Can I use FTP to start a Unix based application

[SBendBuckeye]

I am trying to automate a process for a client. All of the pieces are on the NT Server except for one Reflections application which runs on a Unix box.

Several years ago I had a very small, indirect role in a project that used batch FTP. Is there a way to shell out to the operating system and run an FTP script to kickoff the Unix application? If so, how do I know when it has completed and can it return any status information which would indicate successful completion?

I know these are very basic questions, so please accept my apologies if there are obvious answers to my questions.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestion you can give me and have a great day!

 

[SBendBuckeye]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I am using Access as an application server. If anyone is interested, the piecess will be as follows:

A. Check incoming email and initiate automation process if
a messge contains indicator string in Subject

B. Save Excel file attached to message above

C. Validate Excel file and save

D. Initiate Reflection session to run scripting process

E. Audit Reflection output against input file and report

F. eMail selected list notifying them the process completed

Have a great day!