For many of our users, version 7.2 has only been out for a few weeks, but we’re already looking ahead to the roll-out of version 7.3.  We’ve rolled out some really cool features this year, but version 7.3 is going to take policyIQ to a new level.

Track Changes as You Create or Edit Content

That’s right, folks.  policyIQ version 7.3 will allow you to track the changes that are made within Rich Text (HTML) fields.  With Track Changes turned on for the field, every change will be highlighted, deleted text struck through, user and date/time stamp annotated, and all new text color coded to be attributed to the proper editor.  Changes can be accepted, rejected and you can turn off the tracking if you just want to see the final copy.

With the notable exception of making policyIQ available via all major internet browsers, this feature is most often requested and most highly anticipated.  We can’t wait to put it into your hands!

New Field Type of “Multi-Line Text” Eliminates Need for Too Many Slow Rich Text Fields

In version 7.2 and earlier, we have had two options for text fields:

1. Short Text – a single line of plain, non-formatted text input that did not always allow for enough characters or enough viewable space, or
2. Rich Text (HTML) – a large narrative space with an unlimited number of characters that took longer to load on the screen because of the many formatting options available.

Many of you expressed a need for something in the middle, where you could enter a longer amount of text that was visible on the screen, but without having to load the clunky and slower Rich Text formatting.  In version 7.3, we bring you Multi-Line Text.

This field choice is available in both Pages and Forms.  For Forms, this will provide added flexibility to add “Comments” fields where needed, without the concern of a longer form loading time.

Utilize a Comments Thread on Pages throughout the Workflow Process

Many of our users – particularly those of you working in audit departments – have expressed a desire to have a comments thread that is available for you to post and review comments on a page as you send it through the workflow process.

Now you will find Comments as a new tab on a Page, with the ability to post comments throughout the workflow process.  Upon publishing the page, the page administrator can decide whether or not he or she would like to delete comments from the published version.

Allow Approvers to Edit Pages in the Sent for Approval Stage

We know that for many of you, the review and approval process for your pages can be complex and involve a number of different individuals.  Some of you have asked that Approvers be allowed to make changes to the page while the page is in the Awaiting Approval stage.  Others prefer that pages are locked down once sent for approval, requiring that they are sent back to the people responsible for their content to make any adjustments.

We aim to keep everyone happy, and have added the ability to open up a page for editing by the Approver based on a setting that can be changed on the page Template.  If you want your Approvers to also be allowed to make changes (without requiring those changes to go back through the full workflow), you can activate this feature.  It will be deactivated by default.

We do offer some caution on this particular feature.  When activated, approvers of the page can make changes without being required to notify the content administrators or other approvers.  The audit trail will reflect those changes, but no automated notification will be sent.

But wait, there’s more!

There are a number of other improvements and enhancements coming in version 7.3, but we wanted to give you a sneak peek into the heavy hitters.  We expect version 7.3 to be released this spring, and we’ll communicate the timing of that release (and training to help you best take advantage of new features!) very soon.