Halcyon Software has launched updated versions of its Job Scheduler and Spool File Manager tools.

The Peterborough-based system management specialist says that version 3.0 of Job Scheduler offers users significant improvements, including the ability to convert IBM-standard job scheduler entries into Halcyon Groups and Jobs using a simple command.

The new feature has been specifically designed for firms that have used the standard IBM job scheduler but now require a more customisable tool to suit their business operations, says Halcyon. Multiple environments are supported, suitable for outsourcing environments or business units that need the ability to restrict access to particular job schedules to specific users or customers. Support for user-definable template environments has been added, meaning that operators can retain specific settings and reduce setup time when adding or amending jobs.

Job Scheduler v 3.0 is available either on its own or as part of the Halcyon Operations Center. Pricing is processor tier-based and starts from £3,750 for a single copy of the module.

Halcyon's Spool File Manager v 6.0 is a spool file distribution and archiving tool offering real-time spool file monitoring and filtering. It automatically performs actions on spool files such as automatically emailing the summary page of a report without the need for program changes.

Spool File Manager v 6.0 has the functionality to run scripts over reports. This will split the spool files into multiple reports, merge multiple reports into one, extract specific information from spool files to which calculations can then be applied and export extracted and manipulated information from spools to Excel.

Key enhancements include the ability to archive spool files containing barcodes and images. This is of particular benefit to companies that produce invoices on their System i, says Halcyon, allowing for the reprinting of non-text archived spool files in their original form.

Users are now able to store spool files in PDF format natively on the System i. This is as a result of a specific request from Halcyon's banking customers and allows organisations to mitigate the security risk presented by saving a spool file via a PC where its details could be manipulated.

Halcyon has also included dedicated auditing functionality within Spool File Manager v 6.0, enabling users to identify and track changes and deletions of spool files. Also, Halcyon says that it has recognised that its customers’ systems are used ever more intensively and has increased spool size limits in response.

Spool File Manager v 6.0 is also available either on its own or as part of Halcyon Operations Center, and processor-based pricing starts from £1,400.