing resources like virtual machines, storage, and networking | Grant instant access to documents based on file and folder permissions |
Cloud application automation | Deploy, update, and control software applications | Detect app failures and restart services without human intervention |
Cloud security automation | Enforce security policies and detect threats in real time | Continuously run cloud compliance checks to verify adherence to regulatory standards |
Cloud data backup and recovery automation | Prevent data loss and facilitate restoration in case of disasters or cyber threats | Schedule regular automated cloud backups to safeguard data |
Cloud workflow automation | Simplify workflows within a system or application | Enable electronic contract signing by routing documents for review and sign-off |
Understand the importance of digital workflow automation for businesses.
How to explore the potential of cloud and automation
IDC predicts that, by 2027, over 60% of businesses will have modernized up to half of their cloud architecture to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and drive business innovation. To get the most out of cloud-based automation, follow these best practices for a frictionless implementation.
- Define your cloud automation goals: Make sure your implementation strategy addresses business-critical pain points, whether it’s solving data synchronization issues, scaling infrastructure, or meeting compliance requirements
- Focus on the priorities: Take time to identify which tasks and applications most need automation — selecting automation targets helps you concentrate on efforts with the highest potential for efficiency gains
- Choose a cloud automation platform with robust integrations: Look for services that use secure and well-documented APIs to connect with your existing systems
- Monitor and test automation rules: Regularly review and adjust your workflows to catch errors and performance issues
- Adopt data security controls: Make sure your cloud automation solution provides features like file encryption and data classification to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access and potential threats
Harness intelligent cloud automation software with Box
Maximizing the benefits of cloud and automation requires a reliable platform. Over 100K+ leading global organizations trust Box to supercharge workflows with AI-powered capabilities backed by enterprise-grade security and compliance.
Our Intelligent Content Management platform equips you with data storage, e-signatures, document management, and workflow automation to power your organization’s content-centric processes. With 1,500+ integrations, your team can easily connect Box across the apps they use, speeding up processes from start to finish.
Plus, you can automate unlimited workflows via Box Relay — simplifying document reviews with templates, APIs, and custom tools tailored to your needs.
Let’s connect and discuss the best cloud automation approach for your business.
While we maintain our steadfast commitment to offering products and services with best-in-class privacy, security, and compliance, the information provided in this blog post is not intended to constitute legal advice. We strongly encourage prospective and current customers to perform their own due diligence when assessing compliance with applicable laws.