diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..360858048
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.java
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+package org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet;
+
+import java.util.Map;
+
+import org.springframework.batch.repeat.ExitStatus;
+import org.springframework.util.Assert;
+
+/**
+ * Maps exit codes to {@link org.springframework.batch.repeat.ExitStatus} 
+ * according to injected map. The injected map is required to contain a value 
+ * for 'else' key, this value will be returned if the injected map 
+ * does not contain value for the exit code returned by the system process.
+ * 
+ * @author Robert Kasanicky
+ */
+public class ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper implements SystemProcessExitCodeMapper {
+	
+	public static final String ELSE_KEY = "else";
+	
+	private Map mappings;
+
+	public ExitStatus getExitStatus(int exitCode) {
+		ExitStatus exitStatus = (ExitStatus) mappings.get(new Integer(exitCode));
+		if (exitStatus != null) {
+			return exitStatus;
+		} else {
+			return (ExitStatus) mappings.get(ELSE_KEY);
+		}
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * @param mappings <code>Integer</code> exit code keys to 
+	 * {@link org.springframework.batch.repeat.ExitStatus} values.
+	 */
+	public void setMappings(Map mappings) {
+		Assert.notNull(mappings.get(ELSE_KEY));
+		this.mappings = mappings;
+	}
+
+}
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..380ec2a05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.java
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet;
+
+import org.springframework.batch.repeat.ExitStatus;
+
+/**
+ * Simple {@link SystemProcessExitCodeMapper} implementation that performs following mapping:
+ * 
+ * 0 	-> ExitStatus.FINISHED
+ * else	-> ExitStatus.FAILED
+ * 
+ * @author Robert Kasanicky
+ */
+public class SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper implements SystemProcessExitCodeMapper {
+	public ExitStatus getExitStatus(int exitCode) {
+		if (exitCode == 0) {
+			return ExitStatus.FINISHED;
+		} else {
+			return ExitStatus.FAILED;
+		}
+	}
+
+}
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemCommandException.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemCommandException.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..148de6e31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemCommandException.java
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+package org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet;
+
+/**
+ * Exception indicating failed execution of system command.
+ */
+public class SystemCommandException extends RuntimeException {
+	
+	// generated
+	private static final long serialVersionUID = 5139355923336176733L;
+
+	public SystemCommandException(String message) {
+		super(message);
+	}
+	
+	public SystemCommandException(String message, Throwable cause) {
+		super(message, cause);
+	}
+}
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemCommandTasklet.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemCommandTasklet.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..816e19ff6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemCommandTasklet.java
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+package org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet;
+
+import java.io.File;
+import java.io.IOException;
+
+import org.springframework.batch.core.step.tasklet.Tasklet;
+import org.springframework.batch.repeat.ExitStatus;
+import org.springframework.beans.factory.InitializingBean;
+import org.springframework.util.Assert;
+
+/**
+ * {@link Tasklet} that executes a system command.
+ * 
+ * The system command is executed in a new thread - timeout value is required to
+ * be set, so that the batch job does not hang forever if the external process
+ * hangs.
+ * 
+ * @author Robert Kasanicky
+ */
+public class SystemCommandTasklet implements Tasklet, InitializingBean {
+
+	private String command;
+
+	private String[] environmentParams = null;
+
+	private File workingDirectory = null;
+
+	private SystemProcessExitCodeMapper systemProcessExitCodeMapper = new SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper();
+
+	private long timeout = 0;
+
+	/**
+	 * Execute system command and map its exit code to {@link ExitStatus} using
+	 * {@link SystemProcessExitCodeMapper}.
+	 */
+	public ExitStatus execute() throws Exception {
+		ExecutorThread executorThread = new ExecutorThread();
+		executorThread.start();
+		executorThread.join(timeout);
+
+		if (executorThread.finishedSuccessfully) {
+			return systemProcessExitCodeMapper.getExitStatus(executorThread.exitCode);
+		}
+		else {
+			executorThread.interrupt();
+			throw new SystemCommandException(
+					"Execution of system command failed (did not finish successfully within the timeout)");
+		}
+
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * @param command command to be executed in a separate system process
+	 */
+	public void setCommand(String command) {
+		this.command = command;
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * @param envp environment parameter values, inherited from parent process
+	 * when not set (or set to null).
