AppWorx Workload Automation vs Rocket Zena comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Jul 12, 2023

We performed a comparison between AppWorx Workload Automation and Rocket Zena based on our users’ reviews in five categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

Features: AppWorx Workload Automation is highly regarded for its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, consistent and reliable performance, and its capacity to efficiently handle a large number of nightly tasks. Rocket Zena receives acclaim for its user-friendly design, intuitive interface, diagram functionality, Linux compatibility, ability to schedule jobs across different platforms, web-based client, and the capability to transfer files through FTP.

AppWorx Workload Automation can be improved by enhancing API integration, integrating with other tools more effectively, and enhancing scalability. Rocket Zena needs improvement in areas such as providing visibility into connections between applications, monitoring agents, reducing UI loading time, and offering comprehensive documentation.

Service and Support: Customers appreciate the technical support provided by both companies, describing it as highly rated, knowledgeable, and responsive.

Ease of Deployment: The setup process for AppWorx Workload Automation is generally seen as uncomplicated and clear, although it may seem intricate to those unfamiliar with the system. It necessitates administrator access and collaboration in implementing the system with databases. Rocket Zena's setup experience differed among users, with some finding it more comprehensible as a novice. The integration with SAP posed difficulties and needed troubleshooting.

Pricing: AppWorx Workload Automation has a high setup cost, which is based on the number of systems used. Rocket Zena is affordable and cost-effective, making it suitable for small businesses.

ROI: AppWorx Workload Automation lacks sufficient user feedback or case studies to determine its ROI. Rocket Zena has demonstrated notable time savings and enhanced accuracy, leading to a clear return on investment for the company.

Comparison Results: Rocket Zena is the preferred choice over AppWorx Workload Automation. Users find Rocket Zena to be easy to use with an intuitive interface. They appreciate its valuable features like the diagram feature, cross-platform job scheduling, and FTP file transfer. Users also find the pricing and licensing to be cost-effective. Rocket Zena is highly regarded as a user-friendly and efficient tool for managing complex operational workflows.

To learn more, read our detailed AppWorx Workload Automation vs. Rocket Zena Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"It is really a robust product.""The automated solution is the most valuable piece. Otherwise, we would have to be doing everything manually on every server.""We have a lot of nightly jobs that need to be run. Therefore, we perform a lot of calculations and processes during nighttime hours.""The interface is good.""It has improved my organization through automation of back office and infrastructure procedures, and by integrating and orchestrating key business applications spanning multiple technology stacks.""The most valuable features of AppWorx Workload Automation are simplicity and reliability. Additionally, they recently transformed the UI which is better.""Scheduling is a good feature.""The solution is very user friendly so anyone can use it."

More AppWorx Workload Automation Pros →

"In the latest upgrade, Zena added a web-based client. The more I use it, the more I like it. It's an excellent interface. They do a good job of steadily improving the solution to make it more useful.""We haven't had any problems since we installed it. It runs as expected, we haven't had any critical problems. It helps keeps the business running 24/7.""The most valuable feature is the FTP file transfer.""You can click Ctrl-G and bring a diagram view. You're able to view in a diagram format. The view that it provides is easy, and you can move to the left, up, or down. You can double-click on a certain process. It'll drill into that process and all of its underlying components. You can double-click on an arrow or a component, and it'll bring up a screen that'll have all the variables that are assigned to that particular piece, as well as the values at run time. So, the diagram feature of it, at least for me, is pretty valuable.""I like the whole product, but specifically, I like the license part. It's very easy to acquire a license for this product.""Its FTP feature is very good, as is scheduling any process or task with the Zena client. I have found it to be very helpful. If a task fails, it gives you a prompt.""From a Linux configuration point of view, Rocket Zena is straightforward. It's fairly easy to set up the server and agents once you know how to do it.""I have used other tools with similar capabilities; it's the ease of use."

