diff --git a/tailbone/progress.py b/tailbone/progress.py
index 0879025b..90fa21be 100644
--- a/tailbone/progress.py
+++ b/tailbone/progress.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 ################################################################################
 #
 #  Rattail -- Retail Software Framework
-#  Copyright © 2010-2017 Lance Edgar
+#  Copyright © 2010-2018 Lance Edgar
 #
 #  This file is part of Rattail.
 #
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals, absolute_import
 
 import os
 
+from rattail.progress import ProgressBase
+
 from beaker.session import Session
 
 
@@ -43,7 +45,7 @@ def get_progress_session(request, key, **kwargs):
     return session
 
 
-class SessionProgress(object):
+class SessionProgress(ProgressBase):
     """
     Provides a session-based progress bar mechanism.
 
@@ -82,6 +84,3 @@ class SessionProgress(object):
             self.session['value'] = value
             self.session.save()
         return not self.canceled
-
-    def destroy(self):
-        pass
diff --git a/tailbone/templates/progress.mako b/tailbone/templates/progress.mako
index c378a986..2df195ff 100644
--- a/tailbone/templates/progress.mako
+++ b/tailbone/templates/progress.mako
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 
       updater = setInterval(function() {update_progress()}, 1000);
 
+      % if can_cancel:
       $(function() {
 
           $('#cancel button').click(function() {
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@
           });
 
       });
+      % endif
 
       </script>
   </head>
@@ -60,9 +62,11 @@
               </table><!-- #progress -->
             </td>
             <td id="percentage"></td>
+            % if can_cancel:
             <td id="cancel">
               <button type="button" style="display: none;">Cancel</button>
             </td>
+            % endif
           </tr>
         </table><!-- #progress-wrapper -->
 
@@ -86,10 +90,14 @@
                   } else if (data.complete || data.maximum) {
                       $('#message').html(data.message);
                       $('#total').html('('+data.maximum_display+' total)');
+                      % if can_cancel:
                       $('#cancel button').show();
+                      % endif
                       if (data.complete) {
                           clearInterval(updater);
+                          % if can_cancel:
                           $('#cancel button').hide();
+                          % endif
                           $('#total').html('done!');
                           $('#complete').css('width', '100%');
                           $('#remaining').hide();
diff --git a/tailbone/views/batch/core.py b/tailbone/views/batch/core.py
index d7c3794c..150dd560 100644
--- a/tailbone/views/batch/core.py
+++ b/tailbone/views/batch/core.py
@@ -27,18 +27,24 @@ Base views for maintaining "new-style" batches.
 from __future__ import unicode_literals, absolute_import
 
 import os
+import sys
 import datetime
 import logging
+import socket
+import subprocess
 import tempfile
 from six import StringIO
 
+import json
 import six
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from sqlalchemy import orm
 
 from rattail.db import model, Session as RattailSession
+from rattail.db.util import short_session
 from rattail.threads import Thread
 from rattail.util import load_object, prettify
+from rattail.progress import SocketProgress
 
 import colander
 import deform
@@ -57,6 +63,10 @@ from tailbone.util import csrf_token
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+class EverythingComplete(Exception):
+    pass
+
+
 class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
     """
     Base class for all "batch master" views.
@@ -696,43 +706,225 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
             return self.handler.get_execute_title(batch)
         return "Execute Batch"
 
+    def handler_action(self, batch, action, **kwargs):
+        """
+        View which will attempt to refresh all data for the batch.  What
+        exactly this means will depend on the type of batch etc.
+        """
+        route_prefix = self.get_route_prefix()
+        permission_prefix = self.get_permission_prefix()
+
+        user = self.request.user
+        user_uuid = user.uuid if user else None
+        username = user.username if user else None
+
+        key = '{}.{}'.format(self.model_class.__tablename__, action)
+        progress = SessionProgress(self.request, key)
+
+        # must ensure versioning is *disabled* during action, if handler says so
+        allow_versioning = self.handler.allow_versioning(action)
+        if not allow_versioning and self.rattail_config.versioning_enabled():
+            can_cancel = False
+
+            # make socket for progress thread to listen to action thread
+            sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
+            sock.bind(('127.0.0.1', 0))
+            sock.listen(1)
+            port = sock.getsockname()[1]
+
+            # launch thread to monitor progress
+            success_url = self.get_action_url('view', batch)
+            thread = Thread(target=self.progress_thread, args=(sock, success_url, progress))
+            thread.start()
+
+            # launch thread to invoke handler action
+            thread = Thread(target=self.action_subprocess_thread, args=(batch.uuid, port, username, action, progress))
+            thread.start()
+
+        else: # either versioning is disabled, or handler doesn't mind
+            can_cancel = True
+
+            # launch thread to populate batch; that will update session progress directly
+            target = getattr(self, '{}_thread'.format(action))
+            thread = Thread(target=target, args=(batch.uuid, user_uuid, progress), kwargs=kwargs)
+            thread.start()
+
+        return self.render_progress(progress, {
+            'can_cancel': can_cancel,
+            'cancel_url': self.get_action_url('view', batch),
+            'cancel_msg': "{} of batch was canceled.".format(action.capitalize()),
+        })
+
+    def progress_thread(self, sock, success_url, progress):
+        """
+        This method is meant to be used as a thread target.  Its job is to read
+        progress data from ``connection`` and update the session progress
+        accordingly.  When a final "process complete" indication is read, the
+        socket will be closed and the thread will end.
+        """
+        while True:
+            try:
+                self.process_progress(sock, progress)
+            except EverythingComplete:
+                break
+
+        # close server socket
+        sock.close()
+
+        # finalize session progress
+        progress.session.load()
+        progress.session['complete'] = True
+        if callable(success_url):
+            success_url = success_url()
+        progress.session['success_url'] = success_url
+        progress.session.save()
+
+    def process_progress(self, sock, progress):
+        """
+        This method will accept a client connection on the given socket, and
+        then update the given progress object according to data written by the
+        client.
+        """
+        connection, client_address = sock.accept()
+        active_progress = None
+
+        # TODO: make this configurable?
+        suffix = "\n\n.".encode('utf_8')
+        data = b''
+
+        # listen for progress info, update session progress as needed
+        while True:
+
+            # accumulate data bytestring until we see the suffix
+            byte = connection.recv(1)
+            data += byte
+            if data.endswith(suffix):
+
+                # strip suffix, interpret data as JSON
+                data = data[:-len(suffix)]
+                data = json.loads(data)
+
+                if data.get('everything_complete'):
+                    if active_progress:
+                        active_progress.finish()
+                    raise EverythingComplete
+
+                elif data.get('process_complete'):
+                    active_progress.finish()
+                    active_progress = None
+                    break
+
+                elif 'value' in data:
+                    if not active_progress:
+                        active_progress = progress(data['message'], data['maximum'])
+                    active_progress.update(data['value'])
+
+                # reset data buffer
+                data = b''
+
+        # close client connection
+        connection.close()
+
+    def launch_subprocess(self, port=None, username=None,
+                          command='rattail', command_args=None,
+                          subcommand=None, subcommand_args=None):
+
+        # construct command
+        cmd = [os.path.join(sys.prefix, 'bin/{}'.format(command))]
+        for path in self.rattail_config.files_read:
+            cmd.extend(['--config', path])
+        if username:
+            cmd.extend(['--runas', username])
+        if command_args:
+            cmd.extend(command_args)
+        cmd.extend([
+            '--progress',
+            '--progress-socket', '127.0.0.1:{}'.format(port),
+            subcommand,
+        ])
+        if subcommand_args:
+            cmd.extend(subcommand_args)
+
+        # run command in subprocess
+        subprocess.check_call(cmd)
+
+    def action_subprocess_thread(self, batch_uuid, port, username, action, progress):
+        """
+        This method is sort of an alternative thread target for batch actions,
+        to be used in the event versioning is enabled for the main process but
+        the handler says versioning must be avoided during the action.  It must
+        launch a separate process with versioning disabled in order to act on
+        the batch.
+        """
+        # invoke command to act on batch in separate process
+        try:
+            self.launch_subprocess(port=port, username=username,
+                                   command='rattail',
+                                   command_args=[
+                                       '--no-versioning',
+                                   ],
+                                   subcommand='{}-batch'.format(action),
+                                   subcommand_args=[
+                                       self.handler.batch_key,
+                                       batch_uuid,
+                                   ])
+        except Exception as error:
+            log.warning("%s of '%s' batch failed: %s", action, self.handler.batch_key, batch_uuid, exc_info=True)
+
+            # TODO: write error info to socket
+
+            # if progress:
+            #     progress.session.load()
+            #     progress.session['error'] = True
+            #     progress.session['error_msg'] = "Batch population failed: {} - {}".format(error.__class__.__name__, error)
+            #     progress.session.save()
+
+            return
+
+        models = getattr(self.handler, 'version_catchup_{}'.format(action), None)
+        if models:
+            self.catchup_versions(port, batch_uuid, username, *models)
+
+        suffix = "\n\n.".encode('utf_8')
+        cxn = socket.create_connection(('127.0.0.1', port))
+        cxn.send(json.dumps({
+            'everything_complete': True,
+        }))
+        cxn.send(suffix)
+        cxn.close()
+
+    def catchup_versions(self, port, batch_uuid, username, *models):
+        with short_session() as s:
+            batch = s.query(self.model_class).get(batch_uuid)
+            batch_id = batch.id_str
+            description = six.text_type(batch)
+
+        self.launch_subprocess(
+            port=port, username=username,
+            command='rattail',
+            subcommand='import-versions',
+            subcommand_args=[
+                '--comment',
+                "version catch-up for '{}' batch {}: {}".format(self.handler.batch_key, batch_id, description),
+            ] + list(models))
+
     def prefill(self):
         """
         View which will attempt to prefill all data for the batch.  What
         exactly this means will depend on the type of batch etc.
         """
         batch = self.get_instance()
-        route_prefix = self.get_route_prefix()
-        permission_prefix = self.get_permission_prefix()
+        return self.handler_action(batch, 'populate')
 
