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Releasenotes July 2023

These options are only available in the new framework. Do you have questions about the features below? Feel free to contact our support de...

Updated over a week ago

These options are only available in the new framework. Do you have questions about the features below? Feel free to contact our support department. Send an email to [email protected]

PERFORMANCE

Page loading speed
We have successfully optimized page load speed by reducing the size of the data that needs to be transferred, improving the overall experience. User should notice an improvement in the responsiveness and speed of the platform.

Loading product matrix in the background
Our product matrix is now loaded in the background, making pages display noticeably faster.

Search PDP
We extended the application of a library that significantly reduces the number of queries for retrieving product images on the catalog page. This optimization was initially applied to the main image of the Product Detail Page (PDP). We are pleased to announce that this solution has now been extended to other sections of the PDP, specifically
1. Others also purchased
2. Complete your look

These changes will improve load times and the overall user experience on the PDP.

DISCOUNTS

Overarching order discounts
We have a new module that allows customers to apply discounts to their entire order history. The total order amount is now included in the `customers.xml` for each order type. When the customer has a discount line in this new module, the following calculations are made:1. Input amount (taking into account order type).

2. Sum of all orders since import (taking into account order type).

3. The amount in the current basket (taking into account order type).

This also works during impersonation.If the module is enabled and the next tier level needs to be reached, a message will be displayed in the cart saying "To reach the next tier level of quantity discount, you need to order X more.

This feature brings us closer to a more flexible and personalized pricing strategy. It gives customers a better understanding of their potential savings and encourages them to order more.

Product selection for quantity discounts
We have added an enhancement to the `order discount` module that gives users more flexibility in determining which products qualify for quantity discounts.With this new option, users now have the ability to specify the products to which these quantity discounts apply.

Discount rules with source 'import' excluded from manual editing
To give our customers a clearer and more accurate view of their discount rules, we have implemented an update that excludes discount rules with a 'source import' from the datatable.

This update is designed to streamline your user experience by excluding imported discount rules that are not intended to be modified manually. By filtering out these imported rules, users can focus on the discount rules they can modify, resulting in a more efficient and effective management of discount rules.

We hope this refinement to our visualization of discount rules will improve your operational efficiency and further simplify your administrative tasks.

Calculating discounts at variant level (backend)
We have successfully implemented an improvement in our rebate calculations. Previously, the system only calculated discounts at the model level, which limited the depth of our discount structures.Now, in addition to model-level calculations, we also perform discount calculations at the variant level, which are made visible on both the backend and frontend of our system. This improvement enables a more detailed approach to discount management and provides a better shopping experience as they can see the specific discounts applied to each product variant. This update provides more flexibility and precision in applying discounts, allowing our platform to better adapt to complex pricing strategies.

This is a significant improvement in the way we handle pricing and discount management. The change does not affect existing functions or features, but should improve the accuracy of displayed prices. We remain committed to improvements that enhance the user experience and capabilities of our platform.

Calculating discounts at variant level (frontend)
We have updated the discount calculation system so that discounts are effectively calculated at variant level.This update ensures that the system accurately determines the correct rebate amounts based on the specifics of each product variant.

Previously, our system only supported discount calculations at the model level.This worked well for broad discounting strategies, but was not sufficient for more nuanced pricing scenarios where different variants of the same product could have different discounts.

With this update, our discounting system is now much more flexible and accurate, allowing for a wide variety of pricing strategies. Discounts can now be adjusted down to the variant level, allowing for more specific marketing and pricing strategies.This change increases our ability to meet the diverse needs of our customers and should contribute to improved sales and customer satisfaction.

Added values to XML import for variant-level discount rules
We have updated our existing XML import functionality for `rebate_rules.xml`.The update includes additional fields that improve the detail and flexibility of setting discount rules. These additions allow for a more nuanced and customized configuration of rebates so that the system can handle a wider variety of pricing structures.These are the added elements:- `<order_type>`: This element has been added to the XML structure.However, the existing `order type` field must still be included for backward compatibility.

- `<target_products>`: This new element allows specific products to be targeted by the discount rules.

- `<single_variants>`: This element has been introduced to hold the values of individual variants for more specific discount rules.

In addition, the `order type` can now be specified at the `single_variants` level, indicating that it has been moved up one level in the XML structure. With the addition of the `order type` in the XML, corresponding changes are also made to the admin screen to reflect this.

With this improvement, discount rules can be managed more accurately and efficiently, which is especially useful for complex pricing structures and large product assortments.

Display discounts at variant level
We have a new feature that allows customers to see if a specific color variant of a product has an associated discount line. Prior to this enhancement, information about discounts was only displayed at the model level.Now users can see the discount percentage for each individual variant (e.g., Variant X has X% discount).

This new functionality provides a more transparent shopping experience for our customers, as they can easily see which color variants offer the best value. The update provides more clarity on pricing and should encourage customers to make confident, informed purchasing decisions. As always, we strive to improve our services and shopping experience for all users, and we believe this feature provides additional insight into our prices and discounts. This change does not affect existing features, but rather adds more detailed information to our product listings.

