Cloud computing is forcing admins to rethink automation because classic tools like Puppet do not provide a sufficient range of configuration options. Cloudify offers a new direction for orchestration in the cloud.

PHP is a powerful scripting language that has built-in database connectivity, simple syntax, one of the world’s largest support groups, and respect in enterprise scripting circles. When you have a scripting problem, PHP is good for what ails you.

PowerShell’s ability to use loops extends its reach to remote systems and performs repetitive operations.

Lazy … er, smart … administrators are hard at work in the background via scripts, cascading scripts, and cron jobs.