Background

Total Visual Agent lets you easily schedule and execute the repetitive tasks your databases need. Schedule a wide range of tasks and run them in a fully automated and audited manner. Set start times and end times, and receive emails if anything goes wrong.

Question

Why is launching external programs (executing macros and custom commands, and compacting ADP files) from the Total Visual Agent Service considered risky? 

Answer

Certain events require Total Visual Agent to launch external programs, including:

• Executing Macros

• Compacting ADP files

• Executing Custom Commands

Executing these actions from an unattended or a non-interactive user account, like with the Total Visual Agent Service, is risky. It can cause the computer to stop responding, leave programs open in memory, and possibly corrupt data.

If you understand these risks and still determined that you want to launch external programs using the Service, Microsoft has a few suggestions. Refer to the following Microsoft KnowledgeBase articles for more information:

• Considerations for Server-Side Automation of Office

• How to Dismiss a Dialog Box Displayed by an Office Application with Visual Basic

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