Automation Isn’t a Magic Wand—It’s a Journey: How MSPs Can Build ROI, One Workflow at a Time

Let’s clear something up: automation is not a switch you flip. It’s a business strategy—one that takes time, planning, and the right mindset to deliver real results. At Raven Automation, we’ve helped MSPs across the country build profitable automation programs, and we’ve learned this truth the hard way:

The MSPs that win with automation are the ones that treat it like a journey, not a shortcut.

In this post, we’re diving into the why, what, and how behind building a successful automation strategy—and showing you how to make sure your first 12 months drive ROI, not just activity.

First, Why Are You Automating?

Every MSP starts their automation journey for one of three reasons:

1. To remove friction in service delivery.
   Automate high-error, high-frustration tasks like onboarding, password resets, and dark web responses.
2. To scale operations without adding headcount.
   Focus on internal processes like triage, dispatching, and documentation to save time and improve efficiency.
3. To create new revenue streams.
   Offer automation-as-a-service and become a business process consultant for your clients.

You might eventually aim for all three—but choose one as your starting point. Why? Because focus builds momentum. Momentum builds culture. And culture is the fuel behind every successful automation strategy.

What Should You Automate First?

Here’s a hint: not user onboarding. We know, it’s the sexy choice. It’s also the slowest path to ROI.

Instead, start where you’ll see fast returns and easy wins. Below is a proven 12-month roadmap that we’ve used with dozens of MSPs to drive early traction and long-term success.

Your 12-Month Automation Roadmap

The ROI is Real—and Measurable

One of our clients, a $10 million MSP, saved over $22,000/month in labor following this strategy.  Another MSP saw nearly $40,000/month in savings after their first year.

The catch? User onboarding—the crowd favorite—only saved ~$500/month. It’s still worth automating, but not right out of the gate.

Why Most DIY Automation Efforts Fail

Here’s the truth nobody likes to say out loud: most MSPs don’t have a dedicated automation engineer. And when automation becomes someone’s “side job,” things get… slow. Expensive. Frustrating.

If you’re building in-house:

• Be ready to dedicate real time (and dollars).

• Understand that 50 hours of build time can stretch into 6 months.

• Expect slower skill growth and higher costs upfront.

If you outsource (to, say, a team like Raven Automation), you skip the ramp-up. You get proven playbooks. And you turn months of trial-and-error into value delivered next week.

So What’s the Strategy?

1. Start with operational efficiency.
   Triage, ticket classification, documentation—this is where ROI lives.

2. Move to client experience.
   Onboarding, offboarding, automation that reduces service friction.

3. End with automation-as-a-service.
   Help your clients improve their business processes—and become irreplaceable.

How Raven Automation Can Help

We’re MSP people. We’ve built these automations in the real world, for real clients, using platforms like Rewst. Whether you need help getting started, want to outsource it entirely, or are just looking for a faster path to value—we’ve got options.

Final Thought

Automation isn’t just about being more efficient—it’s about being a better MSP. Delivering better experiences. Creating more value. And staying ahead in a world where traditional managed services are becoming a commodity.

Want to thrive instead of survive?

Start your automation journey today—just take it one smart workflow at a time.