There are several flavors available of AutoMate™, each for a distinct audience and level of automation and scalability.
AutoMate Standard is the base version of AutoMate.
AutoMate Standard does NOT contain the following features:
The ability to connect to a central AutoMate™ Enterprise Server over a network for security and task deployment.
Embedded expressions in the Step Builder
IF action support
The option to run AutoMate™ Professional as a Windows NT/2000 Service using AutoMate Service Edition.
File System trigger to monitor the file system for changes
AutoMate™ standard does, however, contain many features for simple automation routines on non-server systems. (EVALUATION NOTE: The trial version available for download contains features available only in AutoMate™ Professional; however, these features will be disabled upon your entering an AutoMate™ Standard serial number obtained during purchase.)
The Choice for IT Professionals.
If you are a "power user” involved in Information Systems or network management, AutoMate™ Professional is the version for you. The professional version of AutoMate™ contains 8 core advantages over the standard version.
Network Connectivity: AutoMate™ Professional contains the ability to connect to an AutoMate™ Enterprise Server, which allows tasks to be centrally developed, deployed and securely managed on a TCP/IP network. Discount multi-user pricing is available for AutoMate™ Professional. Contact Unisyn Software for details.
BASIC Scripting Language: AutoMate™ Professional combines scheduling power and application control with a full-featured Visual Basic for Applications compliant scripting language. The scripting engine integrates seamlessly into the existing AutoMate™ framework, appearing as an extra option in the macro builder called 'Run a Script'. In an automated procedure, you may have an unlimited number of 'script' steps, making decisions, handling complex File I/O routines, etc. The added flexibility of the AutoMate™ BASIC Scripting Language is that an unlimited number of customized 'AutoMate™' oriented commands can be added to the language to make life (and automation) easier for you. We have already added several new automate-centric commands, such as extensions of the BASIC scripting language and regularly release periodic AutoMate™ BASIC scripting language extension updates that are free to all registered users of AutoMate™ Professional.
Enhanced BASIC Scripting Integration: Previously, the use of variables in BASIC scripts was “local” to the BASIC script in which it was used. However, beginning with AutoMate™ Professional Version 4.4, variables created in the Step Builder using the “Create Variable” action extend into the BASIC scripting language; and when the BASIC script exits, the new value of the variable is transferred back to the Step Builder for usage within the task. This allows task developers to write dramatically less code as the rest of the processing designed to take place on that value within the task can be done via the standard drag-and-drop task building process in the Step Builder.
Embedded Expressions in the Step Builder: AutoMate™ Professional contains the ability to embed expressions directly into the parameters of task steps. Any valid BASIC expression can be embedded directly into any step parameter, eliminating the need to write an entire BASIC subroutine using the “Run a BASIC Script” action for simple one line data formatting and/or retrieval operations. These operations can now be accomplished “inline” inside the AutoMate™ task.
IF Support: AutoMate™ Professional allows for the evaluation of variables in AutoMate™ tasks and for specific actions to occur as a result of that evaluation through the IF action. Previously, one had to use a BASIC script to obtain any level of conditional processing in a task. The IF action will make this easier and completely code-free (not to also mention it making AutoMate™ even more powerful). The IF action contains the following parameters:
Variable: the variable to be evaluated
Condition: the condition to evaluate
Value: the value to compare the variable to
Then: the action to take if the condition is true
Else: the action to take if the condition is not true
Enhanced Variable Support: AutoMate™ Professional improves variable support with the new “Variable Functions” action. This action allows for several forms of variable manipulation including the incrementing and decrementing of a number and the concatenating of a text variable. Also, several actions that previously only took a number as a parameter now allow variables. This makes the new counter functions found in the “Variable Functions” action even more useful.
Task Failure Notification: AutoMate™ Professional contains the ability to send e-mail alerts to specific users when a task fails. All relevant information is sent (including the date, time, line number and reason for failure). Options for pager message formatting is included as well.
AutoMate™ Professional NT Service Edition Option: AutoMate™ Professional also contains an option to use the NT Service Edition of AutoMate™ which contains all the features of AutoMate™ Pro and allows tasks to be run on NT Servers even if those machines are locked or logged out. This version, however, does involve a few extra configuration steps and does not need to be used on NT machines unless you require the ability to run tasks on a logged out NT machine. (NOTE: Purchasing the NT Service Edition is the same as purchasing AutoMate™ Professional. Buying one entitles you to use either AutoMate™ Professional or AutoMate™ Professional NT Service Edition on one machine)
File System Trigger: AutoMate Professional offers an additional trigger which allows the file system to be monitored for changes and trigger a task when a for exampel a file arrives, a file or folder is modified or removed.
Control and Deploy AutoMate™ Tasks Throughout Your Entire Network
AutoMate™ Enterprise Server brings our successful model for automating the individual computer to the corporate network and the Internet. By incorporating AutoMate™ Enterprise into existing networks, Information Systems professionals will be able to seamlessly deploy automated tasks across one or many different machines simultaneously whether they reside on the other side of the office or on the other side of the world. It allows groups of AutoMate™ installations to be linked together and centrally administered including security rights for the various installations and task deployment to one or thousands of AutoMate™ installations.AutoMate™ Enterprise Server is designed to make administering an AutoMate™ network painless and without the sweat. Actions, such as system maintenance, software distribution and upgrades, file transfers, system restarts or anything else AutoMate™ can do, can now be designed centrally and distributed remotely and automatically. AutoMate™ will lower the overall cost of IT maintenance and support, improve the availability and performance of computing services, and provides a scalable enterprise solution by allowing you to build solutions that are appropriate for your organization.
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