29
Fri, Nov
0 New Articles

ASC Unveils System Center Configuration Manager & AS/400 Support in ActiveBatch Workload Automation

System Administration
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

 

Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc. (ASCI), maker of ActiveBatch IT Automation Without Boundaries, announced the release of two important improvements for Version 9 of its ActiveBatch Workload Automation and Job Scheduling Software. The additions, now available in ActiveBatch V9 Service Pack 3 (SP3), dramatically simplify the scheduling of jobs involving two key enterprise computing platforms: IBM AS/400 machines and the Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) systems management product.

 

ActiveBatch is well-known for its ability to simplify complex job processes in heterogeneous, enterprise-class computing environments. The new additions to ActiveBatch V9 SP3 take these capabilities further by removing the need to rely on scripting to automate SCCM client management and desktop deployment processes, or for cross-platform scheduling within datacenters that include AS/400. Details include:

 

  • System Center Configuration Manager: The ActiveBatch Extension for SCCM allows IT organizations to reduce administrative effort by giving IT administrators the ability to automate SCCM processes via ActiveBatch’s Integrated Jobs Library, thus eliminating the need to rely on scripting. For example, automate an employee “onboarding” process whereby a new virtual machine is provisioned, have SCCM create a new software package, deploy it to the virtual machine and send the user a SCCM Deployment to notify them the install is ready.
  • IBM AS/400: The new and improved ActiveBatch execution agent provides AS/400 users with a cross-platform enterprise scheduler that goes beyond the limited capabilities inherent to the iSeries Advanced Job Scheduler. The execution agent leverages the existing AS/400 scheduler but adds all of ActiveBatch’s automation and management capabilities, including its advanced date/time scheduling and event automation framework, Job audit and revision control, and much more. Users can execute jobs based on IT events such as an email, file or Web service trigger, or to trigger completions based on job success, failure or abort. Moreover, AS/400 jobs can now be monitored, and log files viewed, from within the ActiveBatch console. The platform’s alert architecture can also be leveraged to alert users when an issue arises.

“Enterprise IT professionals are continually challenged with ever-more complex computing environments, new data processing demands, and fewer financial and manpower resources. Given these challenges, the new enhancements in ActiveBatch will make life a lot easier for our customers,” said Jim Manias, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc. “Our goal is always to make ActiveBatch more relevant, easier to use, and more sensitive to modern business needs.”

 

ActiveBatch, a cross-platform Workload Automation and Job Scheduling Software solution, allows enterprises to centrally manage disparate jobs and workflows, including tasks involving the most common operating systems, enterprise business applications and even Web Services. Using the product’s central dashboard, Integrated Jobs Library, event-based architecture and “production-ready” job steps, ActiveBatch helps users to not only efficiently expedite the IT workload automation process, but also optimize internal, virtual and cloud-based resources on-the-fly.

 

For more information about these Service Pack 3 additions, or other evolving capabilities in ActiveBatch V9, log on to www.advsyscon.com.

 

Victoria Mack

Victoria Mack has been an editor and author for MC Press Online (formerly Midrange Computing) since 1994 and has held the position of Executive Editor since 2001. Victoria is also a freelance editor, author, and educator.  

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: