Batch Scheduling Overview
Batch scheduling software enables users to automate the execution of routine jobs. A batch is a collection of jobs that are processed together. Batch jobs are often resource-intensive, so batch jobs are often run in overnight batch windows to prevent overloading available compute resources during business hours.
Batch processing has its origins in the 1960s as a method of loading and running programs sequentially. As processing power improved over time, organizations began running more batches, ultimately leading to job scheduling tools that organized batch jobs to run at appropriate times, reducing delays and improving resource usage.
Batch jobs typically process transactions and other information types that do not require continuous processing, as in stream processing. This includes running end-of-week reports or processing credit card transactions after the close of business.
What Is Batch Scheduling?
Batch scheduling is the process of grouping together jobs and scheduling them to run without the need for manual effort. It is the basis of workload automation. With a workload automation platform, IT teams can set up complex workflows across multiple applications, systems and servers, either ad hoc or scheduled.
Scheduling can be set up to repeat at the same day and time or it can be set up using a variety of event triggers. These triggers can be when a file is received and a previous action is completed.
Common Batch Scheduling Features And Capabilities
Batch scheduling technology has made many advancements, with most enterprise job scheduler software vendors offering a wide range of features and functionality. Today, through the use of connectors, APIs, machine learning, stream processing, and more, end-users can orchestrate workloads across the enterprise.
Common features and capabilities for batch schedulers include:
- Real-time monitoring
- Event triggers
- Date/time scheduling
- Constraints
- Load balancing
- Custom alerts
- Auto-remediation
- Low-code development
- API integration
- Resource management
Today’s batch scheduling tools include enterprise job schedulers and workload automation solutions that make it easy to manage unattended, cross-platform workflows. In some cases, batch scheduling solutions can optimize workloads at runtime and also manage cloud-based execution servers for greater reliability and cost-effective processing.
Benefits Of Enterprise Batch Scheduling
The volume of data and information IT processes continues to grow as organizations accelerate their digital initiatives. As a result, IT teams are automating more workloads than ever before. Additionally, these workloads are being executed in hybrid environments and across multiple cloud providers, increasing complexity and the time it takes to address challenges.
Enterprise batch schedulers can help streamline batch processing by providing key tools and capabilities that eliminate manual intervention. This reduces the risk of human error while giving IT teams flexibility to adapt. Batch scheduling tools can be used as a single source of control for workloads orchestration, and provide key benefits to IT teams, including:
- Improved reliability, boosting SLAs and delivering peace of mind
- Simplified troubleshooting through a centralized log repository
- In-depth visibility and reporting across environments
- Easy integrations with any endpoint, application or vendor
- More efficient resource usage through load balancing and automated server provisioning
- Elimination of manual tasks, reducing delays and human error
- More time for IT teams to spend on other high-value tasks
List Of Top 10 Batch Scheduling Solutions
- ActiveBatch Workload Automation
- Redwood RunMyJobs
- HelpSystems JAMS Scheduler
- Activeeon Batch Scheduling
- BMC Control-M
- Stonebranch Workload Automation
- Broadcom CA Automic
- Tidal Workload Automation
- IBM Workload Automation
- VisualCron
Batch Scheduler Comparison Overview
| Solution | About Solution | Designed For | Standout Feature | Deployment Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActiveBatch Workload Automation | Extensible workload automation and enterprise job scheduler | Orchestrate disparate tech stacks, regardless of vendor or technology | Super REST API Adapter that connects to any endpoint with a REST API | On-premises with the option to deploy cloud-based schedulers and execution servers |
| Redwood RunMyJobs | Reliable workload automation platform for hybrid and cloud workloads | Cloud-native applications and systems | Fully hosted infrastructure through SaaS offering | Software-as-a-service or on-premises |
| HelpSystems JAMS Scheduler | Cross-platform batch scheduler | Windows environments | Expose every JAMS capability to any process | On-premises |
| Activeeon Batch Scheduling | Open-source batch scheduler | Data center scalability | Optimize and provision system resources automatically | Data centers, on-premises or cloud-based |
| BMC Control-M | Workflow orchestration and mainframe job scheduling | Application and data workflow orchcestration | Workflow orchestration for CI/CD pipelines | On-premises, cloud-based or hybrid |
| Stonebranch Workload Automation | Workload automation for IT operations | On-prem, cloud-based or hybrid environments | Intelligent, event-based scheduling | Software-as-a-service or on-prem |
| Broadcom CA Automic | Service orchestration and automation platform | Mainframes, distributed environments and cloud | Easy-to-use self-service for developers and business users | On-premises |
| Tidal Workload Automation | Enterprise workload automation and job scheduling | IT workflow orchestration | Cross-platform, dependencies-based processes | On-premises, cloud, hybrid or multi-cloud |
| IBM Workload Automation | Batch and hybrid workload management | Optimizing complex IT workloads | Deploy any component in containers | On-premises, private cloud or public cloud |
| VisualCron | Enterprise job scheduling and batch scheduling | Windows environments | Low-cost and easy-to-use interface | On-premises |
Top 10 Batch Scheduling Solutions
1. ActiveBatch Workload Automation
Overview
ActiveBatch Workload Automation makes it easy to orchestrate workloads across the organization, including batch jobs, event-based workloads, ad hoc jobs and more. ActiveBatch can easily connect to any endpoint in your tech stack through pre-built integrations or by creating connectors with the Super REST API adapter. This enables users to build and manage cross-platform processes, without time-intensive custom scripting. Manage data and dependencies across multiple systems, regardless of technology, and integrate batch jobs into end-to-end processes.
ActiveBatch provides hundreds of prebuilt job steps within its Integrated Jobs Library that can be used to build end-to-end workflows across systems and applications. Many of these job steps are platform-neutral and do not require custom scripts. This allows IT to consolidate and coordinate processes across disparate technologies including SAP, Windows apps suite, Oracle and IBM. ActiveBatch also supports connections to API endpoints for integrating virtually any tool.
Features
ActiveBatch is highly extensible, allowing IT to apply its powerful features and capabilities to workloads and batch jobs across the enterprise. ActiveBatch’s key capabilities include:
- Granular date/time and interval-based scheduling with support for business calendars and timezones
- Event-based automation for real-time processes and accurate data
- Machine resource optimization to reduce delays and cloud/VM costs
- Extensive reporting and analytics for auditing, troubleshooting and more
- Custom alerting on numerous conditions for faster response times
- Workflow constraints and dependencies to improve reliability
- Super REST API Adapter to connect to any endpoint in your tech stack
- Health Service that proactively monitors system performance and sends optimizations through the Action Center
The ActiveBatch job scheduler provides advanced batch scheduling and process automation capabilities across a diverse set of operating systems including Windows, UNIX, Linux, IBM iSeries AS/400 and more. This enables developers and operations teams to automate batch jobs, IT processes, share data and manage complex dependencies across enterprise systems and applications.
Pros
ActiveBatch provides highly reliable workload automation software with excellent customer support through its White-Glove Onboarding and Customer Success teams. ActiveBatch provides low-code and no-code development options, dozens of native integrations and is designed for high-volume workloads.
Cons
ActiveBatch can have a high learning curve as it is a very powerful solution that provides dozens of IT automation features out-of-the-box. However, ActiveBatch does provide training through its on-demand ActiveBatch Academy courses, with an extensive knowledge base and 24/7 access to ActiveBatch experts.
Visit www.ActiveBatch.com to learn more.
2. Redwood RunMyJobs
Overview
Redwood RunMyJobs is a workload automation solution that enables users to manage and monitor unattended processes across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. RunMyJobs was built ground-up for the cloud and is available as a SaaS solution and for on-premises deployments. With RunMyJobs, updates are automatic and scalability is both seamless and highly reliable.
Redwood offers event-driven process automation through a low-code graphical editor with an extensive library of templates and wizards. By streamlining the development process, IT teams deliver accurate data and results faster than ever.
Features
Redwood RunMyJobs provides dozens of features and capabilities that make it easy to orchestrate and manage workloads across complex IT environments. Redwood’s native functionality in cloud environments provides scalability and hands-off infrastructure while special features for developers streamline DevOps right out of the box.
- Deep integrations with enterprise ERPs, including SAP, Oracle, Microsoft and more
- Dynamic workload balancing
- Schedule across multiple time zones
- Publish automated processes as microservices or interactive service endpoints
- Intuitive user interface can be accessed from any browser without installation
- Fully integrated MFT
- Built-in SLA monitoring with early alerting
- API wizards simplify the use of REST and SOAP services
- Support for over 25 scripting languages including Python, R and PowerShell
- Source control, rollback and audit trails for complete lifecycle management
- Cascade changes to reusable process steps, sequences, calendars and more
Pros
Redwood provides all of its connectors out-of-the-box so users can integrate with and automate any application. Its fully hosted infrastructure and simple pricing plans make it easy to scale so IT can meet the needs of growing businesses and established enterprises.
Cons
Reporting capabilities can require custom scripting at times.
Visit www.Redwood.com to learn more.
3. HelpSystems JAMS Scheduler [Top]
Features
- Cross-platform scheduling with direct integrations for SAP applications and systems
- Central monitoring for all batch processes
- Alerting for faster responses to unexpected issues
- Load balancing including off-loading to optimize resource usage
- Job distribution to easily meet spikes in demand
- Recovery and rerun jobs address common issues
- Granular permissioning and clear security roles to prevent unauthorized changes
- Run parallel jobs or sequential jobs with input variables
- Custom views and filters including audit trails and historical statistics
- Featured integrations include SQL Server, SAP, Informatica and Banner
Pros
JAMS is a solid tool for managing batch processes. JAMS provides a single set of tools that can be applied to a variety of automation use cases including financial batch processing, ETL, ERP automation, business intelligence and more.
Cons
Response times can be slow, possibly due to connectivity issues or frequency of updates. Troubleshooting scripts can be time-consuming in JAMS.
Visit www.JamsScheduler.com to learn more.
4. Activeeon Batch Scheduling [Top]
Features
- Scalable batch scheduling with resource abstraction
- Multi-cloud integration capabilities for hybrid or cloud-native environments
- Granular allocation of compute resources
- Intuitive web-based UI that supports multiple languages
- Time-based and event-based scheduling capabilities
- Prebuilt connectors for common databases, including Oracle
- Event-based alerting and notifications
- Connect through Activeeon’s GUI, REST API or CLI
- Activeeon’s Workflow Studio makes it easy to set dependencies between tasks
Pros
Activeeon provides a clean dashboard that makes it easy to quickly find job statuses and to edit job priorities. This includes a log panelboard for job output visualization that allows users to filter through all logs to identify issues. Activeeon also offers desktop agents and file transfer capabilities.
Cons
Activeeon is an open-source solution that works best in small- and mid-sized organizations.
Visit www.Activeeon.com to learn more.
5. BMC Control-M [Top]
Features
- Implement on-premises or as a service
- Jobs-as-code through REST APIs and JSON to extend DevOps goals
- Workflow orchestration for CI/CD pipelines
- Integrations for AWS, Azure and Google Cloud
- Deploy on-premises, in the cloud or in hybrid IT environments
- Automate conversions through existing schedulers
- Intelligent analytics for proactive SLA management
- Ingest data from Hadoop, Spark, EMR, Snowflake and Redshift
- Integrate file transfers for greater visibility and control
- Extensive simulation capabilities to resolve logic issues early
Pros
Control-M provides the stability needed to run large volumes of workloads, making it ideal for mainframes. Control-M also supports multiple interfaces including a robust web interface and mobile applications for iOS and Android. Installation is easy and an intuitive UI reduces the need for costly training.
Cons
Control-M upgrades can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Control-M also has a steep learning curve and does not include key features out-of-the-box.
Visit www.BMC.com to learn more.
6. Stonebranch Workload Automation [Top]
Features
- Drag-and-drop workflow designer
- Event-based automation for real-time processing
- Container-based workloads for easier management
- Managed file transfer capabilities
- Build unique integrations or get existing ones in Stonebranch’s Integration Hub
- Automated resource deployment
- Native managed file transfer capabilities
- SaaS or on-premises deployment
- Visual dashboards and drill-down reports for real-time insights
Pros
Stonebranch is easy to install and to upgrade, largely due to its placement as a SaaS offering. With low-code development and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Stonebranch is easy to implement and to use.
