Azure Automation runbooks will primarily use a PowerShell workflow. Each runbook is extremely powerful but runs as a standalone container, so Azure Automation does not know what was done in any other runbook, which means it cannot remember or keep track of what has been done before without having a central location to store the data that can be recalled later.
So, a complicated multi-step workflow that is counting on internal runbook data for its current state would need to be restarted manually by an administrator. That administrator would likely need significant time to understand which parts of the workflow had run successfully and which were still needed.
It is Kelverion’s recommendation that, in every case, runbook automations should be implemented using a small backend SQL database for persistence. This guide provides the rationale for that recommendation.
If a persistent data store is used at the backend, the last successful step in the process has been recorded in the database with all the necessary information to continue the next step. This provides a basic audit trail of what has been done, so the administrator can easily pick up where things left off after the issue is addressed.
This guide provides the details and rationale behind Kelverion’s recommendation and is based on over 15 years of experience implementing automation.
About Kelverion
Experts in Cloud, On-Premise and Hybrid automation, Kelverion provide solutions and integrations that remove the manual process tying up IT staff; transforming the productivity, efficiency, and supportability of IT service automation. Our products utilise and enhance the power of Microsoft Azure and System Center Orchestrator.
Working closely alongside Microsoft we have developed our integrations and automation solutions to help bridge the gap between Microsoft’s automation platforms and third-party systems, in the process building key alliance partnerships with multiple vendors to ensure our products are fully certified.
Since 2010, Kelverion has expanded to become a global company, with offices now in the UK, Canada, and the US. Through this, we are able to offer and support products and professional services engagements to enterprise-level organisations no matter where they are.
Simplifying IT Automation
Get in touch to find out more
