User:Design&write/Vinzant

Global Event Control Server
Global Event Control Server (Global ECS or GECS), currently at version 4.0, is a SQL-based application for graphically scheduling complex job streams for Windows and Unix, developed and provided by Vinzant Software, Inc.

Global ECS enables the operation and implementation of complex jobs and batches that may require a large number of conditional parameters such as job, file, and/or resource dependencies. It supports multiple calendars, alerting, and user definable recover actions. Global ECS is a job scheduling application that applies single point administration and real-time monitoring.

History
Vinzant, Inc. was started in 1988 by Dave Vinzant. Initially, it developed add-on programs to the 'SKYLINE: The Property Management System', which Vinzant had been involved in developing.

As client server computing was first getting started in 1988, Vinzant, Inc. worked with Microsoft and Novell. Vinzant developed SQLFile, the first shipping front end for the Ashton-Tate/Microsoft SQL Server in 1989. SQLFile was expanded to include support for DOS, OS/2, and Windows. It was a flexible development tool that created screens and reports that accessed data stored in SQL Server, NetWare SQL, and Oracle Server.

In 1990, when Novell announced the NLM version of Netware SQL, the SQLFile System for DOS was shipped to thousands of users worldwide as part of Novell's 'Client Server Starter Kit.' Due to their experience with Oracle and Neetware, Vinzant, Inc. was selected by Oracle to develop the installation program for the Oracle Server for Netware. Other SQL-based products developed by Vinzant, Inc. include the SQL BASIC Library which allowed compiled BASIC to be used with SQL Server; and the SQL Server Connectivity Pack which allowed SQL Server to be run on Novell networks.

Due to its involvement with companies that were beginning to downsize their operations to PC's, Vinzant, Inc. recognized the need for a mission-critical [job scheduling] product. With their development of the Event Control Server (ECS) in the early 1990s, Vinzant shifted its focus to the emerging job scheduling and batch processing market. At that time a variety of simple PC utility products were on the market, but the 'downsizers' were looking for a product that could manage mission-critical applications. ECS was developed to provide solutions to some of the progblems with other products, such as providing a central point of control for a network of DOS, OS/2, and Windows-based PC's.

In 1999, ECS was re-architected in order to provide support for Unix and Linux systems. Ther resulting product was called the Global Event Control Server (Global ECS or GECS)due to its IP-based architecture and ability to control computers and processes worldwide. Regardless of the number of agents, what platform is being used, or the network configuration, Global ECS handled all the operations and allowed the system to be managed from a single location.

Vinzant, Inc. was renamed to Vinzant Software, Inc. in 2006 to better reflect the nature of its business.

Solutions
Global ECS provides a variety of solutions to the problems associated with job scheduling and batch processing of large distributed systems: a single point of management; and support for management-by-exception to simplify administering, by alerting operators to problems that need attention.

Implementations
Job scheduling and batch processing are tools to help manage data processing systems by automating operations, improving quality, reducing costs, and improving resource utilization. Typical uses are scheduling file transfers, uploads, downloads, database updates, report generation, compilations, and backups. Global ECS is particularly used by businesses whose core product is their information or data, such as financial institutions (banking, insurance, securities, brokerage, retirement and credit cards), government agencies, and information resources. Other industries to use Global ECS are energy, health care, and manufacturing.

Features

 * Single point of control for monitoring and managing job streams.
 * Controller/agent model uses TCP/IP for simplifying communications in a distributed enterprise environment.
 * Microsoft-centric administration tools control tasks on Windows, Unix, and Linux.
 * Multiple Method Scheduling (MMS) allows for simple programming and managing of tasks that require widely varying repetition schedules.
 * 'System events' architecture
 * Capture of return codes to detect job success or failure and enabling of pre-defined recovery actions.
 * Controls sequentially executed and branch job streams using hierarchical dependency structures.
 * Supports Microsoft Active Directory

Platforms

 * AS/400
 * AIX
 * HP-UX
 * Linux
 * Solaris
 * Tru64
 * UnixWare
 * Windows

Industry Affiliations

 * Apple Developer Connection
 * HP Developer and Solution Parner Program
 * IBM DeveloperWorks
 * Intel Software Partner Program
 * Microsoft Developer Network
 * Novell Developer Network
 * Redhat Developer Program
 * SCO Developer Network
 * SGI Global Developer Program
 * Sun Developer Network