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Scheduler Tab

This section describes how to configure the Scheduler tab commands for scheduling the tasks for running the Process files through the Windows task scheduler. You can schedule the Process files and when the file is scheduled, Windows Task Scheduler automatically launches Process Runner and run the file at the scheduled time (or times). If the Windows logon information is provided, it can even log on and start Process Runner automatically.

Note: If the system is powered down, Process Runner cannot power up the hardware of the system, and therefore the run of the scheduled files might fail at the scheduled time.

You can manage the schedule of a task.

  • To edit an existing scheduled task, you can use Edit in the Manage Schedule section of the Scheduler tab.
  • To delete an existing scheduled task, you can use the Delete option.
  • To refresh the list of scheduled tasks, you can use the Refresh option. This option is used to refresh the information view of the scheduled tasks.

The section contains following topics:

Schedule

This topic describes how to use the SCHEDULER tab to schedule tasks to run the Process files. After creating tasks, you can view, edit, delete, or refresh the scheduled tasks. You can lock the Process file to protect the scheduler settings using the Lock File option.

Refer to the video to understand the scheduler functionality.

To create a task,

  1. In Process Runner, select SCHEDULER > New. The Create Task window appears.

    Note: If the Process file is locked to change the scheduler settings, you cannot create a scheduler task or edit, enable or disable and delete the current scheduled task. To create a new task or edit the scheduler settings, select the lock icon. If the task is password-protected, then click the lock icon and specify the password in the dialog box that appears.

  2. To configure general settings, on the General tab, perform the following steps:
    1. To provide a name for the task, enter a suitable name in the Task Name field.
    2. Select Local or EShare for the type of Process file and browse to the Process file. The Process file is selected.
    3. To describe the task, enter the description in the Description field.
    4. To connect to SAP, select a logon shortcut from the Logon Shortcut dropdown list.

      Note: You must provide a logon shortcut in order to log on to SAP and run the scheduling job. Therefore, ensure that the Process file is saved with a logon shortcut.

    5. To run the scheduled task without getting an error pop-up in during runtime, select Silent Mode. Running a scheduled process file in silent mode differ for single process file, connected Process file and collective run process file.
      • Single Process Scheduled: Indicates that Process Runner runs the Process file without error message pop-up during the run and log the error in log file.
      • Connected Process Scheduled: Indicates that if an error occurs in any of the files, then the scheduled process stops the run at that file and does not run the other Process files and logs the error in the log file.
      • Collective Run Scheduled process: Indicates that if an error occurs in the first collective run file during the run, then Process Runner logs the error in the log file and continues the run of the other files in the collective run.
  3. To configure the trigger settings, select the Trigger tab, and perform the following steps:
    1. In Schedule Type list, select the scheduling type category from the following options:
      • Daily: Indicates that the scheduled task runs on a daily basis. The Daily trigger is based on a recursion system, date and the time, you want to start using this kind of trigger. The interval of one is for creating a daily schedule, the interval of two is for creating an every other day schedule and so on.
      • Weekly: Indicates that the scheduled task runs on a weekly basis. If you select Weekly trigger, you must enter the date and time on which you want to start this schedule, the days when you want the schedule to take place and how often to repeat. Recursion of this trigger is similar to the daily one. For the interval of one, the task will be repeated weekly, for the interval of two, the task will be repeated every two weeks and so on.
      • Monthly: Indicates that the scheduled task runs on a monthly basis. The Monthly trigger does not have many differences from the others, you only need to select the month and day that you want to activate your task. The recursion system is the same, the only difference being that the minimum interval of repetition is one month. You can either select one month or all twelve months.
      • Once: Indicates that the scheduled task runs only one time. Specify the day and time on which the task must be run.
      • When Idle: Indicates that the scheduled task runs only when the system is on idle mode.
    2. To schedule the start time for the task, select the Start DateTime.
    3. To repeat, stop and expire a task, in Advance Settings, select the following options :
      • Every: Indicates how often (in minutes or hours) the scheduled task is repeated. Scroll the arrows to select other settings.
      • Until: Indicates the time duration until which the task must be repeated.
      • If the task is still running, stop it at this time:Indicates whether all instances of the scheduled task that are still running according to the deadline are stopped at Until. This option is useful if the scheduled tasks don't stop automatically. If this check box is not selected, the task continues running, even after the deadline.
    4. To stop the auto-run, select the Expiry DateTime.
  4. To configure further settings, select the Settings tab, and perform the following steps:
    1. To configure the Scheduled Task Completed settings, perform the following steps:
      • Delete task if it is not scheduled to run again: Indicates whether the task file is deleted from the computer's hard disk after the run and is not scheduled to run again. This option is useful for tasks that are scheduled to run only once.
      • Stop task if it runs for: Indicates whether the task is stopped after it has been running for a specified amount of time. Select the time in Hr(s) and Minute(s) at their corresponding fields.
    2. To configure the Scheduled Task Missed settings, select Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed. If the computer is turned off, it is possible that a triggered time event might not happen. This setting allows scheduler to go back and see that it was supposed to run, and then trigger it to run right away.
    3. To configure the Idle Time settings, perform the following steps:
      • Only start the task if computer has been idle for at least: Indicates whether to initiate the scheduled task after the specific period of freeze time (i.e. pause in the usage of keyboard and mouse). If the task is scheduled to repeat, the first run of the task occurs only if the computer has been idle for the specified period of time. If the computer is not idle when the task tries to start, the scheduler keeps checking if the computer is idle for the amount of time specified in Only start the Task if the computer has been idle for at least. If the computer does not become idle during this time, task is not run.
      • Stop the task if computer ceases to be idle: Indicates whether the task must be stopped if the usage of the computer is resumed during the runtime of a task.
      • If computer has not been idle that long, retry for up to: Indicates the time (in minutes) for which the scheduler keeps verifying to ensure that the computer is idle. If the computer has not been idle for that long, no occurrences of the task are run.
    4. To configure the Power Management settings, perform the following steps:
      • Don't start task if computer is running on batteries: Indicates whether the scheduled task is prevented from starting while your computer is running on batteries. Some programs frequently access your hard disk, which drains the batteries faster. Select this option to extend the life of your batteries.
      • Stop task if battery mode begins: Instructs the Process Runner to stop the running the ongoing task if the computer starts running on battery.
      • Wake the computer to run the task: Indicates that the computer will wake to run the task at the scheduled time, even if the computer is in sleep mode.
  5. Select Save > Close. The scheduled task appears in green color in the calendar. By default, your calendar displays the monthly arrangement of the calendar view and could limit the number of calendar items visible on each day and the amount of detail visible for each calendar item.

