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Business
Overview: Windows Desktop Automation
• WinBatch and Rapid Automation Tools
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Introduction
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Macro
Languages
Many software applications include their
own macro language. However, the products
listed here go beyond that. Many can automate
any software application on a PC and most
automate Windows system processes. Some
uses of Windows automation include software
installation, system maintenance, and networking
logon processing.
Batch
Processing
We're often asked how our WinBatch software
compares with other macro scripting products.
WinBatch is designed for desktop and server
automation. Confusing this issue is another
group of system management software products
also called batch processors that specialize
in balancing processing loads between
servers—a capability WinBatch lacks.
Capabilities
The range of tasks that can be automated
is one measure of a product's suitability.
Below, we include a chart of capabilities
and products for your reference. Our information
came from product Web sites— also
listed here, along with their links. By
no means is every scripting capability,
or product, listed. If your needs are
more specialized, you can find out more
by using the chart below as a starting
point.
More
Than Features
Some important qualities of a product
are difficult to measure. The availability
of technical support is one. Ease of use
is another. The table below does indicate
breadth of coverage, but be sure that
your needs will be met by the product
you choose. This may take some time to
uncover. If you buy a product, consider
its guarantee policy. Also, cost estimates
in the table are for single PC copies--site
license cost per copy will probably be
much less.
Cost
Cost is rarely a significant factor with
this software because the savings from
automation are so great over manual operation.
In the case of our WinBatch+Compiler product,
one developer can automate thousands of
PCs with a single copy. A typical software
installation might take an hour at a PC.
Automating this can save that hour for
every PC. Macro scripting software is
highly productive ammunition in the MIS
arsenal.
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Three
Main Benefits of Automation
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Saves
Time and Increases Productivity
This is the most significant benefit. Desktop
automation eliminates repeated tasks. Server
automation allows jobs to run unattended.
While used by PC professionals to save their
own time, automation software is most productive
when automating tasks throughout the organization.
Enhances
Capabilities
Macro scripting languages can build custom
solutions by gluing together commercial,
off-the-shelf, software applications.
Data can be manipulated in one software
application and then sent to other applications
for further processing. Macros can add
capabilities to software applications
by manipulating them. Data can be transferred
back and forth from application to script
for further processing. This technique
is often used to create dynamic data in
Web pages.For a basic description of these
capabilities, see the documentation for
the WIL HTML Dialog Extender. Also, another
WindowWare product, WebBatch, uses the
WIL language to automate Web page construction
on NT-based Web servers.
Standardizes
Operations
Writing the steps of a process down and
placing them into a script makes the procedure
standard and repeatable. Because the computer,
and not a person, handles the job, it
gets done the same way every time.
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Types
of automation software
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Macro
Runners
Proprietary macro languages are limited
to specific commercial software programs.
General purpose macro languages can send
keystrokes and other commands to all software
applications. Keystroke and mouse automation
software is ideal for short procedures on
the computer desktop.
Batch
Job Processors
These products automate servers, and often
desktop PCs. They often include a scheduling
capability in order to run jobs at certain
times. At the high end, batch processors
balance data processing loads among different
computers, even those running different
operating systems.
Network
Automation Tools
These products are either part of the
network operating system or are optional.
They usually provide logon and logoff
automation. In addition, they might include
a network management console with automation
of routine administrative chores.
Graphical
Automation Tools
Diagram a process by attaching actions
to icons and connectors. This is like
a football coach communicating plays through
diagrams.
Command,
or Shell Processors
This software runs external programs.
This is the method of operation of many
UNIX-based shell scripting languages.
Job
Schedulers
Scheduling is the emphasis here with a
graphical calendar and a macro scripting
language to automate processes at specific
times.
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Uses
for Windows PC Automation
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PC
Desktop Macros
Major software "suite" applications often
include macro languages dedicated only to
use with them. Scripting languages often
include the capability for adding macros
to any software application. It is easier
to use one macro language with all applications
than it is to learn separate macro languages
for them all.
Multi-Application
Solutions
General purpose macro languages can automate
any software package glueing off-the-shelf
software into multi-application solutions.
This leverages off the shelf software
to make custom business computing processes.
PC
Administration Scripting.
MIS departments often need to configure
PCs and upgrade their software. Automation
software can do this for thousands of
PCs at once. If the user base is very
large just one software installation script
can save millions of dollars. The return
on investment can be impressive, indeed.
Data
Management Scripting for LAN and WEB.
Scripts can run independently of human
intervention. They can automatically manipulate
data by passing it between specialized
software applications. This use is often
a part of an e-commerce solution where
data is manipulated in the background
and then presented over the Internet.
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Evaluating
Scripting Tools
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More
information
is available on the Internet. Your needs
will direct your search. Look first for
the capabilities you absolutely need.
Then consider the range of functionality,
the availability of technical support,
and quality of the documentation. Speed
of learning is also important. How easily
maintained is the software? Does the macro
scripting language provide a rapid development
environment for scripting?
Technical
support is an important issue. Is
it volunteered or paid? It the product
widely used? Are prebuilt solutions available?
How extensive is the library of applications?
The
table below lists many tools along
with their application to specific tasks.
Internet addresses for the Web sites are
included. You may want to find out more
about specific products. Often actual
copies of the tools can be downloaded
freely from the product Web sites on the
Internet. For the most complete evaluation,
some products, complete with all documentation,
can be purchased on a trial basis.
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