Automating and scheduling the generation of reports

Promodag Reports can be configured to generate reports automatically by following these steps:

1. Create one or more custom report(s).
2. Create a batch file and add one or more of these custom report(s).
3. Schedule the batch file.
4. Run the batch file.

In the following example, we are going to create and schedule a batch file to automate the Mailbox by Traffic Level report we have learned to set up earlier (see Running your first report).

Creating a report options file

See the Save Report section above to review the method of creating report options files.

Should you need to automate a report by including it in a batch file, you will have to select another destination than Screen in the Output tab, e.g. Disk file or Email recipient. Screen output is not available for automated reports.

Creating a batch file 

In the Task Automation window, click the Create button to open the Edit batch file option.

It is also possible to create a new batch file from an existing custom report using the Report Explorer context menu.

Exploring the list of available reports

The Available reports tab of the Edit batch file window lists all custom reports available in the application along with the custom reports you may have saved as Favorites.

Locate the Top Internet senders custom report, that is based on the Mailbox by Traffic Level template.

• The Templates by Category list is sorted in the same order as in the Templates menu. Open the Mailbox Traffic folder, click Mailbox by Traffic Level to display its child objects i.e. all the custom reports based on it.
• You can also look for this custom report in the Favorites list, and use the Search for reports field to

Adding the Mailbox by Traffic Level report

Select the report options file entitled Top Internet senders and click the button to insert it into the right pane.

Finally, click the Save button to save your batch file.

Scheduling the batch file

In the Task Automation window, select the batch you have just created and open the Schedule task option. In this example, we want to schedule DailyReports.prb.

•  Click the Schedule button.
• Select the scheduling options of your choice.

• Enter the credentials of the PROMODAG account.

• Click OK to create a new scheduled task and return to the Task Automation window.

The new schedule is now displayed in the Schedule pane:

Running the batch file

The Windows Task Scheduler starts Promodag Reports and it runs reports included in the batch file. From now on, reports will be automatically generated at the scheduled time.

Promodag Reports generates a trace file that contains information on what happened while the batch was running. Trace files can be automatically emailed.

You can directly enable, disable, run or end a scheduled task from the Tools > Task Automation window.

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