Release notes – Splynx v.5.0

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 08:31:05 GMT
update

[https://splynx.com/release-notes-splynx-v-5-0/](https://splynx.com/release-notes-splynx-v-5-0/)
We are excited to announce the launch of Splynx version 5.0, which introduces powerful new functionalities, enhancements, and fixes that significantly improve the platform’s performance and user experience. This release includes various system updates focused on enhancing operations management, including new network site management features and a completely redesigned task page for scheduling. We’ve also streamlined billing with support for manual mass payments and improved communication with a new chat widget, among many other upgrades.
These release notes highlight critical system changes and new features. For a detailed breakdown of all changes, please explore our comprehensive [changelog](https://wiki.splynx.com/en/changelog).
**Google OAuth Requirement for Email Transmission**
*Google has announced that starting *[*September 30, 2024*](https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2023/09/winding-down-google-sync-and-less-secure-apps-support.html)*, all email transmissions through their servers will require OAuth authentication instead of simple password authentication for SMTP and IMAP. This change is part of Google’s efforts to enhance security and protect user data. If you use Gmail as your primary email server and want to continue sending and receiving emails via Splynx, we strongly recommend upgrading to version 5.0, which seamlessly supports OAuth authentication.*
## **Key System Changes and New Features**
## **🗼 Network sites**
This **entirely new entity in Splynx** connects network locations (Network Sites), installed equipment, and customer services, facilitating enhanced management, streamlined client communication, and more efficient tracking.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920445-6d5d-7a57-81e7-267a734b0618.png)Network Sites can be found under the Networking tab in the navigation bar: `Networking > Network Sites`
### **This module includes four main sections for effective site management:**
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920445-b214-7ae6-9219-a6f9f24cab43.png)- **Information tab**

This tab contains key details about the site location, including the address, coordinates, geo map, assigned partners, related photos, and descriptions. It also includes sections for contact details and relevant documents.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920445-e282-729e-9893-2ec1aba52707.png)- **Hardware**

Manages hardware equipment related to the network site, such as routers, switches, servers, and access points.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920446-047d-79df-bb97-199f8738399a.png)- **Customer services**

This section displays all customers and services associated with the network site, allowing for better management of customers connected to a specific network.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920446-41b8-7814-808a-0dd8505f23fc.png)- **Network map**

The Network Site module includes a dedicated Map that displays the network topology for better visualization. This is the initial stage of network mapping in Splynx, with future enhancements planned.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920446-6239-78ef-9518-7de7ddec4659.png)- **SMS/email sending**

To improve customer communication, we have introduced the ability to send mass emails and SMS messages to customers connected to the same network site. This feature makes it easier to inform customer groups about maintenance or outages related to the network site.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920446-8d7b-71e1-a2ab-d03a98af90ee.png)## **🗓️ Scheduling**
Since Splynx v4.3, we have focused on optimizing our scheduling module to make it more efficient and user-friendly. In this latest version, we’ve fully redesigned the task pages and enhanced the user experience related to scheduling tables.
### **Table improvements**
- **Renamed scheduling columns**

We’ve added mass actions to the scheduling table, allowing you to close and archive multiple tasks simultaneously, streamlining your workflow.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920446-b5b3-7424-be37-37b1f96155af.png)- **Mass actions for tasks**

We’ve added mass actions to the scheduling table, allowing you to close and archive multiple tasks simultaneously, streamlining your workflow.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920446-d61a-7987-9b81-963fb68b524c.png)- **Added a color highlight for the ‘Priority’ status column on the task table**

We’ve added color labels to the priority status column to improve visual comprehension. These labels make task management more intuitive in the table or card view.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920446-f235-7412-ab0f-473d379f3523.png)### **New task pages**
The Task page has been completely overhauled to enhance functionality and user experience. The new design features a more intuitive layout, improved navigation, and easier access to essential information. These updates are designed to optimize workflows and boost productivity.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920448-01e7-7947-a2ac-9d5656fbfb48.png)The new task layout includes a comprehensive header with the task name, status, priority labels, and a quick management action section.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920448-2785-71f3-803b-a6652de81063.png)The window is divided into two main areas: task area and customer information.
### **Task area**
This section contains all essential task information, with badges added to the primary tabs for better visualization and clarity.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920448-5291-79e9-abed-739aa48113c5.png)- **Details**: Includes crucial information such as address, map, scheduled time, assignee, and priority. A detailed checklist with a progress bar is also included for easier task tracking.
- **Attachments**: Stores and access files related to the task.
- **Comments**: Collaborate with team members.
- **Related Tasks**: View subtasks, related tasks, and linked tickets.

