October 2015 Release
PLEASE NOTE: This release implements the previously announced changes regarding "custom post-updates" and the licensing system.
Once this release is installed, the previous "custom post-updates" will no longer be executed. Alternatively, corresponding "eTASK Plug-Ins" are available for your custom functions. You can download your plug-ins from the "Store." In the Store, select the "My" view to see all plug-ins licensed for your system. Then download the plug-in files and install them in the FM Portal using the "Install Plug-in" form, which you can find in the menu under System Settings \ Portal Options \ Plug-ins/Licenses.
Along with the introduction of plug-ins, this release includes a change to the eTASK licensing system. This change is purely technical in nature. The type or scope of your licenses will not change as a result of this update. After installing this release, you must update all licenses in your eTASK.FM portal once. Your previous licenses will become invalid upon installation of this release. To make this process as easy as possible for you, you will find your "License List" in the "Profile" section. The "Download Licenses" option provides you with a file containing all licenses issued to you. Install this file using the same method as you would for plug-ins in your FM portal to complete the license update.
Technical note regarding this release:
With this release, the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6 is automatically installed on your server. As a result, a server restart is required after the update. For more information on the .NET Framework, visit https://www.microsoft.com/
eTASK FM Procurement SAP Interface
Improvement: Performance confirmation on supplementary orders is prevented
For orders imported from SAP, performance confirmation is now only possible for the first item. Additional items—which may include backorders, for example—are visible in the form, but performance can no longer be confirmed for these items.
Improvement: Automatic spaces in texts in the SAP standard format "Free-form Text Editor"
When importing text from SAP using the SAP standard format "Free-form Text Editor," spaces are now automatically added after line breaks. In SAP, longer text is stored in separate lines, which must then be merged into a continuous text when imported into the eTASK.FM portal. A space is inserted between the content of two lines.
eTASK Dunning
Improvement: Column widths in the "Reminder Overview" report have been optimized
The column widths in the "Reminder Overview" report have been adjusted so that the content is now clearly legible and text no longer overlaps.
eTASK Outlook Room Booking
Bug fix: Resolved synchronization issues with Microsoft Exchange 2010 for OWA bookings
Various synchronization issues with room bookings via Outlook Web Access (OWA)—i.e., without using the eTASK Outlook add-in or the booking methods in the eTASK.FM portal—have been resolved when using Microsoft Exchange 2010.
eTASK FM Procurement
New Feature: Importing Surcharge Items from GAEB Files into Framework Agreements
When importing a GAEB service specification into a master agreement (Contract form), the surcharge items (percentage surcharges) from the GAEB file are now also imported. The surcharge items can be applied to a "service item" during the "service confirmation" of a "purchase order." The surcharge is then calculated as a percentage of the associated service item and added to the service confirmation as a sub-item of that service item. The surcharge item for a service item is selected via a new dialog window.
New Feature: New View Report "Order Status" with Direct Access to Orders
The view report lists all orders in the system with the following values: order date, order number, vendor, status, responsibility, revision, and client. As with every report in the eTASK.FM portal, the standard functions—search, filter, export, sort, favorites, and direct link—are available. The respective order can be opened and edited directly from the view report using the order number.
eTASK Building Diagnosis
Improvement: Automatic completion of missing replacement years in diagnostic items during budget creation
The "Create Budget Project" function in the building diagnosis failed if a building diagnosis contained one or more diagnostic points where the "Repair Points" value was greater than 0 and where the "Min. Replacement Year" and/or the "Max. Replacement Year" was 0. The "Min. Replacement Year" and "Max. Replacement Year" must be specified for the budget to be created. If this is not the case, the missing values are now automatically added to the affected diagnostic points when the budget is created.
eTASK Visitor Registration System
Bug Fix: Fixed automatic deactivation of visitors in the visitor list
Visitors created in the visitor list are no longer automatically deactivated after saving. As a result, these visitors are now displayed again in the visitor list and in the reports.
eTASK Facilities (Package)
New feature: CAFM-Connect Editor now takes into account an attribute’s “data type”
Starting with version 106, the CAFM-Connect Editor from the industry association CAFM-Ring e.V. features a new catalog in which the "data type" (dropdown, number, date, text, yes/no) for an attribute (IFC property template) is now stored. This allows data content to be better validated and prevents import errors caused by data type conversions. This prevents the entry of incorrect values (e.g., text entry in numeric fields) and improves data quality. You can download the latest CAFM-Connect Editor for free from the industry association’s website: http://www.cafmring.de/cafm-connect/downloads/
New Feature: Excel Export of All Assets and Their Components from the "Object Search"
The Excel export of the "Object Search" has been expanded to include the new export option "Objects with Components." This export option adds the "Component List" column to the generated Excel list. In the component list, all components belonging to a system are displayed as a "quantity calculation" (quantity per component type). The list generated in this way can, for example, be forwarded directly to the supplier as a parts list and basis for submitting a bid—without further processing—as part of a procurement process.
eTASK Operating Cost Accounting
New Feature: New View "Building Allocation" (by Cost Type)
The view provides an overview of monthly building apportionments by cost type and building, including the apportionment type, apportionment key, and unit. The view report offers various filtering options, e.g., by year and property. You can find the new view in the menu under: Property Management \ Operating Cost Settlement \ Calculation Results \ Buildings \ Building Apportionment.
