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  » Z-Cron :: Task and backup scheduler




Z-CronWith the Z-Cron program you can plan the execution of commands, programs or scripts, at particular times, i.e. you can have tasks on your PC run automatically on schedule by Z-Cron. Z-Cron is a central coordinating point for the scheduling or automation of software. Z-Cron can also be installed a system service. A system service is a program that starts automatically when Windows was booted, and runs in the background until Windows is shut down. With the Z-Cron scheduler you can have programs of all kinds started automatically by the system even if no user is logged in – for example nightly data backups with Z-DATdump.


Possible scheduled tasks are for example:

  • Starting and stopping of applications (also with parameters).
  • Calling or saving of Websites.
  • Loading documents.
  • Starting, stopping and monitoring system services (professional version).
  • Copying files and directories.
  • Deleting files and directories
  • Cleanup of directories.
  • Archiving and compressing files and directories.
  • Switching computers in a network on or off.
  • Automated switching of electrical devices, e.g. with Z-USBswitch.
  • Establishing and disconnecting internet/VPN connections (Modem/ISDN).

These tasks can be started automatically at the following points in time (also in 5 minute intervals):

  • Daily (every x days).
  • Weekly (every x weeks at a weekday you can choose).
  • Monthly (at the x calendar day or the x weekday of a month).
  • Once.
  • After the system startup.

You can use Z-Cron scheduler in many different ways, for example:

  • Regular data backup (for example with Z-DataDVD or Z-DATdump).
  • Automatic switching of electrical equipment or devices (for example with Z-ParSwitch).
  • Automatic FTP data transfer (for example with Z-FTPcopyII).
  • Verifying volume integrity
  • Virus scans
  • ...

Z-Cron Scheduler Functions

Z-Cron scheduler does not only start other applications but can also show popup windows with reminder text messages on the screen or shut down the system at a predefined time. The embedded tools can be easily used by either just writing the command's name into the input field (you have to use capital letters!) or using the button "Tools" for a tool selection menu.


Function Description Freeware
ALARM Shows the Z-Alarm-clock window for 4 minutes. The sound will be played with the built-in speaker, in contrast to the command Z-ALARM (NT/2000/XP/Vista). *
CHECKURL Check for internet connection and run a command if no connection has been established. *
CLEANFILE Scheduled deleting of files which are older than XX days. You can set the age of the files in an input field in the task's setup. *
CLEANUPDIR Delete all files and subdirectories in the selected directory which are older than XX days. You can set the age of the files using an input field in the task 's setup. This command works recursivly.  
COPYDIR Copy a directory. *
COPYFILE Copy file(s). *
DELETE Delete file(s). *
DESTROY Close a window/application. *
DOWNLOAD Download file via HTTP protocol. *
DYNIPMAIL Discover dynamic IP address and send email if it changes. *
EMPTY-TRASH Empty Windows recycle bin on all drives. *
GETURL File download using HTTP protocol. *
HIBERNATE Sets computer into hibernate mode with the possibility to reactivate it after a certain period of time. *
HOSTPING With this function you can send "PINGs" to a host name to test a computer's reaction time and availability. *
INFO Shows the saved info message on the screen for 4 minutes. *
KILL Quits a program. *
KILLWIN Quit a program given its window name. *
KILLWIN-JOB Quit a program given its window name and run a Z-Cron job afterwards.  
LASTRUN Launches a program and shuts down the computer after the program has finished. *
LOCKMYPC Lock computer/workstation. *
LOGFILECLEAR Delete Z-Cron log file. *
LOGOFF Log out of the system. *
MAIL Send email with SMTP. *
MESSAGE Send message to a computer or workgroup (Microsoft messenger service). *
MONITOROFF Switch off screen (Powersave). *
MONITORON Switch on screen (Powersave). *
MOVEDIR Move directory/folder.  
MOVEFILE Move file(s).  
MSSQL-DESK-START Starting MSSQL desktop. *
MSSQL-DESK-STOP Ending MSSQL desktop. *
NICSTART Switch on a selected network interface card. *
NICSTOP Switch off a selected network interface card. *
NTPTIME Synchronize system time with a NTP time server. You need access to a time server and must not use a firewall blocking UDP port 37 because time is adjusted using this port. *
OPEN The display is carried out with the application registered for the file type. *
PING Command to send "PINGs" to an IP-Address to test a computer's reaction time and availability. *
PLAY Playing multi-Media file. The account is carried out with the application registered for the file type. *
POWERCHANGE Switch electrical device over the USB port. *
POWEROFF Switch off electrical device over the USB port. *
POWERON Switch on electrical device over the USB port. *
RAS-DIAL Establish an internet/VPN connection with Dialup network connections (Modem/ISDN). *
RAS-HANGUP Disconnect internet/VPN connection. *
REBOOT Reboot computer. *
REMOTE-SHUTDOWN Shut down a remote computer (Windows NT, 2000, XP or Vista) in your network. *
RMDIR Delete a directory. *
SCREENMAIL Send screen as image via email. *
SCREENSAVEON Switch on screensaver. *
SCREENSAVEOFF Switch off screensaver. *
SELFTEST Virus self test. *
SENDLOGFILE Send Z-Cron log file as e-mail. *
SERVICE-RESTART Restarts the selected system service.  
SERVICE-START Starts the selected system service.  
SERVICE-STOP Stops the selected system service.  
SERVICE-WATCH Monitors the selected system service.  
SHUTDOWN Shut down computer (only Windows 2000/XP/Vista). *
SHUTDOWN-MESSAGE Shut down computer with alert message (only Windows 2000/XP/Vista). *
STANDBY Sets the computer into Standby mode. *
STARTREMOTE Start a Z-Cron job on a computer in the network.  
TIMEMARK Write a timestamp into the log file. *
UNZIP Unzip ZIP file in the indicated directory. *
VBSRIPT Execute VBScript code. *
VOLUMECONTROL Change volume or set to "mute". Currently not supported on Windows Vista/7. *
WAKEUPLAN Switch on computers in the local network. *
WALLPAPER Change Windows desktop background picture. *
WATCH Monitors a program. If a monitored program "dies", it will be restarted. *
WATCH-JOB Program supervision starts a Z Cron job if the indicated program hasn't started.  
WAVEPLAY Play a .wav file. *
Z-ALARM Shows Z-Alarm clock window for 4 minutes and plays the file zcron.wav. *
ZIPFILE Save file into a ZIP file. *
ZIPFOLDER Save directory into a ZIP file.  

Scheduler Freeware

Z-Cron is an ideal extension to my Z-DATdump program. Z-Cron is Freeware for private use which means that it runs on workstations (Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7) without limitations and it can be installed on servers (NT/2000/2003/2008) for testing purposes. The freeware version is limited to a trial period of 14 days on a Windows Server„ operating system! For commercial use or use on a Windows Server™ a server license is required!

This free Z-Cron version is exclusively intended for personal use on a single PC (workstation). Copying and redistribution of the complete program package is allowed for personal use only.

Commercial or professional use of this Z-Cron Freeware version is not allowed! For commercial use you have to buy a license!

Download from USA Download Download freeware version Z-Cron
Download from Europe Download Download freeware version Z-Cron

*Z-Cron license for companies

*Z-Cron license for private individuals






Z-Cron is written by Andreas Baumann  © 2000 - 2010.
All mentioned trademarks and company names are subject to the Copyright of their respective owners.
 

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