FastTrack Automation Studio: Difference between revisions

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{{advert|date=February 2013}}

'''FastTrack Automation Studio''' (formerly known as '''FastTrack Scripting Host''') –, often referred to as just FastTrack –, is a [[scripting language]] for [[Windows IT]] System Administrators. The product’s goal is to handle any kind of scripting that might be required to automate processes with [[Microsoft Windows]] networks. The web site of the product is located at [http://www.fasttrackscript.com www.fasttrackscript.com].

== Manufacturer ==

FastTrack is produced by [[FastTrack Software]], which is headquartered in [[Aalborg, Denmark]]. The product is promoted by the manufacturer as a one-stop shop for Windows script writers and its development paradigm is '''“one operation = one script line”'''. Script writers use a [[Integrated development environment|purpose-built editor]] to create scripts, inserting script lines via menus, drag’n drop, or simply typing them in. Scripts may be used out of the box, created from scratch, imported from forums or other users, or customized from product documentation.

== Types of scripts ==

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* [[Backup]] and [[replication (computing)|replication]] scripts

* [[Inventory]] and [[asset management]]

* Automated [[Windows OS]] installation and deployment<ref name="Microsoft Technet Magazine">{{cite web|last=Steen|first=Greg|title=Toolbox: New Products for IT Professionals|url=httphttps://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/gg441250.aspx|work=Microsoft Technet Magazine|publisher=Microsoft|accessdateaccess-date=1 November 2010}}</ref>

* Automated [[application software]] deployment

* [[Active Directory]] scripts

More advanced scripts include:

* [[System Center Configuration Manager|SCCM]] task sequences

* [[Citrix ICA]] and [[RDP Clients]] built-in

* Deploying applications to server farms

* Deploying [[GPO MSI]] files

* [[Database server|SQL Server]] scripts

== Basic structure ==

Under the hood, scripts comprise commands, functions, collections, and conditions. When a script is executed, these components are converted into many lines of [[C Sharp (programming language)|C# code]], sometimes hundreds of lines, depending on the particular script operation. Scripts can be compiled into [[EXE files]] or [[MSI packages]] and treated as standalone Windows applications.

== History ==

FastTrack Scripting Host (FastTrack) was first developed around 2006 to ease the administration burden of IT System Administrators on Windows networks. <ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Russel|title=Product Review: FastTrack Scripting Host|url=http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/product-review/product-review-fasttrack-scripting-host-140986|publisher=Windows IT Pro|accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref>

=== Product idea ===

The idea for the product came from founder and President of FastTrack Software, [[Lars Pedersen]], who has a background in systems administration. Previously with [[Telenor]], Denmark’s major telephone company, Pedersen performed various roles in systems administration, programming and web development. He also worked as a consultant and developer on several major projects at various companies in Europe.

Dissatisfied from his own experiences and frustrations administering Windows networks, Pederson looked for a way to make life easier for system administrators. In particular, he wanted something that could [[Automation|minimize the amount of time needed each day to perform routine and mundane tasks]], which was a waste of time and expertise that should have been committed to other projects.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}

=== Development ===

Leading a small team of developers, Pedersen developed FastTrack Scripting Host to simplify and automate the routine tasks of system administrators. The resulting product is definitely a [[scripting language]], but it can be used intuitively like a programming language, without requiring users to learn [[syntax]] or other concepts typically associated with programming languages.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}

=== Marketing ===

In April 2010, FastTrack Software entered into an agreement with [http://www.binaryresearch.net/ Binary Research International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015131952/http://www.binaryresearch.net/ |date=2008-10-15 }}, based in the city of [[Milwaukee]], [[USA]]United States to market and sell the product globally.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}

=== Awards ===

FSH received a [[Windows IT Pro]] Community Choice award in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Windows IT Pro Editors' Best and Community Choice Awards|url=http://www.windowsitpro.com/content1/topic/windows-it-pro-2012-community-choice-awards-144460/catpath/awards/page/5|work=Windows IT Pro Community Choice Awards for Best Scripting Product|publisher=Windows IT Pro|accessdate=November 21, 2012}}</ref>

== Versions ==

The first version was produced in June 2006 and contained 51 components, which are the commands, functions, conditions and collections making up FastTrack.

The following table summarizes dates and components for major releases. Companies and organizations such as [[NOAA]], [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries|Kawasaki]], and [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]] have used and implemented the FastTrack Scripting Host. <ref>{{cite web|title=Customers|url=http://www.fasttrackscript.com/Customers|publisher=FastTrack Script Website|accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

|-

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| PowerShell || Microsoft || Free || Proprietary || Windows || 3.0 (~July 2010)|| [http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms714418(v=vs.85).aspx Microsoft PowerShell]

|-

| [[ScriptLogic]] (PowerGUIPro) || [[Quest Software (now Dell)]]|| $300 || Proprietary || Windows || ??? || [http://www.scriptlogic.com/ ScriptLogic]

|-

| VBScript || Microsoft || Free || Proprietary || Windows || Depends on host application (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/4y5y7bh5.aspx) || [http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=326#overview Microsoft VBScript]

|}

*FastTrack Scripting Host <br />

*[[Kixtart]] <br />

*[[PowerShell]]<ref name="Community Choice Awards">{{cite web|title=2011 Best Scripting Tool |url=http://www.windowsitpro.com/content1/topic/2011-editors-community-choice-awards-140879/catpath/readers-choice-awards/page/22 |work=Editors' Best and Community Choice Awards |publisher=Windows IT Pro |accessdate=November 18, 2011}}< |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https:/ref>/web.archive.org/web/20120112223621/http://www.windowsitpro.com/content1/topic/2011-editors-community-choice-awards-140879/catpath/readers-choice-awards/page/22 |archivedate=January <br12, 2012 }}</ref>

[[*ScriptLogic]] <br />

*[[VBScript]] <br />

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

[[Category:Computer programming tools]]

*{{official website|http://www.fasttrackscript.com}}

[[Category:Computer programmingProgramming tools]]

[[Category:Integrated development environments]]

[[Category:Scripting languages]]