OTHER

Adding links to footer in block manager
For improved site navigation, we have now made it possible to add links in the "Footer Contact region," similar to the "Homepage bar region.You can find this option in the block manager. This update provides more customizability and an improved user experience.Administrators are encouraged to use this feature for better site organization and user navigation.

Automatically marking products as new
We have introduced an enhancement to streamline product management in Core-portal. All new products added to Core-portal are now automatically marked as "new" in the system, eliminating the need for manual identification.

This functionality is integrated into the XML import process for product variants, colors and models. When these items are imported and are not already present in the database, they are labeled as "new." This change is intended to automate and simplify the administrative workload.

Searching within lookbooks
We have added a new feature to improve the user experience within the lookbook. End users now have the ability to filter and quickly find photos of models they are interested in. To do this, they can use the search function in the lookbook, which filters slides based on keywords of the model.

Also, the search feature has been expanded that customers can search the lookbook based on linked products and descriptions. This major enhancement is aimed at providing a more user-friendly and efficient experience.

Notification when products are already backordered
We have added a new feature to improve the user experience while reordering products. Now when an end user wants to reorder a product, a matrix product or a simple product, they can see if the product is already on reorder.

This has been implemented by including a text indication on the matrix and simple product page and during checkout that indicates whether a variant is already in backorder. This allows users to make informed decisions about reordering products based on their existing backorders.

Display customer price list
To better support our sales associates in understanding their customer profiles, we have introduced a feature that allows sales associates to see the price list assigned to their customers. This provides a more detailed view of each customer and enables a more personalized service.

Hiding empty regions
In our ongoing efforts to improve the user experience, we have implemented a layout enhancement that addresses the problem of regions taking up space even when they do not contain content.

This new update provides a more seamless layout by automatically adjusting the layout of regions on the page. If a region contains no content, it is now removed and the remaining regions are realigned to create a cohesive, visually appealing layout.

Reply-to feature email contact form
We have made an improvement to our email functionality contact forms. Now when customers send emails through the contact form, the system automatically sets the email address they have provided as the 'Reply-to' address. This means that when you press 'Reply' in your email client (for example, Outlook), the reply is forwarded to the customer's entered email address. This enhancement simplifies e-mail correspondence by ensuring that replies are automatically routed to the right place, saving both time and potential confusion.

Selection of font and font style for multiple elements
As an administrator, you now have the flexibility to specify both font and style for specific elements in your theme, specifically for "main button" and "header. This means you can select fonts and styles - including normal, bold, italic and underline - individually for these elements, allowing for a more nuanced and personalized design.

This update is an important step in increasing the versatility of our platform and gives administrators more control over the aesthetic presentation of their themes. We encourage all administrators to use this new feature to enrich their design experience.

Added fonts Raleway Thin and Essonnes
We have expanded our font library in the theme editor. At the request of our users, we have added two new fonts: 'Essonnes' and the 'Thin' variant of 'Raleway'.

As an administrator, you now have more options to personalize the look of your website and better match your corporate identity. This expanded font selection allows for more creative freedom and a richer user experience.

REBRANDING

In our ongoing efforts to optimize and standardize our branding, we have made changes regarding the representation of the 'Core-portal' brand within the product.

All instances previously referred to as 'B2B' or 'Portal4Sales Pro' have been updated to 'Core-portal'.
This applies to various locations within the product and its documentation. In addition, the header within the CMS has been replaced with the Core-portal logo.

This standardization underscores our commitment to the Core-portal brand and improves brand consistency.

TECHNICAL (API/XML)

Importing price lists via A4S API
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve system security and efficiency, we have now implemented an API-based import method for our price lists.
This method specifically uses the A4S Gateway API, a significant step forward from the previous approach of importing via the `prices.xml` file. This change to API-based operation, currently available for price list imports, significantly improves the security and effectiveness of our system.

Optimization of various PDF exports
To further improve the user experience, we have updated the way our platform exports PDF files of invoices, order confirmations, shipments and credit notes. We have optimized the layout and design of these PDF files so that they are clearer and uncluttered, making it easier and more intuitive for end users to understand their financial documents. This enhancement aims to give users a better overview of their transactions, making the management of financial information significantly easier and clearer.

Pre xlsx import for DAM
We have rolled out an enhancement for our Digital Asset Manager (DAM) module. This update allows clients to generate XML import files directly from XLSX data (pre-import). Customers can now effortlessly convert supplied XLSX files into XML pre-imports. This enhancement streamlines the process of managing digital assets, especially for customers who primarily use XLSX files. It confirms our commitment to continually improve the usability and customizability of our platform based on our customers' needs.

Display of EAN barcodes and product descriptions when not available in A4S responses
We have rolled out an update that improves the way we display product descriptions and EAN (European Article Number) on both order lines and open order lines. Previously, these details were not visible if they were not provided in the a4s call. Now the product description and EAN are available to view on orderlines, open orderlines, order_details and orders/order. This enhancement was made to provide end users with comprehensive details about their orders and ensure a more informative and optimal user experience. The change should not disrupt existing features, but adds more valuable information.

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