6 automation scripting tips

Despite the age of AI and supercomputers, many organizations still rely heavily on manual methods. McKinsey estimates that up to 80% of business processes still have room for optimization via automation.

This makes automation scripting invaluable for IT professionals and managed solution providers (MSPs) at every level. It empowers you to eliminate repetitive tasks, condense complex processes into a single click, and work quickly and confidently. 

Looking to brush up on the latest automation scripting best practices? Aiming to revamp your operational efficiency? Read on for essential IT automation tips to get the most out of your scripts.

Understanding automation scripting

Automation scripting involves writing code that handles routine or complex processes for you. 

In addition to the apparent benefits of automating tasks like adding users or setting up new devices, scripts can be a valuable tool for MSPs in auditing, compliance, and user support. 

For example, consider the following script, designed to identify users who have reset their password within the last 30 days: 

Automation scripting like this can help with:

• Identifying inactive accounts
• Ensuring password policy compliance
• Proactive security monitoring 

While traditional scripting languages such as Batch, PowerShell, and Bash are commonly used for such automation, modern remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools like ConnectWise RMM further streamline the process. 

An RMM’s AI-generated scripting assistance lets techs set up scripts for IT automation, routine maintenance, and proactive managed services—all across more client devices without extensive programming expertise.

Regardless of the tools you use, well-crafted automation scripts ensure tasks are executed consistently and efficiently, minimizing manual input. The challenge is automation development; how do you write these scripts?

Let’s delve into the top scripting tips for automation to find out.

Tip 1: Choose the right scripting language

Effective automation also hinges on selecting the appropriate scripting language, much like proper word choice is necessary to communicate in a spoken language.

Two key aspects impact the choice of scripting language.

1. Consider your environment and requirements

When selecting a scripting language, it's essential to consider the environment where the script will run: 

• Windows: PowerShell is the go-to choice
• Linux: Bash is common for shorter scripts
• MacOS: Also relies on Bash

ConnectWise RMM’s AI-generated scripting assistance is fluent in Batch, Bash, and PowerShell, meaning you can start building automation scripts at virtually any endpoint without expertise in multiple languages.

2. Leverage language strengths

Another key consideration is each scripting language’s strengths (and weaknesses). For example, although Bash is excellent for small, quick scripts in a Linux environment, it’s far less efficient for large-scale automation. 

Other languages, like PowerShell, are preferred since they’re natively available and don’t rely on maintenance-heavy external installations. However, they are also challenging to write.

ConnectWise RMM excels in this area, too; AI-powered tools translate your instructions into the code needed for automated scripts. That means you can leverage a scripting language's strengths while sidestepping its biggest challenge—the need to write it.  

Tip 2: Keep scripts simple and readable

Readability is crucial for long-term maintenance and troubleshooting, offering insights into the purpose behind the code. 

Actionable elements of this might include:

• Using meaningful variable names
• Including comments within the code
• Breaking down complex tasks into smaller functions

Thankfully, best-in-class RMM software, like the Connectwise RMM, handles the heavy lifting at each of these touchpoints.

By simply typing in basic instructions (such as “Set DNS forwarders”), Connectwise RMM’s AI assistant automatically writes and organizes the code for you, complete with inline comments so anyone can read, review, and edit it.

Tip 3: Implement error handling and logging

One potential downside to automation is that errors in the script can easily propagate across systems before being detected. Here are a few ways to avoid that.

Use try-catch blocks and error codes

Baking error handling into the script itself enables exceptions to be handled gracefully. For example, incorporating “try-catch” blocks in a PowerShell setting helps the script continue running or terminate cleanly.

Include logging for debugging and monitoring

Consider using different logging levels to differentiate between general messages and serious issues, labeling them with recognizable names like: 

• INFO
• WARNING
• ERROR

Such data is key to overcoming errors, offering insights into what caused the problem and how to solve it. 

Tip 4: Test scripts thoroughly before deployment

Running scripts in a test environment helps identify potential issues before widespread implementation, reducing the risk of disruptions. 

You might even create automated test cases for script behavior under various conditions. This can help determine the flexibility of your code, especially as you make changes to the system over time.

Tip 5: Optimize for performance

Scripts that run frequently or process lots of data may slow down your system. Consider optimizing your scripting efficiency by:

• Eliminating redundancy: This might involve caching results instead of repeatedly performing the same calculation or batching operations to reduce the number of system calls.
• Using efficient algorithms and data structures: Consider using hash tables instead of linear searches or PowerShell’s pipeline for more efficient, readable code.

The importance of script efficiency scales with the size of your data sets, placing optimization as a top priority.

Tip 6: Maintain and update scripts regularly

As the frameworks and programs your scripts are built around update, so too must the code itself. This might involve: 

• Updating APIs
• Modifying logic to accommodate new system configurations 
• Enhancing security measures

As you update, maintaining clear and comprehensive documentation is also crucial. 

This helps other team members understand the modifications and provides a reliable reference for future troubleshooting or development.

Automate everything with ConnectWise

These scripting tips for automation barely scratch the surface of what’s possible. Surveys show that 90% of executives believe investing in automation is the key to improving the capacity of their workforce. 

By understanding automation scripting and the efficiencies that it unlocks, IT professionals and MSPs position themselves at the forefront of this demand. 

And with tools like ConnectWise RMM™, you don’t need an intimate knowledge of the coding language to start automating. 

With features like out-of-the-box scripts and automated patch management, ConnectWise RMM equips you with everything you need to drastically reduce your IT workload. 

Watch an on-demand demo today and see the difference for yourself.