  6. Optionally, perform the following tasks:
    • Select one of the following options to view the scheduled tasks:
      • Day View: Displays one day at a time separated into half-hour increments.
      • Full Week View: Displays one calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) at a time. The default work week is Monday through Friday from 12:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Time slots that fall within the work week are white on the calendar; time slots outside of the work week are colored.
      • Month View: Displays one calendar month at a time, in addition to any preceding or following days that fall into the displayed weeks.
      • Timeline view: Displays a horizontal view of the calendar for the selected time period. This view is very useful for comparing limited time periods for multiple calendars.
    • Use the Status Information to view the status of the task and the type of Process file that is scheduled.
    • To configure the display options, select the following options:
      • Display Option
        • End Time: Displays the end time of those scheduled tasks for which end time is not set.
        • Display Clock on Scheduled Task: Displays the clock with the start time of the scheduled task.
        • Display Only Current File Scheduled Task: Displays only the tasks that are created for the current process file.
      • Scheduled Current Process File List: Displays the list of scheduled tasks created for current process file.
      • Date Navigator: The date navigator (little calendar) on the right-pane, indicates today’s date. The day you are currently viewing is shaded in with dark gray color, in this case May 13, 2019. To change to a new day you can click any date in the date navigator, or use the navigation buttons along the top of the calendar.

Task Scheduler Manager

This topic describes how a scheduled job is automatically run by Windows according to the schedule. There are some scenarios that may affect the scheduled tasks. For example, if the scheduled task is password-protected and is scheduled to run in log-off mode, however, the system password was changed. To overcome such issues, you can use the Task Scheduler Manager option.

To configure the Task Scheduler Manager option,

  1. To configure the operations, select the following toolbar options:
    • Select All: Selects all the scheduled tasks from the grid.
    • Deselect All: Clears the selection from the grid.
    • Delete: Deletes the selected scheduled task.
    • Refresh: Refreshes the grid view.
    • Log: Displays the logs for scheduled jobs.
    • About: Displays the About information of the task schedule manager.
    • Exit: Closes the task schedule manager option.
  2. To configure the fields, select the following options:
    • Checkbox: Selects the corresponding scheduled task.
    • Description: Selects the description of the scheduled task.
    • Type: Selects the nature of repetition of the corresponding task.
    • Next Run Time: Selects the date and time at which the corresponding task will run according to the schedule.
    • Last Run Time: Selects the date and time of the last run.
    • Status: Selects the status of the scheduled task.
    • Comment: Selects the comments set by users.
    • Schedule: Selects the configured scheduled for the corresponding scheduled task.
    • Run in Log Off Mode: Activates or deactivates running the task in log-off mode.
  3. To configure the filters, select the following options:
    • Product Id: Indicates that you select the filter icon to set the filter to regular filters or CustomFilter. When you select Custom Filter, additional sub options appear.
    • To filter with further criteria, select each column header filter. Type the required filter text in the options to filter the grid with the string or value entered in the filter cell.

