Tool Server G8

Tool Server

enables applications running on network clients to be automated and controlled remotely by the HELIOS server. Many applications and technologies are available only on specific platforms. Tool Server makes these applications and technologies available to your HELIOS server – either as a standalone process or integrated into server workflows.

Virtually any application that can be automated (via AppleScript, shell script, VBA, Automator, etc.) on any platform (Mac, Windows, or UNIX) can become a Tool Server tool. The system administrator simply writes the automation script; Tool Server handles the rest.

The Client Server Infrastructure

is provided by Tool Server. The “toolclient” application automatically discovers all available servers via Bonjour and selects the Tool Server workstation that offers the required service with the best performance. Automatic job load balancing, file transfer, processing, auditing, and error handling make operation straightforward. Jobs can run fully automatically through the “toolclient” application or by placing files into Script Server hot folders. Hot-folder automation is easy to configure and monitor in HELIOS Admin.

Sample tool scripts are included for common tasks such as flattening PDF documents with Adobe Acrobat or sharpening images with Photoshop. Additional examples cover AppleScript, Visual Basic, REALbasic, Perl, and other languages.

Remote Workflows

can be enabled by sharing HELIOS Script Server hot folders via HELIOS WebShare.

Licensing

The tool client requires an ImageServer license. See the Tool Server manual for full licensing details. Office-to-PDF conversion requires Microsoft Office on Mac or Windows (not included). Automated applications must be used in accordance with their own licensing terms.

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