Configure Merge Process Job Schedules

The duplicates search processes and merge processes work in tandem. The groups of duplicates identified by searches provide the data sources for merge processes. For this reason, you should schedule the search and merge processes to run at similar intervals. For example, you could schedule the incremental process to run once a week and the full process once every 3 months, with a merge process always following each search. During a period of increased data entry, you might run the processes more frequently, such as running the incremental search everyday with an additional full search at the end of the period.

If you have the required system role, you can access the Job Schedules tab to schedule the merge process to run automatically. This tab appears only for users who are assigned the required system role. The Job schedules tab shows all scheduled jobs that currently exist for the merge process. Depending on your system role, you can add new scheduled jobs, edit existing jobs, and delete scheduled jobs on this tab. To make sure you have the latest job schedule information, select Refresh List.

To automate a merge process, you can use the Create job screen. The Job Schedule feature is built on Microsoft’s SQL Server Agent functionality. You can use SQL Server Agent jobs to automatically run processes and, optionally, run the task on a recurring basis. When you schedule jobs, you define the condition or conditions that cause the job to begin.

Note: The system administrator at your organization typically completes this procedure.

  1. From the Job schedules tab of a process, select Add. The Create job screen appears.

  2. In the Job name field, enter a name for the scheduled process.

  3. By default, the schedule is active. To suspend it, clear the Enabled checkbox.

  4. In the Schedule type field, select how often to run the process. You can run a process once; on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis; whenever SQL Server Agent service starts; or whenever the computer is idle according to SQL Server Agent. Your selection determines which other fields are enabled.

    1. For a process that runs just once, select the date and time to run it.

    2. For a process that runs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, select the number of days, weeks, or months between instances in the Occurs every field. For a weekly process, select the day of the week to run it. For a monthly process, select the day of the month to run it. For a process that runs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, select whether to run it a single time or at regular intervals on the days when it runs.

    3. For a process that runs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, select a start date and, if necessary, an end date. To run the process indefinitely, select No end date.

  5. Select Save. You return to the Job schedules tab.

  1. From the Job schedules tab of a process, select Add. The Create job screen appears.

  2. In the Job name field, enter a name for the scheduled process.

  3. By default, the schedule is active. To suspend it, clear the Enabled checkbox.

  4. In the Schedule type field, select how often to run the process. You can run a process once; on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis; whenever SQL Server Agent service starts; or whenever the computer is idle according to SQL Server Agent. Your selection determines which other fields are enabled.

    1. For a process that runs just once, select the date and time to run it.

    2. For a process that runs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, select the number of days, weeks, or months between instances in the Occurs every field. For a weekly process, select the day of the week to run it. For a monthly process, select the day of the month to run it. For a process that runs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, select whether to run it a single time or at regular intervals on the days when it runs.

    3. For a process that runs on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, select a start date and, if necessary, an end date. To run the process indefinitely, select No end date.

  5. Select Save. You return to the Job schedules tab.

After you have added scheduled jobs, you can edit its settings such as the type of schedule and frequency. To edit the job, select it and select Edit.

If you decide you no longer need a scheduled job, you can delete it.

This deletes the scheduled job, as well as any changes made to it outside the program.

  1. From the process status page, go to the job schedules tab.

  2. Find and select the job.

  3. Select Delete.

  4. Confirm the change.

After you create a job schedule for a process, you can update it. For example, you can adjust its frequency. You cannot edit the package to create the job schedule. To edit a job, select it and select Edit.

  1. On the Job schedules tab, select a job and select Edit. The Edit job screen appears. The options on this screen are the same as the Create job screen. For information about these options, refer to Create job screen.

  2. Make changes as necessary. For example, in the Schedule type you can change how often to run the process.

  3. Select Save. You return to the Job schedules tab.

On the Job schedules tab of the status page, you can delete a job schedule of the process. This deletes the scheduled job as well as changes made to it outside the program. To delete a job schedule, select it and select Delete.

  1. On the Job schedules tab, select the job and select Delete. A confirmation screen appears.

  2. Select Yes. You return to the Job schedules tab.