Bug Fix: Operating Cost Reports in the FM Client Now Display the Correct Value in the "Gross Balance" Column
In the operating cost reports in the FM Client, the "Gross Balance" column now displays the correct gross amount for advance payments. Previously, the net amount was displayed here.
eTASK Cost Entry
Improvement: Editing of "Scope of Services" and "Billing Values Calculation Logic" now also available for outgoing invoices in the portal
The "Scope of Services" and "Billing Values Calculation Logic" sections are now also available in the portal within the invoice line item (partial service) of an outgoing invoice and can be edited there.
Improvement: Selection of a valid bank account when entering an incoming invoice
When selecting bank details for an incoming invoice in the FM Client, the "Valid from" and "Valid to" dates for the bank details are displayed. This helps prevent the selection of invalid bank details when entering the incoming invoice.
Improvement: Changes relevant to operating costs now possible in already approved invoices
It is now possible to subsequently change amounts for partial services on an invoice as well as other operating cost-related details without the message "No reason for a reduction in the partial service was specified" appearing. This allows, for example, typos from invoice entry to be easily corrected later. Specifying a reason is still possible, but not mandatory.
Improvement: Expansion of the Incoming Invoice form to include the fields "Reminder Date" and "Reminder Level"
The incoming invoice form in the portal now includes an additional "Reminder Status" section. This section contains a date field for entering a reminder date and an input field for manually specifying a reminder level. These fields are also available in the FM Client.
eTASK Rental
Bug fix: Date format formatting when adding available rooms to a fixed-term lease
When adding vacant rooms to a fixed-term lease agreement using an English SQL server, the date format was converted incorrectly. This error has been fixed.
Improvement: Change to required fields on the "Building" form
The fields "Management Fee as a Percentage of BK" and "Default Risk as a Percentage of Base Rent" are no longer required fields by default.
eTASK Utilities / Energy
Bug fix: Month-end closing possible again after updating the "Base Fee" and "Type" fields
The configuration for the new "Base Fee" and "Type" fields in Media Supply is now available in the portal. Appropriate values must be maintained in your system for these two fields so that month-end closing can take place.
eTASK Training Management
New feature: Create "HSE notes" for delegates with display in participant scheduling
An "HSE note" can now be created for a representative for each HSE function. The HSE note is displayed in the participant schedule via an icon. The icon appears only if there is at least one HSE note for the delegate. In the "HSE note," you can store training-related notes about the person, such as "Can only attend training on Tuesdays and Thursdays."
Improvement: "Participant List" report for a training session now includes a logo and improved content
The "Participant List" report has been completely revised in terms of content and print layout. The report can now be customized with a company logo. Participants are listed along with their respective departments. All individuals assigned to the training session who have not canceled are listed as participants. To specify the instructor, the training form has been expanded to include a "Manual Instructor" option. As an alternative to the previous method of selecting an instructor from the personnel list, this allows for the manual entry of one or more instructors, who are then listed in the participant list. You can access the participant list directly from the training form.
Highlight: New "Upcoming Training Sessions Participant Overview" view for easy training planning
The new view lists all upcoming training sessions and displays the maximum number of participants, the number of remaining spots, and the actual participants (as a total and by name). The maximum number of participants has been added as a new attribute to the training session record. The view can be filtered by training sessions for a specific HSE function and provides direct access to a training session’s participant list as well as to the training session itself. Using the “Participant Overview: Upcoming Training Sessions,” you can quickly get an overview of which training sessions still have space for additional participants or which training sessions are planned for a specific HSE function.
eTASK Maintenance
Bug Fix: Existing objects are no longer removed from the schedule when saving
When saving a job schedule, objects already present in the job schedule are no longer removed from it.
Improvement: Exclusion of rejected orders in maintenance plans
In the maintenance plan reports (menu item Technical Building Management / Maintenance / Maintenance Plans), rejected orders (workflow status "04.02 | Rejection IH | Maintenance") are no longer included. The status is excluded from the evaluation in the reports.
Highlight: New selector for selecting objects in the order and order plan
The selector for choosing objects in an order or an order plan has been completely redesigned and now has the same structure as the Object Explorer and the Object Register in the portal menu. When assigning objects to an order plan or an order, the user can thus navigate within their familiar structure and switch between the two views, "Register" and "Explorer."
eTASK Room Reservation
Bug fix: Editing booked appointments is now possible again via the central "Booking List"
Booked appointments can now be edited again via the "Edit Booking" button in the "Booking List" (System Control).
eTASK FM Portal
New Feature: Portal Header Design Fully Customizable
Similar to the customization options for the new login screen, you can now also customize the portal header to match your company’s design. Learn more about the customization options in the eTASK.InfoCenter.
