Changing the type of Robots Agent

You can change the type of Robots Agent used by your company's Robots instance. You can change between the two types of agent:

  • on-premise
  • cloud-based

You must choose one type of agent or the other. You cannot use both types simultaneously.

The Robots Agent runs ACL scripts in ACL robots. Python/HCL scripts that run in HighBond robots or Workflow robots do not use the Robots Agent. They use the cloud-based Python engine.

Note

Changing the type of agent is not supported for organizations using GovCloud, or individuals using ACL Robotics Professional Edition.

Considerations

Before changing the type of Robots Agent used by your company, make sure you understand the implications of the change.

If changing the type of agent means you will be changing to a different version of the agent, review the Release notes for any possible implications related to changing versions. The cloud-based Robots Agent is always the most recent version, currently version 17.0.

When you change the type of Robots Agent, any passwords saved with tasks are deleted and must be re-entered.

Why would I want to change the type of Robots Agent?

Typically, you change the type of Robots Agent so that you can use the agent best suited to your company's needs.

Type of agent Description
On-premise Robots Agent
  • supports working with data stored on your network
  • no imposed capacity limitations
  • greater number of source data options
  • requires initial set-up, periodic upgrading, and involvement of your IT department
Cloud-based Robots Agent
  • primarily works with data stored securely in the cloud
  • capacity and source data limitations
  • no set-up, upgrading, or IT department involvement required

For detailed information about the difference between the on-premise and cloud-based Robots Agent, see Robots specifications and limits.

Note

If you use ACL Robotics to integrate with Rsam cloud, you need the cloud-based Robots Agent and should not change to an on-premise Robots Agent.

Change the type of Robots Agent

Note

You must have the Manage Agent permission to change the type of agent.

Changing to an on-premise Robots Agent requires that the agent is installed on a Windows server on your organization's local network. For more information, see Installing or upgrading an on-premise Robots Agent.

  1. Open the Robots app.
  2. In the upper-right corner of the dashboard, click Settings.
  3. In the left-hand pane, click Agent management.
  4. Do one of the following:

    Change to an on-premise Robots Agent

    1. Click Replace cloud agent.
    2. Review the notification information and click Next step.

      The Register agent dialog box appears.

    3. Follow the procedure for Manually registering an on-premise Robots Agent.

      Your installation of Robots is updated to use an on-premise Robots Agent.

    Change to a cloud-based Robots Agent

    1. Click Replace on-premise agent.
    2. Review the notification information and click Next step.

      Your installation of Robots is updated to use a cloud-based Robots Agent.