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Replace
Ansible
with Scriptrunner
Purpose-built for Microsoft Ecosystems.
Native by design, not bolted on like our competitors.
For Enterprise IT Teams Running Microsoft‑centric Environments
Cut Ticket Volume, Standardize Scripts, And Stay Audit‑ready
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Why users prefer ScriptRunner?
Enterprise‑grade credential security
Credentials are stored in a secure vault with RBAC and zero exposure. Ansible relies on YAML vault files or external systems, which require additional configuration and do not provide native PowerShell‑specific credential handling
Immediate productivity for PowerShell admins
PowerShell admins can be productive instantly without learning YAML, Linux tooling, or managing complex WinRM setup required on every Windows target
Native, direct PowerShell execution
PowerShell runs natively with full Windows authentication, DPAPI access, and proper credential delegation — unlike Ansible’s non‑interactive WinRM model, which restricts Windows APIs, breaks double‑hop delegation, and prevents DPAPI usage
Integrated reporting, audit trails, and governance
Every automation action has built‑in audit logs, reporting, and dashboards. In contrast, Ansible requires external systems (e.g., Splunk, ELK, SIEM tools) to achieve full visibility
Rich self‑service forms and delegation capabilities
Non‑technical users can run operational tasks through dynamic forms with validation and AD lookups — something Ansible’s job templates cannot provide since they require understanding YAML playbooks
Why consider ScriptRunner as a
replacement for
Ansible
SR vs. Ansible - Platform (ops‑grade vs dev‑toolkit)
Overview
Operational Risk
Time-to-Value
Target Persona Fit
Scaling & HA
ScriptRunner
Enterprise-grade automation and orchestration platform with policy-driven governance, scalability, and audit readiness for operational excellence
Scripts run in controlled environments with policies and approvals, reducing the chance that “one bad script” destabilizes the platform
Admins get usable, governed automation quickly through templates and connectors, without having to build an app framework first
Aligns with IT ops realities: tickets, change windows, compliance audits, onboarding/offboarding, and cross‑team execution
Marketed explicitly for HA and horizontal scaling as a central automation and orchestration platform across the enterprise
Ansible
An Infrastructure‑as‑Code engine built for provisioning and configuration—not for day‑to‑day operational automation
Its Windows automation layer relies on a non‑interactive, emulated WinRM bridge that cannot access DPAPI, breaks credential delegation, limits Windows API functionality
Before any operational automation becomes usable, teams must build out Linux controllers, engineer YAML playbooks, and configure WinRM across the estate
The entire model is tailored for DevOps engineers who build infrastructure, not for IT operations, service desks, or business stakeholders
Scaling hinges on node‑based licensing, Linux control node expansion, and IaC maintenance overhead
SR vs. Ansible - Automation Model
Agentic Automation
Workflows
Task Automation
Scheduling
Automation Area
ScriptRunner
Delivers agentic automation with built-in governance, enabling secure, policy-driven orchestration across Microsoft ecosystems. It’s AI-powered, scalable, and compliance-ready
Automates and orchestrates complete workflows (webhook, event-driven, interactive, scheduled) with built-in governance, delegation, and compliance
Delivers secure, policy-driven task automation with intelligent workflows, enabling centralized orchestration, central script repository, compliance, and delegated execution
Offers enterprise-grade scheduling (controlled and delayed) enabling secure, policy-driven execution with centralized orchestration, compliance, and audit-ready workflows
Enables secure, governed automation across all major IT environments, including Public Cloud (Azure, Microsoft 365), Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, Data Centers, and Infrastructure
Ansible
Delivers automation through a non‑interactive, emulated Windows execution layer that cannot leverage native Windows capabilities
Workflows revolve around Infrastructure‑as‑Code concepts, meaning everything must be engineered as YAML playbooks
Task execution relies on pushing scripts through a non‑native Windows remoting layer that limits access to DPAPI, breaks credential delegation, and imposes constraints on Windows APIs
Scheduling is not an operational strength; tasks must be triggered through IaC pipelines or external orchestrators
Optimized for infrastructure provisioning across Linux, network devices, cloud platforms, and containers.
