Revision as of 12:46, 23 October 2023

General Information

Current Upgrade Dates

Key Release Date: November 9 2023
Key Backup Release Date: October 26 2023

Global Release Date: November 30 2023
Global Backup Release Date: November 9 2023

Upcoming Upgrades Schedule

We regularly update the list of upgrade features and schedule for both the backup and production environments on this page.

This page will provide a general overview of each upgrade, with links to the Wiki articles describing the new or updated features and how to use them.

More information around the system upgrade process can be found below.

Current Upgrade Package

Overview

Watch this video to get a general overview of the new features in this release.

To watch this video in full screen, please click on the full screen button on the bottom right.

Global System Upgrades

The new features listed below are enhancements to the SmartSimple system and will be immediately available to SmartSimple users upon the application of the upgrade to their server:

Major Updates

Deprecated Password Variables

Main Article: Password Variables to Set or Reset User Passwords

Several password variables will be deprecated for improved security. Instead of using the password variable (@password@) which sends a password in plain text in the email body, all systems will be required to adopt the following activation link variable. This variable will redirect users to a designated page where they can securely set their desired password:

https://@url@@activationlink@

The following variables will be deprecated and will not work after this upgrade: @password@, @checkportalpassword@, @checkactivatedpassword@, @randompassword@, and @passwordresetlink@.

If you would like assistance with transitioning contact our support team.

The easiest way to check for deprecated variables is to navigate to Menu icon > Global Settings > Communications tab > System Email Templates > and then click the Export Emails button. This exports all your system emails into an excel file including the body of the email so you can easily search for the deprecated variables.

More information can be found in our wiki article: Password Variables to Set or Reset User Passwords

Clicking the Sample Template link on the New User email will provide you will the variable that will return a link to a page where users can enter their desired password. The @password@ and other variables will no longer work after the November release.

Minor Updates

Updated Look of File Uploader

The user interface of the file uploader will change slightly throughout the platform. The toggle setting on the new file uploader will be enabled and the option to switch will be removed from all systems.

The look of multiple file upload fields will change slightly in November. For example, you will be able to drag and drop files inline, instead of opening a modal window. If you specify Allowed File Types at the field level, they will display in the box but all Global Allowed File Types will no longer show up on every upload field.

Added an AI Chat History Log

When using the interactive mode of the +AI feature (located under Tools > Work with +AI), the prompts and responses in your conversation with the AI are now logged. This will allow you to easily look at your conversation history after your session has ended. To see the new log, go to the desired record, click the Logs menu and select AI Chat History. Then click on the desired session to view that conversation.

The chat history of +AI interactive mode can now be found under the Logs menu.

Updated US Census Data

Main Article: US Census Graphs

US census data and visualizations for organizations has been updated to include data up to 2022. To learn more, read our wiki article on US census graphs.

US census data now includes data up to 2022.

Updated Portal Sections with Mixed Record Type List Views

An Open Button option has been added to the List View - Mixed Record Type portal section. After the upgrade, on mobile devices, records will only be row-clickable if the Row Clickable or Open Button options are enabled for these portal sections. Formerly records were always row-clickable on mobile devices for portal sections with list views containing mixed record types.

On-Demand System Upgrades

The following features are available immediately with the application of the upgrade, but must first be enabled or configured by a Global Administrator:

Major Updates

Added AI Translations for Custom and Standard Fields

Added the ability to have the AI translate the custom and standard fields as well as some other interface elements within SmartSimple. For clients running multilingual programs, this is a quick and easy way to translate your system.

To enable this feature, you must have your own OpenAI license and have AI enabled on your system. Navigate to Menu Icon > Global Settings > Integrations tab > Scroll down and toggle on Enable AI Translation. Next, open a record in a language that is missing translations and the AI will work in the background to add translations to those fields and other interface elements. You may still audit and modify the captions that have been translated as usual. If you remove caption translations, the AI will translate captions again.

Added Candid Demographics

We have added the ability to easily see Candid demographics data for organizations within your system. If you enable this option, a new Demographics tab will appear in the left-hand navigation of the organization record. Organizational information related to race and ethnicity, gender identity, orientation, and disability status as well as information on staff, senior staff, and leadership are also visualized on this tab. You can also do a side-by-side comparison of the current organization with another organization.

