Misc Elements

Misc elements in the Process Designer tool enhance capabilities of the Automator.

The table below specifies functionality of the Misc group elements.

Element Name	Description	Properties and Comments
Distribution	Distributions specify actions, called distribution actions, that distribute or handle files and information outside of Automator. Distributions can be specified for input files, export files, and portable reports, and can be configured with the Distribution Editor and the Script Editor. Distributions can be used for: Sending emails (with or without attachments) RSS feeds Moving, copying, and deleting files (to both the file system and to FTP/SFTP-compliant and WebDAV-compliant servers using http) Writing to the Windows Event Log	Name — name of the graphic element. Acceptable distribution actions: Log — allows you to create an event written to WindowsApplication Event Log. Email — allows you to email files to another user Move — allows you to move files to another location, either to the file system using drive letter or UNC naming, or to FTP/SFTP and HTTP locations Copy — allows you to copy files to another location, either to the file system using drive letter or UNC naming, or to FTP/SFTP and HTTP locations Delete — allows you to delete all files specified by the distribution RSS — allows you to "pull" information as opposed to the "push" model of Email Email By Key — allows you to set the recipients of the E-mail, based on key. This option available only for the Summary Export element. Export to Amazon S3 — allows you to export input and export files to Amazon S3. Detailed information on distribution settings is specified in the Distribution Settings table below.
Script	Automator supports the use of Visual Basic.NET script. You can find collection of Visual Process Designer scripts is the Process Designer Scripting API section.	Name — name of the graphic element. Script field — displays the current script. Run — runs the current script. Insert Script — allows to quickly generate VB.NET script for frequently used tasks. Click to select the necessary options. For details, refer to Inserting a Script section. User Scripting Help — opens Help on user scripting. If the scripts have errors, all the errors are displayed below the Script field. All namespaces and references, which are specified in the Global Scripts of Standard Processes, are imported in the scripts of Visual Processes. There is no limit to what you can do with the scripting function of Visual Process Designer Scripting API. The entire Microsoft .NET Framework is available for use. You can use Visual Studio.NET to help create your scripts, or you can obtain the free Microsoft .NET Framework SDK. Note that while you can compile and test your scripts with the Visual Process Script, you must ensure that you are not using message boxes or other functions that interact with the UI when you are running the scripts as part of a process. NOTE: Automator users can only edit scripts if they are granted editing privileges by the Admin.
Credentials	Use it to specify the HTTP, FTP/SFTP, and Amazon S3 login credentials for input, model, export files from an FTP/SFTP site, a SharePoint repository, or Amazon S3 storage.	Name name of the graphic element. HTTP Credentials — specify a name in the User name field and password in the Password field. Note: To use the current windows login, select the corresponding check box. FTP/SFTP Credentials — specify a name in the User name field and password in the Password field. Amazon S3 Credentials — specify an ID in the Access key ID field and an access key in the Secret access key field.
Timer	When configuring a process, one of the settings you can specify is a process retries setting. This setting allows a process workflow to be retried if it fails for some reason, such as due to a process prerequisite not being met. When specifying a process retries setting, you may specify the interval for the retry in hours and minutes, as well as the number of retries to attempt. NOTE: The Timer object can also be configured such that it sends an alert about failures in the process after the set number of retries has been exhausted. For example, once the number of retries has been exceeded, the Timer object could trigger an email distribution informing staff of the failed process.	Name — name of the graphic element. Retry Type: select one of the following options: Indefinitely: Select this option to continue retrying the process indefinitely until it runs successfully. Retry at most: Select this option to enter the maximum number of times you want the Automator to retry running the process. Retry every — the desired retry interval in hours, minutes or seconds.
Visual Process	This functionality allows processes to be run in a chain. Example: Add two processes. Connect the two processes. Run the new process. In this case, the first process starts to run. As soon as it is completed, the second process starts. If the first process fails, the second process does not start, except if the two processes are connected by a red connector.	Name — name of the visual process Process name field — click the Browse button to select a saved visual process Description — description of selected visual process Preview Process — click this option to preview the selected visual process
Standard process	This functionality allows processes to be run in a chain. Example: Add two processes. Connect the two processes. Run the new process. In this case, the first process starts to run. As soon as it is completed, the second process starts. If the first process fails, the second process does not start, except if the two processes are connected by a red connector.	Name — name of the visual process Process name field — click the Browse button to select a standard process Description — description of the selected standard process Projects — list of projects connected to the standard process; click the project name to view its information
File Burster	This functionality allows file or web inputs to be split into smaller files according to defined properties.	Input – select or multiple file inputs or web inputs to be bursted NOTE: Only ASCII files are supported as input for file burster item (e.g., .txt and .prn inputs are supported but .pdf inputs are not). Recognize Line Key, Offset – optional identifier within the input files to be bursted; bursting proceeds when the key is recognized within the input file; offset specifies the number of characters to be counted from the left of the key Trim leading characters – this option is available when Defined Bursting is selected; specify the number of characters to be trimmed from each line throughout the output document (small values are usually used, e.g., 1 or 2) Burst Type (Defined or Pages) Defined: Used when the input file contains a table. The table is parsed according to the following definitions: Index Table Start Maker, Offset – an indicator that marks where in the input file the index table begins Line Validator, Offset – specifies the symbols that mark the beginning of a line Line Field Offset, Line Field Length – specifies the column number in the input file that marks the end of a line; field length specifies the number of characters that make up the line field ID Field Offset, ID Field Length – specifies the number of characters in the input file that should mark the beginning of the ID field; field length specifies the number of characters that make up the ID field Index Table End Marker, Offset – an indicator that marks where in the input file the index table ends Content Start Marker, Offset – an indicator that marks where in the input file the content of the table begins Pages: A Monarch model is used to define the page headers of a file and parse it into smaller files. This is a better option when dealing with large files. Process successive number files as one – select this option if you want consecutively numbered files in one location to be bursted as one file Model – specify the model file to be used for the input file Pages per Output File – specify the number of pages that each output file should contain Destination Path – location of generated files after bursting Output Filename Mask – name pattern for the generated files Header Output Mask – this option is available in Defined Bursting; specifies name patter for the generated file containing table header information Error Directory – location of generated files containing errors after bursting. NOTE: All burst output files will inherit the “last modified” timestamp of the original parent input report.

