Can Support explain how you set up point two now as I know no way of doing that. Nothing in the manuals as far as I can see as well.
As regards point three I have asked in the past for a function to be developed that would need three parameters. The two above which support says already is catered for (?) and a calendar name. Then developers could use the function in a process which we can schedule ourselves, hence get the automation we need. This to me is an easier exercise for support rather than a full blown automation feature and would satisfy most peoples needs I believe.
Cheers Rod