New feature: Display important information directly on the login screen
The login screen now allows you to display important information visible to all users. For example, you can notify your users of scheduled maintenance windows in advance. You can configure the "Login Info" as a configuration parameter ("INFOLOGIN") in the portal’s Control Panel. Learn more about this in the eTASK.InfoCenter.
Bug Fixes
Fixes for various minor bugs and corrections of typos in different modules.
Bug Fixes: Correct Display of Special Characters (e.g., Percent Sign) in HTML Text Fields
All special characters are now displayed correctly in HTML text fields (Control "ETextArea" with "IsHtml" enabled). Previously, percent signs were displayed incorrectly after saving the form.
Bug fix: Use of double quotes in import files enabled
A bug in the Import Wizard has been fixed that, under certain conditions, prevented the processing of field names (labels) containing quotation marks.
Paid Feature: New "Floor Occupancy with Company Logo" Report for Posting
The report in DIN A3 format lists all individuals assigned to a room or workstation on a given floor. It displays the individuals’ last name, first name, department, phone number, and room. The report header displays the customer logo, which is uploaded to the eTASK.FM portal.
Paid feature: New workflow for automated contract follow-up
The workflow can be activated for the contract form and then sends automatic email notifications to the responsible users when the contract’s resubmission date is reached, as well as 10 days prior to the termination date and the contract’s expiration date. The relevant contract is displayed as a "task" in the service list of the responsible users and can be processed directly there. Responsibilities can be organized via groups based on contract type and contract category. When the workflow is activated, corresponding groups are automatically created for all contract types and contract categories available in your eTASK.FM portal. This significantly simplifies the workflow implementation for customers who are already actively using contract management. Not using eTASK contract management yet? Contract management is a standard feature available in every eTASK.FM portal, regardless of the version. You can therefore use contract management at any time and at no additional cost. If you need assistance, simply contact your eTASK representative.
Paid Feature: New Dashboard Tile "Office Space Utilization"
The dashboard tile evaluates the available office space (NF2) in accordance with DIN 277. It also displays the number of furnished and active workstations, as well as the number of employees assigned to the NF2 rooms. The key metric indicates the office space consumption per furnished and active workstation.
Improvement: Protocol (http/https) is no longer taken into account when checking the URL for licenses
When verifying licenses in the FM portal, the protocol (http or https) of the entered portal URL is no longer checked. You can therefore add an SSL certificate to your portal at any time without having to issue new licenses for eTASK products.
Improvement: Automatic entry of the applicant’s cost center in the service ticket
The "Cost Center" field in the service ticket is automatically populated with the applicant's cost center when a new service ticket is created. A separate system parameter has been added for this purpose, which can be used to disable this function if necessary.
Improvement: Deletion of "old" and empty attributes in the matchcode when selecting a new object type
When changing the object type in a matchcode, the custom attributes of the previously selected object type are now deleted, provided these custom attributes are empty in the matchcode and not filled with values. Custom attributes of the previously selected object type for which values have already been entered in the matchcode, however, are retained. The custom attributes of the newly selected object type are added to the matchcode.
Improvement: Improved performance when opening the menu structure
Thanks to various performance improvements in loading behavior, the menu structure now opens faster when clicking the plus sign in the portal. Loading times for building the menu structure when opening a subfolder have been reduced to a minimum.
Improvement: Update of the eTASK development environment to Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6
The eTASK development environment has been upgraded to the latest version of the Microsoft ".NET Framework 4.6." In this latest version of the framework, our developers have access to new command sets that allow them to program more efficiently and effectively. You, as a customer, also benefit from this.
Improvement: Conversion of the "Personnel" form to a two-column view
The "Personnel" form has been reconfigured to a two-column view. This allows users to see more information at a glance. Field widths, such as those for the "Time Zone" field, have been adjusted accordingly.
Improvement: Automatic "HTTP Activation" during Update and Setup
eTASK Setup and Updater have been enhanced to include automatic installation of the "HTTP Activation" feature for Windows Server. HTTP activation is required to use the eTASK app.
Highlight: New login page: faster loading and customizable design
The portal’s login screen has been completely redesigned. Not only has the login design been completely overhauled, but loading speed has also been significantly optimized. Thanks to direct redirection, the login is now immediately available after entering the portal address. The graphics on the login screen can be customized to match your company’s design if needed. Learn more about customization options in the eTASK.InfoCenter. All previous login functions (e.g., language selection) remain available as before.
eTASK Inventory
Support Information: Data synchronization with Intermec devices is no longer possible
With this release, the use of web service endpoints for data synchronization with Intermec devices is no longer possible. Starting with this release, only the new Windows app is supported as a mobile inventory solution. Don’t have a license for the eTASK app yet? Please contact eTASK Sales.