Gartner® replaces Workload Automation Magic Quadrant™ with SOAP Magic Quadrant™

Gartner® announced the retirement of the Magic Quadrant™ for Workload Automation in July 2023, signaling consolidation and evolution within the IT automation space.

Written by Colin Beasty. Last Updated:
Workload automation is key to optimizing data warehouse processes

In 2024, Gartner released the Magic Quadrant™ for Service Orchestration and Automation Platforms (SOAPs), effectively replacing the Magic Quadrant™ for Workload Automation. Defined in Gartner’s research methodology as “a first step to understanding the technology providers you might consider for a specific investment opportunity,” the Magic Quadrant™ positions providers as Leaders, Visionaries, Niche Players or Challengers in a given market.

In the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SOAPs report, Gartner states that “SOAPs expand the role of traditional workload automation by adapting to use cases that deliver and extend into data pipelines, cloud-native infrastructures and application architectures.”

Named a Leader in this first Magic Quadrant™ for SOAPs, Redwood Software was positioned furthest in Completeness of Vision. Download the full analyst report to learn why.

Evolution of workload automation

IT automation is undergoing a period of digital transformation and consolidation, and traditional job scheduling and workload automation (WLA) are key components that teams are seeking to optimize. IT and DevOps teams are managing increasingly complex, interdependent business processes.

This level of IT process automation requires IT environments and architectures to rely on automation platforms. These IT process tools require sophisticated integrations, on-premises and multi-cloud workflow management and real-time, self-service dashboards to provide access and control that hasn’t been available previously.

In light of the current sophistication of IT initiatives, the time is right for vendors and consumers to look at their workload automation solutions end to end. Rather than perceiving automation projects as discrete initiatives, such as batch processing, runbook automation, application release automation or the data center, IT organizations have to step back and understand the big picture. Implementing siloed process automation via endless, single-function SaaS tools is creating complexity and, ironically, inefficiency.

In the 2024 Magic Quadrant™ for SOAPs report, Gartner predicts that “by 2027, 90% of organizations currently delivering workload automation will be using service orchestration and automation platforms (SOAPs) to orchestrate workloads and data pipelines in hybrid environments across IT and business domains.”

We’re seeing this evolutionary shift as IT organizations recognize the advantages of consolidating multiple workload automation tools into a unified solution. Doing so lays the foundation for a policy-driven automation strategy and thoughtful orchestration that drives governance, visibility and control. The result: improved levels of service.

Explore ActiveBatch by Redwood as a workload automation solution

A workload automation solution that’s in the family of a SOAP Leader like Redwood offers you more return on investment than outdated job-scheduling tools or siloed automation projects. Advanced, event-driven automation that features resource provisioning and tools to manage the entire data lifecycle, plus integrates file transfer and offers full extensibility, can extend the power of your IT team and orchestrate your end-to-end, complex processes. Join the movement to advance workload automation and better meet your business needs. Learn more about ActiveBatch.

Redwood Software is a Leader in Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SOAP

Gartner Magic Quadrant for Workload Automation FAQs

Why is workload automation an important component for IT and DevOps teams?

IT and DevOps teams manage complex business processes with dependencies and alerts that make things difficult to prioritize. This stalls progress. IT environments and architectures are relying more on automation platforms, including workload automation and Service Orchestration and Automation Platforms (SOAPs).

Empower your DevOps and IT teams with workload automation.

What are the top Gartner-rated workload automation tools?

Gartner used to publish the Magic Quadrant for Workload Automation to evaluate and rate the top vendors in this market. However, they have replaced that quadrant with one for Service Orchestration and Automation Platforms (SOAPs).

Learn why Redwood Software was named a Leader in the 2024 Magic Quadrant™ for SOAPs.

What do IT and DevOps teams require for managing complex business processes?

IT and DevOps teams require automation platforms that provide sophisticated integrations, on-premises and multi-cloud workflow management and real-time, self-service dashboards. With this benefits suite, teams can take control or a back seat with a combination of birds-eye, single-pane access and reliable, time-scheduled automation functions.

See what ActiveBatch has built for developers.

Should my team be using more sophisticated workload automation tools? 

The marketplace is experiencing an evolutionary shift, as IT organizations streamline workload automation tools into a unified solution. Teams of any size will benefit from the increase in reliable and consistent jobs management, the end-to-end error reduction of automating certain tasks and the organizational improvement of adding AI intelligence to their workflow planning process.

Demo our intelligent automation tools, anytime.

How can consolidating multiple workload automation tools into a unified solution benefit IT organizations? 

Consolidating multiple workload automation tools into a unified solution lays the foundation for a policy-driven automation strategy and thoughtful orchestration that drives governance, visibility and control and, therefore, improved service levels.

Consolidate and unify for better orchestration across teams.

What should I&O leaders and IT teams do to get more from their workload automation investment?

&O leaders and IT teams should research and implement the best automation solutions for their unique workflows and needs. Get in touch with us at ActiveBatch to ask questions, view case studies and explore which automation platforms are right for you.

Make business process automation simple and successful.