Network Automation Nerds NAN087: Modular Network Management with Slurp’it and Netpicker
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Mar 12, 2025 Pieter van Os, co-founder and principal developer behind Slurp’it and NetPicker, builds modular discovery and automation tools. Wim Gerrits, co-founder and CEO, commercializes intent-based networking platforms. They discuss modular network discovery, integrating with NetBox/Nautobot, moving from monoliths to plugins, privacy-first local LLMs, test-driven assurance, and community-led, freemium go-to-market approaches.
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How NetEyes Began From A Power User's Fix
- Pieter met Wim while using a complex intent-based tool (NetEyes) at Rabobank and became the product's power user who standardized branch rollouts.
- Pieter automated site creation and network designs with 50-step service types, turning manual config into one-click deployments for branches.
Why Modular Pillars Beat One Big Monolith
- NetEyes grew into a monolith that provided great capability but a steep learning curve and vendor lock concerns, which limited sales despite strong functionality.
- Breaking functionality into modular pillars (backups, compliance, automation, intent) lets customers adopt only needed parts and lowers adoption friction.
Let The Community Adopt Through A Free Easy Download
- Release a useful free tier and make tools easy to download to let the community find and adopt your product.
- Wim says 2,000 downloads came from being on Git, offering a free version and contributing back to open-source libraries.