-        # showing progress requires a separate thread; start that first
-        key = '{}.prefill'.format(route_prefix)
-        progress = SessionProgress(self.request, key)
-        thread = Thread(target=self.prefill_thread, args=(batch.uuid, progress))
-        thread.start()
-
-        # Send user to progress page.
-        kwargs = {
-            'cancel_url': self.get_action_url('view', batch),
-            'cancel_msg': "Batch prefill was canceled.",
-        }
-
-        # TODO: This seems hacky...it exists for (only) one specific scenario.
-        if not self.request.has_perm('{}.view'.format(permission_prefix)):
-            kwargs['cancel_url'] = self.request.route_url('{}.create'.format(route_prefix))
-
-        return self.render_progress(progress, kwargs)
-
-    def prefill_thread(self, batch_uuid, progress):
+    def populate_thread(self, batch_uuid, user_uuid, progress, **kwargs):
         """
-        Thread target for prefilling batch data with progress indicator.
+        Thread target for populating batch data with progress indicator.
         """
         # mustn't use tailbone web session here
         session = RattailSession()
         batch = session.query(self.model_class).get(batch_uuid)
         try:
-            self.handler.populate(batch, progress=progress)
-            self.handler.refresh_batch_status(batch)
+            self.handler.do_populate(batch, progress=progress)
         except Exception as error:
             session.rollback()
             log.warning("batch population failed: %s", batch, exc_info=True)
@@ -761,56 +953,9 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
         exactly this means will depend on the type of batch etc.
         """
         batch = self.get_instance()
-        route_prefix = self.get_route_prefix()
-        permission_prefix = self.get_permission_prefix()
+        return self.handler_action(batch, 'refresh')
 
-        # TODO: deprecate / remove this
-        cognizer = self.request.user
-        if not cognizer:
-            uuid = self.request.session.pop('late_login_user', None)
-            cognizer = Session.query(model.User).get(uuid) if uuid else None
-
-        # TODO: refresh should probably always imply/use progress
-        # If handler doesn't declare the need for progress indicator, things
-        # are nice and simple.
-        if not getattr(self.handler, 'show_progress', True):
-            self.refresh_data(Session, batch, cognizer=cognizer)
-            self.request.session.flash("Batch data has been refreshed.")
-
-            # TODO: This seems hacky...it exists for (only) one specific scenario.
-            if not self.request.has_perm('{}.view'.format(permission_prefix)):
-                return self.redirect(self.request.route_url('{}.create'.format(route_prefix)))
-
-            return self.redirect(self.get_action_url('view', batch))
-
-        # Showing progress requires a separate thread; start that first.
-        key = '{}.refresh'.format(self.model_class.__tablename__)
-        progress = SessionProgress(self.request, key)
-        # success_url = self.request.route_url('vendors.scangenius.create') if not self.request.user else None
-        
-        # TODO: This seems hacky...it exists for (only) one specific scenario.
-        success_url = None
-        if not self.request.user:
-            success_url = self.request.route_url('{}.create'.format(route_prefix))
-            
-        thread = Thread(target=self.refresh_thread, args=(batch.uuid, progress,
-                                                          cognizer.uuid if cognizer else None,
-                                                          success_url))
-        thread.start()
-
-        # Send user to progress page.
-        kwargs = {
-            'cancel_url': self.get_action_url('view', batch),
-            'cancel_msg': "Batch refresh was canceled.",
-        }
-
-        # TODO: This seems hacky...it exists for (only) one specific scenario.
-        if not self.request.has_perm('{}.view'.format(permission_prefix)):
-            kwargs['cancel_url'] = self.request.route_url('{}.create'.format(route_prefix))
-
-        return self.render_progress(progress, kwargs)
-
-    def refresh_data(self, session, batch, cognizer=None, progress=None):
+    def refresh_data(self, session, batch, user, progress=None):
         """
         Instruct the batch handler to refresh all data for the batch.
         """
@@ -821,9 +966,10 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
             batch.cognized_by = cognizer or session.merge(self.request.user)
 
         else: # the future
-            self.handler.refresh(batch, progress=progress)
+            user = user or session.merge(self.request.user)
+            self.handler.do_refresh(batch, user, progress=progress)
 
