Siemens Nixdorf has developed a new software product to control batch job runs in complex IT environments: Joce (job control environment). System and network administrators can use this tool for largely automated control of batch job programs. Such job runs involve the transfer and analysis of large volumes of data in one batch between various software packages, such as SAP R/3, relational databases and backup and archiving systems, in off-line mode. Joce controls this data transfer, whilst guaranteeing high availability of IT applications by safeguarding data consistency. It is an open product, ensuring unlimited accessibility of database structure and subroutines, which has the added advantage that it can easily be customized to meet individual needs. The tool is easy to use, thanks to its state-of-the-art browser interface. It can be used in any sector of industry and supports all server systems under Unix and Windows NT within distributed, homogeneous and heterogeneous IT landscapes, where batch applications are run to process high volumes of data. Joce can either be used as a standalone solution or can be installed in conjunction with standard system management products such as TransView from Siemens Nixdorf. Despite the marked current trend towards online dialog processing, there are still important data retrieval processes that have to be performed by running background or batch job programs. Just as in online operation, efficient system control is of vital importance. Siemens Nixdorf has called upon its extensive project experience to develop this new software product. Apart from the usual obligatory core functions such as scheduling and job control, Joce also ensures that time-, task- and event-dependent programs run smoothly. Thanks to the various functions integrated within Joce, data processed in batch jobs will remain consistent and available. Such functions include monitoring for any system, database or software crash and efficient system response to any faults. For example, if there are any faulty job runs, data consistency will nevertheless be ensured, as the data will automatically be reset to its previous status. Among the first users of this new administration tool for controlling batch processes in heterogeneous environments are the Austrian mobile telephone network provider Maxmobil, Austria`s national telecom company, as well as Edeka in Minden and Hamburg. Edeka is implementing the solution at all its German wholesale centers. Joce will control their data retrieval needs and analyses in the Data Warehouse, ensuring that these databases are always kept up to date.
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