You make my feel younger (or less older)!!
I'am developing a an aviation control system for a south american country and, of course, use a lot of realtime processing.
But there are alot of tasks which do not require user input and aren't time critical, like:
-Dayly checklist
-Warning reports for future events (more than 24 hs ahead)
-Database requests from other countries to consolidate flight information databases arround the world

My core process is a C-programm running 24/7/365, feeding a MYSQL-databse.
User have a web-interface writen in PHP.
BATCH processes are also writen in PHP and CRON-started. Error reporting goes to TXT-logfiles and critical errors result in e-mail and SMS messages, also CRON-initiated.
BATCH-PROCESSES are like a break in our (insane) all-instant-way-of-life.