-    def refresh_thread(self, batch_uuid, progress=None, cognizer_uuid=None, success_url=None):
+    def refresh_thread(self, batch_uuid, user_uuid, progress, **kwargs):
         """
         Thread target for refreshing batch data with progress indicator.
         """
@@ -832,9 +978,9 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
         # transaction binding etc.
         session = RattailSession()
         batch = session.query(self.model_class).get(batch_uuid)
-        cognizer = session.query(model.User).get(cognizer_uuid) if cognizer_uuid else None
+        cognizer = session.query(model.User).get(user_uuid) if user_uuid else None
         try:
-            self.refresh_data(session, batch, cognizer=cognizer, progress=progress)
+            self.refresh_data(session, batch, cognizer, progress=progress)
         except Exception as error:
             session.rollback()
             log.warning("refreshing data for batch failed: {}".format(batch), exc_info=True)
@@ -854,7 +1000,7 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
         if progress:
             progress.session.load()
             progress.session['complete'] = True
-            progress.session['success_url'] = success_url or self.get_action_url('view', batch)
+            progress.session['success_url'] = self.get_action_url('view', batch)
             progress.session.save()
 
     ########################################
@@ -943,16 +1089,7 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
             for key, value in form.validated.items():
                 self.request.session['batch.{}.execute_option.{}'.format(batch.batch_key, key)] = value
 
-            key = '{}.execute'.format(self.model_class.__tablename__)
-            progress = SessionProgress(self.request, key)
-            kwargs['progress'] = progress
-            thread = Thread(target=self.execute_thread, args=(batch.uuid, self.request.user.uuid), kwargs=kwargs)
-            thread.start()
-
-            return self.render_progress(progress, {
-                'cancel_url': self.get_action_url('view', batch),
-                'cancel_msg': "Batch execution was canceled.",
-            })
+            return self.handler_action(batch, 'execute', **kwargs)
 
         self.request.session.flash("Invalid request: {}".format(form.make_deform_form().error), 'error')
         return self.redirect(self.get_action_url('view', batch))
@@ -1003,7 +1140,7 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
     def execute_error_message(self, error):
         return "Batch execution failed: {}: {}".format(type(error).__name__, error)
 
-    def execute_thread(self, batch_uuid, user_uuid, progress=None, **kwargs):
+    def execute_thread(self, batch_uuid, user_uuid, progress, **kwargs):
         """
         Thread target for executing a batch with progress indicator.
         """
@@ -1014,7 +1151,7 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
         batch = session.query(self.model_class).get(batch_uuid)
         user = session.query(model.User).get(user_uuid)
         try:
-            result = self.handler.execute(batch, user=user, progress=progress, **kwargs)
+            result = self.handler.do_execute(batch, user=user, progress=progress, **kwargs)
 
         # If anything goes wrong, rollback and log the error etc.
         except Exception as error:
@@ -1030,8 +1167,6 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
         # If no error, check result flag (false means user canceled).
         else:
             if result:
-                batch.executed = datetime.datetime.utcnow()
-                batch.executed_by = user
                 session.commit()
                 # TODO: this doesn't always work...?
                 self.request.session.flash("{} has been executed: {}".format(
@@ -1159,7 +1294,7 @@ class BatchMasterView(MasterView):
         # else the perm group label will not display correctly...
         config.add_tailbone_permission_group(permission_prefix, model_title_plural, overwrite=False)
 
-        # prefill row data
+        # populate row data
         config.add_route('{}.prefill'.format(route_prefix), '{}/{{uuid}}/prefill'.format(url_prefix))
         config.add_view(cls, attr='prefill', route_name='{}.prefill'.format(route_prefix),
                         permission='{}.create'.format(permission_prefix))
diff --git a/tailbone/views/core.py b/tailbone/views/core.py
index 42addd76..daa6fc59 100644
--- a/tailbone/views/core.py
+++ b/tailbone/views/core.py
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ class View(object):
         if not template:
             template = '/progress.mako'
         kwargs['progress'] = progress
+        kwargs.setdefault('can_cancel', True)
         return render_to_response(template, kwargs, request=self.request)
 
     def file_response(self, path):