Halcyon Software today announced the launch of the latest version of Job Scheduler systems management application for the IBM System i range of servers. Job Scheduler 4.0 is designed to enable systems operators of all levels to create and run advanced scheduling patterns tailored to suit a company's specific business operations. V6R1 compliant, and including advanced FTP scripting language, Job Scheduler 4.0 also offers automated conversion from the proprietary JBA Job Scheduler to what Halcyon says is its more versatile equivalent making it "the most flexible yet robust product of its kind currently on the market," according to the company. New additions enable multiple dependencies, allowing the user to submit jobs that spawn and monitor other jobs in their own entities.

Functionally rich, yet very easy to use, Halcyon's Job Scheduler incorporates several key features not found in other schedulers. Advanced scheduling patterns are made possible by using the standard calendar features, third-party calendars or by a user program using the Halcyon Job Scheduler's unique and intuitive calendar parameters.

Donnie MacColl, head of Halcyon's technical services, says: "Job Scheduler is able to reduce the system operator's workload by automating repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable resource time and, in the process, minimizing the risk of human error. Job Scheduler 4.0 can make more effective use of system resources by running jobs at the best time for your system, your operators and your users, and can also reduce operations costs by automating all out-of-hours processing."

Version 4.0 offers users significant improvements over the previous module including the ability to convert IBM standard Job Scheduler entries into Halcyon Groups and Jobs using a simple command. V6R1 compliant and supporting automated conversion from JBA Job Scheduler into Halcyon Job Scheduler 4.0, this latest version of Halcyon's perennially popular product is becoming quickly established as a new market benchmark, the company says.

Says MacColl: "This will simplify and enable speedy implementation and contribute towards achieving return on investment. The new features offered in Job Scheduler 4.0 are all designed for those companies who have used other job schedulers but now require a more customizable tool to suit their business operations." MacColl continues, "Multiple environments are supported, ideal for outsourcing environments or business units that need the ability to restrict access to particular job schedules to specific users or customers. Support for user definable template environments has been added meaning that operators can retain specific settings, and significantly reduce setup time when adding or amending jobs." In conclusion, MacColl adds, "The multiple dependencies spawned by Job Scheduler V4.0 is the feature that really sets this apart from other similar job schedulers out there."

Price and availability

Job Scheduler 4.0 is available immediately, either on its own or as part of the Halcyon Operations Center, and pricing is tiered based on the IBM processor group and starts from $5,440 (£3,750) for a single copy of the Job Scheduler V4.0 module. For more information, or to download the software, visit http://www.halcyonsoftware.com/.  

About Halcyon Software

Halcyon Software Ltd. is an international software company with more than 19 years experience in systems management. Halcyon writes software for IBM midrange computers as well as Windows, AIX, UNIX, Linux, and Netware platforms. Large multi-national companies, corporate data centres, as well as small to medium-sized businesses use Halcyon Software products to proactively manage and automate their IT operations. Company headquarters is in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK, and its software is used throughout the world with distributors in Europe, Australia, and the U.S.

About Halcyon Software

Halcyon Software is a global leader in multi-platform systems management solutions that reduce the complexity and cost of monitoring critical business systems, core applications and processes. They help companies prevent business disruption, increase the efficiency of their IT services and save costs.  In most cases, Halcyon’s solutions increase IT efficiency by 30 – 40 percent, delivering significant savings and a rapid return on investment – often in less than six months.

Halcyon achieves this in three ways:

Monitoring: Halcyon’s monitoring software keeps a vigilant watch on the most critical IT systems and core applications on which business depends. IT administrators receive early warnings of any potential problems or ‘bottlenecks’ before they affect the organization.

Automating: Halcyon enables IT teams to set up ‘self–corrective actions’ to issues or problems to ensure that they never impact the business again.  IT teams can also automate regular tasks, checks or jobs which would normally be undertaken manually. This frees up valuable resources, saves costs and helps to eliminate human error. 

Reporting: Halcyon’s cloud-based reporting solution proves to management that the IT team is achieving the service levels demanded by the business or flags any issues so they can be quickly resolved. 

Halcyon’s products support IBM Power Systems servers running IBM i, AIX, Linux and Windows. With regional offices in the United States, Australia and UK, Halcyon also has a network of partners and distributors supporting territories world-wide. For further information, please visit www.halcyonsoftware.com