IT Automation

Leon's WA Waypoint: Unlocking the Power of the New Graphical Designer in Workload Automation 10.2.3

The latest release of IBM Workload Automation, version 10.2.3, brings an exciting enhancement to the Dynamic Workload Console: the brand-new Graphical Designer. This powerful new feature introduces a modern, intuitive interface that simplifies the creation and management of job streams through a drag-and-drop experience. Let’s explore how the Graphical Designer can elevate your automation strategy and streamline your workload automation processes.

A More Intuitive Approach to Automation Design

The Graphical Designer revolutionizes how users interact with job streams. Instead of manually configuring workflows through complex scripts and multiple configuration windows, users can now leverage a low-code, palette-based interface to visually design job streams. This approach enhances usability while reducing the time required to create and deploy automation tasks.

Key Features of the Graphical Designer:

• Drag-and-Drop Simplicity: Add job streams, jobs, and conditions effortlessly.
• Mini-Map Navigation: Easily manage complex workflows with a bird’s-eye view of your automation canvas.
• Streamlined Editing: Intuitive tabs and contextual property panels make modifications quick and straightforward.
• Low-Code Interface: Designed for both experienced administrators and those new to automation, reducing the learning curve.

Navigating the Graphical Designer

To access the Graphical Designer, navigate to the Design menu in the Dynamic Workload Console and select Graphical Designer. Once inside, the interface is divided into two main sections:

Palette

The Palette is your toolbox for automation design, containing all the essential components:

• Blocks: Includes job streams, jobs, and join conditions. You can drag and drop job streams into the workspace, while jobs and conditions are nested within job streams.
• Assets: Houses predefined elements like calendars, credentials, folders, and variable tables. These assets can be reused across job streams to ensure consistency and reduce redundancy.

Workspace

The Workspace is where you build and visualize your automation workflows. Users can:

• Zoom and Pan: Navigate effortlessly across complex workflows.
• Use Fit-to-Screen Feature: Adjust the view to see all components at once.
• Define Triggers and Dependencies: Link job streams and jobs with internal and external dependencies.
• Configure Join Conditions: Set up dependencies that must be met before execution begins.

Controlling and Optimizing Job Streams

Automation is about more than just creating job streams; it’s also about managing and optimizing execution. The Graphical Designer provides powerful options for controlling workload processing, including:

Triggers

Triggers dictate when and how job streams are executed. The three main types include:

1. Service Triggers: Link job streams to services that can be published in the Self-Service Catalog.
2. Run Cycles: Define when a job stream should execute.
3. Excluding Run Cycles: Specify days or times when a job stream should not run, ensuring flexibility and preventing unnecessary executions.

Dependencies & Constraints

To maintain workflow integrity, dependencies can be established between jobs and job streams. Dependencies are visually represented in the workspace, with:

• Single Arrowheads: Indicating internal dependencies.
• Double Arrowheads: Indicating external dependencies.

Additional constraints, such as prompts, file dependencies, and resource availability, ensure jobs run under optimal conditions.

Saving, Exporting, and Deploying Workflows

Once your job stream is ready, the Graphical Designer offers multiple options for saving and exporting your work:

• Deploy to Database: Save configurations permanently to ensure reusability.
• Export as JSON: Share workflows across teams or environments.
• Save as PNG: Capture workflow visuals for documentation or presentation purposes.

It’s important to note that changes are only committed to the database upon deployment. If you close the Graphical Designer before deploying, your modifications remain available but are not yet applied.

Why You Should Start Using the Graphical Designer Today

The introduction of the Graphical Designer in IBM Workload Automation 10.2.3 marks a significant step forward in simplifying workload automation. Whether you’re an experienced automation architect or just getting started, this tool provides a more intuitive and efficient way to design, manage, and optimize job streams.

With its low-code interface, flexible navigation, and comprehensive control over job stream execution, the Graphical Designer is the ideal solution for organizations looking to modernize and streamline their workload automation processes.

Are you ready to take your automation to the next level? Dive into the Graphical Designer today and experience a new era of Workload Automation!