It may be desirable to process data at the client before collecting the data and using it at the managing server or relay manager/system. Suppose that a database in the server is to be updated on the basis of data processed at each client. If the server program cannot read the data used at the clients, the data must be processed. In this case, the data can be collected and then processed at the server; however, processing a large amount of data sent from each client would greatly increase the server's workload.

Alternatively, you can use the feature for starting an external program at each client immediately before remote collection. This example may be handled by specifying a data-processing program as an external program that is to be started immediately before remote collection.

The following figure shows how data processed at clients is remotely collected.

Figure 5-7 Remote collection of data processed at clients

You use the Detailed Options for Remote Collection dialog box to specify an external program that is to be started immediately before or after remote collection. You can display this dialog box from the Create Job dialog box by choosing the Details button on the Collect File page.

Figure 5-8 Detailed Options for Remote Collection dialog box