Aproove Release Day! 2024/R4 is Launched!

The 2024/R4 release incorporates major core component updates with a sprinkling of cool new features! 

2024/R4 Release is summarized below! 

First ...the boring, but important stuff!
Core Updates!

In this release, Aproove has implemented several key updates:

Platform Updates:

• PHP Upgrade: Our PHP backend has been upgraded from version 7.4 to the latest 8.3, delivering enhanced performance, security, and modern features for an improved user experience.

• ReactJS Update: React has been updated from version 16 to the latest version 18, introducing concurrent rendering and other optimizations that enhance speed and fluidity across the interface.

• PostgreSQL Update: The Aproove installer now defaults to PostgreSQL version 16, aligning new installations with the latest standards. (Existing customers were previously upgraded by the Aproove support team.)

These updates collectively boost performance, security, and compatibility across the Aproove platform, further enhancing our commitment to providing the best technology for our users.

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New Option in the Proof Plan View!
Major advantage for users managing multiple sections and high volumes of proofs!

When managing a high volume of proofs—such as in catalog production or with multiple state variations that exponentially increase proof numbers—many Aproove customers rely on sectioning features to simplify proof navigation. This feature dynamically creates sections based on file naming conventions, making it easier to organize large sets of proofs.

However, even with sectioning, the Proof Plan View can still display hundreds or thousands of proofs, depending on section size. This new update introduces a view that displays each section in the proof plan area as a single preview, which can be expanded to reveal all proofs within that section by clicking the preview.

For sections containing fewer than 50 proofs, Aproove now includes a proof status indicator bar at the bottom of the preview, using color to provide a quick visual summary of the section’s status. For larger sections, this status detail will still display when you click into the section, ensuring easy access without cluttering screen space.

The video below demonstrates a user entering the Proof Plan View, navigating to sections, and selecting the new 'All Sections' view. It also highlights the proof status indicator dots displayed on the final proof, showcasing a section with fewer than 50 proofs.

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Form uploads and data can be re-directed to the Project Chat!
Effortlessly centralize essential form data in Project Chat, ensuring immediate, streamlined access for all stakeholders—right where collaboration happens.

Redirecting form uploads and data straight into Project Chat centralizes all relevant information, streamlining communication and ensuring team members have immediate access to essential project details right where they’re already collaborating.

While the original form data remains securely stored within the form, this feature conveniently populates the Project Chat with only the relevant information you choose to share with all stakeholders at the project level—right at the moment it’s input!

Data can seamlessly flow from a single form or multiple forms, allowing flexible integration of relevant information into the Project Chat.

The video below effectively showcases how Aproove’s form data upload feature functions in real time. The process demonstrates a seamless user experience where uploaded files—such as a creative brief and customer logo, along with any accompanying descriptions—are instantly accessible within the Project Chat window. The person filling out the form does not even need to be a user inside Aproove; they could be using the new external form feature released in version 2024/R3

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Exciting new Actions seamlessly integrated with Project Management!
Introducing new actions to strengthen the integration of Project Management (PM) and Work in Progress (WIP) within Aproove to elevate user experience and streamline workflows even further! 

New Action: "Delete Parent Planned Task" :

Introducing the "Delete Parent Planned Task" action—built to dynamically streamline project plans in real-time by removing unnecessary Gantt tasks based on metadata submitted via forms or other inputs, like API.

Aproove’s adaptable project templates cover a comprehensive range of standard steps, but not every project requires each planned task (e.g., some may omit creative work). This action can automatically trigger, for instance, when a form is completed, using the metadata collected to identify which planned tasks are essential or redundant for that specific project.

Upon execution, the "Delete Parent Planned Task" action will automatically clear out any unnecessary planned tasks from the project template initially applied at project creation, ensuring the plan is tailored precisely to current project needs.

New Action: "End Workflow" :

Introducing "End Workflow," a powerful new action that enables multiple endpoints within a workflow embedded in a project plan, offering greater flexibility through workflow decisions, actions, or automations. With this action, Parent Gantt tasks can now be completed at any point within the workflow, allowing for dynamic project progression that adapts to real-time requirements.

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Org chart view in the Admin Tool
Org Chart View is a powerful new Admin Tool feature that visually maps team structures, streamlines management, and sets the stage for future workflow automation

Introducing the Org Chart View in the Admin Tool—crafted to display a clear, visual hierarchy of team structures and roles, simplifying resource management, reporting line clarity, and team coordination for administrators. This initial release includes two new user profile attributes, "Title" and "Report To."

As the first introduction of the org chart feature, Aproove has plans for future expansions. For instance, the "Report To" field may become a metadata-driven attribute, enabling automated actions like delivering reports directly to managers or escalating notifications if a reportee hasn’t completed a task.

Stay tuned as the Org Chart View feature continues to evolve in upcoming releases, bringing even more powerful capabilities to enhance team management and workflow automation.

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Powerful new logging capabilities
Powerful new logging capabilities enhance transparency, tracking, and accountability across the Aproove platform, providing detailed insights to aid troubleshooting for Aproove admins

With the introduction of Project Management, a substantial amount of new data is captured in logging events. In this version, we’ve optimized log volume by excluding repetitive planning scheduler activities, ensuring logs remain clear and efficient.

We've also enhanced the robustness of history entries by providing clearer feedback on successful and failed actions. This update includes initial support for select entries, with further comprehensive history tracking set to roll out in the upcoming R5 release.

Additionally, we've expanded logging to include history entries for API-driven project activities, improving audit trails and project tracking across API interactions. This is specifically useful when you have hybrid projects between standard wizard, dashboard, API and Concoord activity.

Combined with the new ability to group all logs by project, these enhancements significantly improve traceability and troubleshooting. Admins can now identify and resolve issues with greater ease, resulting in smoother project management across the Aproove platform.

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New HTML Admin Tool Enhancements
Designed to improve user experience and efficiency for administrators

In this release, we've introduced over sixty enhancements, features, and bug fixes, completing the migration of all remaining components from the legacy administration to the updated Admin Tool.

With the Admin Tool reaching a new level of maturity, our focus now shifts to increased stability and adding valuable new functions.

Upcoming releases will see the introduction of an import/export data model, enabling admins to transfer workflows, configurations, and more between systems for testing and deployments. Stay tuned as the Admin Tool continues to evolve!

And that is not all in 2024/R4
Below are some other improvements and enhancements in the 2024/R4 release!

• Project Management: - Allow for multiple starts in a workflow used in a planned task
• Portal: - Ability to enter several Mac Addresses to better support a clustered infrastructure
• Project Audit: - Include files from the drive and project chat in the "export project collection" zip
• Dashboard: - User Dashboard header display improvements (Cosmetic)
• Security: - Removed Lottie Player Library

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Please get in touch with us if you would like access to the full technical release notes (including bug fixes), or to discuss any topics related to the 2024/R4 release.