CA-7 (software)
CA-7, also known as CA-7 Workload Automation, is a mainframe-based job scheduling and workload automation software product originally developed by UCC (University Computing Company) and later acquired by Computer Associates (CA), which is now part of Broadcom Inc.
CA-7 automates the scheduling, execution, and tracking of batch jobs and online transactions in a mainframe environment. It provides a centralized point of control for managing complex workloads and ensures that jobs are executed in the correct sequence and at the appropriate time.
Key features of CA-7 include:
- Job Scheduling: Defines and manages job schedules based on various criteria, such as time, dependencies, and resource availability.
- Workload Automation: Automates the execution of jobs and tasks, reducing manual intervention and improving efficiency.
- Dependency Management: Defines dependencies between jobs, ensuring that jobs are executed in the correct order.
- Resource Management: Manages resources, such as printers and datasets, to ensure that they are available when needed.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Provides real-time monitoring of job status and generates reports on workload activity.
- Calendar Management: Allows users to define calendars for scheduling purposes (e.g., holidays, specific operational days).
- Event-Driven Scheduling: Enables job execution based on specific events or triggers.
CA-7 is commonly used in large enterprises with extensive mainframe-based applications. It helps organizations to streamline their IT operations, improve service levels, and reduce the risk of errors. While modern workload automation tools have emerged, CA-7 remains a prevalent solution in many mainframe environments due to its established functionality and integration with other mainframe systems.