Why Automation Starts with System Integration – and How FNT Command Makes It Happen

If you run IT infrastructure, networks, or data centers, you know the problem: data lives in different tools, it’s inconsistent, and often out of date. Without consistent, integrated infrastructure data, any automation remains a patchwork. The goal is clear: bring all infrastructure data together in one place, keep it continuously up to date, and make it usable for processes. FNT Command serves as the central IT infrastructure management platform to do exactly that. 

Automation Needs Consistent Data

Automation depends on seamless data flows across IT systems. Only when relevant infrastructure information is consolidated and consistent on a single platform can you reliably automate IT infrastructure management processes, from provisioning and changes to incident analysis. That cuts manual work, reduces errors, and speeds up operational decisions. Unifying heterogeneous data sources and detecting deviations early are the key levers. 

How FNT Command Plugs In

An integration platform for IT infrastructure needs an open architecture: REST APIs, connectors, and standardized interfaces, complemented by middleware capabilities for orchestration. In FNT Command, this role is handled by the FNT IntegrationCenter, which enables bidirectional integration with any system. 

Process integration matters just as much as technology. Workflows in FNT ProcessCenter control when and how data is written to or read from Command (for example, via ITSM systems like ServiceNow or BMC Helix). Data maintenance becomes part of the flow instead of an afterthought. This eliminates media breaks and keeps data more current. 

Governance ensures clear accountability for data maintenance – with typical roles like Data Owner, Quality Reviewer, and Automation Lead. 

For FNT Command, three proven integration patterns are available; choose the one that fits your starting point: 

• Replacement: Replace an existing system with FNT Command. 
• Parallel Operation: Run FNT Command as the system of record or analytics layer alongside legacy systems. 
• Synchronization: Keep FNT Command and third-party systems in sync bidirectionally. 

Domain-Specific Integration Paths

• Enterprise IT: Common integrations include Active Directory, SCCM, vCenter, Baramundi, and monitoring tools. The platform ingests technical data and serves as a structured source for processes like changes and relocations. 
• Data Center: Connect racks, power, and environmental sensors; integrate with DCIM/BMS to create a consistent data foundation for operations and capacity planning. 
• Telco Architectures: Following the TM Forum ODA model, the platform sits between network controllers/discovery systems (resource domain) and orchestrators/BSS (service domain). 

Bottom Line: From Data Foundation to Automation

IT infrastructure automation starts with integrated, up-to-date infrastructure data. A central platform like FNT Command consolidates information from surrounding systems, keeps it synchronized in operations, and makes it actionable. 

This is the essential foundation for automating infrastructure management processes. For example, provisioning new network and data center components with consistent documentation, or automatically discovering, configuring, and documenting new network elements. The result: greater efficiency, quality, and scalability in infrastructure management. 

More details on integrating FNT Command into existing system landscapes and proven step-by-step approaches can be found in the white paper “From Manual Documentation to Full Automation”. It shows how companies have built FNT Command into their central infrastructure management platform and paved the way for automation.