Key Initiatives of NDE

The decision to transition to a new user interface is prompted by several key factors, including:

• Improving the user experience and workflow. The goals are:

  • Create an intuitive, visually appealing interface to make navigation easier.

  • Incorporate modern design principles and user feedback to optimize content discovery.

  • Ensure users can quickly and efficiently find relevant information.

  • Provide a more engaging platform that enables productive interactions. By focusing on simplicity, visual appeal, and incorporating user input, the redesigned interface will make it easier for users to access the information they need. The improvements aim to foster satisfying and productive experiences across the platform.

• Technological advancements and frameworks, and more specifically moving to the latest version of the Angular framework.

• Providing an enhanced experience for users of assistive technology and maximizing conformance with the latest accessibility standards.

• Emerging opportunities around Linked Data and AI.

Learn More about the Current Development of NDE

• The Primo team conducted various user studies, collected qualitative and quantitative data through various methods such as surveys, interviews, and usability testing, and received invaluable input from customer feedback over the recent years. Regarding the various UX elements, we have an ongoing collaboration with a newly established Primo UX Focus Group, which includes participants from the following institutions: Harvard, Haifa University, Universität Basel, University of York, SUNY, and University of Kentucky, SLSP.

• We are designing new pages in NDE with a focus on simplified workflows, incorporating valuable ideas raised by the community, and providing expanded configuration options. Below, you’ll find examples of prototypes showcasing these new designs and concepts, including:

  Example pages:

  

  Main Search Page 

  

  Requests section on the Full Display Page

  

  Enhanced User Area 

  

  Collection Page 

  

  Landing Page

  • Clean, Brief Results Display – Search results have more transparent availability options. Record actions are grouped by category at the top for easy access.

  • Top-Positioned Facets with Quick Filters – Facets are conveniently placed at the top of the page and closed by default. Introducing configurable quick filters for top-level facets, such as available online.

  • Dedicated Requests Area in Full Record Display – A specific section within the full record view is dedicated to managing requests and streamlining this workflow. In addition, request forms have been simplified.

  • Configurable Section Expansions in Full Record Display – Libraries can now configure which sections are expanded or collapsed by default in the full record display, allowing a more tailored user experience.

  • Enhanced User Area – The user area now combines Library Card activities, saved records, searches and settings, providing a centralized, user-friendly space for personal management.

  • Improved Visualization of Digital – Embedded the viewer within the Full Display.

  • Collection Discovery – Added facets, list view, pagination, and improved search experience to the collection pages.

• As we continue to design new pages for NDE, we are also collaborating with Deque, an accessibility-focused third-party vendor, to ensure best practices are incorporated directly into the prototype phase. We aim to implement these insights to deliver a user-friendly experience that complies with WCAG 2.2 level AA standards.

• Another key enhancement in NDE is using Mixpanel as your analytics platform, offering richer insights and improved tracking over the current solution. For more details, see User Engagement Analytics - Mixpanel.

Key Development Milestones

• 2023 – Start development of NDE and work with the community.

• July 2024 – Open NDE to UX focus group for early access.

• October 2024 – Customization focus group gains early access.

• December 2024 – Begin collaboration with early adopters.

• May 2025 – General Release.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section includes additional questions from the community as they test and migrate to NDE before its general release in May 2025.

1. When will NDE be rolled out?

   The General Release of NDE is planned for May 2025. At that time:

   • Primo VE customers can start testing and customizing NDE's UI and evaluate it side-by-side with their existing Primo VE view until going live.

   • Consortia can start testing NDE, but some Consortia-specific features (such as Get It from other institutions, options to filter loans and requests by institution within My Library Card and Union View) are not expected to be available until the end of 2025.

2. (Non-Consortia) What will be available in the General Release of NDE?

   By the General Release, the main flows and pages of your library's discovery will be available, enabling you to begin testing and examining the new interface. We will also publish details on additional pages (such as Browse Page, Newspaper Search, and so forth). which will be delivered in the following months so that you can plan your transition accordingly. 

   After the General Release of NDE in May of 2025, we will release new functionality monthly.

3. (Consortia) What will be available in the General Release of NDE?

