Busting the myth that MSPs need a full-time automation engineer to start automating

Think you need a full-time MSP automation engineer to start? See how small teams win big with low-code, prebuilt workflows—and zero hires.

There’s a common myth floating around the MSP world: “You need to hire a full-time automation engineer to start seeing results with Rewst.”

It makes sense why people might think that. Automation sounds technical. It might even feel like something that requires a software developer.

Here’s the reality: You don’t need a full-time hire. You just need someone on your team who is curious enough to explore what’s possible.

Let’s bust the myth.

Pressed for time? There’s a TL;DR waiting for you at the bottom.

Why you don’t need to hire a full-time automation engineer to get started

Rewst keeps automation approachable. Its low-code canvas connects your PSA, RMM, documentation tools, and security stack without requiring advanced scripting skills.

Several other features also make it ideal for small teams:

• Prebuilt automations – Templates for ticket routing, billing reconciliation, user onboarding, compliance audits, and more
• CluckU training & documentation – Step-by-step guidance to learn the platform
• A supportive community – Share ideas and troubleshoot alongside other Rewst users

These tools eliminate common barriers that discourage teams from getting started. Rewst encourages experimentation over perfection and gives even junior technicians the confidence to try new things without fear of breaking everything.

You probably already have your first automator

That tech who documents everything? The one who notices inefficiencies and tweaks scripts in the RMM? They’re the prime candidate to be your first automator.

Automation engineers often don’t start as coders. They begin as curious problem-solvers who ask, “Why are we doing it this way?” and look for better methods. One small win—like automating a password reset or triaging tickets—often sparks broader momentum.

Think of the old-school pipe-building game Where’s My Water?—except they direct IT workflows instead of water. Ticket routing, onboarding, and escalations—these pipelines flow more smoothly with the right automation in place.

Most MSPs launch automation efforts with people already on the team:

• A technician who’s tired of repetitive tasks
• A team lead who wants to reduce noise
• A sysadmin who sets aside time to improve a workflow

Gareth Smith, a Tier 2 team leader at Your IT Department, explored Rewst incrementally. He built a client-facing portal that automated onboarding, offboarding, and password resets while minimizing technician involvement. His early wins earned him more time for automation, eventually becoming a full professional services offering.

At Network IT Easy, Dustin Lepi began automating repetitive tasks like browser installs and VPN setups. Over time, he expanded into licensing automation, reporting, and ultimately transitioned into a formal automation role.

These small wins led to significant outcomes: less manual work, fewer errors, and more satisfied teams.

From small wins to big payoffs

Small wins can lead to surprisingly big payoffs when it comes to automation. Many MSPs now automate everything from basic categorization to multi-step processes—even with just part-time effort.

Geekbox IT improved 2FA compliance and eliminated manual Duo log checks using Rewst’s Duo Bypass Alert automation. They also reduced onboarding errors and increased consistency with user provisioning workflows across Microsoft 365 and Duo. By shifting ticket alerts to real-time SMS and Teams notifications, they cut down on response times and improved technician performance—all without a full-time automation hire.

Network IT Easy reclaimed 75–80 hours per week by modifying prebuilt onboarding and offboarding automation to serve over 100 clients. Their team also automated MFA status reporting in Power BI, eliminating technicians needing to manually gather and share compliance reports. Small teams—not full-time hires—built these workflows:

• Offboarding workflows, which once took 30 to 45 minutes, now finish in minutes. The process includes mailbox conversion, OneDrive backup, approvals, and PSA logging.
• Compliance audits using the CIS Audit prebuilt automation help teams reduce human error and reclaim hours of technician time.
• Backup verification workflows run recovery tests and log results automatically.

Automation improves more than just IT. Finance, HR, and compliance teams also benefit. For example, the CIS Audit prebuilt automation helps MSPs maintain security standards without relying on manual checks.

Watch the CIS Audit automation in action:

Every small step builds momentum. Whether reducing onboarding friction or tightening compliance, these incremental improvements can deliver compound value across the business.

What about the full-time hire?

The myth says you need to start with a full-time hire. The reality? Most MSPs begin with curious, resourceful team members who carve out time to explore automation.

Eventually, hiring a dedicated automation engineer might make sense, once automation becomes a larger strategic focus. If you reach that point, our job description template can help you define the role.

Until then: Start with one process. One curious teammate. One prebuilt automation.

TL;DR

• You don’t need a full-time automation engineer to start getting value from Rewst
• Many MSPs begin by giving an existing team member time to experiment
• The low-code workflow canvas, prebuilt automations, and community support simplify adoption
• Some of the best automation engineers started as techs who just wanted a better way to work