SR vs. Ansible - Enterprise Governance & Business Enablement (Overview)
Compliance & Audit Readiness
Safe Delegation & Self-Service
Scalability & Reliability
Version Control & Policy Enforcement
Business Outcomes & ROI
ScriptRunner
Built-in credential vaults, RBAC, and audit-ready logs ensure regulatory compliance without manual effort
Secure portals and forms empower non-technical users while maintaining governance and control
Multi-node execution and SLA-backed performance deliver consistent automation at enterprise scale
Centralized versioning and policy-driven workflows prevent privilege sprawl and unauthorized changes
Accelerates time-to-value with prebuilt templates, reducing risk and lowering TCO for measurable ROI
Ansible
Built for infrastructure provisioning, not governance. Lacks native audit trails, DPAPI access, delegated identity control, and Windows‑grade compliance capabilities
Engineered for DevOps experts, offering no dynamic forms, parameter validation, or governed delegation
Scales for large IaC estates but introduces operational fragility through Linux‑first controllers, WinRM limitations, and complex multi‑node configurations
Relies on Git and YAML for infrastructure code but provides no built‑in policy enforcement, centralized governance, or controlled execution
Delivers value only at massive infrastructure scale; long onboarding, heavy engineering effort, and Windows execution
SR vs. Ansible - Delegation, security & compliance (built‑in vs build‑it‑yourself)
Delegation Model
Self‑Service UX
Approvals & Change
Audit & Compliance Stance
Security
ScriptRunner
Opinionated, policy‑driven delegation out of the box: who can run what, where, and with which parameters is a first‑class concept
Non‑admins use a ready‑made Delegate portal; admins publish safe actions and ScriptRunner generates the UI
Integrated approval workflows and change tracking make it straightforward to align with ITIL and audit demands
Designed to be professional in front of auditors: central logs, reports, and clear role/rights separation
Built-in credential vaults, RBAC, approval workflows, audit-ready logs, and safe delegation portals for non-technical users
Ansible
Designed for engineers, not operators. Requires YAML and infrastructure knowledge, with no governed delegation model—making safe, role‑specific task execution impossible for operational teams
Provides no native forms, validation, or safe interfaces. Non‑technical users face YAML, templates, or manual workarounds, blocking broad operational adoption and safe task execution
Lacks built‑in approvals, forcing external tools for validation and oversight. Governance becomes fragmented, increasing risk in environments requiring consistent, auditable operational control
Requires external logging stacks for visibility. Missing native audit trails, identity controls, and DPAPI‑level security, creating compliance gaps across Windows‑based operational environments
Relies on non‑native, emulated Windows execution that breaks credential delegation, limits API access, and forces credentials into scripts—introducing systemic governance and security weaknesses
SR vs. Ansible - Integrations, extensibility & support (platform vs. cloud toolbox)
Integration Stack
ITSM & Monitoring
Extensibility Model
Operational Complexity
Support & Safety Net
ScriptRunner
Native Microsoft ecosystem integration, ITSM connectors, IdM integrations, and enterprise-grade support with SLAs
Comes with patterns and connectors for ServiceNow, Jira, Matrix42, PRTG, Icinga, SCOM and more
Extend by adding new PowerShell actions into a governed framework - The platform enforces consistency
Designed to reduce day‑2 complexity: central monitoring of runs, standardized delegation, and reporting as table stakes
Enterprise‑grade support, guidance, and patterns tailored to IT operations teams, not just developers, plus SLA‑backed help and onboarding
Ansible
Focused on multi‑platform IaC, requiring YAML modules and external controllers. Integration depends on Linux‑first architecture and add‑ons, increasing effort for Windows‑centric operational environments
Relies on external dashboards, SIEM tools, and third‑party pipelines for visibility and reporting, creating fragmented monitoring and complicating operational governance across Microsoft‑heavy estates
Extensibility depends on YAML playbooks and infrastructure code, forcing teams to build operational logic manually instead of leveraging governed, ready‑to‑use PowerShell‑native automation capabilities.
Linux control nodes, WinRM setup, external logging stacks, and IaC pipelines create operational drag, increasing overhead for teams needing simple, governed automation across Windows environments.
General‑purpose enterprise support focuses on IaC use cases, not operational governance. Achieving compliance, reporting, and safe delegation requires extra tooling, expertise, and ongoing engineering effort
