Here you can find information about the different program statuses and the actions that you can perform on a program. This can be found in the program list under Automation > Automation Programs or in the top right corner of the workspace.
Introduction
The program status is shown in the program list and can also be seen in the workspace. To change the status of the program, click the drop-down in the top right corner.
The available options will depend on the current status. Next to each action is an explanation of what effect this has on contacts who are eligible to enter the program and what happens to contacts who are already in it.

Program status
For more information on how programs behave in different states, see Changing your program's status.
A program can be in one of the following statuses:
- In Design
The program is currently being worked on and has not yet been activated. The program is fully editable.
- In Testing
The program is currently being tested. Contacts can enter the program and they can progress along it based on the test configuration. For more information, see Testing programs.
- In Testing (Frozen)
Testing has been suspended temporarily. Contacts cannot enter the program. Contacts already in the program are queued at their next node. For more information, see Freezing the test.
- Active
The program is complete, has passed all validation checks and is now live. Contacts can enter the program, progress along it as defined, and actions and responses are tracked for reporting.
- Paused
The program has been Paused. Contacts can enter the program, but they will not advance in it. Contacts already in the program are queued at the next node. Only Active programs can be Paused.
For more details, see Pausing, freezing and aborting programs.
- Error/Fail-safe - This is a sub-category of the Paused status, but this happens only if there is a problem during the execution of the program, and only Emarsys can re-activate the program.
For more details on the Fail-safe status, see Programs in Fail-safe.
- Frozen
As per Paused, but closed to incoming contacts.
For more details, see Pausing, freezing and aborting programs.
- Finished
Once a program reaches the end point defined in the Scheduling dialog box, it is finished. No more contacts can enter the program, but the contacts in the program can continue to progress along it until they finish it one way or another. Finished programs cannot be edited or reactivated.
- Scheduled
The program has been Launched, but has a start date that is in the future. You can edit Scheduled programs, except for their participation settings.
- Aborted
The program has been Aborted and all contacts in it will exit immediately. Aborted programs cannot be edited or reactivated.
For more details, see Pausing, freezing and aborting programs.
Program actions
You can perform the following actions on a program:
- Test
This puts the program to the state In Testing. Contacts can enter the program and progress along it based on the test configurations.
- Freeze Testing
This puts the program to the state In Testing (Frozen). Contacts cannot enter the program. Contacts already in the program are queued at their next node.
- Resume Testing
This puts the program to the state In Testing. Contacts can enter the program and progress along it based on the test configurations.
- Activate
This puts the program to the state Active. A program can only be activated if it has passed all validation checks.
- Pause
This puts the program to the state Paused. Only Active programs can be paused. If a program is paused, all contacts in it are queued and processed when it is reactivated. Contacts that would normally enter the program during this time are also queued and enter it when it is active again.
Important:
- The status of Paused programs changes to Frozen after three days. As opposed to Aborted programs, Frozen programs keep their participation settings and data, and they can be reactivated.
- Pausing a program should be a temporary action. If you want to suspend program activity for longer than three days, you should use the freeze function instead.
- Resume
This puts a Paused or Frozen program to the state Active. Only Paused or Frozen programs can be resumed.
- Freeze
This pauses a running program and closes it for incoming contacts.
- End
This closes the program for incoming contacts but allows those already in it to progress and complete their journey.
- Abort
This stops all activity in the program, closes it for incoming contacts and all contacts already in the program will exit immediately.