+	 */
+	public void setEnvironmentParams(String[] envp) {
+		this.environmentParams = envp;
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * @param dir working directory of the spawned process, inherited from
+	 * parent process when not set (or set to null).
+	 */
+	public void setWorkingDirectory(String dir) {
+		if (dir == null) {
+			this.workingDirectory = null;
+			return;
+		}
+		this.workingDirectory = new File(dir);
+		Assert.isTrue(workingDirectory.exists(), "working directory must exist");
+		Assert.isTrue(workingDirectory.isDirectory(), "working directory value must be a directory");
+
+	}
+
+	public void afterPropertiesSet() throws Exception {
+		Assert.hasLength(command, "'command' property value is required");
+		Assert.notNull(systemProcessExitCodeMapper, "SystemProcessExitCodeMapper must be set");
+		Assert.isTrue(timeout > 0, "timeout value must be greater than zero");
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * @param systemProcessExitCodeMapper maps system process return value to
+	 * <code>ExitStatus</code> returned by Tasklet.
+	 * {@link SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper} is used by default.
+	 */
+	public void setSystemProcessExitCodeMapper(SystemProcessExitCodeMapper systemProcessExitCodeMapper) {
+		this.systemProcessExitCodeMapper = systemProcessExitCodeMapper;
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * @param timeout upper limit for how long the execution of the external
+	 * program is allowed to last.
+	 */
+	public void setTimeout(long timeout) {
+		this.timeout = timeout;
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Thread that executes the system command.
+	 */
+	private class ExecutorThread extends Thread {
+		volatile int exitCode = -1;
+
+		volatile boolean finishedSuccessfully = false;
+
+		public void run() {
+			try {
+				Process process = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(command, environmentParams, workingDirectory);
+				exitCode = process.waitFor();
+				finishedSuccessfully = true;
+			}
+			catch (IOException e) {
+				throw new SystemCommandException("IO error while executing system command", e);
+			}
+			catch (InterruptedException e) {
+				throw new SystemCommandException("Interrupted while executing system command", e);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+}
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemProcessExitCodeMapper.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemProcessExitCodeMapper.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..02101a5ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemProcessExitCodeMapper.java
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+package org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet;
+
+import org.springframework.batch.repeat.ExitStatus;
+
+/**
+ * Maps the exit code of a system process to ExitStatus value
+ * returned by a system command. Designed for use with the
+ * {@link SystemCommandTasklet}.
+ * 
+ * @author Robert Kasanicky
+ */
+public interface SystemProcessExitCodeMapper {
+	
+	/** 
+	 * @param exitCode exit code returned by the system process
+	 * @return ExitStatus appropriate for the <code>systemExitCode</code> parameter value
+	 */
+	ExitStatus getExitStatus(int exitCode);
+}
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/resources/jobs/taskletJob.xml b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/resources/jobs/taskletJob.xml
index 38c5c2414..e81b3b978 100644
--- a/spring-batch-samples/src/main/resources/jobs/taskletJob.xml
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/main/resources/jobs/taskletJob.xml
@@ -14,20 +14,35 @@
 		is the kind of task that is not natural to split into read and
 		write. In this case the step is wrapped in a standalone job,
 		however typically it would be a setup step in a multi-step job.
+
+		The second step illustrates executing a system command.