Change Passwords

This topic describes how to change the password for a selected scheduled task in the Task Schedule Manager window. The password change is due to the Windows password requirement that can restrict the scheduled task run in the offline mode.

To change the password for a selected task,

  1. Select Task Scheduler Manager from the Schedule group of the Scheduler tab. The Task Scheduler Managerwindow appears.
  2. Select the scheduled task for which the password must be changed and select Change Passwords. The Set Password window appears.
  3. Enter the user name, password, confirm the password, and select OK. The password is updated.

Auto Send Email Logs

This topic describes how to use the Auto Send Email Log option that allows you to define schedule for logs to be sent via email. A log gives an overview of what Process Runner users are doing and records all types of events for each of the run calls that have been run by the user; it also lists actions that have occurred on run. It contains error logs, successful requests, and additional information. For information about logs, see Log.

Note: The Auto Send Email Log option automatically scans the log for errors and dispatches an email with log on the schedule that is set. You can also receive logs on a scheduled basis even when there are no errors in log.

To configure Auto Send Email Log,

  1. To configure the operations, select the following toolbar options:
    • Edit: To edit the scheduled Auto Send Email, select the row from the grid and select Edit. Refer to New Schedule for description on the settings.
    • Delete:To delete the selected scheduled task, select the row from the grid and select Delete.
    • Refresh: To refresh the grid view, select Refresh.
    • Exit: To close the Auto Send Email Log window, select Exit.
  2. To configure the fields, select the following options:
    • Enabled: Displays the date and time at which the corresponding task will execute according to the schedule.
    • Description: Displays the description of the scheduled task.
    • Type: Displays the nature of repetition of the corresponding task.
    • Comment: Displays the comments if set by the user.
    • Status: Displays the status of the scheduled task.
    • Next Run Time: Displays the date and time at which the corresponding task will execute according to the schedule.
    • Last Run Time: Displays the date and time of the last run.
    • Schedule: Displays the configured schedule for the corresponding scheduled task.

Email Configuration

This topic describes how to configure the email settings to send an automated email from the task scheduler.

To configure email settings,

  1. In Process Runner, on the Scheduler tab, select Email Configuration. The Email Configuration dialog appears.
  2. To configure email settings, on the Email Settings tab, in the Account type list, select one of the following options:
    • SMTP
    • Microsoft Exchange
    • Office 365
  3. To configure SMTP Server settings, enter the following details:
    • Outbound SMTP Server: Indicates the SMTP server name that sends the email.
    • Server Port: Indicates the port number to connect to the SMTP server. The server works with port 25 and 587.
    • This Server requires an encrypted connection: Indicates that the email is encrypted when sent to the SMTP server.
    • Email Address: Indicates the email address used to send and receive scheduled job notifications.
    • Password: Indicates the password configured email address.
  4. For Microsoft Exchange or Office 365, enter email address and password from which the scheduled job notifications must be sent, and select Option. The More Settings window appears.

    more_settings_window_of_email_configuration

    1. Select one of the following authentication options:
      • Use Standard Method
      • Use OAuth Method
    2. If you select Use Standard Method, perform the following tasks:
      1. In Setting Mode, select Auto or Manual depending on whether you have information about the server URL.
      2. Optionally, in Exchange Version, select the version of your Exchange Server.
      3. In User Name, enter the user name associated with the email address from which the scheduled jobs must be sent.
      4. In Domain, enter the domain name associated with the email address.
      5. Only for Manual setting mode, in Server URL, enter the Exchange Server URL from where Process Runner autodiscovers the email ID.
      6. Clear Use Email Address for Exchange Connection if you face the “401 Authorization” error.
    3. If you select Use OAuth method, perform the following tasks:
      1. Enter the details in the Client ID and Tenant ID boxes. For information about how to use OAuth authentication in Exchange Server, see Microsoft documentation.
      2. In User Name, enter the user name associated with the email address.
      3. If your organization wants to enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) method, perform these steps:
        1. To use MFA, configure the application’s active directory by performing the steps mentioned in Register an application in Azure Active directory. Select the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) applied checkbox.
        2. In the Using field that follows, select either Certificate or Client Secret.
        3. Enter the Certificate name or the Client Secret value depending on your selection.
    4. Select OK. The details are saved and the More Settings window is closed.
  5. Select Test. The email configuration is verified.
  6. Optionally, to send a test email, select Yes, and then select OK to exit the Success dialog box.
  7. To configure receiver settings, on the Receiver tab, enter the following:
    • To Email: Indicates the email address of associated user who receives the status and error logs.
    • CC Email: Indicates the email address of the user whom you want to CC the status and error logs.
    • BCC Email: Indicates the email address of the user whom you want to BCC the status and error logs.
  8. To configure advanced settings, on the Advanced Setting tab, perform the following steps:
    • Application Log for Connection: Indicates that a trace file is generated on the desktop with the logs for scheduled jobs.
    • Connection Timeout: Indicates the time duration for the application to wait while trying to send email.
  9. Select Save. The changes are saved.
  10. Select Close. The Email Configuration dialog box is closed.

