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Users of AVAproject and AVAproject Fusion were treated to the largest product updates ever in 2016. The lengthy list of new features and enhancements seen in the ‘Release Notes’ extends throughout many aspect of the platform. New capabilities and enhancement to existing ones were a central focus throughout 2016.
For the upcoming years, the development team is taking an innovative approach. Internally named "The Bigger Picture", development effort in the coming year will be focused on the AVAware “ecosystem” in its entirely, with a specific emphasis on web-based and network-enabled functionality. Perhaps more importantly, AVAware will expand efforts to provide integration capabilities with other popular software solutions and platforms. Specifically, development initiatives will be organized into several key categories.
Working the Web.
AVAproject and AVAproject Fusion already make extensive use of web-based technologies to provide users and system administrators with features that are normally reserved for network-based implementations. Used effectively, the internet can provide all the connectivity features found in a traditional “network-based” solution, without requiring users to be constantly tethered to VPN-type connections.
A great deal of emphasis has been placed in AVAware User Accounts in recent years. User accounts are maintained by system administrators on AVAware’s web platform, using a robust set of web tools accessible through the AVAware website. Administrators maintain lists of users, with “types” assigned to each that clearly define access capabilities and “permissions” with respect to web resources and usage of the software itself.
The AVAware Web Control Panel Users Area with a Custom User Type and Permissions Editor
Individual accounts are setup just as one would sign up for a “Twitter” or “Facebook” account. The process is initiated by the company administrator, using an email address controlled by the user. AVAware’s server automatically deploys an email to the user, requesting they “validate” their email address and thus activate their account.
Once activated, users can uses this account to login into the web-based portal to access items such as software updates, optional modules and subscription content (ie: catalogs). The web portal also provides access to a variety of technical resources and documentation. Users can also login to their AVAware account with the AVAproject software itself – using their own email address and a password of their choosing. In addition to providing access to additional capabilities as defined by their user “type”, they can also download catalog content directly should their user settings allow it.
Users and administrators will both find additional tools and resources available to them in the coming months. Administrators will be provided a number of additional “settings” that they’ll be able to maintain and enforce throughout their user base from the convenience of the web portal. Once again, these features enable a level of control that is normally reserved for network-based software.
Users will gain the ability to easily “share” software resources with other users in their organization. Currently AVAproject users are already familiar with the integrated deployment system built into the software. Key resources such as logo art and subscription files are automatically deployed and updated when the software is launched – eliminating the need for administrators to individually distribute or install files for their users. Users will be given the ability to utilize this same deployment platform to disseminate their files to other users. Standard elevations, project templates and view styles are only some of the resource types that will become “shareable” as easily on one would share a photo on their mobile device.
Connect. Connect. Connect.
The ability to integrate directly with other software applications and platforms is just one of the technological advantages AVAware offers to their users. No other solution for the architectural openings industry offers the level of seamless integration enjoyed by AVAware users.
Application specific “connector” files have enabled users of AVAproject and AVAproject Fusion to move data to and from the ERP/accounting packages of their choice. Rather than limit our users’ options, or impose a single solution on all of them, AVAware recognizes that the needs of each user or organization will vary dramatically. It’s inconceivable that an accounting platform created for a small-sized business would adequately suffice for a large corporation. For that reason, AVAproject Fusion was designed to provide users with the freedom of choice.
Development efforts in the area of integration have only accelerated. In addition to the ERP/accounting connectors offered for Fusion, AVAware has created modules to support a variety of application exports and platforms such as Microsoft SQL Server. Several additional modules have been planned for 2017, enabling seamless integration with a number of popular applications.
Please continue to monitor upcoming issues of AVAwire for product announcements and releases.
Master Your Domain. (Tools for Administrators)
AVAware currently offers a number of web-based tools and resources for system administrators to manage their deployments. A number of additional software tools are planned for the coming months, focusing on three major areas of development:
Deployment and Maintenance
 | AVAware software is designed for ease of deployment and installation. A single install process is all that’s required to get AVAproject or AVAproject Fusion running on a user’s PC. From there, the integrated deployment system distributes and installs company-specific resource files without any effort on the part of the user.
New web-based tools will allow system administrators to import lists of users, for automatic creation of AVAware accounts and distribution of installation links. Automated update processes with web-based reporting will facilitate remote and widespread deployments with never before seen simplicity. |
Remote Software Contol
The web-based administrator’s control panel will be expanded to offer even more software settings that can be set and enforced remotely. Many of the settings and preferences that govern the use of AVAware’s software applications will be established remotely and seamlessly propagated to all users – local and remote.
Data Storage Flexibility
Integrations with popular storage platforms, such as Microsoft SQL Server, Sharepoint, Office 365 and others will open up new possibilities for shared and centralized data warehousing to AVAware users. Software platforms such as these offer all the convenience of network servers, allowing remote users to easily share their project data - while still enabling them to work independently and without the need for a constant VPN connection.
Beyond all the network and integration efforts in the coming year, users will continue to see new features and enhancements that carry on AVAware’s tradition of improving the detailing and estimating process.
There are some major projects underway, and product releases planned for 2017. Until they’re ready, we prefer to keep them a surprise… As always, we advise our users (current and future) to keep an eye on their inboxes for future editions of AVAwire!
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