Distribution Settings

The table below specifies distribution actions.

Distribution Action	Description	Procedure and Comments
Log	Allows you to create an event written to WindowsApplication Event Log. This can be useful when using system management systems such as BMC Patrol, Tivoli, or Openview to tie in Automator operations with your overall systems.	Type: Select the type from the drop-down list. Event ID: Enter the event ID. Message: Type the message in the text field. Note: You may use the naming macros to provide a message for the log distribution. To do this, click the Insert Macro icon and select the naming macros from the drop-down list. NOTE: When exporting to Knowledge Studio, all three files (.kdd, .ksd, and *.ksd-data) are listed individually in the event log.
Email	Allows you to email files to another user	Emailing procedure: Specify the recipients' email addresses in the corresponding boxes: From, To, Cc, Bcc. To select recipients from the contacts list, click the Contacts icon. Type the message subject in the Subject box. Note: You may use the naming macros to provide a subject line for an email distribution. To do this, click the Insert Macro icon and select the naming macros from the drop-down list. Type the message in the Message box. Select the Attach files check box to attach a file for the distribution. Select the Zip check box to archive the attached files. The Zip Options appear. Under Zip Options provide the following information: Specify the Compression level from the following: None, Medium, Maximum. Select the Store directory path check box if necessary. Select the Password check box to set the password. Select the Attach links check box to attach a link to file. Note: Please specify the Admin Host and Port information in the System Settings. Select the One file per mail check box to attach only one file per mail. NOTE: When exporting to Knowledge Studio, all three files (.kdd, .ksd, and *.ksd-data) are kept together and sent in one email. Select the email Priority from the following: Low, Normal, High.
Move	Allows you to move files to another location, either to the file system using drive letter or UNC naming, or to FTP/SFTP and HTTP locations.	Moving procedure: In the Destination box, specify the destination folder. You can either enter the destination folder path in the box or select the folder in the Browse section. Click the Browse button to open the Browse dialog. From the Named Paths list, select the appropriate named path. Select the folder from the list displayed in the Named Path Content box. Click OK to add the folder. In the Rename as box, specify a new file name if you want to change the file name. Note: You may use the naming macros to name the moved files and destination folder. To do this, click the Insert Macro icon () and select the naming macros from the drop-down list. Select the Change extension to check box to change file's extension. Specify new extension in the enabled text box below. Select the Zip check box, if you want to archive the file. The Zip Options settings appear. Note: The Zip check box is disabled if Change extension to check box selected. Under Zip Options, provide the following information: Select the Compression level from the following: None, Medium, Maximum. Select the Store directory path check box, if you want to store directory path. Select the Set password check box to set the password. In the When destination files exist option: Select Raise error to receive an alert of an existing file. Select the Overwrite check box to overwrite the existing file. Select Skip to skip the existing file. NOTE: When exporting to Knowledge Studio, all three files (.kdd, .ksd, and *.ksd-data) are moved and listed in the log individually.
Copy	Allows you to copy files to another location, either to the file system using drive letter or UNC naming, or to FTP and HTTP locations.	Copying procedure is similar to moving procedure (see above). NOTE: When exporting to Knowledge Studio, all three files (.kdd, .ksd, and *.ksd-data) are copied and listed in the log individually.
