Software developer Advanced Systems Concepts Inc. has released the latest iteration of its flagship ActiveBatch workload automation and job scheduling software. ActiveBatch v8 adds provides SMBs with improved interfaces and an integrated jobs library aimed at minimizing and/or eliminating scripting.
According to a press release submitted to Channel Pro-SMB by Advanced Systems Concepts, ActiveBatch v8 offer “greatly improved and integrated support for Java (J2EEE)” and the “direct invocation of Java objects and methods” as part of the product’s new Jobs Library framework. This means no Java wrapper is required to invoke Java methods as part of a workflow.
In addition, ActiveBatch v8 adds integrated JMS and JMX support with built-in JMS (Java Messaging Services) Job Steps for sending/receiving JMS messages. JMS and JMX are provided as part of ActiveBatch and do not require separate licensing.
Other improvements and features include:
- Informatica PowerCenter and Netezza Job Steps–Tighter cross-platform integration through the use of Informatica’s Workflow Web Services facility.
- Object-Level, Integrated Support for Powershell–ActiveBatch V8 provides improved integration and execution of Powershell scripts by offering object passing from one job step to another.
- Support for Microsoft System Center–Supported products include Virtual Machine Manager and Service Manager in addition to the existing support for Operations Manager.
- Jobs Library Additions–SSL Certificate management tasks, OpenPGP and Secure Shell (SSH) job steps and tasks that use open-source OpenPGP technology.
Finally, the new Operations View in V8 enables SMBs to visually organize and review jobs dynamically based on their status (recent, past, present, and future). The new view enables large-scale job processing.
An Alerts/Notification View also enables operators observe as well as interact with alert-able audits. Also important is ActiveBatch V8’s support of Microsoft WCF Line of Business (LOB).
“Job Schedulers continue to move to the center of IT operations to improve the service levels and integration of workflows involving the ‘hidden’ management applications and as highly visible drivers of customer-facing services,” says Jim Manias Advanced Systems Concepts’ vice president of marketing. “Through its range of powerful job steps, cross-platform support, and management features, it reduces complexity by eliminating scripting and introducing integrated context helpers.”
ActiveBatch Version 8 is now available for licensing and automatic upgrade.