JAMS Scheduler in 2024: Analysis Based on 190+ Reviews

Fortra’s JAMS scheduler is a popular workload automation tool with good user satisfaction in: 

• workload processing (score: 9.2),
• scalability (score: 9.1), and 
• proactive workflow (score: 8.8) ratings obtained from a B2B review platform.¹ 

Despite its good ratings on workload automation capabilities, it is also reported that JAMS scheduler’s UI design can be complicated for some users when compared to other solutions. (See Figure 7 and 8).  

In this article, we will discover JAMS scheduler’s workload automation and scheduling features, user evaluations with the advantages and shortcomings and its alternatives.

Review based evaluation of JAMS Scheduler

We selected user reviews from B2B review platforms including G2, PeerSpot, and Capterra to provide insights on JAMS’ scheduling features.

Table 1: JAMS scheduler user reviews

JAMS Scheduler Advantages

Code-driven automation: Users praise JAMS’ code-driven automation capabilities for reducing the time needed for automating complex scheduling. See Figure 1.

Centralize job management: When scheduling tasks on multiple applications and operating systems, users find JAMS’ centralize job management useful. See Figure 2.

Customer support team: Users find the JAMS support team highly responsive and valuable. See Figure 3.

Job failing notifications: JAMS notification feature when a job fails is reported as beneficial. See Figure 4.

Chained job scheduling: Users appreciate JAMS scheduler’s ability to create linked jobs that can be scheduled with a job triggering feature. See Figure 5 and Figure 6.

JAMS Scheduler Shortcomings

UI improvements: Some users suggest a less complex and more intuitive UI design which would be easier to use for new users. See Figure 7 and Figure 8.

Key features and capabilities of JAMS Scheduler

Fortra’s JAMS is an enterprise job scheduling and IT automation software that supports various job scheduling processes including batch scheduling, event-based job scheduling, and process automation for different business applications to increase SLAs, optimize IT resources, and minimize IT overhead. 

JAMS enables comprehensive workload automation solutions for diverse industries such as education technologies, consultancy, FinTech, and healthcare services. JAMS also supports native batch jobs, ERP/CRM tools, cloud and big data integrations. 

Some of its key features and capabilities include:

Architecture

JAMS job scheduler includes three elements: clients, engine, and agents:

Clients: Serving as control centers, JAMS clients provide four interfaces: desktop client which works a graphical user interface; web client which combines desktop client with an access to JAMS without any installation; PowerShell module with 80+ PowerShell cmdlets; and .NET Class Library for integration with applications and a REST API.

Scheduling Engines: JAMS scheduling engine manages jobs, checks dependencies, provides load balancing and sends notifications for critical business processes. 

These engines also automate critical workloads and streamlining batch processes, define and provide solutions to job and file dependency issues, run critical jobs, and assist clustered configurations.

Agents enable real-time execution and monitoring of jobs. They also produce logs and run log analytics. Finally, they share reports with scheduling and workload automation engines.

Low-Code automation and job scheduling

Low-code approach in job scheduling automation enables a simpler job creation with drag-and-drop features and can increase control over the process when orchestrating jobs.

With JAMS Automate Workflow Designer, users can manage complex workflows.

Real-time job scheduling dashboards

JAMS job scheduling dashboards can facilitate rapid troubleshooting of various issues, and promote efficiency and reliability in managing IT tasks. It includes:

Primary Process Monitoring Dashboard: Through a dual-panel display, this monitoring dashboard enables an overview of the scheduled jobs while supporting efficient resource allocation.

Job History by Agent: It offers a look at the job completion status summaries across different agents by using pie charts to display the distribution of successful, informational, error, and fatal outcomes. 

It includes a range filter for focusing on job activities within specific timeframes, thus providing a clear and customizable view of agent performance and job outcomes.

Current Load Balancing: The Current Load Balancing dashboard can provide real-time insights into the workload and resource utilization of each agent. 

It displays the number of jobs, their distribution across queues, and the usage of resources.

PowerShell: With this dashboard, users can gain insights on JAMS client’s performance metrics including disk utilization, CPU usage, and memory statistics. 

Presented in pie charts, gauges, and data tables, it allows PowerShell to translate complex performance data into clear and accessible visualizations.

Workload automation command center

JAMS’ workload automation command center enables users to monitor job relationships, triggers, and dependencies. Users can indicate in-progress jobs, completed jobs, and failed jobs with different colors.

Event-based job triggers

JAMS event based scheduling and workload automation includes built-in file triggers, status triggers, and variable triggers.

File transfers

With JAMS built-in FTP Execution Method, users can automate various file transfer protocols, such as FTP, FTPS, SFTP, S3, and SCP to minimize risks caused by managing multiple file transfer clients. 

Job and workload reports

JAMS enables its user to create and customize job and workload reports. Users can integrate analytics from job history, auditor trail and job statistics.

Integration capabilities

JAMS scheduler supports integrations with multiple platforms including native batch jobs, databases, ERP/CRM and cloud tools including Windows task scheduler, Linux, Microsoft SQL server, Azure SQL, Oracle E-Business suite, and Amazon Lamba.

JAMS Scheduler alternatives

Leading workload automation platforms such as ActiveBatch, Control-M, Redwood RunMyJobs, and Stonebranch are alternative solutions. Here is a comprehensive list of JAMS scheduler alternatives.

Transparency statement

AIMultiple collaborates with leading workload automation vendors including Stonebranch, JAMS scheduler and Redwood RunMyJobs.

Further reading

• IT process automation tool 
• Process Orchestration Tools

External resources

• 1. “Best Workload Automation Software in 2024: Compare Reviews on 80+ Products“. G2. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 2. “Fortra’s JAMS reviews, pricing and features 2024“. PeerSpot. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 3. “Fortra’s JAMS reviews, pricing and features 2024“. PeerSpot. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 4. “JAMS Verified Review“. Capterra. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 5. “JAMS Enterprise Job Scheduler Reviews 2024: Details, Pricing, & Features“. G2. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 6. “Fortra’s JAMS reviews, pricing and features 2024“. PeerSpot. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 7. “Fortra’s JAMS reviews, pricing and features 2024“. PeerSpot. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 8. “Fortra’s JAMS reviews, pricing and features 2024“. PeerSpot. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 9. “Prompt customer support“. TrustRadius. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 10. “Job Scheduling and Monitoring Dashboard“. JAMS. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 11. “Job Scheduling and Monitoring Dashboard“. JAMS. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 12. “Job Monitor – Job Scheduling”. JAMS. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
• 13. “Workload Reports – Job Scheduling“. JAMS. Retrieved February 26, 2024.