Delete	Allows you to delete all files specified by the distribution.	NOTE: When exporting to Knowledge Studio, all three files (.kdd, .ksd, and *.ksd-data) are deleted and listed in the log individually.
RSS	Allows you to "pull" information as opposed to the "push" model of Email. RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a widely used format for publishing information. The RSS file must reside on a web server and be accessible to users who can read the RSS feed using one of the many free and commercial RSS news readers available on the market, for example, RSSBandit.	In the Feed box, specify the RSS file. You can either enter the destination folder path in the box or select the folder in the Browse section. Click the Browse button to open the Browse dialog. From the Named Paths list, select the appropriate named path. Select the folder from the list displayed in the Named Path Content box. Click OK to add the folder. Select the Create if not found check box if you want to create the file if the specified file is not found. In the Title box, enter the item title. In the Item description box, enter the item description. Note: You may use the naming macros to provide a title and description for an RSS distribution. To do this, click the Insert Macro icon and select the naming macros from the drop-down list. In the Link box, enter the name of link to the file. Expand the Channel section to provide the channel parameters: Title: Enter channel title. Channel Description: Provide channel description. Link: Enter the name of the link to the file. Note: If you leave the Title, Channel Description, and Link fields blank the default values will be automatically assigned. Max Items: Specify the maximum number of items. Unlimited: Select this check box if you want to set the unlimited number of items. NOTE: When exporting to Knowledge Studio, all three files (.kdd, .ksd, and *.ksd-data) are listed in the RSS file individually.
Email By Key	Allows you to set the recipients of the E-mail, based on key. This option available only for the Summary Export element.	From: Type the address or click the Contacts icon to choose a sender. To: Type the address or click the Contacts icon to choose a sender. Note: When typing multiple addresses, separate them with semicolon. Recipients: Allows you to set the recipients of the e-mail, based on key. Subject: The subject line for the message. You can use the adjacent arrow icon to insert a naming macro. Type the message in the Message box. Select the Attach files check box to attach a file for the distribution. Select the Zip check box to archive the attached files. The Zip Options appear. Under Zip Options provide the following information: Specify the Compression level from the following: None, Medium, Maximum. Select the Store directory path check box if necessary. Select the Password check box to set the password. Select the One file per mail check box to attach only one file per mail. Select the email Priority from the following: Low, Normal, High.
Export to Amazon S3	Allows you to export input and export files to Amazon S3 NOTE: This option requires the Credentials element to be connected to the Distribution element. The Credentials element should be set with the appropriate Amazon S3 credentials (i.e., access key ID and secret access key).	Specify the URL path of the Amazon S3 storage in the Destination field. Enter a new file name in the Rename as field if you wish to use a new file name for the export/input item. Select the Change extension to check box to change the file's extension. Specify a new extension in the enabled text box. In the When destination files exist option: Select Raise error to receive an alert of an existing file. Select Overwrite to overwrite the existing file. Select Skip to skip the existing file. Select the Zip check box if you want to archive the file. The Zip Options settings appear. Note: The Zip check box is disabled if Change extension to check box is selected. Under Zip Options, provide the following information: Select the Compression level from the following: None, Medium, Maximum. Select the Store directory path check box if you want to keep the directory path. Select the Set password check box to assign a password to the archived file.