Cons
Date/time scheduling offers basic functionality. Connectivity issues into Windows systems can degrade visibility.
Visit www.Stonebranch.com to learn more.
7. Broadcom CA Automic [Top]
Features
- Automation-as-code
- Self-service for IT and business users, including data scientists
- Prebuilt integrations for ERP, business intelligence and big data
- Integrations for SAP Solution Manager, BusinessObjects and more
- Marketplace for add-ons and templates
- Comprehensive auditing of all instances and user activity
- Resource abstraction to manage cross-platform infrastructure
- Root cause alarms and remedial workflows
Pros
Easy deployment with ready-to-use integrations that make batch processing and workload orchestration reliable and efficient, especially for mainframes and SAP environments. Automic’s stability also makes it a reliable platform.
Cons
Automic’s user interface can make it difficult to manage complex processes while customizing workflows often requires custom coding, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.
Visit www.Broadcom.com to learn more.
8. Tidal Workload Automation [Top]
Features
- Centralized process management and error handling
- Global business calendars and events
- Manages outage windows and audit logs for operational security
- Out-of-the-box disaster recovery
- Single interface for managing workloads across the organization
- Business views for monitoring processes in real-time
- Kanban, PERT, Critical Path and Radial views
- SLA monitoring with custom thresholds for alerts
- Mobile device application enables users to manage workloads on the go
- Date/time scheduling, event-based scheduling and dependency-based processes
Pros
Tidal’s cross-platform approach enables IT operations teams to orchestrate batch jobs and workloads across ERP, ETL, IoT, big data, microservices and more. Tidal is scalable without additional infrastructure costs, a benefit to organizations expanding into cloud environments.
Cons
Installation and updating can be time-consuming, including deploying agents. Difficulties accessing logs can make root-cause analysis difficult in some cases.
Visit www.tidalsoftware.com to learn more.
9. IBM Workload Automation [Top]
Features
- Intuitive dashboard
- Built-in recovery logic for advanced rerun flexibility
- Self-service automation to run and monitor ad hoc processes
- Deploy workloads and more in containers
- Variables to pass data downstream
- Supports REST API, SOAP and Java interfaces
- Release management including development, test and deployment
- 35+ prebuilt integrations including SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Informatica and Hadoop
- Real-time monitoring and recovery
Pros
IBM Workload Automation is well-designed for distributed mainframes and cloud deployments. Its scalability and performance stability enable IBM WLA to manage high volumes in complex environments.
Cons
IBM Workload Automation can be difficult to connect to other schedulers, which can prevent consolidation and coordination of key tasks.
Visit www.IBM.com to learn more.
10. VisualCron [Top]
Features
- Clocks and calendars for flexible scheduling
- Trigger jobs based on external events
- Error notifications
- Supports dozens of common protocols and services
- Event-based and date/time triggers
- Extended logging for faster troubleshooting
- Flow and error handling
- Low-code drag-and-drop workflow builder
- Supports .NET, REST and SOAP APIs for flexible interactions
Pros
VisualCron provides an easy-to-use interface so that even users with little programming experience can build and execute automated tasks. VisualCron’s product development is based on feature requests from customers and offers a Basic license with low pricing that makes it easy to get started for organizations of all sizes.
Cons
VisualCron has limited functionality when compared to other products on this list. However, VisualCron is a reliable and cost-effective tool for small- and mid-sized businesses.
Visit www.visualcron.com to learn more
Find The Best Batch Scheduler For Your Organization
Modern batch scheduling solutions include workload automation tools, enterprise job scheduling, service orchestration and more. There is a lot of overlap between different platforms and what works best for your organization will likely depend on integration capabilities and the vendor’s own product roadmap.
As IT and business needs evolve, the right batch scheduler for your organization will reliably connect to any endpoint, likely through the use of API adapters so that you can easily address future challenges and new enterprise applications. When looking for a batch scheduler, be sure to ask about the product’s roadmap. Find out what new capabilities a batch scheduler will provide in the coming years, and if the vendor will be there to support your team along the way.