Scheduling imports and exports

In i2® iBase, you define the data that you want to import or export as one or more import or export specifications. You can group them together in the sequence you want them to run, in import batch or export batch specifications. These batch specifications are run by iBase Scheduler by using a Windows™ service that you configure with the Scheduler Configuration utility.

Using Scheduler, you can run batch imports and exports:
  • Immediately
  • Once, at a specified time
  • At preset intervals (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly)
  • Whenever a specific file is updated
  • Until an optional cut-off date or time is reached

Before or after you run the batch process, you can run a command prompt program, a custom plug-in, or an operating system command. For example, to move data files to a different folder or to send a notification that the batch ran.

Details of scheduled imports or exports are stored in the Scheduler database. This is monitored by the Scheduler Service, which automatically runs the scheduled batch imports or exports. The Scheduler service runs as a Windows Service, and can be started, stopped, paused, resumed, or disabled through the Services application.

The Scheduler Configuration utility can be installed on any machine on which iBase is already installed; you do not have to run the Scheduler Service on this machine. The Scheduler service must also be installed on a machine that iBase is installed on. For more information about installing the Scheduler, see the Release Notes®.

Why is it useful?

Scheduler can be used to schedule data imports and exports to occur at times when system resources are lightly loaded or when iBase would otherwise be unattended. For example, at night or during lunch breaks. It is useful for controlling automatic imports of data that is generated by systems external to iBase and that might be required to occur regularly.