The next feature release version of HelpMaster Pro is looking good.  Already it's in an early testing phase here at PRD Software, and we hope to release it in the next month or two.  For this release, we've tried to improve the overall architecture of the product, while at the same time deliver some very important features that have been requested for a long time.

Here's a list of the main features coming up in 8.1.

1. Multiple instances of the same screen. Jobs, clients, sites, assets and knowledge base articles.  It's now possible to open more than one copy of the same type of screen.  For example you can now open 3 client screens, 6 jobs screens, 2 sites and as many knowledge base articles as you want.  This makes working with the different entities a lot easier.  Just don't get lost...

2. Standardized display and linking of entities.  Now each entity has a "Links" tab with a standardized "treeview" for displaying the different links, along with a "listview" on the right to display the detail.  This is similar to the way a job display it's links.  Having a standardized way to view the associations each helpdesk entity has make HelpMaster Pro more intuitive, and powerful.

3. Drag 'n drop linking between entities.  Need to link a whole bunch of jobs to another job to create a parent/child relationship?  Now it's really, really easy.   Just select the child jobs, drag them and drop them on another job.  Same story for all other entities.  This is a very cool feature.

4. Ability to link Knowledge Base articles to other entities.  Knowledge base articles can now link to jobs, clients, sites, assets, and to other knowledge base articles.  This feature is just the tip of the iceberg for the knowledge base articles.  In future releases we plan to do a lot more with the linking, searching and workflow of knowledge base articles.  As a general guide of what we're planning, take a look at the Consortium for Service Innovation.

5. Re-designed and improved object model to make everything "under the hood" work a lot better.  As developers, we're always working on the "engine" of HelpMaster Pro, making sure that we're building and refining a platform that will pave the way for further refinement, performance and features.

6. Resizable screens for clients, sites, assets and actions.  A common request that we've received over the years to make all screens within HelpMaster Pro sizeable.  Having a sizeable screen not only takes advantage of the much larger screen available today, but also prevents the effect whereby maximised, sizeable screens are automatically "shrunk" by Windows whenever a non-sizeable screen is shown.  This effect is most noticeable when you have a job maximized and then add an action to it.  Ever since Windows was released, this has been the standard behaviour for "MDI" type applications.  With the release of HelpMaster Pro 8.1, this issue should no longer be a problem.

This feature update will require a database patch which is achieved by running the HelpMaster Pro database and reports wizard.

For those attending the PACRIM conference in June, come along to the HelpMaster Pro stand where we'll be showing off the new version with all these (and more) features.

Best regards,

Rod