Administering the Sierra Scheduler

To access Sierra Scheduler, the following permissions must be assigned:

610 (Scheduler)
611 (Scheduler Task Builder)
612 (Scheduler History)
613 (Scheduler Task Create)
614 (Scheduler Task View)
615 (Scheduler Task Update)

616 (Scheduler Task Delete)
617 (Scheduler Job Create)
618 (Scheduler Job View)
619 (Scheduler Job Update)
620 (Scheduler Job Delete)

See Permissions Used by Sierra for more information.

Sierra Scheduler helps libraries manage routine periodic processes by performing them automatically at specified times. You can schedule processes to run when it is most convenient for your library (e.g., at night). Examples of the processes your library can automate include:

Creating review files
Outputting MARC and delimited records
Loading of MARC and non-MARC records

Sierra Scheduler processes are built from two components:

Tasks: Tasks specify the actions to perform. For example, creating a review file is a type of task. When you create a task, you select a task type from a menu and edit the task parameters, such as the task's name, email addresses of personnel to notify when the task is run. Use the Sierra Task Builder to create and edit tasks.
Jobs: To run a task, create a job which specifies when the associated task is to be run. Use the Sierra Job Scheduler to create and edit jobs.

The basic procedure for using Sierra Scheduler is:

Create or edit tasks using Task Builder.
Set up email notification for the start, end, success, and failure of jobs.
Schedule jobs using Job Scheduler.
After jobs are run you can View Job History.

Many libraries find it helpful to make Task Builder widely available but to limit permissions for the Job Scheduler. This distributes responsibility for automating jobs and centralizes responsibility for scheduling jobs. Librarians from many departments can contribute their expertise by creating tasks, while one or more system administrators take responsibility for balancing the load on the system by arranging the job runs.

Note that if a review file is updated or created while you are viewing Sierra Scheduler in the Admin App, you must exit, then reenter Scheduler in order to see the changes reflected.