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  • 1.  Task Scheduler

    Posted 03-22-2023 09:59
    Edited by Jeff Schwenk 03-22-2023 09:58

    Does anyone use task scheduler?  Looking at the many posts on the topic, I don't get a warm fuzy feeling about it.

    I have a client wanting a way to automate a couple custom reports (monthly).  These reports have parameters.  I am not seeing the ability to enter these variables.  I suppose we could create separate reports with hard coded information but is task scheduler robust enough?

    TIA



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    Jeff Schwenk
    Bottomline Software, Inc.
    (540) 221-4444
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  • 2.  RE: Task Scheduler

    Posted 03-22-2023 14:23

    I have.  Decent tool but can be a little kludgy, although I can't recall specific examples at the moment, and therefore sometimes I'll just instead use Windows Task Scheduler directly.  



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    Brett Zimmerman
    Net at Work
    Greater Boston Area
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  • 3.  RE: Task Scheduler

    Posted 03-22-2023 14:45

    It's a bit finicky for sure (especially related to the Windows default printer for the account used) but does work.

    For things like auto-posting, and running AR / AP Aged invoice reports (so data in the customer / vendor aging buckets is always current), there is no real alternative to Sage Task Scheduler.

     For custom reports, we use Visual Cut, which is much more reliable.  (I'm not even sure you can use STS for a custom report... I've never tried).  And yes, Visual Cut can handle report parameters in the batch file commands... no problem at all.



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    Kevin Moyes
    Technical Systems Analyst
    Munjal White Consulting Co.
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  • 4.  RE: Task Scheduler

    Posted 03-22-2023 15:09

    "Finicky", that's what I meant.  Thanks, @Kevin Moyes.  :)



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    Brett Zimmerman
    Net at Work
    Greater Boston Area
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Task Scheduler

    Posted 03-22-2023 19:15

    Sorry to say Sage Task Scheduler is not that smart nor is Windows Task Scheduler.  You could create a script that sets the parameters and runs the reports and trigger that through Windows Task Scheduler instead of using Sage Task Scheduler.

     

    Kind Regards,


    Carmen Cruz
    Sage Consultant
    carmen.cruz@compudata.com
    215-969-1000 Ext. 279
    www.compudata.com
    Work Smarter... Together 

    CompuData, Inc. • 325 Chestnut St, Ste 700 • Philadelphia • PA • 19106





  • 6.  RE: Task Scheduler

    Posted 03-23-2023 08:12

    I don't think you can do anything with Crystal parameters in Windows Task Scheduler.  For that scenario, I'll second Visual Cut, which is extremely powerful and has great parameter placeholders. We also use Logicity at a few clients, which is a bit friendlier.



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    Steve Iwanowski, NextStep Technology Advisors, aka DSD Lancaster PA ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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  • 7.  RE: Task Scheduler

    Posted 03-23-2023 10:54

    yes, I use it here and there, and as others have indicated, it's a bit finicky but it works. If you can set the parameters on the report selection screen, set the parameters and save the report with the specific settings. When setting up the Task, Task Schedulr will let you choose which report setting you want to run.  I don't believe you can use Custom Reports. For those, I use Logicity which also allows you to use parameters.



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    Kenny Daniel
    TechnoClarity, Inc.
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  • 8.  RE: Task Scheduler

    Posted 03-24-2023 01:58
    Edited by Dan Burleson 03-24-2023 15:46

    Instead of using a parameter with a scheduled custom report I've always created a derivative of the report. By definition if one is going to schedule a report then the parameters would be known in advance and don't change over time. The exception might be rolling date parameters, but those can be calculated in a Crystal Record Selection formula. Like Visual Cut, LogiCity accepts parameters, but creating a derivative report has always seemed easier. Visual Cut can email burst report sections, but LogiCity can do the same by filtering and emailing an exported report by using a group value as a parameter. It does take longer because it has to be run once for each group parameter. 

    Is Task Scheduler robust? For custom reports, I don't see a reason to use Sage Task Scheduler. That would be like favoring an RDP session to operate your own workstation. It's reliable until IT reboots the machine in the middle of a scheduled run. I only have to support them for moves and path changes during upgrades or when checking their history tab for whether they were triggered immediately prior to a restart.



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    Dan Burleson
    Software Consultant
    Connex Software
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