Troubleshooting automation

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to access this module:
Section:
Automation
Permission(s):
Access group management

There are many settings which need to be configured correctly for automation to work properly, and as a result some schools experience issues with Automation. This page outlines the steps you should check if you are experiencing issues with the automation module.

Is Connect installed and accessible?

PARS Connect must be installed and working for the automation module to function. If the PARS Connect URL cannot be accessed internally via your web browser please see our guide to installing PARS Connect.

Is the KeepAlive service installed and accessible?

The KeepAlive service periodically "pokes" the Connect IIS server to ensure that the website remains live and resident in the server memory. It will also prompt the Automation module to perform its tasks at the correct time.

Go to:
PARS main menu > System management > Automation

Click the "Status" tab at the top of the page. The "Last polled" time should be no more than 1 minute ago. If this time is not updating every minute, then you will need to rerun a PARS service pack. On the Auxiliary tab of the service pack, click the "Details" button to view the URL that the Keep Alive service is polling.

Pollingaddress2.jpg



The address should exactly match the address that you use to access PARS Connect (especially look for an errant "/PARS"). Update the URL in the service controller so that it matches the address you use to access PARS Connect. Finish the service controller and check to see if the polling time in Automation is now updating once per minute.

Has the Automation login account been setup correctly?

Go to:
PARS main menu > System management > System > Automation

Does this Automation user have a valid email address in SIMS? If not go to:
PARS main menu > System management > Preferences

Is there a valid "Reply address to use for emails sent from PARS" entered? You either need to have a reply address set here, or an email address assigned the user in SIMS.

If you have a valid email (as above) then re-enter the username and password, then save. If there is a problem with the account a pop-up message will be displayed. Enter a valid SIMS username and password if necessary.

Do any jobs run?

Are any of the jobs, that the automation module is supposed to perform, actually being performed? If you are not sure how to check, follow our guide on How to test Automation is working.

Are some jobs running and others not?

To check this, go to the automation module and click on the status tab at the top of the page. You will see a list of the jobs that the automation module has recently tried to perform. Click on the name of the job and it will expand to show details. If the details are highlighted in red then something went wrong - the details should explain what has happened.

Autostatus01.jpg

Are expected emails not being sent?

Go to:
PARS main menu > System management > Automation

Click the "Jobs" tab at the top of the page, then scroll down to the "User reports" section. Click the magnifying glass icon next to a report that does not send/arrive as expected and check that there is a valid email address in the "Email to" field.

If the email address is valid, go to:
PARS main menu > System management > Configure proxy server

Click the "Test proxy details" button at the top of the page. A message box will popup showing the results of various tests. If any of the tests are not successful, go to our configure proxy server page for more information.

Go to:
PARS main menu > System management > Preferences

Look under the "Email" section to make sure that the SMTP details are valid and correct. If the details appear to be correct, click the "Send test email" link at the bottom of the section and try sending an email to yourself.

If you receive a 5.7.1s error, this means that relaying is required - Google search "Exchange 20xx relaying" for advice.

Now wait for the automated report to arrive at the scheduled time. If it does not arrive, contact the Online Helpdesk.