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    Usability Improvements

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    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.

    Resource Sharing Task Lists

    The Resource Sharing task lists (borrower and lender) has been redesigned and implemented with new layout capabilities. This greatly improves the efficiency of resource sharing request handling on both the borrower and the lender side for all types of requests.

    The redesign is done with a  number of concepts in mind:

    • Right pane work area that allows inline editing of the in focus request without requiring to navigate to a separate edit form and lose the context of the request list that is being processed.

    clipboard_e005197f50523939403dc2a2b448f7818.png

    • Multiple facet selection supports a more flexible tool for creating your work set, by including requests that  meet multiple criteria of the same facet in one work set.

    clipboard_e260518489a3fcf37e2f25f9982aa83a3.png

    • Inline handling of note and patron queries in a right pane. This makes these important information elements more noticeable when reviewing the request list as well as makes it easier to add and edit notes to the processed requests.

    clipboard_e117ddfc50c2c1a324fa15f47915c7a4c.png

    • Easier search across requests in multiple activity statuses and across assignee responsibilities by handling the request status and assignee information as facets that support multiple selection rather than by filters.

    clipboard_edf02435a8a1701cb4e4aaffd9e17c916.png

    • Sliding panel enables full work on requests without losing the requests list context.

    clipboard_ecc90af25c4ed8b6687a190f155de6b4d.png

    What are the benefits of this feature?

    The new task lists' design improves the efficiency of resource sharing staff's work. The more efficient work process not only reduce the time and effort it takes for staff to manage requests, it also increases the ability to track the current overall status of the in process requests, and  eventually reduces the time it takes for the patrons to receive the resource they have requested.

    The new task lists make resource sharing staff better able to manage only the requests that require their manual intervention, and make that manual intervention easier and quicker to process.

    When to use this feature?

    The new design serves all resource sharing staff. It will be the tool for both the regular daily task list based work as well as for processing specific required requests.

    More Resources

    • See below for the detailed roll-out plan of the new Resource Sharing Task Lists User Interface.
    • See presentation for step by step training.
    • See video for a training session The following table contains the rollout plan for the Resource Sharing Task Lists User Interface.
    Rollout plan - The timeline of the rollout plan is subject to change
    Release
    Sandbox date
    Production date
    Usability Improvement/Environment
    Notes
    August 2022 July 24, 2022 August 7, 2022 New Unified PO line Task list - Opt in Early testers Early adopters only.
    August 2023 July 23, 2023 August 6, 2023 New Unified PO line Task list - Opt in The original PO line search results is enabled by default. The user can switch to the new unified task list (and back to the original if needed).
    November 2023 October 22, 2023 November 5, 2023 New Unified  PO line Task list -  Opt out The new unified task list is enabled by default. The user can switch to the original PO line search results (if needed).
    February 2024 January 21, 2024 February 4, 2024 New Unified  PO line Task list - Exclusive use The new unified task list is enabled by default for all users with no ability to switch back to the "original" presentation.

    Unified PO Line Task List

    Alma's new PO line search results and management screen allows users to search, view and edit PO lines in all statuses without the need to go to a dedicated task list. The unification of all PO lines tasks lists will result in several main differences and advantages:

    • Task list as facets- The presentation of the various assignment options as facets (Unassigned, Assigned to me, Assigned to others) will allow users to search for PO lines and immediately work on it (without the extra step of "Go to task list").
    • Multi-select facets - Ability to select multiple facets in a single operation will assist Acquisitions staff focus on the PO line/s efficiently 
    • Clearer information hierarchy - A cleared and more prominent information hierarchy of the PO line search results will enable Acquisitions staff users reviewing the the PO line's search result list to find what they need faster and with less navigation needs
    • "Side -By-Side" presentation - Viewing/Editing PO line information without the need to specifically enter a new screen for each PO line enables users to complete their tasks faster with less navigational needs, fir example, searching for a list of PO lines by invoice number will allow users to view the full list of PO lines associated with the invoice, efficiently go over the PO line information, make modifications (if needed) and review the next PO line associated with the invoice.
    • "Slide-Out" panel for extra information - When viewing/editing a PO line and navigating to a different Acquisitions entity (vendor information for example), a "slide-out" panel will overlay the screen providing the user with a single page application experience and a clear sense of oriantation.  
    The new Unified PO Line Task List includes all the functionality available in the various PO line task lists plus new features.

    clipboard_ecfe55ad3a544a920eab6c2f336f175b2.png

    More Resources

    • See video for a short training session (coming soon)
    • See webinar to understand more (coming soon)

    The following table contains the rollout plan for the Unified PO Line Task List User Interface.

    Rollout plan - The timeline of the rollout plan is subject to change.
    Release
    Sandbox date
    Production date
    Usability Improvement/Environment
    Notes
    August 2022 July 24, 2022 August 7, 2022 New Unified PO line Task list - Opt in Early testers Early adopters only.
    Pending early access feedback
    TBD
    N/A

    New Task List Record view - Opt in

    The original PO line search results is enabled by default. The user can switch to the new unified task list (and back to the original if needed).

    Pending early access feedback TBD
    N/A

    New Task List Record view - Opt out

    The new unified task list  is enabled by default. The user can switch to the original PO line search results (if needed).

    Pending early access feedback TBD
    N/A

    New Task List Record view - Exclusive use

    The new unified task list  is enabled by default for all users with no ability to switch back to the "original" presentation 

    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 includes all the functionality available in the original Metadata Editor plus new features.

    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.
    New Metadata Editor
    To switch to the new Metadata Editor in Alma, select new MDE button.jpg on the top-right of the top toolbar of the Editor.

    More Resources

    • See video for a short training session
    • See webinar to understand more 

    The following table contains the rollout plan for the Metadata Editor improvements initiative.

    Rollout plan*
    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 - Default editor

    The New Metadata Editor is the default and it is fully compatible with the original Metadata Editor.
    October 2021
    September 19, 2021
    February 5, 2023
    Original Metadata Editor - Sunsetting
     

    *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.
    For the detailed descriptions of all interface changes, see Layout Improvements.
    New Layout.PNG

    More Resources

    See video for a short training session

    The following table contains the rollout plan for the new layout initiative:

    Rollout plan*
    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
    February 5, 2023

    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.

    See How can I request new collections to be added to our Discovery Indexes, KnowledgeBases and the Alma Community Zone? 

    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.