HelpSystems Bolsters Automation Tool with Database Triggers
November 4, 2014 Alex Woodie
Organizations that use HelpSystems’ business process workflow software, dubbed AutoMate, last week gained the capability to incorporate database triggers into their integration scripts. The software, which can integrate with IBM i resources, also got a new GUI. AutoMate and AutoMate BPA Server are Windows-based workflow scripting products that HelpSystems obtained earlier this year with its acquisition of Network Automation Inc. (NAI). The Los Angeles-based company had been selling the AutoMate line of products for 10 years. With the version 10 releases of AutoMate and AutoMate BPA Server, HelpSystems delivered a new database trigger function that enables users to initiate functions when certain actions are performed on the database, such as updates, deletes, or triggers. Currently, the company is only supporting SQL Server and Oracle databases. Database triggers are not supported on DB2. AutoMate is able to integrate with IBM i and z/OS applications and incorporate those platforms into scripted workflows, but not through the database. Instead, it can work with these platforms through available APIs, FTP file transfers, and through 5250 and 3270 emulation. The new GUI in AutoMate should make it easier to build integration scripts. The product offers a library of more than 600 pre-built actions, and the new GUI brings shortcuts that present the user with the most frequently used tasks in the Task Builder. New actions in AutoMate v10 offer the capability to manipulate images and PDFs without any third-party tools, including rotating, resizing, cropping, converting, and filtering any quantity or size of images automatically. The PDF action allows users to create, sign, stamp, encrypt, decrypt, extract, search, and replace PDF files. Version 10 also introduces support for Java applications, including the capability to manipulate images and PDFs without any third-party tools; support for Microsoft Windows PowerShell environment; support for Amazon‘s DynamoDB and Simple Email Service (SES); and support for Facebook. Meanwhile, the BPA Server version of AutoMate, which is used for automating multi-machine environments, has also been bolstered with the addition of the Workflow Wizard, a new global search function in the management console, and the capability to restart a workflow from a specific point in the process upon failure. HelpSystems sells its AutoMate products through its AutoMate subsidiary. For more info see www.networkautomation.com. RELATED STORY HelpSystems Launches Mobile Initiatives, Acquires NAI for Workflow Automation
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