To set up this feature, navigate to Global Settings > Integrations tab > Candid Demographics Check. If desired, you may map Candid demographic data to your organization custom fields. Note: Organizations must have an EIN number in a custom field and it must be mapped on the setting page.

Then go to Menu Icon > Global Settings > Security tab > System Visibility Permissions> Add the roles you want to have access to this tab under Limit Demographics Tab Access.

Then navigate to the desired organization.

Side-by-side comparison of Candid demographics data between the current organization and another organization.

Added Ability to Make the Status Column Background the Status Color

We have added the ability change the background color of the status column to match the status color. The text in this column will automatically change to white or black based on what will provide the most contrast. This feature can be enabled at the list view level by navigating to the desired list view settings > Properties tab > Scroll down and toggle on Color Code Status Column.

You may now change the status column to be the status color. The font color will change to white or black based on status color for improved visibility.

Added Ability to Set Field Display Order Based on Type

You can now specify a different Display Order for a custom field based on the Type. This gives you the ability to use the same field across multiple types of applications and have the field appear in different locations without the need to create multiple fields.

Navigate to any custom field and under Display Order toggle on Enable conditional display order for different types. Lower numbers will appear closer to the top of the record.

New setting that gives you the ability to set a conditional custom field display order based on record type.

Added New JSON Custom Field

We have added a new JSON custom field. This field may be used to store historical or other data instead of creating many custom fields. The data added can be displayed in a tree or table format.

An example of the new JSON custom field.

Added New E-signature Integration with OneSpan

Main Article: OneSpan Integration

We have added a new electronic signature integration with OneSpan. Now you can use OneSpan as part of your document agreement or approval process. Note: You are required to bring your own OneSpan license. Learn more about this e-signature integration by reading our OneSpan wiki article.

Minor Updates

Added Ability to Load List Views Faster

We added a new option at the UTA level to load list views faster by deactivating the sort function and total record count.

To enable this for a UTA, navigate to Configuration Settings > General tab > Toggle on Enable Quick Load for List Views.

If desired, you can disable quick load on a list view basis. Do this by navigating to the desired list view settings page > Properties tab > Toggle on Disable Quick Load.

At the UTA level you may choose to load list views faster by disabling the sort functionality in column headers and the total record count.

Added Option to Only Load Records in a List View After a Search

To improve the loading time of list views containing large record sets, you can now opt to only load records into a list view after a search has been conducted.

Note: this setting does not affect portal list view sections, sub lists within a record, linked record lists, shortcuts, smartcards and personal dashboards.

To enable this system-wide setting, navigate to Menu icon > Global Settings > System tab > Toggle on Only load records after a list view search.

To improve list view loading time, you may choose to only load records into a list view after a search is run. Note: This is a system-wide setting.

Added Ability to Show Question Set Answers in Sub List Views

You can now easily see Question Set Builder responses on a Level 2 list view within a Level 1 record (sub list).

To set this feature, edit an existing Level 2 list view and toggle on the new setting called Include in Question Set and then select the desired question set you wish to display on this list view.

On the Level 1 Question Set Builder field, you may choose which responses you want displayed in the Level 2 list view. Response columns will be appended to the end of the list view.

Easily see Question Set Builder responses on a Level 2 list view within a Level 1 record (sub list). This must be enabled at the list view level and then at the question level.

Added Ability to Trigger a Workflow When an Invitation is Declined

We added the ability to trigger a workflow when someone declines an invitation to contribute to a record. To see this setting, go to UTA Settings > Level 1, 2, or 3 tab > Invitation Templates > Edit a template > General tab > Declined Invitation Workflow.

You may now trigger a workflow when someone declines an invitation to contribute to a record. For example, you may want to invite another reviewer, a co applicant, or notify the program manager.

Added BCC to Workflow Acknowledgement Tasks

You can now add a blind carbon copy (BCC) to emails generated from workflow acknowledgement tasks. This will make it easier to send a copy of emails to an internal mailbox without exposing the internal email address to all recipients.

