Advanced Systems Concepts Announces ActiveBatch(R) V8.0, Featuring New Support for Microsoft System Center Products

MORRISTOWN, N.J., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc. (ASCI), maker of ActiveBatch® Workload Automation and Job Scheduling Software and other solutions that enhance Windows™, Linux, UNIX, z/OS and OpenVMS systems among others, today announced ActiveBatch® V8.0 at Tech Ed North America 2010 in New Orleans. Version 8.0, being previewed by ASCI at the event, will further improve the application's job and workflow management capabilities through an expanded Jobs Library that, among other new capabilities, supports Microsoft System Center products such as Virtual Machine Manager and Service Manager.

ActiveBatch V8.0 also introduces new Line Of Business (LOB) adapters that can invoke Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft .NET and Windows Component Object Model (COM) functions, as well as Oracle functions and procedures, without the need for scripting. ActiveBatch now supports the inclusion of Microsoft Biztalk Windows Communication Foundation LOB adapters within the Jobs Library, providing a whole new world of functionality for ActiveBatch customers.

Among the new job steps in the ActiveBatch V8.0 Jobs Library is a step for executing Windows PowerShell scripts, with the ability to pass objects as input and output parameters. The PowerShell step also supports implicit remoting for agentless execution of PowerShell scripts within a workflow.

Other Jobs Library additions support non-Microsoft tasks involving Java, JMX, OpenPGP and Secure Shell (SSH) Commands. The Java steps allow users to integrate JMS and JMX as well as Java and non-Java tasks; OpenPGP support makes it easier to encrypt and decrypt tasks that use open-source OpenPGP technology; while SSH Command support simplifies the exchange of data between channels and systems.

Finally, ActiveBatch V8.0 introduces a new Operations View that allows users to visually organize and review jobs based on their status (e.g., Completed, Executing, or Waiting to Execute). ActiveBatch's audit capabilities are also improved through the ability to report on object templates.

"ActiveBatch has a unique capability to integrate applications, platforms and databases while avoiding the need for expensive scripting. ActiveBatch V8.0 carries this valuable capability to an unprecedented level - as a job scheduling and workload automation platform it is now more intelligent and easier to use than ever before," said Jim Manias, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Advanced Systems Concepts. "By supporting a new range of packaged Job Steps and LOB functions, especially those involving Microsoft System Center products, ActiveBatch further reduces the cost of operations, eliminates script writing, and simplifies the daily effort required by IT personnel."

Advanced Systems Concepts, as a Microsoft System Center Alliance member, recently released ActiveBatch® Management Pack for Microsoft Systems Center Operations Manager 2007 R2. The Management Pack, which can be downloaded from Microsoft® Pinpoint, supports ActiveBatch V8.0 and ensures easy and comprehensive monitoring of ActiveBatch jobs, job plans, Windows/UNIX/Linux execution agents and more via the System Center Operations Manager console.

"Tying together job tasks and job groupings can be an expensive, complex process that is prone to errors," Manias noted. "The expanded Jobs Library in ActiveBatch V8.0 helps keep IT integration simple using our templated job steps that remove the need for creating and maintaining scripts over time. Because ActiveBatch discovers and lists applications, servers and other components in a network, creating job flows is as simple as point and click. Users don't even have to remember syntax names."

Availability

ActiveBatch Version 8.0 will be available in late Q3 of 2010 for licensing, as well as by automatic upgrade for companies participating in ASCI's ActiveBatch Version Upgrade program. For more information, visit the exhibit of Advanced Systems Concepts at Tech Ed 2010, June 7-10 at Booth #1711 in New Orleans' Morial Convention Center, or log on to www.advsyscon.com.

About Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc.:

Headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc. offers many software products and options for users of Windows, UNIX, Linux, HP OpenVMS and NSK systems as well as IBM z/OS, AIX, i5OS and SCO UNIX. These products provide answers to software developers and system managers with improved system efficiency and utilization. Advanced Systems Concepts today has over 200,000 licenses installed and a worldwide base of customers in 37 countries around the world. Advanced Systems Concepts is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a member of the Microsoft System Center Alliance. It is also an SAP software solution partner, an HP Business Partner, a Sun Catalyst member, an IBM Business Partner, a member of the VMware TAP program, Oracle Partner Network, an HP-UX Power Partner, and is certified Red Hat Ready. For more information, see the company's website at http://www.advsyscon.com or call (800) 229-2724 or 1-973-539 2660.

Copyright © 2010 Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc. ActiveBatch is a registered trademark of Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc. Other company and/or product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective firms.

SOURCE Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc.