ScriptRunner - The Right IT Automation Cure

With the support of the ScriptRunner solution, the Bavarian hospital network of the Barmherzige Brüder successfully digitized its IT operations. The management of many distributed IT systems was significantly automated in the process. The healthcare provider simplified procedures for medical staff, who previously needed a separate account for each facility.

This successful centralization project demonstrates how traditional healthcare institutions can modernize their IT infrastructure while maintaining or even enhancing security standards and improving operational efficiency. This not only leads to direct cost savings but also increases staff productivity.

• Security: Hospitals manage highly sensitive data, making the protection of all systems a top priority. Smart automation has drastically reduced the number of people with access rights.
• Standardization and Centralization: From user and mailbox migrations to automated application virtualization and the establishment of a central data center, the consolidation project was implemented at record speed.
• Improved Efficiency: Whether small tasks or large processes—virtualization, ERP, user management, mailbox and collaboration management, software distribution, and license management all run in an automated and efficient manner.

For over 400 years, the Order of the Barmherzige Brüder has been a pioneer in healthcare and social services in Bavaria. Their contributions are remarkable: hospitals, hospice care, support for people with disabilities, and elderly care. In Germany alone, the organization employs more than 11,300 people across multiple locations.

The IT Infrastructure Base Team is responsible for around 8,000 users, 5,500 clients, and a wide range of systems. Their tasks include software distribution, user and mailbox management, as well as the operation of virtual environments and an ERP system.

From Simple Scripts to Centralized IT Automation

Operating central IT systems requires strict security strategies, meaning administrative access must be limited to a few experts. At the same time, reducing the IT teams' workload from routine tasks was essential for optimal operations. To address this, the IT department began automating repetitive tasks with PowerShell.

However, this alone was not enough. Some tasks needed to be fully or partially delegated to other departments or offered as self-service solutions. The first delegation attempts were implemented using an open-source tool, but it quickly reached its limits.

Thomas K., an IT administrator and one of the key figures in the project, explains: "We wanted to provide certain departments with services without granting admin rights. As our experience with PowerShell grew, so did the complexity of our scripting needs, and the tool simply couldn't keep up. We needed a much more powerful solution—and that’s when we discovered ScriptRunner."

A Public Building – But No Unauthorized Access

Security is the top priority in hospital operations. Hospitals are open facilities with public access, so ensuring that no unauthorized person gains access to the network is crucial. ScriptRunner actions help manage the secure integration of new devices.

"Thanks to ScriptRunner, employees can easily add new devices to the network, receive the necessary access, and have all the functions they need to perform their tasks. At the same time, the network remains completely secure."

Using ScriptRunner has paid off. Direct cost savings come from reduced license fees, while automation also indirectly benefits the budget by reducing the need for additional staff to handle all tasks.

From small routine tasks to complex processes using PowerShell scripts and ScriptRunner, everything runs more smoothly.

"Everything has become significantly easier," summarizes Bernd S. with satisfaction.

New scripts are constantly being developed. Thomas K. and his colleague Maria B. are fully occupied as new use cases keep emerging. The IT administrators agree:

"We are far from running out of ideas!"