More Rocket Zena Pros →

Cons
"We are looking for additional features that would allow us to call APIs and integrate the product with other tools more effectively.""Reporting, forecasting and intelligence could be improved.""It has been a deprecated product, because it is so old. There has been a couple of new solutions that are a little more advanced.""The compliance features are limited to the server and not the entire infrastructure.""It is difficult to integrate with the Active Directory (AD).""As a general process automation and integration tool, it has been superseded by other offerings, notably the Workload Automation suite.""The scalability could improve.""The internal security model can be complex when configuring multiple user groups."

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"Rocket Zena is a mainframe-based job scheduler. I would like it to be more open so that we can use it on a distributed platform.""In the next release, I would like the user experience to be improved. The user interface should be more appealing to gen-z.""In the next release, I would like to have an alert feature to indicate when an agent is down. Rocket Zena is not capable of sending alerts that the agent is down. As of now, you have manually monitor to see when the agent is down.""In the web interface, it stacks the tasks across the top, and they accumulate until you close or clean those out. That seems a little cumbersome. You must right-click and close all tabs constantly to keep the console clean and manage your views.""Another one that is probably a little bit bigger for me is that when there is an issue or there's an error, it writes on a different screen. I have to find the actual process name and go to a different screen to view the alert that got generated. On that screen, everyone's processes, not just the processes of the folks in my department, are thrown. It takes me a while to find the actual error so that I could go in there and look at the alert. It could be because of the way it was set up, but at least for me, it isn't too intuitive.""The scheduling mapping is a little disjointed. There is no wizard-type approach. There are a lot of different things that you have to do in completely different areas. They could probably add the functionality for creating all components of a mapping or an OPA schedule. The component creation could be done collectively rather than through individual components.""The documentation has room for improvement.""The UI is not intuitive, and it would be nice if there was a web interface."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Licensing options are fairly straightforward."
  • "We are satisfied with the pricing."
  • "The price for annual licenses is a bit expensive so pricing is rated a two out of ten."
  • "The cost model is based on the number of orchestrated systems used."
  • More AppWorx Workload Automation Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "I don't know the exact cost, but I believe that it is approximately $150 to $180,000.00 Singapore dollars per year. This would be approximately $100 to $120,000 USD per year."
  • "The pricing and the licensing are good. It is affordable and can be used to improve and optimize productivity."
  • More Rocket Zena Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The most valuable features of AppWorx Workload Automation are simplicity and reliability. Additionally, they recently transformed the UI which is better.
    Top Answer:The cost model is based on the number of orchestrated systems used.
    Top Answer:In the latest upgrade, Zena added a web-based client. The more I use it, the more I like it. It's an excellent interface. They do a good job of steadily improving the solution to make it more useful… more »
    Top Answer:The pricing and the licensing are good. It is affordable and can be used to improve and optimize productivity.
    Top Answer:In the web interface, it stacks the tasks across the top, and they accumulate until you close or clean those out. That seems a little cumbersome. You must right-click and close all tabs constantly to… more »
    Ranking
    17th
    out of 49 in Workload Automation
    Views
    1,172
    Comparisons
    717
    Reviews
    3
    Average Words per Review
    300
    Rating
    8.3
    12th
    out of 49 in Workload Automation
    Views
    2,486
    Comparisons
    1,473
    Reviews
    7
    Average Words per Review
    999
    Rating
    8.3
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    CA Automic Applications Manager
    ASG-Zena
    Learn More
    Rocket Software
    Video Not Available
    Overview

    AppWorx Workload Automation automates your Ellucian’s Banner or Fiserv DNA processing. This innovative, best-in-class task scheduling solution accelerates your processing, provides visibility and control over business processes, and mitigates risk in both environments.

