Inside Automation Engine > Runtime > Runtime Monitoring > Runtime Monitoring

Runtime Monitoring

AE can monitor the runtime behavior of tasks and react to deviations. Allowed runtimes can be predefined static values (fixed values) or dynamically be based on the estimated runtime (ERT).

You can define runtime monitoring directly in an executable object. In this case, the settings that are defined in the Runtime tab apply for all this object's activations.

You can also define different kinds of runtime monitoring that apply for different activations of a task that are made within a workflow or schedule. The corresponding definitions are made in the object properties (Runtime tab). In doing so, you can handle the specific runtime-monitoring requirements of workflows or schedules. For example, if the same task runs with different conditions  (such as on particular days, at night, on weekends). The task settings that are defined in the workflow or schedule are given priority to the settings that are defined in the task itself.

An activated task's start can be prevented if it cannot be started or canceled until a pre-determined time. You can define the latest start or end time in the properties of a workflow task (Dependencies tab). If the specified condition cannot be met, the corresponding task is skipped (ENDED_TIMEOUT).

AE can also monitor the progress of complete procedures. For this purpose, you can specify a time checkpoint in the workflow tasks tab (Checkpoint tab). Time checkpoints are also referred to as milestones. If the current time exceeds the time checkpoint and the task has not yet started, you can react by starting a pre-determined object. 

Overview of Possible Types of Runtime Monitoring

Type of Runtime Monitoring

Time of Checking

Reaction to Deviation

Maximum Runtime (MRT)

When the task is active.

Cancel/Quit task and/or execute an executable object.

Minimum Runtime (SRT)

When the task ends.

Execution of an executable object.

Earliest start in workflow

Before the task starts.

The task starts when the defined time is exceeded.

Latest start in workflow

Before the task starts.

The task only starts when the defined time is not yet exceeded.

Latest end in workflow

Before the task starts.

The task only starts when the determined time for this task's expected end is set before the defined time.

Groups start always. Task ERTs are checked in accordance with their chronological order. If the calculated end time is set before the specified time, the task starts. After it has ended, the system checks the next task's ERT. If the calculated end time is set after the specified time, this task is skipped. The same procedure applies for all tasks of the group.

Time checkpoint in workflow

When the workflow is active.

Execution of an executable object.