FastTrack Scripting Host

FastTrack Automation Studio (formerly known as FastTrack Scripting Host) – often referred to as just FastTrack – is a scripting language for Windows IT System Administrators. The product’s goal is to handle any kind of scripting that might be required to automate processes with Microsoft Windows networks. The web site of the product is located at www.fasttrackscript.com.

Manufacturer

FastTrack is produced by FastTrack Software, which is headquartered in Aalborg, Denmark. The product is promoted by the manufacturer as a one-stop shop for Windows script writers and its development paradigm is “one operation = one script line”. Script writers use a purpose-built editor to create scripts, inserting script lines via menus, drag’n drop or simply typing them in. Scripts may be used out of the box, created from scratch, imported from forums or other users, or customized from product documentation.

Types of scripts

Simple scripts include:

• Outlook Signatures
• Login scripts
• Backup and replication scripts
• Inventory and asset management
• Automated Windows OS installation and deployment^[1]
• Automated application software deployment
• Active Directory scripts

More advanced scripts include:

• SCCM task sequences
• Citrix ICA and RDP Clients built-in
• Deploying applications to server farms
• Deploying GPO MSI files
• SQL Server scripts

Basic structure

Under the hood, scripts comprise commands, functions, collections and conditions. When a script is executed, these components are converted into many lines of C# code, sometimes hundreds of lines, depending on the particular script operation. Scripts can be compiled into EXE files or MSI packages and treated as standalone Windows applications.

History

FastTrack Scripting Host (FastTrack) was first developed around 2006 to ease the administration burden of IT System Administrators on Windows networks.^[2]

Product idea

The idea for the product came from founder and President of FastTrack Software, Lars Pedersen, who has a background in systems administration. Previously with Telenor, Denmark’s major telephone company, Pedersen performed various roles in systems administration, programming and web development. He also worked as a consultant and developer on several major projects at various companies in Europe. Dissatisfied from his own experiences and frustrations administering Windows networks, Pederson looked for a way to make life easier for system administrators. In particular, he wanted something that could minimize the amount of time needed each day to perform routine and mundane tasks, which was a waste of time and expertise that should have been committed to other projects.

Development

Leading a small team of developers, Pedersen developed FastTrack Scripting Host to simplify and automate the routine tasks of system administrators. The resulting product is definitely a scripting language, but it can be used intuitively like a programming language, without requiring users to learn syntax or other concepts typically associated with programming languages.

Marketing

In April 2010, FastTrack Software entered into an agreement with Binary Research International, based in the city of Milwaukee, United States to market and sell the product globally.

Awards

FSH received a Windows IT Pro Community Choice award in 2012.^[3]

Versions

The first version was produced in June 2006 and contained 51 components, which are the commands, functions, conditions and collections making up FastTrack. The following table summarizes dates and components for major releases. Companies and organizations such as NOAA, Kawasaki, and Goodyear have used and implemented the FastTrack Scripting Host.^[4]

Comparison with other scripting software

• FastTrack Scripting Host
• Kixtart
• PowerShell^[5]
• ScriptLogic
• VBScript

References