The previous comment says that automation increases complexity. That is right - automation done with fragmented scripts does cause more complexity and chaos. However the "right kind of automation" which involves definition and use of standard operating procedures and tracks specific processes and policies reduces the complexity. I link the latter to a weapons deployment strategy. Given the myriad of actions that need to occur (in a *specific* sequence) when deploying a weapon, the entire process tends to be automated. People don't trust human hands to carry out all the actions in the right sequence every time. IT operations is no different. Expensive data center knowledge workers have to work on strategic things, rather than be keyboard operators. Keeping the data center safe and secure is about devising and implementing the right processes and policies, not doing the repetitive/mundane heavy-lifting...