You could schedule it as a task to start at boot (as opposed to logon), but the tray icon won't be there.

I agree that they need to revamp it to a service-style model, which would also resolve UAC issues if done properly.

I don't think the software has to be running for it to cutoff the system using the ATX pass-through switch. If this were the case it couldn't have prevented my computer from booting up when the pump was disabled, but it did. I don't know what parameters it uses when the software isnt' loaded, but there are some.

Ideally the user could select options and have them saved to the firmware of the board instead of relying on the software interface.