Dell Technologies this week updated its IT operations platform infused with artificial intelligence, dubbed CloudIQ, to add support for its PowerEdge servers. In addition, Dell pledged to add support for its PowerSwitch networking hardware next month as part of an ongoing effort to extend the reach of its AIOps platform across the entire Dell EMC portfolio.

At the same time, Dell next month also plans to employ webhooks and a REST application programming interface (API) to both integrate the CloudIQ cloud service with third-party platforms and share notifications and recommended actions via tools and platforms such as ServiceNow, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Ansible and vRealize.

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Which of the following best describes how you currently monitor and manage systems across your hybrid cloud environment?(Required)

Multiple separate tools for different environments

Multiple separate tools for different monitoring and management functions

Single consolidated dashboard

Custom built monitoring and management solution

No full monitoring and management solution

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How valuable would it be for your monitoring and management solution to incorporate predictive analytics to help you identify and address system issues that are critical and not waste time or effort working through all the data and “noise” that is not critical?(Required)

Extremely valuable

Moderately valuable

Somewhat valuable

Slightly valuable

Not valuable

How do you most typically address potential system issues BEFORE they impact your operations?(Required)

Automated workflows and playbooks to remediate potential issues as soon as they are detected

An orchestrated response process that leverages automation, AI, and human expertise to rapidly respond to potential issues

Advanced monitoring tools such as predictive analytics and anomaly detection to proactively identify and address potential issues

Respond to issues as they arise, using manual processes and troubleshooting techniques

A combination of automated remediation, orchestrated response, and/or proactive monitoring to address potential system issues

Don’t know

Other

What methods does your organization use to control and monitor cloud/IT spending?(Required)

Centralized procurement processes

Pre-approved budget thresholds

Automated cost monitoring tools

Department-level spending controls

Regular cost audits and reviews

Cloud cost optimization platform

Approval workflows for resource provisioning

Native financial operations tools provided by the cloud provider

No formal controls in place

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Other

Please specify:

Which methods do you rely on most to detect security vulnerabilities in your systems?(Required)

Automated scanning tools

Manual assessments

Vendor notifications

Threat modeling (for early detection)

None of these

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Other

Please specify:

What are the TWO most common ways you prioritize vulnerabilities to address within your environment?(Required)

Based on potential impact

Based on exploitability

Regulatory compliance requirements

Based on CVSS scores

Risk-based analysis of multiple factors

First-in-first-out approach

No formal prioritization process

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How do you typically handle system updates and security patches?(Required)

Automated updates and patches

Manually review and apply updates and patches on a regular schedule

A combination of automation and manual review

Apply updates and patches on an as-needed basis.

Outsourced update and patch management

No defined process

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Other

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Dell has also defined an autonomous operations framework that defines the various stages of AIOps capabilities that organizations should be able to take advantage of as CloudIQ continues to evolve.

Drew Schulke, vice president of product management for Dell Technologies, said CloudIQ currently enables IT organizations to achieve level three of that framework. As Dell continues to update CloudIQ alongside delivering ongoing infrastructure upgrades, additional capabilities will be steadily added, noted Schulke.

Dell is making a case for standardizing on both its infrastructure and the IT operations platform it provides. Whether acquired and managed by an internal IT team or consumed as-a-service provided by Dell, the goal is to convince IT teams to reduce their reliance on rival infrastructure platforms that are not as tightly integrated with CloudIQ. In effect, Dell is delivering continuous intelligence as an AIOps service, said Schulke.

Of course, IT operations teams could opt to standardize on an AIOps platform that is integrated with infrastructure provided by multiple vendors. However, Dell is betting that an AIOps framework optimized for its platforms will reduce the total cost of IT in a way that IT organizations will not be able to ignore.

Each IT organization will need to decide for themselves what path forward makes the most sense for them. However, as more AI capabilities are infused into IT operations platforms, it’s becoming clear that many of the tasks routinely performed by IT teams are becoming increasingly automated. Most organizations will need to make a decision in the months ahead about the degree to which they are comfortable waiting for their existing IT operations platform to be enhanced with AI capabilities versus acquiring a new one that might be more advanced.

Regardless of the path forward, the level of cultural disruption AIOps will bring to IT teams will be high. DevOps teams, naturally, have always been at the forefront of IT automation. However, most of the recent advances in IT operations have generally been applied in a piecemeal fashion. Platforms such as CloudIQ are designed to be implemented on a more end-to-end basis.

Thate level of automation will have a profound impact on everything from the number of applications an IT team can support to the roles of the individuals that make up that team. It’s not likely that AIOps will replace the need for those IT teams as much as augment them and redefines the job they are being asked to perform.