Automate Desktop Features & Benefits
Automate Desktop is a powerful tool which allows rapid construction of Windows automation routines by way of drag and drop without any programming. It replaces legacy batch files, scripts and custom application development, enabling complete IT Process automation without writing a single line of code. Automate Desktop provides an incredibly easy-to-use, intuitive interface for developing automation applications. The basic building blocks are called actions, which are plain-English, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank tools developers use to build Automate Desktop Tasks. Developers simply drag-and-drop actions in Automate Desktop Task Builder to build a series of Automate Desktop Steps which collectively make up the task.
Features
Over 500 available actions & activities
Automate Desktop 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.
Comprehensive set of triggers
Triggers are Automate Desktop objects that cause a task to run automatically. They can trigger task execution upon a schedule, when a file is added, removed or modified, when the system is Idle, when an entry is written to the system event log, when certain hardware performance thresholds are reached, when a hot-key is pressed and much more. Multiple triggers of the same or differing types may be attached to a single task.
Intuitive task development & debugging
The Task Builder is Automate Desktop's intuitive interface for developing automation applications. It is used to visually construct and examine the steps that a 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.
Centralized management interface
Task Administrator is the main interface for to managing tasks, constructing triggers and administering all aspects of Automate Desktop. It is used to initially create and organize Automate Desktop tasks, attach triggers and set task properties (for example, security, logon properties). It can also be used to run tasks manually, determine task execution results, set global preferences and create reports.
Remote administration
Remote Administration allows the Task Administrator interface of a single local machine to manage tasks on multiple machines across a network. With Remote Administration enabled, tasks can be deployed to a remote Automate Desktop installation and executed manually from the local machine. Using remote administration, you can manage tasks on remote machines in the same way you manage tasks on the local machine. All the functionality you have for the local machine is available on any other machine once you connect to it.
Variable support
Automate Desktop includes full support for variables that are used to pass dynamic data during task execution. Automate Desktop also supports one and two-dimensional arrays for implementing more complex logic to tasks. Additionally, many actions support the creation of Automate Desktop datasets, which can hold multiple rows and columns of dynamic data. This is useful when retrieving data that describes a collection of information such as a database or spreadsheet.
Benefits
Replaces code
Automate Desktop reduces costs and hassles associated with developing and maintaining code, scripts, and batch files. For developers, Automate Desktop increases the speed of development without sacrificing power, saving time and future code maintenance hassles. For non-developers, Automate Desktop provides the simplicity to automate complex processes without the need for code or syntax.
Ease of use
Automate Desktop provides an incredibly user-friendly, yet intuitive set of interfaces allowing you to visually create, manage and execute your automated tasks without requiring any programming expertise. Instead of writing scripts and batch files, business and IT processes are created using the Task Builder interface which contains over 300 pre-built actions and activities that you can easily drag-and-drop together to form powerful automated tasks.
Saves time & reduces errors
Network managers and IT administrators can eliminate time spent on repetitive IT processes so they can focus on other aspects of their jobs. Additionally, automation eliminates errors introduced during manual processes that often result in network downtime, delayed access to data, and user complaints. Automate Desktop can streamline inefficient processes and operations with reliable, repeatable, automation and eliminating errors introduced by process delays and repetitive worker activities.
Centralizes management
With Automate Desktop, routines are more manageable and can be easily organized by way of the Task Administrator interface. With Automate Desktop's Remote Administration capabilities, tasks can be managed or executed on remote machines in the same manner that they are managed or ran on the local machine.
Multi-machine execution
Automate Desktop enable tasks to be deployed to remote runtime installations. This offers an extremely cost effective means of automating multiple machines. Tasks can be constructed, organized and deployed from one convenient location instead of being spread throughout the organization.
Accelerates flow of information
Drag-and-drop building enables tasks to be constructed rapidly. This accelerates data flows, allowing business users and decision-makers to become more effective and efficient by delivering real-time access to accurate data.