# Network Automation Reality Check with William Collins

DevFeed: [Network Automation Reality Check with William Collins](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/network-automation-reality-check-with-william-collins-11228.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.ipspace.net/2025/08/network-automation-reality-check/>)

Published: 2025-08-28T06:20:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [ipSpace.net blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/ipspace-net-blog.md>)

Topics: [Network](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/network.md>), [Automation](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/automation.md>), [Tool](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/tool.md>)

Tags: [automation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/automation.md>), [network](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network.md>), [network-automation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network-automation.md>), [podcast](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/podcast.md>)

## AI overview

A podcast conversation with William Collins examines recurring network automation problems, including excessive focus on tools, narrow point solutions, and reliance on vendor-delivered outcomes without a broader perspective.

## Source excerpt

In early August, William Collins invited me to chat about a sarcastic comment I made about a specific automation tool I have a love-hate relationship with on LinkedIn. We quickly agreed not to go (too deep) into tool-bashing. Instead, we discussed the eternal problems of network automation, from unhealthy obsession with tools to focus on point solutions while lacking the bigger picture or believing in vendor-delivered nirvana. Listen to the podcast