Working with Tasks

The type and the status of a task determines what you can do with it. This topic provides an overview with short descriptions of all available task functions. The list does not consider the status that a task must have for a function to be available.

Right-click a task to open the context-menu that provides the available functions. You can access the task context-menus from the following areas in the Automic Web Interface:

  • List of Tasks in the Process Monitoring perspective
  • Job, Job Group, Workflow, Schedule, and Agent Group monitors, Fullfilments list
  • Global search drop-down list
  • List of results in the advanced search

The functions are grouped in the context menus as follows:

  1. Access to the most frequent actions: Open the monitors, the Requests view and the reports.
  2. Access to the Executions lists.
  3. Access to functions to modify the task. These functions depend on the status and type of task.
  4. Access to comments, forecasts and to the Send To function, if configured.
  5. Access to the object and to the Search for Use function for that object.

The functions are listed in alphabetical order. To see a list of the available functions depending on the status of a task, see Available Functions Depending on the Task Status.

[A] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [I] [M] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U]

A

Activator Executions

Opens the list of historical data of the instance (the activator) that has triggered the execution of a task.

For more information, see Execution Data.

Apply Modifications

Available for Workflows in the Workflow Monitor.

To change settings in a running Workflow you must first stop its execution. Right-click the Workflow, select Modify and make your changes. Select this option to apply your changes.

For more information, see Workflows (JOBP) and Monitoring Workflows.

C

Cancel

Stops processing the task as well as all subordinated tasks that have not yet started.

Tasks that have already started continue running.

Cancel (Recursive)

Stops processing the task as well as all subordinated tasks, including those that have already started.

Child Task Executions

Opens the historical data of tasks which execution is triggered by another object.

For more information, see Execution Data.

Comments

Opens a dialog where you can enter additional information on the task. Tasks that contain comments display the comment icon in the RunID column.

For more information, see Adding Comments.

Create Forecast

Calculates the expected execution times and the estimated runtime of executable objects and tasks.

For more information, see Forecasting.

D

Deactivate

Removes an ended task from the list

The parameters in the Automatic Deactivation Section in the definition of an executable object determine whether it should be deactivated or not after its execution. The following options are available:

  • Never
  • Always
  • After error-free execution
  • After error-free restart
  • Deactivate after x minutes

Use this option to remove from the list the tasks that are still active after their execution. The only exception are tasks for which the Never option has been selected. The Deactivate function does not affect them.

Deactivating Workflows includes all its subordinate tasks.

For more information, see Automatic Deactivation Section.

Deactivate (Forced)

Deactivates the Workflow and its child Workflows (if any), even if they still contain active tasks

This option always overrules the Automatic Deactivation settings in the object definition, even if they have been set to Never deactivate tasks.

Rollbacks fail for Workflows that have already been deactivated through this option.

For more information, see Automatic Deactivation Section.

E

Executions

Opens the list of executions (historical data) of the selected task.

For more information, see Execution Data.

F

Filter

Limits the activity list according to specified filter criteria.

For more information, see Filtering Tasks.

G

Go Immediately

Starts processing a task immediately. Tasks that have a Waiting status start as well.

Child tasks are not affected.

For more information, see Executing Objects.

Go (Recursive)

Starts processing a task immediately. Tasks that have a Waiting status also start.

It also starts child tasks.

Exception: In the case of tasks that run within Schedules, if you have suspended the execution of the Schedule, the Go Recursive function will only impact tasks that have started AFTER the last reload (tasks in Schedules are reloaded after the defined Period Turnaround Time has elapsed). For tasks that have started before the last Schedule reload, you must start them manually. To do so, open the Tasks list in Process Monitoring in the hierarchical view, expand the Schedule node and start the required child tasks.

For more information, see:

For more information, see Executing Objects.

I

Ignore Preconditions

The actions/conditions are ignored and skipped. Tasks in a Waiting status due to their pre-conditions continue executing

For more information, see Conditions, Preconditions, Postconditions.

Ignore Queue Limit

Starts the task immediately. This option is relevant for tasks that are waiting to start because of missing queue slots (Waiting for Queue slot).

You can perform this action on just one task or you can select multiple tasks and ignore their Queue limit. Bulk ignoring this limit is only possible if all selected tasks have the same Waiting for Queue slot status.

For more information, see Queue (QUEUE).

Ignore Sync Conditions

Ignores the conditions that have been defined in the Sync object assigned to the task and starts the task.

Note: Sync objects contain definitions on status, conditions and actions that are combined to specify the order in which tasks will be executed. Tasks can be in a waiting status due to these Sync definitions.

For more information, see Monitoring Sync Objects and Sync (SYNC).

M

Modify

Available in the Workflow monitor.

This button stops the Workflow execution to let you modify the Workflow settings.

For more information, see Workflows (JOBP) and Monitoring Workflows.

Modify Execution

Available for Period containers (C_PERIOD tasks).

For more information, see Scheduling Executions with the Execute Recurring Function.

Modify Parent Properties

Opens a dialog where you can change the maximum number of simultaneous tasks allowed.

For more information, see Modifying Properties (Job Groups) and Modifying Properties (Agent Groups).

Modify Priority

Opens the dialog where you can change the priority of the task

Note: This option is available for tasks with a status between 1500 and 1799 (see System Return Codes of Executable Objects).

For more information, see Automation Engine Priority.

Modify Properties

Opens a dialog where you can modify the maximum number of simultaneous tasks allowed

Note: Available for Job Groups and Agent Groups.

