Release Notes - Dolphin 2.7.0

Introduction of New Components

1. Dashboard

Motadata now has a customizable Dashboard that can provide a glance view of key KPIs and relevant data. We have predefined Dashboards out of the box; apart from that, users can create new Dashboards to reflect a particular business process.

In a Dashboard, the user can add data blocks called Dashlets. Each Dashlet can have its own set of conditions, based on which it will show the information. Currently, we are providing three kinds of Dashlets:

  • Widget: A Widget is a graphical representation of data filtered by time and other parameters.
  • KPI: A KPI (Key Performance Indicator) is a measurable value which helps in determining the efficiency of a system. For example; a number of resolved Request tickets over the last 30 days is one of many indicators of efficiency of the Helpdesk.
  • Shortcuts: It is a list of Frequent Access Items (i.e. My Open Incidents, My Approval, My Tasks etc.).

A Dashboard can fetch data from the following modules:

  • Service Desk (Request, Problem, and Change)
  • Asset Management

Benefits:

  • A Dashboard allows a user to see, at a glance, an overall situation report of the desired information.
  • A Dashboard enables a user to drill down into the details by simply selecting the desired variable and object.
  • An easy graphical interface allows a user to play with data and do the easy cross-sectional analysis.
  • A Dashboard can be a one-page snapshot of key metrics of a business. A user of the Motadata Dashboard can quickly judge how well the Helpdesk is functioning.

Key Highlights of Motadata Dashboard:

  • A Dashboard is customizable; a user can add and modify Dashlets.
  • A user can create new Dashlets.
  • A user can control who can view a Dashboard and Dashlet separately.
  • Widgets support multiple chart types for data visualization.
  • Data fetched by a Dashboard is real time
  • A user can filter Dashboard data based on time and location.
  • Two out of box Dashboards.

Documentation Link: Motadata Dashboard Introduction

2. High Availability

The concept of High Availability focuses on the maximum uptime of the service by ensuring service and data recovery during an unplanned disruption.

In an HA setup, there are three servers, the main server is called the Master, the secondary server is called the Slave and there’s a proxy server.

figure 1

The Master is the main server which is accessed by the users; the Slave stays idle. The database between Master and Slave is synchronized on a real-time basis. When the Master does down, the slave becomes the new Master with the backed up database. An HA proxy acts as a load balancer between Master and Slave.

Use Cases of an HA:

  • Maintaining availability of service during an unplanned shutdown of the Master (Main Server). For example, An organization maintaining an HA has to have two separate Servers, one for Master and other for Slave, this is to ensure that in an unforeseen event like a fire, natural calamity, etc. when the Master is down, the Slave can be kept alive from the last point of recovery.
  • High availability setup can be used for a planned outage of the Service Desk for the purpose of maintenance.
  • High Availability can be used in the event of a disaster recovery of data.

Key Highlights:

  • Easy setup in minutes
  • Automatic Slave to Master
  • Minimal efforts to restore HA again post failure.

Documentation Link: Motadata High Availability Server Setup

3. Desktop Automation Product (New Architecture and New Features)

In our new architecture, we have deprecated the use of Shared Drive instead we are using a File Server. A File Server centralizes the storage of Patch, Packages and Agent file; this makes our tool scalable and flexible, and increases the overall performance. In conjunction with the File Server, we now support Relay Servers to distribute File storage across multiple Remote Offices.

figure 2

Our revamped Remote Desktop Automation now supports the following:

  • Package Deployment Support (MSI, MSP, MSI-MST, EXE etc.).
  • A Package can be deployed and Install as “Run As System User” or “Run as Current User”.
  • Ubuntu Linux patches are supported via manual upload.
  • Both Patch & Package Support Installation & Uninstallation.
  • Agent Self Upgrade has been simplified.

3. Report -Revamped

The Report module has been revamped with new UI elements and features.

The UI elements make creating and searching Reports faster and easy:

  • New Report Create Flow: Creating a report has been divided into two stages. The first stage explicitly shows the Report types and modules, and the second stage is where one selects the filters and columns.
  • Folder: All Reports are now categorized into folders.
  • My Favourite: A user can mark a Report as a favorite. Favorite Reports have a separate folder.

New Feature addition:

  • Correlated Reports: With correlation, one can generate a report using the data at the intersection/subset of two modules/feature.
  • Column Sorting: User can now sort columns of a report either in ascending or descending order.
  • Subtotal per Group: Now users can generate matrix reports with columns showing total count.
  • Out of Box Report: Module wise, we have added out of box reports.

4. Apple Mac Device Discovery

  • We have released a new version of Mac Agent (A.2.7.0).
  • Now we support Agentless Discovery of Mac OS
  • User can generate Reports with data from Mac workstations.

5. Software Asset Automation

We have been able to identify three problems related to Software Asset management:

  • Most users want to manage a small number of Software Assets.
  • Most users want to set structure data fields (i.e. Product etc.) upon discovery so, they can better report and compliance management.
  • Most users want to control what kind of software should be installed on their computers.

We have introduced the following features to address the above problems:

  • Normalization Rules: Automatic rule-based classification of Software.
  • Consolidation Rules for Software Suite: Automatic rule-based consolidation of Software.
  • Blacklist and Whitelist for Software: Rules-based prohibition of Software.

6. Asset Finance

Hardware and Non-IT Assets have a Financial tab with the following features:

  • One can define a depreciation method or import through Product association. Products now support depreciation configuration.
  • Book Value is shown after adjustment of depreciation.
  • Total Cost of the asset is shown along with cost bifurcation.

Features Improvement

  1. Software Meter - Revamped

    • Meter Architectural and new design and reliability
    • Ability to analyze usage between timelapse

  2. SLA for Problem and Change.

    • Users can set Response and Resolution time with multiple escalations for Problems and Changes.

  3. Windows OS License Activation Status

    • Workstation (Hardware Asset) properties now show whether the OS is genuine or not.

  4. Enhanced Design of Customer Portal

    • Customer Portal has been revamped which now shows Service Catalog explicitly on the homepage.

  5. Requester Profile at fingertips

    Technicians can search users using the keyboard shortcut and from Technician Portal, and view:

    • Recent Requests.
    • Profile.
    • Used by Assets.

  6. Custom Field Support in Keywords/Placeholders

    • Users can now use custom field values (excluding Requestor field) in placeholders for creating custom emails.

Important

Learn how to Upgrade Product License.