Customers ask for the functionality they want. Duty , however, contains functionality that is not easily recognised or asked for by customers. In simple terms Duty is a systems management procedures implementation tool or duty manager which supports the management of complex, multi-server environment by production staff who are not operating system specialists. It provides a disciplined, consistent and secure interface to diverse systems, allowing complex procedures to be simplified and executed by general production personnel. Routine system management tasks that may be complex to define become simple to run and can be delegated to the appropriate level within the organization.
Reliability is improved and procedural knowledge is retained within the company.
Corporate 'memory' is established and dependence on key individuals is reduced - major benefits given current IT skills shortage and the high rates of staff turnover within the industry. Duty also supports the automatic initiation of management duties - those procedures that can be implemented without operator intervention. Duty is targeted at any installation looking to automate operations management, to simplify complex procedures and delegate them to production staff, and thereby control the management environment in the production area.