vRealize Automation (vRA) is a comprehensive CMP (cloud management platform) used to build and manage multi-vendor cloud infrastructure. When enterprises use an automation solution, such as vRA, end-users can self-provision virtual machines in multiple public and private cloud environments. They can also access applications and IT services based on policies defined by IT admins.
In short, vRA is a self-service policy-driven cloud automation and orchestration engine that comes with integration built into the core of the product.
What Are the Key Capabilities of vRA?
Creation of Models of Services
vRA provides IT admins with the ability to create models of services. A single solution usually obstructs these services from each other. For instance, there is an obstruction between Platform as a Service (PaaS) sub-services and from Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). There is also a further obstruction between them and resource pools.
You should think about these as services that lay on top of each other like the layers of an onion. At the core of it all, VMware is all about providing an abstraction.
Model Once, Deploy Everywhere.
The good thing about abstracted services is you can treat models the same way irrespective of where you deploy them. You can model a service once and then deploy it anywhere. In short, you get to deploy services to the most convenient cloud provider’s infrastructure.
Using Policies for Personalization
Governance is a key consideration in the world of automation. You want to create models of abstracted services that receive the same treatment everywhere you deploy them. But you don’t want to provide each customer with the same service. After all, every customer requires a personalized service to meet his or her specific needs.
vRA gives your organization the power to do this through policies. Detailed policies, put in place by IT admins, work in tandem with personalized services.
For instance, when a developer requests a service, he or she receives a development environment with a small footprint deployed in the cloud. The developer doesn’t require approvals to do this. Similarly, if a business analyst requests the same service, he or she may get a personalized service deployed into a private cloud.
Uses of vRealize Automation in the Multi-Cloud
Here are some of the most common uses of vRA:
- Creating a catalog of standard operating systems that your enterprise consumes at the click of a button
- Offering services beyond infrastructure, such as Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Anything as a Service (XaaS)
- Helps meet the need for your organization to integrate ITSM (IT service management) or CMBD (configuration management database) tools. They do this to keep track of machines when provisioned.
- Used in the integration of an IP address management (IPAM) system for an IP address whenever a company provisions infrastructure
- Prioritizing advanced governance
- The deployment of hybrid clouds
The Benefits of Using vRA in Your Organization
You now know what vRealize Automation is. So, what are some benefits of implementing this enterprise tool in your organization?
Agility
VRealize Automation is more than just a hot tech topic. Upon installation, it adds instant value to your organization. IT teams can respond rapidly to changes in business needs and user requests. This helps to transform your business into a user-driven environment. This is a huge improvement on the traditional top-down approach, where one device/desktop fits all.
Empowerment
vRealize Automation allows your organization to deploy services to guarantee each team member a consistent user experience when using a portal-based deployment. It empowers all types of users to use their inputs and requests to steer the organization’s direction.
The self-service model facilitated by vRA allows users to work without having to wait for IT personnel’s availability. They don’t have to wait for approvals and can solve issues themselves. Users get to provision services based on their schedules.
vRA is a win for everyone — management, IT, and end-users.
Control
vRealize Automation strikes a delicate balance between control and empowerment. While users generate deployments, they’re still under the control of policies put in place by IT. This gives the organization some flexibility while ensuring compliance with policy. This is particularly important for organizations that need to follow strict government or industry standards.
Freedom
In the age of the hybrid cloud, organizations value the freedom of working with both on-premises and public clouds seamlessly. vRA gives organizations the ability to choose the environment best suited to host each application.
Efficiency
Through abstraction, vRA allows organizations to deliver services in the same way every time. This happens regardless of where an organization deploys them. This approach helps bring efficiencies to the operations of the organization.
Conclusion
VMware’s vRealize Automation tool gives enterprises a high level of automated provisioning. It has something for everyone.