Automation - The Practice of Cloud System Administration - page 248

Hidden Cost of Automation
Super automated systems often require super training, which can be super expens-
ive. Hiring becomes super difficult, which begins to limit the company's ability to
growatitsdesiredrate.Themissedopportunitiesthatresultbecomeaburdensome
cost. This opportunity cost may be more expensive than what the system saves.
Such dilemmas are why companies like Google implement super aggressive re-
cruiting campaigns to hire SREs.
12.2 Tool Building versus Automation
There is a distinction between tool building and automation. Tool building improves a
manual task so that it can be done better. Automation seeks to eliminate the need for the
person to do the task. A process is automated when a person does not have to do it any-
more, yet this does not eliminate the need for people. Once a process is automated, a sys-
tem administrator's role changes from doing the task to maintaining the automation.
12.2.1 Example: Auto Manufacturing
This is analogous to what happened in auto manufacturing. Originally the process ofpaint-
ing the metal panels that make up the outer body of the car was a task done by people. It
was a slow, delicate, and difficult process requiring great skill. Then a high-power paint
sprayer was invented to improve this process. The same person could do a better job, with
less wasted paint, in less time. This technology also reduced the amount of skill required,
therebyloweringthebarriertoentryforthisjob.However,therewasstillacarpanelpaint-
er job. The process had not been automated, but there was a better tool for the job.
In the 1970s, auto manufacturing plants automated the car painting process. They de-
ployedroboticpaintingsystemsandthejobofcarpanelpainterwaseliminated.Employees
nowmaintaintheroboticpaintingsystem,orautomation,whichisaverydifferentjobfrom
painting metal panels.