Added Ability to View When Users Last Logged In

We added two ways to easily see when users last logged in. First, in the list view builder you can now add the Last Login Date standard field to a column. Second, in the Advanced Search you can now choose Last Login Date which appears under the Standard Fields heading. Note: This field does not need to be enabled like other User Standards Fields. This field will only show dates that occurred after the upgrade was applied. This field will show either the last time the user logged in or the last time the user was emulated. You can check to see if a user was emulated by going to the user's profile page and clicking Logs > Login History.

Create a list view that shows when users last logged in, using the new Last Login Date standard field.

Use the new Login Date standard field in advanced search to see when users last logged in.

Added Ability to See Which List Views a Custom Field is Referenced In

You can now easily see which list views a custom field is referenced in. Navigate to a custom field settings page and click on the Search Reference button to see where that custom field is in use.

Click on the Search Reference button to see which list views are referencing the custom field.

Added Ability to Send Cancelation Emails for Adobe Sign

If you are using Adobe Sign for electronic signatures, a new option has been added to send a cancelation email to signees when the signing process is canceled from within SmartSimple. The process may be canceled from within Smartsimple via the E-signature Queue or the workflow task of E-Signature Cancellation. You can see the new setting called Send Cancellation Email to Signers by navigating to Global Settings > Integrations > Integration Key Management > Edit an Adobe Acrobat Sign setting.

Added Improvements to Consumer Creation buttons

You can now easily disable the consumer creation buttons based on Owner, Person, Branch, and Company. You can also define a message to display to users explaining why they are not able to apply. For example, you could disable the button (button will be grayed out) if a user or organization has already applied once in order prevent users from applying to the same call multiple times.

Easily disable consumer creation buttons with an explanation

Added New File Download Log

We added a new optional feature to track file downloads made by users, making it easier to see which users are downloading large amounts of files. You may review the number of files downloaded per user based on a date range or you may create a report to see which specific files were downloaded and by whom. To enable this feature navigate to Menu Icon > Global Settings > Toggle on Enable File Download Tracking. Then click the File Download Log link under System Information. When building a report, choose the data set called File Downloads.

You may now track file downloads by users as well as filter results by a date range and export this information.

Added Ability to Specify IP Ranges for Bypassing Secure Session Validation

You can now specify a range of IP addresses that will allow users to bypass secure session validation. This setting is located at Menu Icon > Global Settings > Security tab > IP addresses to bypass secure session validation. To enter a range of IP addresses, use a dash (Example: 65.93.203.0-65.93.203.255). To enter IP addresses that follow a certain pattern, use an asterisk (Example: 126.12.*.*).

You may now specify a range of IP addresses that can bypass secure session validation.

Notes for Admins

Added Enhanced Security Options for Single Sign-On

You may now pick an encryption certificate for service provider initiated single sign-on (SSO) and the certificate will be displayed in the Service Provider (SP) Metadata. If enabled, incoming assertions will be decrypted using the selected certificate. If you opt to use this feature, you will be required to upload the identity provider (IdP) encryption certificate to Integration Key Management and select the certificate in your SSO setting. This will be used to decrypt incoming assertion.

To see the new settings, navigate to Menu Icon > Global Settings > Integrations tab > Single Sign-On > Edit a configuration > Under Third-Party Identity Provider, select "Service Provider (SP) initiated" for Method.

You may pick an encryption certificate for service provider initiated single sign-on (SSO). Note: you will be required to upload the identity provider (IdP) encryption certificate in Integration Key Management.

Added Ability to Report on Data Exchange History

You can now report on the Data Exchange History, making it easier to report on details around package exchanges. Within the Report Builder you can choose the new dataset option called Data Exchange History and add columns for related details such as when the package was sent and received and what the status of the package is.

Updated API to Allow Update and Get/List for Profile Model Field Data

We updated the API to allow update and get/list for Profile Model field data. When updating sf_Profile Model, data should be a jsonobject where the "node" is the profilemodel jsonnode name. This is an example of how to update the Profile Model:

 [{"recordid":"87983424","sf_Phone":"416 123 4567", "sf_Profile Model":{"node":"mytest","dataobj":{"1":"one","2":"two","3":"three"}}}]

Updated Question Set Builder Fields to Resolve ID Mismatch Issues

If you have multiple environments and promote changes from development to staging to a live environment using the T2P tool, you will no longer encounter the ID mismatch issue related to the Question Set Builder when moving fields between environments.

