Task Automation Process and Tools

In huge business firms or companies that use a number of computers for the whole operation, high maintenance on the computer system is crucial to system administrators. Their job is to keep the system updated either on daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Full system check is often essential, particularly on the main servers where vast and key data are stored. This is definitely a tedious job to do if the process is to be done repeatedly. Task automation is therefore a must.

Maintenance in a daily basis includes removing of unused or unnecessary files, inactive files in /tmp directory, and checking up disk space in the user home directories. For weekly, it includes the clearing of files receiving log information, checking on the file system, and long-running processes. And for monthly maintenance, it includes the running of monthly reports and locating of unused large files. With all these necessary updates to be done, time and effort are really required from system administrators. On the other hand, there are instances of human errors that can very well interrupt system checks. This is why automation is needed since the task is repeated and complicated.

Automation and simplification come to the picture to ensure a smooth maintenance operation process. This can be done by running scripts or programs that would do the job by updating the application or system. Now, the questions become which can be automated and which should be automated? By using the scripts to run the task, it can simplify everything as they put the task in automated or periodic process list. The scripts that will perform these actions can be adjusted according to the needs of your work environment. Some of these automated tasks are file searching and feasible file removal, network distribution files, and process monitoring.

Some of the tools that can be used in performing such a process are the shell scripting languages, namely the Bourne Shell, C Shell, PERL, and the C programming. The following books on these topics are available online:

1. Shell programming Basics

2. Programming the Shell

3. Perl reference materials

4. Perl programs

5. Introduction to C Programming

6. C Programming course

7. C programs

8. A Brief Introduction to C-Shell Programming

In addition to these, software is also available for better performance and they have features different from other software. However, almost all have the same functions. They all save much on time and cost, plus human work force is maximized. Other tasks like FTP transfers can be automated launch some application in a single button touch, automatically performs transfer of data to or from Excel spreadsheets, and coordinate mouse clicks, moves, and keystrokes.

Some software applications allow you to create, perform, and manage the automation visually. Scheduling and automating intricate tasks in just a few minutes can be done without programming. These also provide drag and drop actions as they record keyboard and mouse scripts.

Having this task automation tool in your system will surely benefit both the manager and the personnel when it comes to time management and performance level. So, to keep your system updated either on daily, weekly, or monthly basis, you must automate certain tasks for your convenience.