Release Notes version 5.8.1 Heisenberg

General changes

Restructuring projects

With a software as large as Catglobe, there will be an ongoing need to restructure code and technical layers to make the system easier to maintain, faster, and less prone to bugs. The current version saw quite a lot of such efforts particularly for the report modules. The result can be seen in increased stability and speed, although we are planning to continue the refactoring of report code for the next version as well. The report engine was optimized further for diagrams with many data points and larger amounts of data. The end result is 8-16 times improvement in speed, and most diagrams are shown in less than 2 seconds.

Further, we made the servers run in 64bit more to support larger workloads for various things, including improved speed of export of cati contacts and dcs export to excel, as well as speed up of sent-email variable group building.

Other projects, whose benefits will not immediately become apparent, are the developments of new controls to manage the resource explorer as well as its related add button. Furthermore, the suggestion drop down, has also had an overhaul. The new control will be implemented all places in the system during the next version.

The hall test module has been updated to also work with Windows Vista and improved browser compatability was ensured through the Ieemu cleanup project.

Major restructuring projects in version 5.8 were:

VN2567REP - Implement Diagram Viewer/Settings controls VN2566REP - Tabulation script - CDG VN2568REP - Reimplement CrossDiagram VN2565REP - Apply cell stylesheet to PDF,HTML VN2564REP - Tabulation script - cell stylesheet VN2563REP - Implement Pie and Radar chart VN2560REP - Implement single case of CDG VN2561REP - Implement Nevron chart builders VN2562REP - Export diagram to Pdf, Ppt (table and nevron) VN2135RND - Implement VN2103COR - Refactoring of resource explorer control VN2137RND - Implement VN2122COR - Create resource button control VN2509COR - Implement ResourceSuggestTextBox VN2553RND - Ieemu cleanup VN2070RND - Moving common part to a separate CatGlobe.Common VN2546COR - HallTest – Vista Task - Servers made to run in 64bit mode increasing speed various places

Web services

In version 5.8 we have ensured that the system is even more open to integration between modules as well as to external systems by adding three new services; workflow, data cache and resource information. The first module to take advantage of this has been dashboard, where a project has already been implemented that collects user information through a service and presents it as part of the dashboard text.

Major web service projects in version 5.8 were:

VN2753HUR - Resource info web service Task - Workflow web service Task - Data cache web service

New features from the Core group

Login improvements

Earlier versions of Catglobe have always led users to the MyPortal page after logging in. We have in version 5.8 introduced a new feature that makes it possible to direct users to dashboards after being logged in. It is possible to control completely which users will be directed to which dashboards. These settings are done on user resource templates. If no special redirect rule after login has been made for a user, he will just be transferred to the MyPortal page as usual.

Some improvements were also made in regards to avoiding browser crashes on lost internet access or users being logged out.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting login were:

VN2755COR - Default start page VN2554RND - Popup page on servermethods login failure

Communicator improvements

This version has seen a number of minor projects improving stability and performance of the communicator module. The system did not earlier support non-English characters for email adresses, but this has been rectified. Further, the performance on sending out numerous mails has been improved dramatically with the ability to set up the system to use multiple outgoing mail servers.

Two final minor improvements concern the way that optout merge links work. Changes are:

• An additional user-language dependent unsubsciption page ensuring that people do not unsubscibe by mistake. Please notice that these optout messages must be set up for any system upgrading to version 5.8.
• When user unsubscribes the fact that it was him personally doing it will be added as a comment in the user's journal.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting the communicator were:

VN0533REF - Support IDN hostnames for mail VN2548COR - CgMail multi outgoing servers VN2647COR - Make it simple to optout

Resource and Resource template improvements

The introduction of resource templates some versions ago are still providing us ample opportunities in regards to making the system more flexible as well as customisable. Also during this version have we been able to continue this optimization of the system with projects like the eradication of the facility and company resources (which still exist but as a template of group) and the upgrade of invoices to use resource templates.

A number of projects we alse done that supports the copying of resources using the Copy Resource Wizard (CRW). Group and Project have been updated to use this wizard, the wizard has been extended with an option to copy properties, and the copy wizard can now be initiated from the resource explorer tree.