New Schedule

This topic describes how to schedule a new task for sending the logs automatically to the desired user, using the New Schedule option.

To configure a new schedule,

  1. In Process Runner, select Scheduler> Auto Send Email Log. The Auto Send Email Log window appears.
  2. Select New Schedule and perform the following steps:
  3. On the Control tab, select the following options:

    • Product Type: Allows to schedule logs created by Process Runner via email.
    • Automatically determine start and end period based on last run: Emails the log messages that belong to the previous day, when you select it and run the schedule for the first time. For example, if the schedule is set to be run on 16th of the month at 2.52 AM for the first time and 'Automatically determine start and end period based on last run' is selected, then the logs generated from 15th to 16th until scheduler runs will be emailed to users. For the next run, the start and end period of log messages to be emailed are calculated based on the last run. It is recommended not to clear the selection as it will generate large emails.
    • Send only if one or more error occurred: Sends the log messages via email for the errors occurred starting from Open Event to Close Event type.
    • Send only error block: Sends the log messages via email for the errors occurred.
    • Send Email body as HTML: Sends the log messages in the email body.
    • Send as attachment: Sends the log messages as attachment in the email.
  4. On the Schedule tab, configure the scheduling control and scheduling type options.
  5. On the Schedule Settings tab, configure additional options. Refer to Schedule for information.
  6. Select Save. The schedule is saved.

Custom Schedule

This topic describes how to assign a custom script in the scheduler. The scheduled script runs at the scheduled time from the scheduler.

To add a new schedule for custom script,

  1. In Process Runner, select Scheduler> Task Schedule Manager> Custom Schedule. The Manage Custom Schedule window appears.
  2. To select a new schedule, select New Schedule.
  3. To add the custom script, in Script, on the Custom Code tab, enter the custom script name.
  4. Optionally, to import the code from your local system, select Import Code.
  5. To validate the code, select Check. The results of the validation appear in the Error List section.
  6. Optionally, to add the custom script, enter the name of the custom script in Name, and the script arguments in Arguments.
  7. Select Save. The schedule is saved for the custom script.

To configure Manage Custom Schedule,

  1. To configure the operations, select the following toolbar options:
    • New Schedule: Creates a new schedule.
    • Edit: Edits the selected scheduled task.
    • Delete:Deletes the selected scheduled task.
    • Refresh: Refreshes the grid view.
    • Exit: Closes the Manage Custom Schedule window.
  2. To configure the fields, select the following options:
    • Enabled: Enables the run of the scheduled script at its assigned time.
    • Name: Displays the name of the scheduled task.
    • Type: Displays the nature of repetition of the corresponding task.
    • Comment: Displays the comments if set by the user.
    • Status: Displays the status of the scheduled task.
    • Next Run Time: Displays the date and time at which the corresponding task will execute according to the schedule.
    • Last Run Time: Displays the date and time of the last run.
    • Schedule: Displays the configured schedule for the corresponding scheduled task.

Best Practices for Task Scheduling

This topic describes the best practices to ensure successful run of scheduled tasks. The Windows Task Scheduler automatically launches Process Runner and runs the file at the scheduled time.

  • Ensure that you have a valid Process Runner license for the user/computer: On the client computer where Process Runner is installed and is to be used for scheduled run of process files, make sure to have right licensing for Process Runner on that computer.
  • Manual run of the Process Files on the computer before scheduling them: Before proceeding, run each process file manually to ensure it works correctly. When confirmed, configure the schedule to run as per your business requirements.
  • Set appropriate logon shortcut on the file scheduled for run: An autologon file is required to configure automatic logon in SAP Systems. Logon Shortcut enters the login credentials to logon to SAP.When scheduling and executing the process file using scheduler, always make sure that the process file is saved with a valid Logon Shortcut. The process file will always use this logon shortcut for execution.
  • Ensure that you have the correct Excel file path reference in Process File: It is a good reference to make sure you are working on the correct file from local or network folder. Put the entire path of the Excel file when using the file. Ensure that the Excel file is existing at the file path being passed.
  • Disable SAP GUI Security prompt 
    • To configure the behavior of the security module so that users do not get any security prompts, use the following registry values under the registry key.

      [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SAP\SAPGUI Front\SAP Frontend Server\Security]

      "DefaultAction"=0

      "SecurityLevel"=0

    • At User level:

      [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SAP\SAPGUI Front\SAP Frontend Server\Security]

      "DefaultAction"=0

      "SecurityLevel"=0

The above registry values are of DWORD type.

For more information about the scheduling functionality, see Scheduler Tab.

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