Service Packs

February 22nd 2024 (202402.02)

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where some data was excluded from the archive process.

Other Changes

• Updated the organization of integration keys under Global Settings > Integrations tab > Integration Key Management for improved clarity. The integration keys are now organized under cateogories and the names of some types have changed.

• Added support for Azure AI integration in order to allow users to bring their own Azure AI licence to the platform and make use of existing +AI functions.

February 8th 2024 (202402.01)

Fixes

• Fixed an issue with running T2P (test to production) where the deleted items from the source instance were not always migrated to the target instance.

• Fixed an issue with the new Data Exchange (DEX3) where imported organizations were created as internal instead of following its parent organization's internal/external flag.

• Fixed an issue related to using the Date standard field in the portal section search.

• Fixed an issue with the list view builder when creating a Consumer/Provider list view. Custom fields set to Deny View will no longer be visible in the list view builder when a user creates a personal list view.

Other Changes

• Added the Enable Status Duration Log setting to the status standard field for organizations and users. This setting allows for the reporting of time spent in a status for user and organization records.

• Added minor updates for improved accessibility, including improved contrast on input borders.

• Updated system messaging to indicate that deleted organizations, users, UTA records, and transactions will be purged after 90 days.

• Updated third-party libraries for improved security.

February 8th 2024 (202401.05)

Fixes

• Fixed an issue with the PDF generation functionality related to merging documents.

February 1st 2024 (202401.04)

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where the Excel parser was not autopopulating fields.

January 26th 2024 (202401.03)

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where the invitations link was opening a blank page.

January 25th 2024 (202401.02)

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where PDFs were not generating the expected error summary in scenarios using ssattach and a corrupted PDF.

Other Changes

• (Alpha) Added the ability to create your own custom AI model for data analysis and reporting across multiple records within a UTA. For example, you could ask +AI Insight a question like “What are the award funding amounts for 2020, 2021, and 2023 respectively?" To see this feature, go to Global Settings > AI tab > +AI Insights. To ask question, navigate to the desired UTA and select the desired +AI Insight model. To learn more about this and other AI features, read our introductory page on AI.

• Added a new setting to custom fields called +AI Directive. This setting allows users to parse a block of unstructured text using named-entity recognition (NER). In addition, any instructions entered into the +AI Directive field can also be run on demand via a P3 script.

• Added a new setting to upload custom fields which allows the AI to automatically generate an English transcription of an uploaded media file. To toggle this setting on, go to UTA Configuration Settings > Click an upload custom field > Toggle on Enable +AI Transcription. Under the +AI Transcription Format field, select whether the transcription should be generated in subtitle or text format.

• Added a new setting to upload custom fields which allows the AI to answer questions about the uploaded image. To use this setting, go to UTA Configuration Settings > Click an upload custom field > Toggle on Enable +AI Vision. In the +AI Vision Prompt field, enter your prompts to the AI about the uploaded image.

• Added two new custom field settings to help users distinguish between user input and AI-generated content. Some custom fields will have a new toggle called Label as AI-Generated Content under the display settings. This will display an indicator at the bottom of the field that states the contents of the field are AI-generated. Additionally, "Special - Browser Script" custom fields will have a new toggle called Style as AI Button. This will stylize the button to be different from other system buttons.

• Added the ability to include consumer creation buttons in Reports. Also added support for provider variables @provider.name@ and @provider.description@ in external template pages.

• Added a validation confirmation alert when trying to save custom field with a Field Name that is used by standard field variable syntax. For example, if you wanted to name your custom field "objectid", you will see an alert message asking for confirmation.

• Updated the “Salesforce Account/Contact Data Synchronization” to allow mapping of Salesforce fields to SmartSimple organization categories and user roles. Additionally, saved sync settings will be applied in all sync processes. Previously, the sync settings were only applicable to ad-hoc sync.

• Updated various elements of the user interface to improve accessibility. Some changes include switching from pixels to REM units for font size, updating the sample template for user and company signup pages, and adding a setting to use native browser alerts instead of the yellow alert popup messages. The new alert setting can be found at Global Settings > Branding tab.

