At Unifyed, we define a “New Feature” as a fundamentally new capability added within Engage to provide additional value or solve a new problem.

Unifyed Forms

The Unifyed Forms feature allows portal administrators to create and manage simple digital forms directly within the portal without the need for third-party tools. It provides a user-friendly interface for admins to create, manage, and publish custom forms within the platform and enables a wide range of data collection capabilities using various field types, CAPTCHA configurations, and submission options.

Key Benefits –

• Custom Form Creation: Easily create and customize forms with various field types to match specific needs.
• Enhanced User Interaction: Enable users to submit responses through secure CAPTCHAs and multi-input options.
• Convenient Email Integration: Automatically send form submissions to designated email addresses.
• Organized Form Management: Access a centralized list of all forms, sorted by creation date, with quick search and edit options.

Feature Summary
The Forms feature can be accessed via Studio under “Manage Forms”. Administrators with appropriate permissions can create new forms, edit existing ones, and delete or search through the list of saved forms. The form creation interface allows for a range of field options, including text inputs, checkboxes, dropdowns, and file uploads. CAPTCHA verification ensures secure form submissions, with support for Google reCAPTCHA, text-based, and math CAPTCHAs.
Each form can be published through the FORMS applet and displayed across different pane views. Administrators also can configure the form to send submissions as emails, ensuring responses are delivered directly to designated inboxes. A detailed activity log is maintained for every form created, updated, or deleted.

Getting Started –
To begin using Forms, administrators need to enable the feature through Studio access control. Once enabled, they can navigate to Studio → Content → Manage Forms to create and manage forms. The process is intuitive, with easy-to-follow steps for adding form fields, setting CAPTCHA preferences, and configuring email notifications. Forms can then be published using the Forms Applet, where layout configurations can be customized.

Export

The Export feature in Engage provides administrators with a centralized interface to bulk download important data from the platform, such as Users, Groups, Communities, and Interests. This feature simplifies the process of exporting data for reporting, analysis, or backup purposes.

Key Benefits –

• Centralized Data Export: Easily access and download bulk data from a single interface.
• Multiple Data Types: Export key data, including Users, Groups, Communities, and Interests.
• CSV Format: All data is exported in a structured CSV format, making it easy to analyze or import into other systems.
• Direct Downloads: With a simple click, admins can instantly download data with no additional configurations.

Feature Summary
The Export feature is available under the Studio menu but is disabled by default. Administrators with appropriate studio access can enable it via studio access control. Once enabled, the Export icon appears in the Studio below Analytics. Clicking on the icon opens a modal containing a list of data types available for export.

• Users: Download a list of all users in the system, including details like First Name, Last Name, Groups, Email, Chat User Discoverable status, and Last Login Date.
• Groups: Download group information, including Name, Description, Type (AD, Portal, Community), Created Date, and Created By.
• Communities: Export a list of communities, with details such as Name, Description, Type (Public, Private, Restricted), Created Date, and Created By.
• Interests: Export interest data, including Name, Status, Created Date, Created By, Notification Settings.

Each data type comes with a dedicated download icon for direct access to the corresponding CSV file. The CSV files are structured with predefined headers, making it easy to sort, filter, or process the data.

Getting Started –
To use the Export feature, navigate to Studio and enable the feature through studio access control for the desired admin users. Once enabled, access the Export option under Studio, and use the modal to download data for Users, Groups, Communities, or Interests. Each data type can be downloaded in CSV format, allowing for easy access and further processing.

ToDo and Holds Flat File Applets

We have introduced two new applets: ToDo and Holds. Both applets retrieve and display data from a flat file (CSV) uploaded by the customer to an SFTP location. These applets provide users with an easy way to view and manage tasks and holds based on data maintained externally.

Key Benefits –

• Automated Data Updates: Display tasks and student holds automatically from CSV files uploaded to an SFTP location.
• Configure Sync Interval Information: User can set the Sync interval from Studio > App Manager > Flat File Data Integration.
• Simplified Task and Hold Management: Clear organization of tasks into Current, Overdue, and Completed tabs, and easy access to hold information.

Feature Summary

ToDo Applet:

• The ToDo applet displays a list of tasks with details including Task Description, Task Due Date, and Task Completion Date.
• CSV data from the customer’s SFTP is used to populate this applet, with values such as task description, task due date, and task complete date.
• Tasks are divided into Current, Overdue, and Completed tabs based on the task due date and completion date:
  • Completed: If a task has a completion date, it will appear here.
  • Current: Tasks with future or current due dates but no completion date.
  • Overdue: Tasks with past due dates and no completion date.

Student Holds (Holds Applet):

• The Student Holds applet displays hold details for students, including Hold Initiated By, Start Date, End Date, Reason Code, Amount Owed, Hold Type, and Full Name.
• Similar to the ToDo applet, this data comes from the customer’s SFTP CSV file.
• This applet allows institutions to show pending holds on students for various reasons (e.g., library fines, fees) and keeps information up to date with internally configured data syncs.

Getting Started –
To start using the My Tasks and Student Holds applets, customers need to upload their CSV files to the designated SFTP location. Once the files are placed, the system will update the data based on sync interval configured. Users can access their tasks and hold details through the applets, which display information based on the most recent data upload.

Search Engine Visibility Configuration

We have introduced the ability to manage and customize the content of the robots.txt file. The robots.txt file guides search engine bots on which parts of the site they can crawl, allowing tenants to control their portal’s visibility on search engines.

Key Benefits –

• Search Engine Optimization: Enable search engine bots to index public pages, improving discoverability.
• Custom Configuration: making robots.txt configurable, ensuring tailored control over the sections of their portal that can be crawled.

Feature Summary

• Centralized Configuration: A dedicated provision allows Engage administrators to manage their robots.txt file.
• Immediate Application: Once configured, the content is immediately accessible via the browser when robots.txt is queried.

Getting Started –
To configure the robots.txt file, reach out to our support team or hour customer success manager. Please note, you will need to consult your internal IT or SEO (Search Engine Optimization) team to provide the preferred content for your robots.txt file. You can add custom rules and content and, once saved, the changes will reflect immediately when the file is accessed via the browser, allowing search engine bots to follow the specified directives.

At Unifyed, we classify an Enhancement as an update to an existing feature or capability to make it more advanced or to provide additional value or offer a richer user experience.

Enhanced Page Management

The Enhanced Page Management feature addresses the challenge of managing a growing number of pages in a flat, unorganized interface. Previously, all pages were displayed at a single level with minimal sorting and organizational options, making it difficult for users to manage and navigate through multiple pages efficiently. This enhancement introduces a more structured, folder-based system, improving usability and offering greater flexibility for organizing and managing pages.

Key Benefits –

• Improved Organization: The introduction of a folder structure helps users categorize and manage pages more effectively, especially in large environments with numerous pages.
• Streamlined Navigation: Enhanced sorting options and filters allow users to quickly find the pages they are looking for.
• Simplified Page Management: Users can now rename, delete, and organize pages into folders for better structure and usability.

Feature Summary
The enhanced Page Management screen, under Studio > Sites and Pages, now features a folder-based structure, allowing users to create, organize, and manage pages with greater efficiency. Pages are displayed with headers like Page Name, Created On, Created By, Modified On, and Modified By, all of which can be sorted. The interface also includes search functionality, pagination, and filtering options. Users can create new folders, move pages, and manage pages with more control through the new UI.
Key updates include:

• Ability to create, rename, and delete folders with support for up to three hierarchical levels.
• Enhanced search and filtering based on Page Name, Created/Modified by, and navigation configuration.

Getting Started –
To access the enhanced Page Management, navigate to Studio > Sites & Pages > Manage Pages. The improved interface allows you to organize pages within folders, sort and filter based on relevant criteria and manage pages more easily with the new UI options. Start by creating folders to categorize your pages and take advantage of the new search and filtering capabilities to find and manage pages quickly.

Enhanced Managing Settings and Permissions

The Enhanced Managing Settings and Permissions feature solves the challenge of managing page and applet settings, as well as RBAC permissions, from a central location, which in some cases can be cumbersome or confusing. By allowing users to manage these settings directly from the page or applets when Studio mode is activated, this process is simplified for administrators, eliminating the need to navigate through the main repository to update page or applet details and permissions.

Key Benefits –

• Streamlined Workflow: Admins can now manage page settings and permissions directly from the page or applet in Studio mode, saving time and reducing the need to navigate away from the current screen.
• Improved Usability: Intuitive icons and tooltips provide quick access to settings and permissions, enhancing the user experience and efficiency.
• Consistent Access Control: The feature ensures that only users with the appropriate Studio permissions can access and manage settings and permissions.

Feature Summary
This enhancement introduces a series of improvements to the UI and user experience for managing settings and permissions within Studio mode. Admins can now manage page settings and RBAC permissions directly from the page or applet itself, without needing to go back to the main Sites & Pages or RBAC menus. Key changes include:

• Admins can manage page settings directly from the page in Studio mode, updating details such as the page name, title, friendly URL, category, and tags.
• Permissions can be managed for pages from Studio mode, allowing admins to update RBAC settings without navigating to the RBAC menu.
• Permissions for applets can also be managed directly within Studio mode, streamlining the process for applets configured on a page.
• Applet settings can be accessed and managed when the applet is deployed in the navigation menu, closing a gap in functionality.

Getting Started –
To take advantage of the enhanced settings and permissions management, admins can access these features directly from Studio mode. While on a page or applet, activate Studio mode and look for the new Manage and Permission icons. These will allow you to make the necessary updates without navigating away from the page.

Provide CK Editor in Applet Configuration

The CKEditor in Applet Configuration allows users to create reusable content components with text fields, text areas (HTML), and other elements. This enhancement adds the TextArea (HTML) data type to custom applets, allowing the creation of dynamic, reusable components.

Key Benefits –

• Reusable Content Creation: Admins can now use the TextArea (HTML) data type within custom applets, making it easier to create and manage rich-text content across multiple pages.
• Customization: The feature allows admins to create customized content components that can be reused on various pages.
• JavaScript Integration: Supports adding custom JavaScript code for advanced customization of applets, providing flexibility and control over the look and feel of content.

Feature Summary

• Custom Applet Configuration: When configuring metadata for an applet, admins can now select TextArea (HTML) as a data type, in addition to existing types like text, dropdown, and checkbox. The CKEditor interface allows for seamless HTML content editing.
• Editable Metadata: Once configured, the TextArea (HTML) metadata is visible and editable when the applet is placed on a page, enabling users to update content easily.
• JavaScript Integration: Users can add custom JavaScript code for further customization, extending the applet’s functionality through the Unifyed Appstore and Studio.

Getting Started –
Admins can begin using the TextArea (HTML) data type by navigating to Studio > App Manager > Unifyed Appstore > Configure Applet. When creating or updating an applet, choose TextArea (HTML) during the metadata configuration step. Once the applet is deployed on a page, the HTML content can be edited directly through CKEditor. Additionally, custom JavaScript code can be added for more complex use cases.

Forced tag search and content search

The Forced Tag Search and Content Search enhancement allows users to focus global searches on tags or exact keywords to keep the number of search results focused. Previously, search results included any content where a searched term appeared as a tag, but users had no control to filter only by tags or exact keywords. This enhancement introduces the ability to perform forced tag searches and exact keyword searches, providing more refined search capabilities.

Key Benefits –

• Precise Tag Searches: Users can now force Global Search to display results containing specific tags, making it easier to locate tag-based content.
• Exact Keyword Matches: The feature allows for exact keyword searches by enclosing terms in double quotes, helping users find content without retrieving partial or related matches.

Feature Summary
This enhancement introduces new functionality for tag-specific and exact keyword searches within Global Search. By integrating these advanced search features, users gain more control over their search results.

• Forced Tag Search: Users can perform a tag-specific search by typing tag:”Keyword” in the search bar. This ensures that only results where the term is used as a tag are displayed.
• Case-Sensitive Keyword Search: The forced tag search is case-sensitive, providing more accuracy in searches.
• Exact Keyword Search: Users can also force an exact keyword match by enclosing the term in double quotes, e.g., “Midterm Result”. This prevents partial matches from appearing in the results, showing only content with the exact phrase.

Getting Started –
To begin using the Forced Tag Search and Content Search feature, simply type the search term in the Global Search bar with the appropriate syntax:

• For a forced tag search, type tag:”Keyword”.
• For an exact keyword search, type the keyword or phrase in double quotes, like “Midterm Result”.

Resolved Defects-

• Added a configurable flag in the Multi Event URL applet to toggle the display of past events based on customer preference.
• Fixed an issue where the commented user’s last name appeared twice when opening a Connect post from a notification.
• Fixed an issue where external links in a docked group briefly appeared before incorrectly redirecting users to the home page.

About Unifyed

Unifyed is a pioneer in higher education software and serves over 150 colleges and universities around the world. Unifyed partners with colleges and universities to deliver affordable solutions that help recruit, engage, educate, retain and graduate 21st century students.

For the detailed release note please visit : my.unifyed.com