 	</description>
 
 	<bean id="taskletJob" parent="simpleJob">
 		<property name="steps">
-			<bean id="deleteFilesInDir" parent="taskletStep">
-				<property name="tasklet">
-					<bean
-						class="org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet.FileDeletingTasklet">
-						<property name="directoryResource"
-							ref="directory" />
-					</bean>
-				</property>
-			</bean>
+			<list>
+				<bean id="deleteFilesInDir" parent="taskletStep">
+					<property name="tasklet">
+						<bean
+							class="org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet.FileDeletingTasklet">
+							<property name="directoryResource"
+								ref="directory" />
+						</bean>
+					</property>
+				</bean>
+				<bean id="executeSystemCommand" parent="taskletStep">
+					<property name="tasklet">
+						<bean
+							class="org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet.SystemCommandTasklet">
+							<property name="command" value="echo hello" />
+							<!-- 5 second timeout for the command to complete -->
+							<property name="timeout" value="5000" />
+						</bean>
+					</property>
+				</bean>
+			</list>
 		</property>
+
 	</bean>
 
 	<bean id="directory"
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapperTests.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapperTests.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b1f4a7491
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapperTests.java
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet;
+
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.Iterator;
+import java.util.Map;
+
+import junit.framework.TestCase;
+
+import org.springframework.batch.repeat.ExitStatus;
+import org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet.ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper;
+
+/**
+ * Tests for {@link ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper}
+ */
+public class ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapperTests extends TestCase {
+
+	private ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper mapper = new ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper();
+	
+	/**
+	 * Regular usage scenario - mapping adheres to injected values
+	 */
+	public void testMapping() {
+		Map mappings = new HashMap() {{
+			put(new Integer(0), ExitStatus.FINISHED);
+			put(new Integer(1), ExitStatus.FAILED);
+			put(new Integer(2), ExitStatus.CONTINUABLE);
+			put(new Integer(3), ExitStatus.NOOP);
+			put(new Integer(4), ExitStatus.UNKNOWN);
+			put(ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.ELSE_KEY, ExitStatus.UNKNOWN);
+		}};
+		
+		mapper.setMappings(mappings);
+		
+		//check explicitly defined values
+		for (Iterator iterator = mappings.entrySet().iterator(); iterator.hasNext();) {
+			Map.Entry entry = (Map.Entry) iterator.next();
+			if (entry.getKey().equals(ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.ELSE_KEY)) continue;
+			
+			int exitCode = ((Integer)entry.getKey()).intValue();
+			assertSame(entry.getValue(), mapper.getExitStatus(exitCode));
+		}
+		
+		//check the else clause
+		assertSame(mappings.get(ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.ELSE_KEY),
+				mapper.getExitStatus(5));
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Else clause is required in the injected map - setter checks its presence.
+	 */
+	public void testSetMappingsMissingElseClause() {
+		Map missingElse = Collections.EMPTY_MAP;
+		try {
+			mapper.setMappings(missingElse);
+			fail();
+		}
+		catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+			// expected
+		}
+		
+		Map containsElse = new HashMap() {{
+			put(ConfigurableSystemProcessExitCodeMapper.ELSE_KEY, ExitStatus.FAILED);
+		}};
+		// no error expected now
+		mapper.setMappings(containsElse);
+	}
+	
+}
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapperTests.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapperTests.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..eff39a352
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapperTests.java
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+package org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet;
+
+import junit.framework.TestCase;
+
+import org.springframework.batch.repeat.ExitStatus;
+import org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet.SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper;
+
+/**
+ * Tests for {@link SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper}.
+ */
+public class SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapperTests extends TestCase {
+
+	private SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper mapper = new SimpleSystemProcessExitCodeMapper();
+	
+	/**
+	 * 0 	-> ExitStatus.FINISHED
+	 * else	-> ExitStatus.FAILED
+	 */
+	public void testMapping() {
+		assertEquals(ExitStatus.FINISHED, mapper.getExitStatus(0));
+		assertEquals(ExitStatus.FAILED, mapper.getExitStatus(1));
+		assertEquals(ExitStatus.FAILED, mapper.getExitStatus(-1));
+	}
+}
diff --git a/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemCommandTaskletIntegrationTests.java b/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemCommandTaskletIntegrationTests.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..865268297
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spring-batch-samples/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/sample/tasklet/SystemCommandTaskletIntegrationTests.java
@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+package org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet;
+
+import java.io.File;
+
+import junit.framework.TestCase;
+
+import org.apache.commons.logging.Log;
+import org.apache.commons.logging.LogFactory;
+import org.springframework.batch.repeat.ExitStatus;
+import org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet.SystemCommandException;
+import org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet.SystemCommandTasklet;
+import org.springframework.batch.sample.tasklet.SystemProcessExitCodeMapper;
+import org.springframework.util.Assert;
+
+/**
+ * Tests for {@link SystemCommandTasklet}.
