Usability Improvements
User Interface Improvements Overview
Beginning with the May 2020 release, Ex Libris is undertaking a usability improvement initiative to facilitate an enhanced user experience across Alma navigation and in the Metadata Editor. This initiative is a result of cooperation with Alma working groups and response to wider community feedback.
The new features in the user interface help facilitate a smoother, user-friendly interaction with Alma while providing more control over the Alma layout and navigation options. The new layout allows to easily switch between the ongoing tasks in your main workflow and any peripheral tasks. New customization options enable the personalization of the menu and creation of your own quick-link options.
Metadata Editor
The latest evolution of the Alma Metadata Editor brings greater efficiency to processes, making them faster and simpler. The interface can be tailored to each user, depending on the user's level and type of expertise (original catalogers, copy catalogers, and light catalogers). The new streamlined workflows save time and improve productivity, with better management and search performance across the Alma platform.
The new Metadata Editor provides a flexible working space for managing records and files in the following functional areas:
-
Records - Create and edit records across different formats such as MARC21 bibliographic records, Authorities records, and holdings
-
Templates - Manage templates for different formats and types of resources, enabling better cataloging
-
Rules - Managing private and shared normalization, merge, indication, and brief record-level rules created by you or others.
on the top-right of the top toolbar of the Editor.More Resources
-
See New Metadata Editor Functionality availability for the detailed roll-out plan of the different Metadata Editor functionality.
- See Metadata Editor for more information on functionality.
- See presentations for step by step training.
The following table contains the rollout plan for the Metadata Editor improvements initiative.
|
Release
|
Sandbox date
|
Production date
|
Usability Improvement/Environment
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
May 2020
|
April 5, 2020
|
N/A
|
New Metadata Editor/Sandbox - Records Management core functionality |
The original Metadata editor is the default. The user can switch to the new Metadata Editor and back. |
|
September 2020
|
August 23, 2020
|
September 6, 2020
|
New Metadata Editor/Production - Records Management full |
|
|
January 2021
|
December 20, 2020
|
January 10, 2021
|
New Metadata Editor/Production - Templates Management |
|
|
March 2021
|
February 21, 2021
|
March 7, 2021
|
New Metadata Editor/Production - Rules Management and Go Live |
All original Metadata Editor functionality will be supported by the new Metadata Editor.
The New Metadata Editor is the default. The user can switch to the original Metadata Editor and back.
|
|
June 2021
|
May 23, 2021
|
June 6, 2021
|
New Metadata Editor/Production - Exclusive use |
*The timeline of the rollout plan is subject to change.
New Layout
Starting from the June 2020 release, users can experience a new layout for Alma.
The new layout increases the user working area, improves navigation, provides the ability to customize the menu and facilitates improved user dynamic workflows.
The main changes:
-
The Main menu moved from the header to the left side. In addition, a new customizable Quick Links icon is available.
-
The Persistent search bar moved to the header.
-
The summary section on all pages moved from the top to a right-side panel.
More Resources
- See Layout Improvements for detailed list of layout changes.
See video for a short training session
The following table contains the rollout plan for the new layout initiative:
|
Release
|
Sandbox date
|
Production date
|
Usability Improvement/Environment
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
June 2020
|
May 24, 2020
|
June 7, 2020
|
New Layout/Production |
Early adopters only. |
|
July 2020
|
June 21, 2020
|
N/A
|
New Layout/Sandbox |
Administrators can turn the new functionality On for a specific user (Opt in). |
|
August 2020
|
July 19, 2020
|
August 2, 2020
|
New Layout/Production |
Administrators can turn the New Layout On for a specific user (Opt in).
|
|
November 2020
|
October 18, 2020
|
November 1, 2020
|
New Layout/Production - Go Live |
The New Layout is the default. Users can turn it on and off (Opt in and out) by themselves. |
|
March 2021
|
February 21, 2020
|
March 7, 2021
|
New Layout/Production - Exclusive use |
|
*The timeline of the rollout plan is subject to change.
How Can You Provide Feedback?
Your feedback is most welcome for these new features, especially while trying them in the Sandbox environment.
- If you encounter an issue, please Open a case via the Support Portal. Indicate in the title that the case refers to the new feature.
For example "New Metadata Editor - when opening a record the title is cut ..."
See Support Portal User Guide and What information should be provided when opening a Case?
It is recommended to make the case public. For more information on making a case public, click here.
- For any suggestions on improvements or additional capabilities, please submit to the Idea Exchange with the relevant category.
Before opening a new issue, it is recommended to check for it in the Known Issues list. Also, some elements might be marked as 'Coming Soon', which means they will be added in a later release. Click here for the availability table.
Known Issues
For information about Metadata Editor known issues, click here.