    AppWorx Workload Automation Can:

    • Automate banner processes without writing scripts
    • Automate testing
    • Document process flows and procedures
    • Maintain a history and audit trail of production runs
    • Automate migration from development to test to production environments
    • Reduce training
    • Eliminate human errors associated with manual tasks

    Benefits of AppWorx Workload Automation For Your Ellucian’s Banner

    • Automate recurring business processes, such as administration and record-keeping, while complying with state and federal reporting requirements.
    • Batch jobs are processed accurately.
    • If there are any inconsistencies or job failures, Automic for Banner immediately sends email notifications to the appropriate personnel.
    • Significantly improve your return on investment.
    • Automating batch processing and report generation.
    • Eliminating server overload by using a combination of features (AppWorx provides queues to control the number of jobs that can be submitted to a server at any given time, can spot duplicate runs of the same reports, and can delay impromptu reports submitted by individuals until all regularly scheduled reports are processed, etc.).
    • Eliminates the need for developers to write shell, PERL, or batch scripts to automate scheduling.
    • Automatically keeps a history of every job run, the parameters that were used, and the output generated at each step. These records are readily available for viewing online and can be printed for reference.
    • Export and import utilities make migration an error-free, repeatable process. Database logins, printers, and libraries can be mapped when you are moving process flows to a new environment. Mapping eliminates potentially erroneous code changes.

    Benefits of AppWorx Workload Automation For Your Fiserv DNA Processing

    • Run DNA jobs directly, eliminating the need to copy and release queues for each batch cycle.
    • Automatically run DNA jobs at the optimum time using sophisticated scheduling.
    • Run multiple DNA jobs at the same time in parallel from one batch station.
    • Eliminate potential data entry errors by automatically retrieving parameters from your enterprise databases.
    • Automatically check the results from one step to ensure data integrity before continuing to the next step.
    • Alert production analysts to problems the instant they occur.
    • Coordinate processing steps across all software applications.
    • Automatically distribute output files to vendors.
    • Perform all operations from one GUI client.

    Reviews from Real Users

    “The most valuable feature for me is the scheduling,” says an enterprise application architect at a retailer who has been using the solution for close to 10 years.

    A manager at a tech services company adds that “The interface is good. The compliance-related features are very good.”


    Zena enables you to optimize business process flows with advanced workload automation that reduces manual intervention, system downtime, and processing errors. You can easily define processes and tasks, making them repeatable so you can focus on other priorities.

    Zena gives you the power to simplify management of complex cross-platform processes while making it easier to manage challenging hybrid IT operations environments. It speeds time-to-market while reducing the ongoing total cost of ownership associated with workload automation and enterprise application processing.

    With Zena, IT leaders have the power to visualize and manage the execution of thousands of workloads across end-to-end Operational processes, while increasing the quality, velocity, and efficiency of their delivery.

    Rocket Zena Features

    Rocket Zena offers the following features:

    • Optimization of process flows: Rocket Zena allows you to optimize complex business process flows across your hybrid IT infrastructure, spanning from mainframe to cloud. It provides full visibility into your operations processes end-to-end.

    • Simplification of operations: The solution simplifies the management of complex cross-platform processes, making it easier to handle challenging hybrid IT operations environments.

    • Advanced workload automation: Rocket Zena offers advanced workload automation capabilities for operations. It reduces manual intervention, system downtime, and processing errors by enabling you to define processes and tasks that are repeatable.

    • Visualization and management of workloads: IT staff can visualize and manage the execution of thousands of workloads across end-to-end operational processes. It enhances the quality, velocity, and efficiency of delivery.

    • Maximize workload automation flexibility: Zena features a graphical process whiteboard for task definition, minimizing redundant definitions and maximizing flexibility in designing workflows.

    • Integration with ease and at scale: The solution seamlessly integrates workload management on multiple platforms and facilitates the integration of critical applications with newer technologies, eliminating manual scripting and reducing overall costs.

    • Centralized scheduling management: It enables centralized scheduling management through a console with dashboard capabilities. Zena provides predefined and customizable views and reports to meet individual user needs.