+ */
+public class SystemCommandTaskletIntegrationTests extends TestCase {
+
+	private static final Log log = LogFactory.getLog(SystemCommandTaskletIntegrationTests.class);
+
+	private SystemCommandTasklet tasklet = new SystemCommandTasklet();
+
+	protected void setUp() throws Exception {
+		tasklet.setEnvironmentParams(null); // inherit from parent process
+		tasklet.setWorkingDirectory(null); // inherit from parent process
+		tasklet.setSystemProcessExitCodeMapper(new TestExitCodeMapper());
+		tasklet.setTimeout(5000); // long enough timeout
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Regular usage scenario - successful execution of system command.
+	 */
+	public void testExecute() throws Exception {
+		String command = "java -version";
+		tasklet.setCommand(command);
+		tasklet.afterPropertiesSet();
+
+		log.info("Executing command: " + command);
+		ExitStatus exitStatus = tasklet.execute();
+
+		assertEquals(ExitStatus.FINISHED, exitStatus);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Failed execution scenario - error exit code returned by system command.
+	 */
+	public void testExecuteFailure() throws Exception {
+		String command = "java -invalid-argument";
+		tasklet.setCommand(command);
+		tasklet.afterPropertiesSet();
+
+		log.info("Executing command: " + command);
+		ExitStatus exitStatus = tasklet.execute();
+
+		assertEquals(ExitStatus.FAILED, exitStatus);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Failed execution scenario - execution time exceeds timeout.
+	 */
+	public void testExecuteTimeout() throws Exception {
+		String command = "sleep 3";
+		tasklet.setCommand(command);
+		tasklet.setTimeout(10);
+		tasklet.afterPropertiesSet();
+
+		log.info("Executing command: " + command);
+		try {
+			tasklet.execute();
+			fail();
+		}
+		catch (SystemCommandException e) {
+			assertTrue(e.getMessage().contains("did not finish successfully within the timeout"));
+		}
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Command property value is required to be set.
+	 */
+	public void testCommandNotSet() throws Exception {
+		tasklet.setCommand(null);
+		try {
+			tasklet.afterPropertiesSet();
+			fail();
+		}
+		catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+			// expected
+		}
+
+		tasklet.setCommand("");
+		try {
+			tasklet.afterPropertiesSet();
+			fail();
+		}
+		catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+			// expected
+		}
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Timeout must be set to non-zero value.
+	 */
+	public void testTimeoutNotSet() throws Exception {
+		tasklet.setCommand("not-empty placeholder");
+		tasklet.setTimeout(0);
+		try {
+			tasklet.afterPropertiesSet();
+			fail();
+		}
+		catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+			// expected
+		}
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Working directory property must point to an existing location and it must
+	 * be a directory
+	 */
+	public void testWorkingDirectory() throws Exception {
+		File notExistingFile = new File("not-existing-path");
+		Assert.state(!notExistingFile.exists());
+
+		try {
+			tasklet.setWorkingDirectory(notExistingFile.getCanonicalPath());
+			fail();
+		}
+		catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+			// expected
+		}
+
+		File notDirectory = File.createTempFile(this.getClass().getSimpleName(), null);
+		Assert.state(notDirectory.exists());
+		Assert.state(!notDirectory.isDirectory());
+
+		try {
+			tasklet.setWorkingDirectory(notDirectory.getCanonicalPath());
+			fail();
+		}
+		catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
+			// expected
+		}
+
+		File directory = notDirectory.getParentFile();
+		Assert.state(directory.exists());
+		Assert.state(directory.isDirectory());
+
+		// no error expected now
+		tasklet.setWorkingDirectory(directory.getCanonicalPath());
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Exit code mapper containing mapping logic expected by the tests. 0 means
+	 * finished successfully, other value means failure.
+	 */
+	private static class TestExitCodeMapper implements SystemProcessExitCodeMapper {
+
+		public ExitStatus getExitStatus(int exitCode) {
+			if (exitCode == 0) {
+				return ExitStatus.FINISHED;
+			} else {
+				return ExitStatus.FAILED;
+			}
+		}
+
+	}
+
+}