On a case-by-case basis, There is a place and a time for automation at work. The daily repetition of checking the logs, reviewing the available disk space, verifying backups give me the foundation for actually knowing my databases and how they function from day to day. Correct, effective automation makes me lazy. Imperfect automation misses upcoming problems. Give me a half year or so, and then I'll start crafting the daily routines that best suit our databases.

Cheers!