Finally a minor usability update was done in regards to how resource properties are set up, making it easier to choose all templates under the same resource type as well as minimising the access requirements that exist.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting Resource Templates were:

VN2538COR - Support copying a resource in resource explorer tree VN2541COR - CRW - Copy Properties VN2756COR - CRW for Group to replace current copy feature VN2164COR - Convert Facility, Company to Templates of Group VN2550COR - Copy Project using CRW VN2411COR - User role history on mass update user VN2572COR - Resource Template for Invoice Task 33907 - Updated logic for resource property

Group builder

The groupbuilder received a major upgrade during version 5.8, focusing on reducing the amount of work needed in order to create complex mutiple-variable rules-based dynamic groups. Where it was earlier necessary for each rule in a group, to specify all the variables which that rule was dependent on (e.g. "Denmark - Men - Young - Employed" and "Denmark - Men - Young - Unmployed" ), then it is now possible to build up a hierarchy of rules, so that we in each level below just need to specify those variables that filter the parent rules in even more detail (e.g. Country is level 1 rules, Gender is level 2 rules, Age is level 3 rules, and Job Status is level 4 rules). This will significantly reduce the amount of work needed when having a large number of rules which only vary on a limited number of factors.

A further improvement is that it has been a lot easier to updated targets for rules, which can now been done directly in the rules list. And it is no longer only absolutes that can be set for targets - the system now also allows percentages. The setting of targets is integrated with the new hierarchical rule system, so that any target at a higher level will carry weight to the lower levels.

To make sure that it is clear what rules are used for in the hierarchical setup, they are now required to have unique names. Where it was earlier necessary to open a new dialog to see the variables of a rule, then any highlighted rule in the groupbuilder will now be shown in the same window on a bottom frame. This makes it possible to quickly navigate through rules and understand what the logic behind them are. Variables can also be added or removed directly from this frame. This reduces the amount of navigation needed further increasing speed-of use for the module.

Finally, some projects were carried out to ensure that modules using groupbuilder would still work with the new logic.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting group builder were:

VN2663COR - GB - Variable editing updates VN2770COR - GB - Fix GUI usability VN2664COR - GB - Unique rule names required VN2530COR - GB tree-like structure and direct updates of targets VN2662COR - Mass Mail - Updates in relation to GB refactoring VN2709DAT - Updates in relation to GB unique name

New features from the Data group

Export and Import extensions

Main fix for export and import was an update for the export of the SPSS format. Changes include:

• Setting of number of decimals for columns exported.
• Sorting of rows to be exported.
• Reset button to return to original sorting and decimals.
• ISPSS final format will include Static descriptions, Variable definitions, Variable labels and Value labels.
• Other general corrections for how the final exported values look.

Three minor changes were made to the way the import editor works:

• It was made possible to delete existing phone numbers on import during this version. This is not possible by inserting empty string since that means "keep existing phone number". If user wants to delete a number when importing he can specify the value "#ERASE" in the phone column. This will delete all numbers related to the user being imported.
• Another small important change for import is in regard to semi-open questions. The way that Catglobe identifies which answer options of a question are open, is through the open property. It may happen that this property setting becomes unclean and identifies that an answer option, which does not even exist for a question, is open. From version 5.8 it will no longer be possible to import to such non-existing options even though the open property may wrongly identify such an option to exist.
• A final minor change was the removal of the requirement of specifying a user_id column in step 1 of the import wizard, when the user instead specified the answer sheet column to import to in step 3 of the wizard. This will make it a little easier to prepare the import material for importing answers to existing answer sheets.

A useful update for export has been the ability to export the text of an answer option rather than just the option number. This will mean that the export of e.g. a gender question can now result in an excel column showing either 1s and 2s or "Man" and "Woman".

Two tasks were carried out to increase speed and remove limitations in regards to the use of excel files.

• For the Import module we changed the way excel files are loaded, from OLEDB to Infragistics. Therefore the excel file is no longer restricted to 256 columns and 20.000 records as before. Besides, xlsx file is now also supported.
• For the Export module we have increased the speed of exporting excel files by up to 50%.

Other changes for export and import have not had any effect on how the system works for the end user. The fix to user role history ensures, that the information used for pricing the users that exist in a Catglobe site (license-wise) will support the newest calculation logic. The change has no effect in terms of system functionality. Another project that did not have any change in functionality was the rework of the way that answer sheets are imported. It was changed in order to aid the Copy Resource Wizard copying answer sheets when copying questionnaires.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting export and import modules were:

VN2410DAT - User role history on user import VN2577DAT - Import - Rework Import to also allow Copy of RPQ/Data VN2231DAT - Export - Update SPSS Export format VN2543DAT - Import - Erasing phonenumber from import Task - Change import load from OLEDB to infragistics Task - Refactor Excel export logic Task - Remove User_Id requirment on import only answer sheet with answer sheet id

New CGScript functions

Version 5.8 has been no exception in regards to CgScript features compared to earlier versions; there has as always been a large amount of new functions added! This is mainly due to the everincreasing popularity of creating workflows in Catglobe and the understanding of the unique possibilities there are in regards to creating processes that can solve complex and integrated business needs.

General resource supporting functions added were:

• Resource_searchByName: Will return an array of resources that fulfill the specified search criteria parameters.

Folder supporting functions added were:

• Folder_New, Folder_save: Will generate and save a Folder object with properties equal to specified parameters.
• Folder_getFolderByResourceId, Folder_getFolderByName: Will get a folder by either resource Id or by resource name.

HR (user and group) supporting functions added were:

• Group_getMembers: Returns the array of users of the requested group. Possible to specify if disabled, deleted and dynamic users are to be included in returned array
• User_getUsersByEmail: Makes it possible to get a user by his email address.
• User_new: Extension to user creating function that makes it possible to create user by mask (to make new logical names).
• User_getUserHourlyCosts, User_addUserHourlyCost, User_updateUserHourlyCost, User_removeUserHourlyCost, User_removeAllUserHourlyCosts: Functions making it possible to create, update and remove hourly cost specifications for users. Hourly cost specifications are used to calculate the cost of using an employee for e.g. a project. This will in turn have an effect on the income statement of that project.
• Shift_getUserNextShift:Will return shift information (start and end date/time, shift team, etc.) of a requested user's next shift.
• setGroupRulePercentTarget:Makes it possible to set target percentage for a specified rule in groupbuilder.
• Group_getTimeUsed: Function that will return the number of hours used for a specified group in a specified time interval.
• Invoice_new, Invoice_save, Invoice_getInvoiceByResourceId, LedgerEntry_new: Functions that make it possible to create and manage invoices. Also one function to create a new ledger in the general ledger.

Questionnaire supporting functions added were:

• Quota_new, Quota_save, Quota_getQuotaByName, Quota_getAllQuotas, Quota_deleteQuota, Quota_deleteAllQuotas, Quota_targetReached, Quota_updateQuota, Quota_updateAllQuotas, Quota_updateQuotaForAllQASs:It has been made possible to add, updated, delete and edit quoaes with this list of new functions.
• Interviewer_getPerformanceListInTimeSpan:Function to return the CATI interviewing performance of every user in a specified group.
• Questionnaire_new, Questionnaire_getQuestionnaireByResourceId, Questionnaire_save, Questionnaire_setCompleted: This version introduces the ability of CGScript to create and updated questionnaires. This feature will of course make it possible to set up some really interesting processes where questionnaires can be used to create other questionnaires, e.g. set up a Questionnaire Creation Wizard.
• CATI_getCATIContacts: Function that returns the list of CATI calls that has carried out for a specified answer sheet.
• QAS_getCATIListAppointments: Function returning the current list of dedicated CATI appointments for the logged in user.
• CATI_getLinkToCATIForm: Function to create a link to a CATI assignment.
• Questionnaire_getCountQASs:Function to return the number of answer sheets for a questionnaire, group, and/or period).

General datetime functions added were:

• Datetime_getByYMD, DateTime_compare, DateTime_daysBetween, DateTime_workDaysBetween, DateTime_isLeapYear, DateTime_dayOfWeek, DateTime_addYears, DateTime_subtractYears, DateTime_addMonths, DateTime_subtractMonths, DateTime_addDays, DateTime_subtractDays, DateTime_addHours, DateTime_subtractHours, DateTime_addMinutes, DateTime_subtractMinutes, DateTime_addSeconds, DateTime_subtractSeconds, DateTime_parse, DateTime_getWeekStart, DateTime_getWeekEnd, DateTime_getLastDateOfMonth: Various new functions to better handle the management of dates and times.

Communication functions added were:

• BulkMail_new, BulkMail_getBulkMailByResourceId, BulkMail_save, BulkMail_send:Updates on existing bulkmail creation (ability to specify resource template) as well as some new functions.

Data cache functions added were:

• DCS_getCurrentDcsResourceId, DCS_use, DCS_evaluateWhereExpression: A number of new functions to get a data cache, use a data cache (as current context) and evaluation of whether a 'where' expression is legal in current data cache context.

Task functions added were:

• Task_new, Task_getTaskByResourceId, Task_getTaskByCaseNumber, Task_save, Task_accept, Task_reassign, Task_reject, Task_setCompleted, Task_approve, Task_disapprove, Task_cancel: This version CGScript has been updated to handle the management of tasks, including the ability to change states of tasks. All of the functions that enable changing of the status of a task will require a user specified or, if such a user is not specified, it will simply use the logged in user.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting CGScript were:

VN2787COR - CGS for search resources VN2786COR - CGS create folder VN2790DAT - Support VN2786COR, VN2787COR, VN2788QNR and VN2789HUR VN2549DAT - CGS - Datetime Functions VN2428DAT - CGS - Support project for VN2413COR extend create bulk VN2762DAT - CGS - More functions on user object VN2734DAT - CGS - CGScript func for TimeCost from User VN2745DAT - CGS - Group Members functions VN2576DAT - CGS - Support New quota object & functions VN2733DAT - CGS - Multiple DCS context in CGScript VN2440DAT - CGS - New CG Script OOP style functions for handling tasks VN2759DAT - CGS - Create new functions for getting interviewer's performance and next shifts VN2661DAT - CGS - Updates in relation to GB refactoring VN2765QNR - Questionnaire object in CGScript VN2788QNR - CGS Cati VN2794DAT - Time reg analysis function VN2761QNR - New quota object & functions

Data Cache and Axis Set updates

In order to easily extract Invoice data from Catglobe and send to an external system, the resource cache feature has been extended to also include invoice resources. This means that it is now possible to create a resource cache for a list of invoices, specify which information is needed in it, and then create a cache. The cache can then either be exported or reports can be made using the data from it. Resources caches do, as of now, not yet support the caching of cost resources.

Creating resource caches for questionnaires has been made a lot more flexible and covers a lot more analysis needs from version 5.8. There is no longer a guarantee that one questionnaire will only create one row in the resource cache. If the user chooses to also include answer sheet information in the cache, then one row will be created for each answer sheet in a questionnaire. If CATI contact information has been asked to be included, then one row will be included for each of these elements. The advantage is that it will now be possible to use resource caches to analyse CATI contact information.

A similar project as the one enabling CATI contact information to be saved into a resource cache has been made for time registration. It is now possible for all resource types to specify, that time registration information is to be included in the cache that they are creating. When choosing this, then rather than one row being created for each of the specific resource type records queried, the system will instead create one row for each time registration entry. Conditions can further be set that make it possible to include time registration records from children resources of included resources, limit the period of time of time registration records, and exclude or include unverified registrations.

An extension, which was mainly made for export purposes, is the ability to cache the answer option text that a user answered for a question rather than the option. This will mean that the caching of e.g. a gender question can now result in a data cache column showing either 1s and 2s or "Man" and "Woman".

To make it easier to manage data caches which are in the progress of being built, additional information will now be shown when user opens a cache. It will inform the user if the cache is being built, is not yet built, failed building, or if the build was canceled prematurely. Forced build and recovery of build have been removed. Builds can no longer be started if a build is ongoing.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting axis set updates were:

VN2573DAT - RCS - RCS for Invoice VN2735DAT - RCS - CATI contact log columns VN2737HUR - RCS - Time registration columns VN0725QNR - DCS - Prevent multiple concurrent DCS builds VN2784DAT - QCS - Option to present closed question data as text

New features from the HR group

Cost management improvements

A number of minor additions were made to the invoice dialog. These include:

1. A new arrangement where extra information can be shown or hidden using the toggle buttons so as to make the GUI look less messy. The fields having extra information are: Path, Customer, Representative, and Earner.
2. A Submitted checkbox indicating whether an invoice is submitted or not. If it is, then information about the submitted date is also available.
3. An 'Addressed to' field with two options: Customer and Representative
4. A due date input field
5. The Paid checkbox will enable/disable when the paid date input field is removed as it is obvious that if the paid date is not specified, the invoice has not been paid yet. To make it faster to register an invoice as paid, when the field is enabled and empty, putting the prompt into the field will make the field default to the current time.
6. Multiline description field in invoice details.
7. EAN number added to invoice,
8. Time stamp removed from paid date and invoice date.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting cost management were:

VN2571HUR - Update GUIs for Invoice VN2540DAT - Invoice columns in RCS

HR management updates

It was not earlier possible to register time on coding resources, which does not make much sense, since a lot of time will most likely be spent doing such work. In this version it has therefore been made possible to register time on coding resources. This has had an effect several places, but will most likely be most used from the coding resource lists. 

We already made it possible in version 5.7 to register a role together with any registration of time. This feature was although not extended to the mass time registration dialog, so this has been rectified during this newest version.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting HR management were:

VN2545HUR - Timereg enable Coding resource VN2404HUR - Role for Mass Update Timereg

Web shop improvements

The web shop received a lot of attention during the version, although most of the new features and improvements are relatively small. Main things to notice are a more detailed order confirmation email (more clear and customised descriptions of orders), an email being sent when a delivery is shipped (to make sure users will respond if they did not get the shipment), and more informative administrative pages.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting the web shop were:

VN1976HUR - Remove columns PostageCash and HandlingCash VN2489HUR - Mail when order delivered VN2487HUR - Re-factor order confirmation mails VN2500HUR - Remove credit card approve button VN2488HUR - Show inactive categories in products VN2491HUR - Show inactive products in categories VN2490HUR - Date delivered column on order list VN2479HUR - Hide product attributes choice if not in use VN2499HUR - Remove parked order filter in order list search VN2475HUR - Instant text change on out of stock in session VN2495HUR - Improved search filters on orders - products and suppliers VN2474HUR - Show both points and price for all products in web shop

New features from the Questionnaire group

VoIP – IP Telephony for CATI

With many of the basic VoIP features having been implemented in version 5.7, this new version will see a number of more advanced features that will be bringing Catglobe's CATI capabilities into a leading position among its competitors. New features will allow supervisors to listen in or ongoing interviews, there will be a system wide failure message available, it has been made possible to disable VoIP completely, recording of open answers has been made possible, and improved handling of connection problems have been implemented.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting VoIP were:

VN2692VIP - Overhear a specific interview VN2690VIP - VoIP failure message VN2556VIP - Make it optional to use VoIP when enabled VN2693VIP - Record respondent's answer

CATI updates

In older versions the CATI statistics were calculated for the interviewers who had start time or end time of a working session within the analysis period. From this version the CATI statistics will be calculated for all interviewers who have worked in the period being analysed regardless of when their registered work session was. This should ensire that no information will be lost or excluded in the CATI analysis feature, which has earlier been a potential risc.

Version 5.8 will also offer three more types of CATI analysis:
1) “Interviewer / Success” - Same as an existing analysis type called "Interviewer / Total time / Success", but with less information.
2) "Outcome / Total calls" - Shows how outcomes of CATI calls are split upon the different outcome options, regardless of the interviewer that made the call.
3) "Outcome / Total sheets" - Where the above analysis splits up the outcomes based on all calls made, this analysis will only look at what the outcome of any final call made for an answer sheet resulted in.

When defining the settings for a CATI survey, it is now also possible to decide that the interviewers should have access to background information. The way this is done is by placing such background information for respondents in dummy questions and then choose that these dummy questions should be viewable for the interviewers. The result will be an additional tab on the interviewer screen called "Background info" where the answers to the selected dummy questions are shown.

A new logic was also implemented for the "X" button on the CATI interviewer screen. Where clicking the "X" button earlier meant "Cancel & close" when standing on the end question of the answer sheet, it now has changed to mean "Save & close".

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting CATI were:

VN2700QNR - Status-tab i fieldwork manager VN2684QNR - CATI Intw Screen - Answer Sheet tab Task - Changed logic for the CATI Intw screen Close button.

QSL - Questionnaire Structure Language

The Questionnaire Structure Language (QSL) has proven to be a very useful way of designing questionnaires. In this version QSL has been expanded to support conditions and missing question properties. The updates ensure that conditions and properties can freely be converted between QSL and the editor format using the QSL import and export features. The QSL export features have been finalised during this version as well offering a simple selection dialog for choosing which questions to export and in what language, as well as choices of whether Properties and HTML formatting is to be exported.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting questionnaire editor and viewer were:

VN2615QNR - Condition extension for QSL VN2644QNR - exporting to QSL from the Questionnaire Editor

Sample request module improvements

A number of major refactoring projects have been carried out on the Sample Request Module during the last 3 versions. This version includes the last major changes that should ensure that the module is now fully functional and very user-friendly. The main final feature supported were a new CGScript function to easily jump to a question in another site as well as return to existing site (extension of redirect ability to also use other sites), hiding of groups made in Sample Request module so they can never be modified from Group resource list, choice of excluding participators from existing sample requests from being included in a new sample request, and ability of getting the background information of a sample request updated as background information for own questionnaire.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting sample request module were:

VN2502QNR - SRM - Navigation logic in questionnaire VN2665QNR - SRM - Updates in relation to GB refactoring VN1944QNR - SRM - Exclude participators from other surveys VN2131QNR - Implement VN2039QNR - SRM Background information

New features from the Report group

Monitor site and dashboard improvements

Several features were implemented for Dashboards, which has become increasingly popular and thus warranted constant improvements. The changes made in this version were:

• It has been made possible for static and cross diagram elements to show both filtered and non-filtered series.
• The viewable simple filter element has been improved to allow multiple selections instead of, as earlier, just one at a time.
• It has further been made possible to show dashboards or parts of them in different languages, depending on the person viewing them.
• Hyperlinks inserted into a dashboard can now be configured to depend on which user clicks them. If a person from one group clicks a link he may be transferred to a different page than someone clicking the link belonging to a different group.
• It has been made possible to add the MyQuestionnaires MyPortal item as an element inside a dashboard.
• A final, more advanced feature, has been the setting up of a web service which dashboards can use to retrieve information from e.g. user objects, to display in a dashboard.
• Time sets -- which are used in dashboards -- now also allow quarters as period settings for creating tracking type diagrams.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting time sets and dashboards were:

VN2780REP - Dashboard - Option on static diagrams to simultaneously show series with and without filters VN2683REP - Dashboard simple filter multiselect VN2680REP - Dashboard multi-language HTML item VN2681REP - Dashboard hyperlink extension VN2754RND - MyPortal Elements in Dashboard Task - Quarters as periods in time sets

Style sheet module

The report style sheet module will regularly be updated with new style options. This version has been no exception with the addition of Markers for line charts, which means that we can now choose what markers to show for data points on lines, as well as a new style type called "callouts". Callouts are annotations that will describe a single data point in a series in a barline chart. It is possible to add multiple callouts, but for each you must specify the exact series and item in the series for that callout to appear. Typically you will use callout to draw attention to results that are significant and must be explained in more detail using text.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting the style sheet module were:

VN2726REP - Report style sheet - Settings for individual line points VN2725REP - Report style sheet - Callouts for Nevron charts

Tabulation module

A new project was carried out to add new as well as improve existing tabulation functions for setting graphics of diagrams.

Projects made in version 5.8 supporting tabulation were:

VN2533DAT - CGS - Tabulation module extensions part II