For more information, see Modifying Properties (Job Groups) and Modifying Properties (Agent Groups).

Modify Status Manually

Allows you to change the status of a task manually

Important! This function should be restricted to very few users.

For more information, see Modifying the Status Manually.

Modify Task

Allows you to change parameters of tasks that have been started with the Execute once option (not Immediately).

For more information, see Executing Objects Once and Modifying Tasks.

O

Open Agent Group Monitor

Opens the list of tasks that are processed by the selected Agent Group.

For more information, see Monitoring Agent Groups and Agent Groups (HOSTG).

Open Monitor

Opens the monitor of the selected task.

This option is available for running tasks that have a monitor view of their own, such as Workflows, Schedules, groups, and so on.

For more information, see Monitoring Tasks.

Open Object

Opens the object and allows you to modify its definition, provided you have the necessary privileges.

For more information, see Defining Objects.

Open Parent Monitor

Opens the monitor of the task's parent object. The parent monitor provides information about the progress of the task. It also gives you access to functions to modify the current execution.

For more information, see Monitoring Tasks.

Open Report

Opens the report of the selected execution.

For more information, see Reports.

Open Sync Monitor

Opens the list of tasks affected by one or more Sync objects.

For more information, see Monitoring Sync Objects.

Open User Input Dialog

Available for tasks that are waiting for manual input to continue processing.

For more information, see Reacting to Requests.

P

Parent Task Executions

Opens the list of past executions of the parent task. Available for tor tasks that run in another task, such as in a Workflow.

For more information, see Execution Data.

Properties

Opens a pane at the bottom half of the page where you can see and modify the properties of the tasks included in the selected container.

For more information, see:

Q

Quit

Ends a long-running activity. Only available for long-running, recurring activities. Recurring activities execute a particular process repeatedly within a particular interval (event). They must be manually ended by the user.

R

Recalculate next start time

Available for Schedules.

Schedules and tasks within Schedules can have Calendars assigned to them. The definitions of Calendars or Calendar Events can change. Activate this option if you want the Schedule monitor to apply such changes automatically.

For more information, see Schedules (JSCH) and Modifying Active Schedules.

Refresh

Loads the latest view data.

For more information, see Refresh Interval.

Release Manually

Lets the task execute. Available for tasks that have been executed using the Execute Once option and the Wait for manual release function has been activated.

Before being actually executed, tasks go through the following phases: Activation, Generation and Transfer. If set to wait for manual release, tasks are activated, if they are jobs, their scripts are generated and, if applicable, transfers are carried out. However, they are not executed.

Reload definition at period turnaround

Available for Schedules

If selected, changes done to the Schedule definition are applied with the next period turnaround. A tick next to this option indicates that this function is activated.

You must have Write (W) and Modify at runtime (M) authorizations to perform this operation.

For more information, see Schedules (JSCH) and Modifying Active Schedules.

Remote Restart

Restarts Remote Task Manager (JOBQ) jobs and jobs that run in external systems, such as SAP or PeopleSoft

For more information, see Monitoring and Restarting External Tasks and Executing Objects.

Remove

Available for jobs in Registered status. It removes the task from the queue.

Replace Task

Available for tasks that run in Workflows, this option replaces tasks that are activated but not started yet.

For more information, see Replacing Tasks.

Reset Task

Available for tasks that run in a Schedule. Sets the task back to its previous status.

For more information, see Schedules (JSCH) and Monitoring Schedules.

Restart

Restarts tasks that have already been and allows you to define the required execution options.

For more information, see:

Rollback Task

Processes a rollback on the selected task.

For more information, see Rollback Page and Rolling Back Tasks and Workflows.

Rollback to this Task

Only possible for ended tasks (successful or aborted). This function restores all tasks from the end of the Workflow back to the selected task, which is also restored.

For more information, see Rollback Page and Rolling Back Tasks and Workflows.

S

Search for Use

Opens the list of objects in which a particular object or task is being used.

For more information, see Search for Use.

Set Active

Sets back the Workflow to active.

Set Inactive

Skips the selected task. When the Workflows reaches it, this task is not processed. This function is available for tasks that have not yet started (status: Waiting for predecessor).

Set Breakpoint

Causes the Workflow to stop at this task and changes the status of the Workflow to blocked. To continue processing it you must open the Workflow monitor and delete the breakpoint manually.

You can use this function when designing Workflows to test the results of their executions. It also allows you to run the Workflow until a particular point and check the result of a of a previous task in the Workflow (for example, its report). You can then continue designing the Workflow using this data.

This function is available for tasks that have not yet started (status: Waiting for predecessor).

For more information, see:

Show Definition

Opens the Workflow object definition, where you can edit it. You need access to the Process Assembly perspective.

For more information, see Workflows (JOBP).

Show in Process Monitoring

This function opens the list of Tasks in the Process Monitoring perspective. The list is pre-filtered using the runID or the name of the selected execution/object.

For more information, see Execution Data.

Suspend

Pauses the processing of the task and of all subordinated tasks that have not yet started. Tasks that have already started continue running. This function is available for long-running tasks only.

Suspend (Recursive)

Pauses the processing of a task and of all its children, including those that have already started. This function is available for long-running tasks (such as Schedules) and Workflows.

T

Take Over Task

Allows you to take the ownership of a task.

For more information, see Taking Over Ownership.

U

Unblock Task

Removes the task blocking condition and allows the task and the Workflow to continue processing.

Note: Available for blocked tasks only.

See also: