Coordinate, consolidate and reduce complexity
Microsoft Windows Task Scheduler is used to create basic tasks and to manage task scheduling. But much like UNIX cron or Z-Cron, Task Scheduler is a point solution designed for simplistic use cases. Task Scheduler can be used for nightly batch files, but to coordinate tasks between Windows and non-Windows applications, you'll need custom PowerShell scripts or integrations.
To get around scripting and command lines, IT teams can implement additional schedulers for specific jobs, for example using a free version of a schedule manager. These freeware solutions are not designed for enterprise-level scheduling and lack modern scheduling capabilities like event-driven automation.
Unlike most task management software, ActiveBatch Workload Automation allows workloads to be run on any operating system, including Windows 10, Mac OS, Linux, UNIX, OpenVMS and more. This allows IT to coordinate and schedule tasks across the organization. Additionally, because ActiveBatch readily integrates with most operating systems, IT can use ActiveBatch to consolidate system schedulers from a single control panel.
Advanced task scheduler automation
Windows Task Scheduler alternatives don't readily integrate with non-Windows applications, while freeware task scheduling software lacks advanced functionality. This poses a problem for complex IT environments.
With ActiveBatch, various tasks and cross-platform workflows can be automatically triggered by business or IT events, reducing delays, minimizing slack time and improving SLAs. Event types supported by ActiveBatch include:
- Email
- FTP file event triggers
- Message queues
- Database modifications
- Execution machine reboots
- Windows startups
- Tweets
- And more...
This means Task Scheduler jobs can be triggered by jobs from other scheduling software or task managers in non-Windows environments. Plus, it can all be completed without any custom scripts and without manual keypresses.
ActiveBatch features granular date-and-time scheduling options for running jobs at specific times. This includes the use of custom calendars, fiscal calendars, multiple time zones, custom tags and much more. Users can also schedule workflows based on the business day so that scheduled tasks run only when they should. ActiveBatch also supports constraint-based scheduling (CBS) to ensure that new tasks do not run until requisite conditions are met.
Drag-and-drop job steps for seamless integrations
ActiveBatch's Integrated Jobs Library provides prebuilt, universal connectors that make it easy to create tasks and develop reliable, end-to-end workflows. Additionally, users can integrate automated tasks from virtually any application or system using ActiveBatch's low-code REST API.
End-to-end workflows make it easier to deliver real-time data and to manage dependencies across the enterprise. With dozens of extensions for popular applications like SAP and Informatica, users can automate and execute task runs from a central coordination point.
Security and compliance for enterprise processes
ActiveBatch fully supports the Windows Security Model, including Kerberos and Active Directory. Organizations can make use of existing accounts and groups for simpler management and security. ActiveBatch's comprehensive policy framework minimizes the risk and impact of unauthorized changes.
Additional administrative tools such as credential management and granular user permissions provide additional layers to improve the system and security.
ActiveBatch also supports dozens of alerts that notify users or systems when a specified condition has been raised within a workflow, or when a task with the highest privileges is at risk of failing. Alerts can send emails, trigger auto-remediation workflows and be delivered via JMS, Microsoft Message Queues, SMS texts, pop-up reminders and more.