The system is locked using the Acquire/Release System Lock system job, which is found in the System Job Executables window. Since the system is typically locked so that certain system tasks may be accomplished without users in the system, the Acquire/Release System Lock system job is run in conjunction with other system jobs in the System Jobs Schedule window.

The Acquire/Release System Lock system job contains one argument that may be set to one of the following three values:

  1. Acquire exclusive system lock.This value allows only one Acquire/Release System Lock system job to run. It also causes the Exclusive Lock check box in the System Locks window to be selected.
  2. Acquire non-exclusive system lock. This value allows multiple Acquire/Release System Lock system jobs to run concurrently.
  3. Release system lock. This value releases the system lock. It is rarely used because the Acquire/Release System Lock system job automatically releases the system lock at the end of the job. However, it may be needed when you wish to release the system lock before the entire system job is complete (for example, after 6 of 10 system jobs bundled with the Acquire/Release System Lock system job have been run). For a case such as this, add a second Acquire/Release System Lock system job in the middle of the executables list, setting its argument to this value.

If the Acquire/Release System Lock system job fails to run to completion, with the result that the system does not unlock automatically, you can manually force the system to unlock by using either the Release All System Locks or Release Selected System Lock right-click commands found in the System Locks Window. These commands set the MAINTENANCE_FLAG system parameter to zero, which unlocks the system.

To lock the system, use the following steps:

  1. As a matter of standard practice, notify all users to exit the system before the system job is run.
  2. Display the System Jobs > Schedules window in the System module.
  3. In the left pane of the Schedules window, insert a new record by right-clicking the pane and then clicking Insert Schedule.
  4. With the new record selected, in the right pane right-click and then click Insert. The system adds a record to the right pane.
  5. In the new record in the right pane, click the down arrow in the System Job Executable column to display the list of executables and then click the Acquire/Release System Lock system job.
  6. Tab to the Order column and enter 1. (The Acquire/Release System Lock system job must be the first job to run in the schedule.)
  7. Tab to the Arguments column and enter 1. This values corresponds to Acquire Exclusive System Lock. (If you were creating a schedule where multiple system lock jobs were to run, you would use 2 for the argument.)
  8. In the right pane, insert all other system job executables that you want to run while the system is locked, setting their arguments appropriately.
  9. In the left pane, either run the schedule immediately using the right-click Run Job command or set a time for execution as desired. When the schedule runs, the system locks the system to prevent access to users other than those with a System Lock Administrator security profile; runs the system jobs included in the schedule; and finally unlocks the system.
Note: Once the system job starts, all users will remain logged onto the system. However, if a user without a System Lock Administrator security profile attempts to take any action in the system (such as displaying a new window or performing a right-click command), he or she will be logged off of the system.
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