Configuring the Task Scheduler Application

Forms See also
TASKMAN—ItemNumberEdit Form

TASKMAN—SessionEdit Form

TASKMAN—SessionRun Form

TASKMAN—Sessions Form

Configuring Scheduled Tasks

Overview

The Task Scheduler application allows for the scheduling of routine LIMS tasks on the task manager and subsequent execution. Routine tasks are set up in a script and includes report generation, data collection from instruments, pulling data into the CCLAS database, sample registration, etc. These tasks can written with VBScript, or any other scripting language.

This process is pertinent to LIMS and laboratory managers who configure routine LIMS tasks.

Process

Configuring Access to the Task Scheduler Application

Ensure the TaskSchd.exe file is located in the folder defined by the ExeDirectory GLOBAL setting. Give users, or users with specific roles, access to the application by setting the AccessLevel TASKMAN program setting. Once a user has sufficient access rights, they can run the Task Scheduler application either from the Task Scheduler node on the CCLAS menu or directly from the CCLAS Exe folder.

To display tips to users upon start up of theTask Scheduler application, enable the ShowTipOfTheDay TASKMAN program setting, and enter the tips, with one tip per line, in a text file, place the file in a folder under the CCLAS root folder defined by the CCLASRootDirectory GLOBAL setting, then set the TipofTheDayFile TASKMAN program setting to the folder and file name, for example %CCLASRootDirectory%TIPS\TASKSCHD.TIP.

To present the list-view panel with grid lines, enable the MainListViewGrid TASKMAN program setting.

To maintain the window size and position between closing and launching the Staff application, set the Window TASKMAN program setting.

Configuring Sessions

Scheduled task sessions are maintained under the Schedules node within the Task Scheduler application. To configure access to this node, set the AccessLevel TASKMAN program setting.

To filter types of laboratory maintenance based on field criteria:

Set the MainListViewColumnn TASKMAN program setting to specify which columns from the TASKMAN table are presented in the grid when the LabMaintenance node is selected.

To add report templates to the Report main menu option for types of laboratory maintenance in the Task Scheduler application, create the reports as Crystal Report templates, place them in the folder defined by the TemplateDirectory GLOBAL setting, and set the ReportLDFn TASKMAN program setting to each report template.

VB scripts associated with the tasks can only have custom forms defined if the VBScriptAllowUserInterface TASKMAN program setting is enabled.

Configuring Tasks for a Session

Tasks are maintained under each task scheduled session node.

Set the SubListViewColumnn TASKMAN program setting to specify which columns from the TASKMAN_SESSION table are presented in the grid when a node for a laboratory maintenance type is selected.

Configuring the Task Execution

When sessions are initially scheduled for the session, if the CatchUpScheduleItems TASKMAN program setting is enabled and the session's Next at time is before the current system time, then the session is run immediately and also rescheduled for the next run time. If the setting is disabled, then the session is only rescheduled for the next run time.

The CompletionSleepInterval TASKMAN program setting defines the time interval, in milliseconds, in which to check whether a running sessionn has been completed. This is indicated by how quickly the scroll bar moves.

If the Task Scheduler application is running under MS-Windows NT™, and the NTEventlog TASKMAN program setting is enabled, then all event log details are written to the system event log file. If the setting is disabled, or if the Task Scheduler application is running under MS-Windows 95™ or MS-Windows 98™, then the EventLogFile TASKMAN program setting defines the file to which event log details are written. Note that even log details are only written to the event log file if the task's Log event details check box is checked.

If the ShowErrorMessages TASKMAN program setting is enabled, then error messages are shown on the screen when the task is run interactively. if the setting is disabled, then all error messages are written to the event log file.

If the ShowProgressBar TASKMAN program setting is enabled, then a bar displaying run progress displays when the task is running interactively.

The TimerInterval TASKMAN program setting defines the time interval, in seconds, between checking for the triggering of events. Note that this time must be lower than, or equal to, the lowest scheduled session time cycle. Ideally it should not be less than 20 or 30 seconds to avoid overloading the system.

Configuring Automatic Execution of Tasks upon Application Startup

If any AutoRunn TASKMAN program setting is defined, and the task scheduler session referenced by it exists, then the active tasks within the session are run automatically when the Task Scheduler application is started.