Automate Features & Benefits
Features
In a client-server environment, Automate allows rapid construction of Windows automation routines by way of drag and drop without any programming. The following are a list of features found in Automate.
Full client-server architecture
Automate is a multi-tiered client-server business process automation platform for Windows. It logically separates high-level workflow design from the complexity of building detailed automation routines and provides automated execution and centralized control over processes involving one workstation or the entire enterprise. With comprehensive job scheduling, event-based conditions and robust application development tools, Automate enables organizations to streamline, manage and automate complex operations without writing a single line of code.
Multi-machine execution
Automate's multi-machine execution capability is made possible in part by agents that are deployed or installed on remote workstations and their facility to interact with the server component. Upon installation or deployment of an agent, the server component establishes connection by way of TCP/IP in order to inform the agent of what system conditions or network events to monitor along with what tasks to execute as a result of the occurrence of such conditions/events.
Centralized management interface
Server Management Console features a modern and ultra-intuitive interface that reduces the time and effort required to perform and administer operations by making it easier and quicker for users to get the results they want. Capabilities include management of workflows, tasks, agents and other repository objects, reporting, real-time execution status and history, and settings and properties for the server including an object inheritance engine. With centralized administration and reporting, Automate provides unparalleled management of workflows and IT operations. All workflow information is centrally stored on the server. Workflow performance reporting is also centralized so administrators can easily monitor operations and quickly react to any exceptions.
Graphical workflows
Graphical workflows are the cornerstone of Automate. A workflow (or flow diagram) is a high-level graphical representation of an IT or business process, which might involve processing on multiple servers across the network. The main components of workflows include conditions, tasks, and flow control objects. Conditions are network or system occurrences or events (such as the appearance of a file or the start of a process or service) that can initiate workflow execution or provide the basis for conditional event-based decision-making. Tasks involve the instructions for executing a series of processing steps. Flow control objects allow for the inclusion of complex logic within the workflow such as conditional branching.
Over 500 available actions & activities
Automate includes over 500 actions and activities which involve extensive support for FTP/SFTP, SQL, Email, HTTP, VB Scripts, VMWare Host and VMWare Guest, Services, Environment Variables, Exchange, Web Browser automation, Twitter, MSMQ and many more. This list does not begin to address all the possible automated solutions that can be constructed and deployed. A task can contain any number of actions/activities in any order, creating limitless possibilities.
Re-usable repository
Objects created by developers, such as tasks, conditions and workflows are automatically stored in a repository for reuse. This provides a centralized location in which to conveniently store newly created objects as well as access pre-existing ones. Storing objects in the repository does away with the tediousness of re-creating tasks or conditions each time a new workflow is created. These re-usable objects can easily be administered, modified and quickly incorporated into new or existing workflows with just a few mouse clicks.
Intuitive task development & debugging
The Task Builder is Automate's intuitive interface for developing automation applications. It is used to visually construct and examine the steps that an Automate task should carry out when it is run. To ensure that newly created tasks are working properly before they are put into production, the Task Builder also includes a variety of testing and debugging features that outputs real-time information about a running task. They enable monitoring of each step during task execution, allow inspection of variables, datasets and other dynamic data and aid developers with troubleshooting important aspects of a task as it is being constructed.
Conditions
Conditions can be used to initiate workflows (for example, start workflow A when file X appears), wait for certain events to transpire before an active workflow is permitted to proceed past a certain point (for example, after workflow A is initiated, wait for the Notepad Window to appear before continuing), or to make a decision and conditional branch within the workflow (for example, after workflow A is initiated, evaluate whether the Notepad Window is open – if yes, execute Task 1; if no, execute Task 2).
Benefits
Automating the processes and operations that support IT services reduces management costs and increases productivity, while improving overall performance and availability of all critical business procedures. As a result, automating IT processes is a key objective for businesses that are focused on controlling costs and improving IT efficiency. Some of the major benefits of Automate are as follows:
Ease of use
Automate provides an incredibly user-friendly, yet intuitive set of interfaces allowing you to visually create, manage and execute your automated tasks and workflows without requiring programming expertise. Anyone can use Automate to construct simple tasks, while experts will benefit from the product’s extended functionality to enable development of complex IT processes.
Error reduction
When business and management processes are performed manually, it can cause latency and increase the risk of human error - the primary cause of downtime, which ultimately results in delayed access of data. Automate eliminates errors introduced by manually performed processes and executes repetitive tasks in a consistently efficient manner.
Management centralization
With Automate's remote agent capabilities, local and remote Automate tasks and settings can be administered conveniently from a single Server Management Console. Tasks can be executed across the enterprise by simply selecting the agent in which each task should execute by way of the Workflow Designer.
Code elimination
Automate reduces costs and hassles associated with developing and maintaining code, scripts, and batch files and offers simplicity so non-programmers can produce intelligent automated processes without writing code.
Information flow acceleration
Drag-and-drop building enables tasks and workflows to be constructed rapidly. A central repository stores all workflow elements, eliminating redundancy. This accelerates data flows, allowing business users and decision-makers to become more effective and efficient by delivering real-time access to accurate data.
Application integration
Automate allows seamless integration of applications to better streamline operations. It can easily integrate database queries and transactions with any ODBC database, to file transfer capabilities (by way of FTP, SFTP, HTTP, and Windows network protocols), XML parsing and more.