XML based scripting framework, and methods of providing automated interactions with remote systems

A method of creating an XML based framework to perform automated forecasting includes sending a file from a local host computer to a remote computer, receiving a file at the local host computer from the remote computer, installing the received file on the local host computer, and executing commands on the local host computer and the remote computer. Executing a command on the remote computer includes reading a run file and a host definition file. A framework for interacting between the local host computer and the remote computer is determined based on types of XML tags, the XML tags including at least one of a start of a tag, end of a tag, and text between the start of a tag and the end of a tag. Computer program products for creating an XML based framework to perform automated forecasting are also described.