1. Experience with the process automation at SORS
Project Task3000
Miran Miklič

2. Background SORS in the past used IBM based mainframe computers
Main tools were combination of JCL (Job Control Language), SORT and COBOL programs with sequential file and VSAM (type of random) files
Special department had the function of the repeating the process of data entry, cleaning and aggregating the data from month to month with the help of batch procedures
Project Task3000

3. GUI (Graphical User Interface)
Next development phase was the introduction of the local area network (LAN), which was GUI oriented.
GUI oriented work is not very formal, and enable the users to work without the exact work plan, and usually it is hard to get the activity log, which is normal during batch processing.
Work is divided among many servers
Security is much more complex issue
Project Task3000

4. GUI and Batch integration
We found, that batch functionality under the LAN would also be desired.
Scripts of various types allow some batch functionality, but otherwise some more complex solution for the process automation is very hard to find
Task3000 is the attempt to combine the GUI and batch in one project under Windows
Task3000 is the GUI version of IBM JCL idea under Windows
Task3000 implementation is now very different from the original idea
Project Task3000

5. Implementation problem
It is obviously that such a product is not the job for the statistical office but for the IT firms.
However, IT firms are reluctant to produce such software, which is proven to be very complex to create and maintain and have little profit, actually it saves a lot of money. Actual IBM solution was designed during NASA Apollo project and is sold over and over again with minimal changes, there are some UNIX solutions which has some useful elements of job processing and probable some solutions, which are commonly unknown – please let me know about such solutions.
Project Task3000

6. Project Task3000 goals Simple GUI interface Task processing with steps
Task queue with task variables
Simple GUI scheduler
Tasks can be Windows JobObject and can run as different local (Workgroup) or Domain user
Usage of various security models
Enable automatic processing using file search
Usage of local and global task variables
Many other features were designed during usage
Project Task3000

7. Simple GUI interface
Project Task3000

8. Job processing with steps
Project Task3000

9. Task queue with task variables
Project Task3000

10. Simple GUI scheduler
Project Task3000

11. Usage of various security models
Project Task3000

12. Enable automatic processing using file search
Project Task3000

13. Usage of local and global task variables
Project Task3000

14. Today’s application
SORS is using Task3000 for process automation with Task3000 Menu for the end users and Task3000 for the developers
Task3000 can “glue” together any application, which is also “command line” batch oriented
SORS application examples:
Data exchange between governmental bodies
GUI interface for the Oracle and other applications
Production of all kinds of the statistical data
Backup and archiving
Application debugging
Project Task3000

15. More …
Please read more in the document “Detailed description of the Task3000 functionality today”
Find other text documents and download from:
To test or use the solution for unlimited governmental use please send me the to:
Project Task3000

16. Future
Project may or not be rewritten (it is more than 10 years old), current implementation is mainly Visual Basic 6.0
Many new features are desired, like support for the non-windows systems, SDMX thru XML, better desktop support, failover cluster feature, modern GUI, security with AES etc.
This is the initiative to find the way to support the open source project with at least such functionality or to find other solution to the problem
GSBPM based projects like CORE, data exchange projects like EDAMIS and other batch automation projects are the possible users
Project Task3000

17. Life Demo
Task3000 Life demo will be on the SISAI meeting during lunch break on from 13:00-14:00
You are welcome with questions, new ideas and any type of opinion
Please feel free to contact me on the
Project Task3000

18. Thank you for yours attention
Project Task3000