For Autodesk Vault Professional users, automating routine tasks such as PDF creation, BOM exports, or property updates is more than a productivity boost. It is a necessity for maintaining speed and consistency. At the heart of that automation is the Vault Job Processor. For organizations that need greater flexibility and smarter automation, COOLORANGE’s powerJobs adds significant power to the equation.
This article walks you through how to configure job processing in Vault, how to avoid common mistakes, and when it makes sense to go beyond the default tools. It also answers practical questions Vault users frequently ask, particularly around licensing, multi-site environments, and system performance.
The Vault Job Processor is an automation utility that executes background tasks triggered by Vault events, such as changing a lifecycle state or releasing a file. It processes these jobs one at a time from a queue and can be deployed in two ways:
Importantly, the Job Processor consumes a Vault license, not an Inventor license. This is because it uses Inventor Server, a headless version of Inventor that runs without launching the full interface. It allows Inventor-based tasks like DWF or PDF publishing to be processed efficiently and silently.
More on this setup here
Although it is technically possible to install the Job Processor on every client machine, this approach introduces several problems. These include difficulty managing job filters and permissions, risk of incorrect output (for example, color vs. black-and-white PDFs), and performance issues from running both Inventor and the processor at the same time.
Using a dedicated machine is a cleaner and more reliable solution. It is always available and free from user interference. It ensures uniform configuration and stable performance. It also avoids resource conflicts and licensing issues.
If you are working with powerJobs, keep in mind that each active Job Processor machine requires its own powerJobs Processor license.
Tip: A team of up to five users may not need a dedicated processor. However, as your team grows or the number of jobs increases, a dedicated setup becomes increasingly important.
If you are using Vault in a replicated or multi-site environment:
This approach ensures that tasks are processed without cross-site delays and that local rules are respected.
To prevent users from unintentionally running the Job Processor, remove the Job Queue Reserve role from general user groups. This keeps job execution limited to the correct machine or account.
Additional tips:
Can I run multiple Job Processors?
Yes, and in multi-site environments, this is a requirement. However, running processors on many client machines without clear coordination often leads to confusion and errors. A centralized approach is recommended unless your setup requires otherwise.
Can I run Inventor and Job Processor on the same workstation?
Yes, but it requires careful setup. By default, the Vault Job Processor uses something called Inventor Server, a lightweight, background version of Inventor that runs without the full user interface. This allows jobs like PDF or DWF publishing to be executed without consuming an Inventor license.
However, if you're also running full Inventor on the same machine at the same time, this can cause runtime conflicts between:
These conflicts may result in:
Best Practice
If you plan to run Vault Job Processor on the same machine where someone is actively using Inventor, configure the Job Processor to use full Inventor instead of Inventor Server. This reduces conflicts because:
This method is slightly slower, but much more stable when sharing a machine.
Do I need a Vault license for the Job Processor?
Yes. Each machine running the Job Processor needs a Vault user license.
How many powerJobs licenses are required?
You will need one powerJobs Processor license for each processor machine. You also need one powerJobs Client license for each user who wants to define or trigger jobs.
powerJobs enhances Vault’s capabilities with intelligent job filtering, priority settings, and advanced automation. You can:
These features help avoid processing delays and make it easier to manage high volumes of job requests.
Setting up job processing in Autodesk Vault is not just about enabling automation. It is about building a system that is stable, scalable, and easy to maintain. A poorly configured setup can lead to confusion, errors, and lost productivity.
Following best practices and using tools like powerJobs allows you to build an efficient and flexible automation environment. If you are uncertain about your current configuration or would like support in optimizing your workflow, feel free to reach out. Our team is here to help you get the most out of Vault automation.