    • Production statistics and reports: Zena simplifies monitoring and intervention by providing customizable dashboards. It offers drill-down capability to quickly navigate to problem areas and take necessary action.

    • Improved operational excellence: The solution helps optimize business process flows through advanced workload automation, increasing productivity and scalability. It also reduces operational complexity and ensures high process completion by automating complex processes with reliability and repeatability.

    • Integration with applications and platforms: Zena connects with a range of applications and platforms such as Microsoft SQL Server, Docker, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, Micro Focus, SAP, PeopleSoft, and more, allowing seamless integration within your workflows.

    • DevOps and value stream management: Users have access to design-time configuration of DevOps value streams, enables the use of variables for reusable and customized workflows, and provides monitoring and management of run-time execution of value streams.

    • Branching and condition management: Zena allows specifying critical branching for tasks with infinite conditions to ensure automation flows meet business requirements.

    • Mainframe and hybrid cloud support: The solution has the capability to span mainframe to cloud environments, distributing work across the entire IT ecosystem, including hybrid cloud environments and sysplex awareness on mainframes.

    Rocket Zena Benefits

    Some of the benefits of using Rocket Zena are:

    • Optimization of operational business flows

    • Simplification of complex cross-platform processes

    • Reduction of manual intervention, system downtime, and processing errors

    • Speeding up time-to-market

    • Lowering the total cost of ownership associated with workload automation

    • Enhanced visibility and management of workloads across end-to-end operational processes

    • Maximizing workload automation flexibility

    • Seamless integration with multiple platforms and applications

    • Centralized scheduling management with customizable views and reports

    • Improved operational excellence and reliability

    • Reviews from Real Users

      Akash Vishwakarma, a RPA Developer at a consultancy observes: "Its FTP feature is very good, as is scheduling any process or task with the Zena client. I have found it to be very helpful. If a task fails, it gives you a prompt."

      Gus Calero, a Sr. IT Product Manager at a healthcare company shares his view: “You're able to view in a diagram format. The view that it provides is easy, and you can move to the left, up, or down. You can double-click on a certain process. It'll drill into that process and all of its underlying components.”

      Bridgette Friedman, a System administrator at a wholesaler shares her experience: "In the latest upgrade, Zena added a web-based client. The more I use it, the more I like it. It's an excellent interface. They do a good job of steadily improving the solution to make it more useful."


    Sample Customers
    Sandvik, Hanwha Life
    Fraternidad Muprespa
    Top Industries
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company20%
    Financial Services Firm14%
    University10%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm38%
    Government25%
    Healthcare Company13%
    Wholesaler/Distributor13%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm26%
    Insurance Company17%
    Computer Software Company11%
    Manufacturing Company10%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business29%
    Midsize Enterprise29%
    Large Enterprise43%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business15%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise73%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business30%
    Large Enterprise70%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business13%
    Midsize Enterprise5%
    Large Enterprise81%
    Buyer's Guide
    AppWorx Workload Automation vs. Rocket Zena
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about AppWorx Workload Automation vs. Rocket Zena and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    AppWorx Workload Automation is ranked 17th in Workload Automation with 7 reviews while Rocket Zena is ranked 12th in Workload Automation with 9 reviews. AppWorx Workload Automation is rated 8.0, while Rocket Zena is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of AppWorx Workload Automation writes "The scheduling tool and finance module are valuable features". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Rocket Zena writes "A continuously evolving, stable solution, with responsive support". AppWorx Workload Automation is most compared with Automic Workload Automation, Control-M, AutoSys Workload Automation, Automic Automation Intelligence and Stonebranch, whereas Rocket Zena is most compared with Control-M, Rocket Zeke, IBM Workload Automation, AutoSys Workload Automation and ActiveBatch by Redwood. See our AppWorx Workload Automation vs. Rocket Zena report.

    See our list of best Workload Automation vendors.

    We monitor all Workload Automation reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.