With this compact textbook, the authors provide a concise insight into the contemporary provision and agile yet secure operation of IT services. Andreas Kohne and colleagues describe how modern IT leaders and data center operators can adapt to rapidly changing market conditions and customer demands through standardization and automation. The author team uses the analogy of a fully automated factory. For anyone looking to position themselves as flexible and agile modern IT operators and wishing to delve deeper into the topic, the book includes checklists and further literature references.