Background Tasks

Use the Background Task Definitions form to set up background tasks. Utilities, reports, and activities can be scheduled to run daily, weekly, or on monthly basis. After the process is scheduled, it runs automatically in the background at a set time, based on the specified selection criteria and option settings.

Note: Forms can be scheduled to run in the background using the Background command on the Actions menu.

Mongoose runs most reports as background tasks that are placed in a queue. You can also set up other background tasks. The Infor Framework TaskMan service retrieves active background tasks and executes tasks with Ready status, that are posted to the queue.

Background tasks must meet these requirements:

  • The task name must match the form name.
  • Stored procedures must be written in SQL and reside in your SQL application database. Utility and activity forms generally use stored procedure of the type Executable.
  • Executable programs must reside in a directory which is accessible from the directory where TaskMan resides.
  • IDO methods specify a method name (in the IDO.Method format. For example, MyProgID.SLSites.MyTestMethod) and use the Executable Type IDOMTH. When processing tasks of this type, TaskMan requires a configuration with the same name as the site name. You must create a configuration with the same name as the database site name, on the machine where TaskMan is running, if one does not exist already.
  • SQL Server Agent must be running on the database server to perform the background processing.

These types of reports are supported as background tasks:

  • SSRS: These reports are created using Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).

    The report output file must be placed in TaskMan's reports subdirectory on the server. Although the report uses a stored procedure, its Executable Type must be set to RDL, since it requires special handling through SSRS.

  • DATAVIEW: These reports can be created based on DataViews and the layouts.

    When this report type is specified, the Executable Name field must contain the name of the predefined DataView, followed by a dash and the name of the DataView layout to be used for the report.

    This report type supports only PDF or Excel format outputs.

  • FORM: These reports can be created using the Report form type. When using this report type, you must not use caption in the form name on the Executable Name field.
    This report type supports only the PDF format output.
    Note: To enable the Report Type options, you must select the Executable Type RPT (Report).

You can see which tasks are currently running, using the Active Background Tasks form.

After the task run is completed, you can view the details about its execution using the Background Task History form.