For me the mantra of achieving speed via automation tools is nothing new. In fact I was ‘automating’ Citrix Metaframe builds using windows scripting techniques back in 2004. The market though, has become awash with different automation products and it’s fair to say that many enterprises now suffer from ‘automation sprawl’. This results in a tactical rather than the strategic approach to automation required, meaning that benefits are never fully realized. In fact, I have spoken to many companies for which the word ‘automation’ leaves a bitter taste in the mouth as they have been burned by failed implementations.