January 11th 2024 (202401.01)

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where Organization and User association fields were not correctly being displayed even if Enable Date Range for associations was toggled on.

• Fixed an issue where the Start Date and End Date for associations was being cleared when the record was saved.

• Fixed an issue where Category or Role specific custom fields were not being properly deleted when the Category or Role itself was deleted.

• Fixed an issue with the login settings page where the privacy policy settings were not being hidden if the Page Layout was set to "Custom".

• Fixed an issue where the system was converting single and double quote characters into HTML character entities when using list syntax to populate dropdown lists in Advanced Data Table fields.

• Fixed an issue with JSON Report Export where the "Order By" clause was not being preserved.

Other Changes

• Updated SignEasy integration to allow users to select the latest version.

• Updated various elements of the user interface to improve accessibility.

• Updated various areas of the system in accordance with security audit recommendations.

November 30th 2023 (202311.04)

Fixes

• Fixed an issue with the “Request for approval” workflow task type where the status would be set to “UNKNOWN” and interrupt the workflow.

• Fixed an issue with workflows not being triggered when using the batch update button to make a status change.

• Fixed an issue where the mobile upload link screen opened unintentionally when the form was submitted using only keyboard controls.

• Fixed a column alignment issue with portal sections of the type “List View - Mixed Record Type”.

• Fixed an issue where Level 3 email reminder and follow-up fields (set up under Global Settings > Classic Options tab > Reminder Templates) were not able to display the saved value on the record.

• Fixed an issue with the display of the "Jump to" menu when there are more title bars than can be shown on the screen.

Other Changes

• Updated the AI syntax for the variable processor as these functions will be deprecated by OpenAI in January 2024. Previously, you would have entered “text” or “edit” as a parameter based on the function. Now the syntax has been simplified and you must replace any “text” or “edit” arguments with “chatgpt” instead.

• Updated multi-factor authentication, tab bar, login, and other pages to improve accessibility.

November 16th 2023 (202311.03)

• Fixed an issue where workflows that triggered a popup had the popup suppressed.
• Fixed an issue where users could not see level 1s related to the filter condition "Is Assigned in Organization".
• Fixed an issue where the selected list view would change if the user logged out and logged back in.

November 10th 2023 (202311.02)

• Fixed an issue that had a negative impact on the Level 1 list view performance.

About the System Upgrade Process

The objective of the system upgrade process is to ensure that customers have a chance to review how their applications and information will work following the upgrade without compromising the integrity of their production system. In order to take advantage of this, you will need to know how to access your backup instance of SmartSimple Cloud. If you need assistance with this, either refer to the Backup Server and Testing Instances Wiki article or contact the SmartSimple support desk.

For clients on a Private Cloud environment, please review the SmartSimple Upgrade Process – Dedicated Server page.

Upgrade Schedule Details

The following tables outline the detailed upgrade release cycle.

If you are part of our Key Release your SmartSimple Cloud system will be automatically upgraded according to the following schedule. Generally North American Clients are on the Key release.

If you are part of our Global Release your SmartSimple Cloud system will be automatically upgraded according to the following schedule. Generally clients in Europe, Middle East and Asia as well as Managed Dedicated clients are on the Global release.

If you are on dedicated environment that is client-managed your SmartSimple Cloud system is only upgraded manually by your system administrator or by submitting a request to SmartSimple. The upgrade package is made available for you according to the following schedule.

Backup Environment Update

• Each backup environment will be updated to the "release candidate" prior to the upgrade date.
• This update will provide for instance specific testing of release candidate, as you can log into your respective backup environment and test the changes against your most current data and configuration.
• Internal staff will also be using these environments to perform instance specific testing.

Update Go/No-Go

Subject to satisfactory testing on both the pre-production environments and the backup environments, the Go/No-Go decision will be made on the Wednesday prior to an upgrade release.

Upgrade Feedback and Questions

If you have questions or need assistance or want to share your thoughts on the upgrade contact our support team toll-free at 866.239.0991 or email support@smartsimple.com

Previous Upgrades

See the Previous Upgrades page for a list of previously-implemented upgrade features.