Preparing for iOS Updates
- Product: campusM
- Operating system: iOS
Every year, Apple releases a new version of the mobile operating system, iOS. This tends to fall within the months of September to October and usually coincides with new hardware release.
As part of our product procedures, and to reduce efforts needed by institutions in preparing for and maintaining an app as these operating systems evolve, our dedicated Development and Quality Assurance teams are actively involved in previewing and reviewing the impact of the coming iOS release, and responding accordingly to ensure the apps continue to function on Apple devices.
campusM Approach
Apple provides developers and the general public with access to beta versions of the coming iOS release in the build-up to the full production version being rolled out. This enables development teams to preview the operating systems and understand the impact of the changes on their apps. New versions of the beta iOS are released as the operating system approached release
The campusM team takes a proactive approach to previewing and reviewing the impact of the coming iOS release, aligned with Apple’s release process. This provides a progressive approach to testing and regression as iOS approaches release:
- Initial Beta Releases (June-August):
- Review developer documentation to identify potential issues and risk areas
- Run sanity tests carried out on campusM using iOS beta builds
- Gold Master Release (September)
- Complete full regression analysis against Gold Master (GM) release
- Resolve any issues if and when identified
- Production Release (September)
- iOS Update available to public
- Provide product hot-fixes to latest production release (if needed)
- Publish preparation document on the Ex Libris Knowledge Center (for example: https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/campusM/Knowledge_Articles/How_do_I_prepare_for_the_iOS_11_release)
- Post Release (October - onwards)
- iOS Update available to public
- Provide product hot-fixes to latest production release (if needed)
Apple usually provide a public beta that allows anyone with a suitable Apple device to download and update to this beta build. This can be used by institutions to preview the update and its potential impact on their specific campusM apps for themselves.
Full regression testing is undertaken against the Gold Master iOS release. This is the build that will be delivered to end users as the production version. Until this stage, the operating system is subject to change by Apple.
Instructions for Testing iOS Version on Your App
Whilst we make every effort to ensure that the app is supported by the latest operating systems, given the customization options available in campusM, allowing institutions to develop their own screens and functions, there is a potential risk that some features may not function as before.
In order to test the released iOS version please follow these steps:
- Sign up for the iOS Public Beta Program: https://beta.apple.com
- Download and install the iOS Beta on your test device(s)
- Open your campusM app and run a series of test, including but not limited to:
- campusM App install
- Login and logout
- Homescreen tiles – appearance and responsiveness
- Personalization (if enabled for your institution)
- Sending and receiving push notifications
- Campus maps
- Pocket Guides
- Key institutional integrations, for example:
- Calendar
- LMS
- Library
- etc…
We recommend that institutions check of their campusM apps against the iOS Public Beta and report any issues through the Ex Libris CRM (Salesforce.com). These issues will be reviewed by the Support and Development teams in preparation for the Production iOS release.
Useful Resources
- Insight into historical iOS beta release rollout: http://www.thinkybits.com/blog/iOS-versions/
- Consumer information on iOS: https://www.apple.com/
- Developer information on Apple Products and Development: https://developer.apple.com/
- Information on public beta program from Apple: https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/
- Article last edited: 28-Aug-2018