Universal Agent

Universal Agent (using Universal Command as its core component) is the Universal Automation Center business solution for job scheduling.

Together with Universal Data Mover, Universal Agent forms a common Agent (a single code base to install) that handles both managed file transfers and your enterprise workload automation.

Universal Agent integrates with your current scheduling engine, enabling standardized system-wide processes and procedures.

It allows job execution without regard to the platform or scheduling solution. It also enables the integration of multiple scheduling solutions. You can set up standardized Universal Agent processes to execute any workload anywhere in your environment, allowing job scheduling across platforms without specialized platform-dependent scheduling solutions or training. Using Universal Agent, all elements of the business process are visible. Execution information can be stored in a centralized repository to further reduce the complexities of historical data and audit requirements.

The single scheduling tool environment allows for centralized monitoring and control over the environment with your existing tools. This allows for proactive management where jobs can be automatically delayed when resources are not available, avoiding time-consuming cleanup after multiple abends.

Universal Agent allows for integrated support and configuration for new types of workload applications, such as Internet and message-based processing. At the same time, it reduces the complexity of the environment while providing proactive intervention for system maintenance and server failures.

Additionally, Universal Agent promotes standardization of security policies and central configuration of its components. Other considerations include ease of platform deployment and consolidated audit history.

What is Universal Agent?

Universal Agent is a workload automation (job scheduling) agent that can be deployed with any workload automation tool from any vendor on any supported platform. Universal Agent extends workload automation tools to operate across a wide variety of platforms, execute a wide variety of workload types, and provide event-driven automation capabilities.

Workload Types

z/OS batch jobs (Universal Controller only)
z/OS Started Tasks and Started Jobs (All schedulers)
z/OS USS commands and scripts (All schedulers)
z/Linux commands and scripts (All schedulers)
i5/OS batch jobs and commands (All schedulers)
Windows commands and scripts (All schedulers)
UNIX commands and scripts (All schedulers)
Linux commands and scripts (All schedulers)
HP NonStop commands and scripts (All schedulers)
SAP (All schedulers)
Web services SOAP protocol
Web services JMS protocol
Web services MQ Series
Web services Http(s) protocol
Websphere XD

Event-Driven Capabilities

File detection for z/OS systems (Universal Controller only)
File detection for Windows, UNIX, and Linux Servers
Web services events for SOAP, JMS, and MQ Series

Universal Agent

How Customers use Universal Agent

Universal Agent makes any job scheduler cross platform and workload automation enabled, provides a lower cost collaborative scheduling agent, and simplifies your infrastructure with a single automation agent for multiple automation tasks.

Deployment

Universal Agent can be deployed in any of the following ways:

Universal Agent with Universal Controller
Universal Agent with any non-Stonebranch Scheduler
Automation Agent for automation tools such as network monitors, enterprise consoles, software distribution, and more.

Usage

Businesses learn more ways every day to leverage technology for a competitive advantage.

The Information Technology (IT) infrastructure consists of a diverse array of software and hardware systems. Database management, transaction management, resource planning, information warehouse, customer support, e-mail, web servers, and much more are required to sustain a business's technological advantage.

This array of corporate software runs on a large variety of hardware platforms, which in turn run a variety of operating systems. The management of such technology grows more complex each year, if not each month.

The methods, processes, and personnel used to manage the computing environment are as much a part of the business's technology investment as is the software and hardware being managed. Replacing or altering these proven management techniques and tools can be costly as well as risky to a business's success.

Universal Agent leverages the management resources of today to manage the technology of tomorrow. For example, the z/OS computing environment has been centered around the batch process for years, and for good reason. Nothing else has proven itself to be more easily and reliably managed.

Universal Agent permits the management of distributed platforms, such as UNIX and Windows, using the same reliable z/OS batch process. The batch processes used to forecast, schedule, manage output, and manage archives can be used to manage the distributed platforms in the same manner.

Implementation

Universal Agent provides simplified implementation, enabling rapid deployment throughout any environment. A common infrastructure and command language means that deployments are not platform-specific.

User's access to servers and files is managed via native operating system security. Also, user's access to Universal Agent is centrally managed. All Universal Agent installation materials and documentation are delivered electronically via the Stonebranch Customer Portal. This ensures that customers can always access the most current versions and documentation.

All Universal Agent functions and components are delivered in a single install package for each platform. Native operating system packaging simplifies installation. Universal Agent license keys are not CPU-specific. This simplifies deployment and ensures business continuity.

Stonebranch offers several programs to assist in implementation. These programs are targeted to help organizations implement the solution quickly in order to obtain the fastest return on investment. They include education, implementation, migration and consulting services. See our website at https://www.stonebranch.com/transition-services/migration-implementation-services for more information.

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