   With the May release, any member of a consortia can start testing like any other institution. Members will see the following elements of search scopes: consortia and cross-institution search scopes, CDI, local data and external sources.  In addition, they will see cross-institution facets. The following features will be part of a monthly release in the second half of 2025:

   • Union View

   • Get it  / View It  from Other institutions 

   • Library Card – view activities in other institutions 

4. How do I get started with NDE?

   We will provide a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth transition to the new platform. NDE is built on Primo VE and is designed it to leverage your existing configurations as much as possible, making it easier to use and configure the new UI with minimal setup.

   Once NDE is available, you will be able to clone your existing Primo VE view into an NDE view, enabling you to start testing immediately while retaining your current configurations. This setup enables you to use the NDE view side-by-side with your existing Primo VE view. During this process, you can explore the new options available in NDE and follow step-by-step guidance to adjust your NDE view until going live with NDE.

5. Can I work side-by-side with my current UI and NDE?

   Yes. You can clone your existing Primo VE view into a NDE view and test it side-by-side with your existing Primo VE view. This enables you to expose the NDE UI gradually: first to the Library staff, and then as a link in the banner for patrons. Only when you do the final switch are all users redirected from the old UI to the new NDE UI.

   With the General Release guidelines for testing and reviewing the NDE UI, we will also provide clear steps to go live.

6. Do I have to rewrite my customizations?

   Yes. Some of your customization activities, such as uploading logos and themes or editing HTML for the new landing pages, will be achieved without development efforts. Additionally, we are actively engaging with vendors to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming rollout and can support libraries in adapting to NDE. Other customizations will require Angular and JavaScript development efforts. We will be publishing the new customization guidelines and best practices.

7. How will NDE affect my customizations?

   Primo enables customers to tailor their library discovery interface to align with their institutional branding and unique needs through a robust customization package. This includes options for changing the logo, adjusting styles, developing new components, and including third-party add-ons. These capabilities—and even more—will be available in NDE, allowing libraries to create a fully customized, seamless discovery experience for their users.

   We are introducing a new customization package specifically designed for NDE. It is based on Angular (replacing the existing one, which is based on the AngularJS framework).

   Early access is provided to community developers, enabling them to begin exploring and adapting to this new package.  

   Some of your customization activities, such as uploading logos and themes or editing HTML for the new landing pages, can be achieved without development effort. In addition, we are actively engaging with vendors to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming rollout and can support libraries in adapting to NDE. Other customizations will require Angular and JavaScript development efforts.

   To move forward with NDE, you must review your existing customizations to ensure compatibility, take advantage of new features, assess which customizations can now be managed through configuration, and identify those needing adjustments to align with the new Angular-based framework. We will work closely with the community, providing training and step-by-step guidance to support them through their customization process. In addition, you can explore a live demo that showcases the customization options in NDE and get an early look at resources in GitHub.

8. Will other vendors' add-ons work (such as Spring Share and Third Iron)?

   We are actively approaching vendors to ensure their add-ons are ready for NDE.

9. Will a Customization Central Package be supported?

   Yes.

10. Will there be a cut-off period when institutions must move to NDE?

    Starting in May 2025, Primo VE customers will have 2-3 years to plan and migrate to the New Discovery Experience (NDE). During this time, institutions can choose when to transition to the new interface, with the understanding that the NDE interface will ultimately replace your current Primo VE interface at the end of this period.

11. Will Rapido be included in NDE?

    Yes. Rapido customers will see the Rapido functionalities within the NDE UI.

12. How do Primo Back Office Customers get NDE?

    NDE is part of Primo VE only. For Alma customers still on BO, we recommend planning your move to Primo VE with the current UI first using the Go VE process before moving to NDE.

13. How can I get access to NDE before the General Release?

    The trial environment is scheduled to be available starting in March 2025. For preliminary access to the NDE generic trial environment, please send email to DL-NDE_Info@clarivate.com. We will add your request to our early access list and will contact you in March. You are not committed to testing or providing us with feedback. Please note that the goal of early access to our trial environment is for you to learn more about the NDE before the General release. This can help you start planning for future customization.

14. (Consortia) Will all members be required to move to NDE at the same time?

    No. Depending on the consortium, members can move simultaneously or gradually to NDE.