![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920448-7f48-72e3-9dab-e39e3b105f43.png)- **Worklog**: Record time spent and work done.
- **Activity**: A log of all admin activities related to the task.

### **Customer information**
This section provides essential information for technicians, including contact details (email and phone number) and customer equipment if it is associated with your inventory. It also allows access to related customer documents, ensuring that all necessary information is readily available for efficient task management.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920448-a9a2-71af-a553-245bb5880c7b.png)## **💬 Communication**
### **WhatsApp integration improvements**
After the initial closed beta in v4.3, we gathered feedback and implemented improvements in functionality, permissions, and chat-related tickets.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920448-cda9-7465-8328-80d46c747d14.png)WhatsApp integration is now publicly available.
### **Chat widget for messengers**
We have introduced a new Chat Widget to enhance communication and collaboration. This tool enables admins to interact with chats more quickly and efficiently. It is seamlessly integrated with WhatsApp and designed to support other messaging platforms in future releases.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920448-fa45-717b-a11d-de7e3f064ed7.png)The widget is accessible throughout the system, allowing your team to manage incoming chats anytime and ensuring that all conversations are instantly visible.
While it integrates with WhatsApp, the widget will support additional messaging platforms in future releases.
## **🧾 Finance**
### **The mass payment allocation feature**
While automation is crucial, the ability to add mass payments can significantly streamline your workflow. We’ve introduced a feature that allows you to add mass payments to customers and link corresponding invoices, all within a single window.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920449-29a5-78b1-a874-4c4254708da5.png)Select a customer, enter the payment amount and date, and link the corresponding invoice. You can also add a comment about the payment if needed.
**Updated payments window on the customer profile**
The modal window for manually adding payments has been enhanced to include a section for linking invoices to payments, similar to the functionality of Credit Notes.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920449-4b21-745b-9e40-bfaa6d4e1091.png)### **Share and sign contracts outside Splynx**
The Splynx system offers two options for processing documents and contracts within customer profiles. We’ve now added the ability to send and sign contracts outside the platform, so customers no longer need to log in to the customer portal to complete the signing process.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920449-6a5d-782a-801c-a9e5e8d4a957.png)**Here’s how it works:**
1. A contract link is sent to the customer via email, SMS, or WhatsApp.
2. The customer follows the link and is directed to a verification page.
3. The customer completes OTP verification using their phone number or email address.
4. The customer signs the document.

Once the contract is signed, the customer automatically receives a copy via email, and the administrator is notified that the contract has been accepted. The contract’s status label will also change to “Accepted.”
### **Customer labels for finance filters**
We continue to add customer labels to more sections of the system. You can now filter customers by custom labels when exporting financial documents such as invoices, proforma invoices, and credit notes. This feature is handy for quickly exporting data for specific customer groups.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920449-8b31-79b1-b447-f95ebb2cfefe.png)## **⚙️ System & Configuration**
The v5.0 update includes numerous enhancements, tweaks, and bug fixes to improve system performance and user experience. Here are the changes we’d like to spotlight:
### **Documents encryption**
We’ve introduced the Documents encryption feature to comply with local policies and enhance system security. This feature enables file encryption for financial documents sent via email. It is disabled by default but can be enabled when needed.
Documents that can be encrypted:
- Invoices
- Proforma invoices
- Payments
- Credit notes
- Quotes
- Statements
- Documents/Contracts

![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920449-b2ed-7516-ba82-57e8080b8d32.png)### **Force admins to enable 2FA**
We’ve added a toggle to force 2FA on all admin accounts in response to customer requests. This option is available in the Administration & Security section under `Config > Main > Preferences`. Once enabled, all admins will be prompted to set up 2FA during login and cannot proceed without completing the setup.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920449-d6e0-7cb1-8f55-f4b6ad758e09.png)### **New reports**
#### **Customers chart**
Available in `Administration > Reports > Customers Chart`, this report visually displays your customers based on their statuses
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01920449-f63a-7a94-81df-8d7dc6af09e8.png)#### **Connected customers chart on Dashboard**
We’ve added a new ‘Connected Customers’ chart to the main dashboard, displaying the number of customers connected over time for easy business performance tracking.
![Image](https://fb-usercontent.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/0192044a-17be-7d9c-90a7-3f671cc17ef7.png)