Product
What's New in Aphex: Feb 2022
A new admin user page, a billing page, and improved speeds. Just some of the great features launched in February 2022.
This month has been all about the release of our new Power BI API and the introduction of our pre-made set of customisable templates. We also managed to slip in a special addition to the Insight metrics, and a highly requested one at that.
There's nothing new you have to learn, we promise. Just more access to more data...with more control.
New Power BI API
Our Power BI connection is officially out of beta. Inspired by all the advice from our early users, we've considerably improved the data model and made things even more secure and robust.
1 - New Data Model
The new list of objects consists of Publications, Publication Summaries, Tasks, Task Version, Status, Labour, Plant and Material Resources.
2 - Stronger Protection
To help you keep a tight grip on your Project’s data, we’ve added in some additional protection measures. You can see:
- The date each new token is generated
- The user who created the token
- When each token was last used
- When each token is due to expire (90 days max)
3 - Custom Power BI Templates
To kick start your reporting, we've crafted a downloadable pre-made set of Power BI Templates.
If you don't have time to tinker with data models, Power Query and DAX, these templates allow you to simply plug in and go. Or, they can be used as a launchpad to create custom reports of your own.
Insight: Plan Accuracy Metric
A lot of you told us that a PPC type metric was crucially missing from the Production Control headline stats in our Insight app - we listened, and we agree! So, we’ve snuck in brand a new metric.
1 - Plan Accuracy
Say hello to Plan Accuracy, the percentage of planned work with no delay. Those of you with a keen eye will also spot we've renamed the 'Total Task Days' metric to 'Planned Task Days' to better represent what it's measuring.
Integrations Page
We reckon our new Power BI API deserves a new home. Instead of the connection details staying hidden away in Project Settings, you'll spot a brand new Integrations Page.
1 - Integration Management
Now, this is where Project Admins can manage and view all active (or deactivated) connections. It's been said if you poke around on this page, you could discover a few extra integrations that may be coming soon, too... 🤫
Faster Task Load Times and a New Setting
1 - Task Speed
Recently, we spotted some tasks weren't opening as quick as we'd like - some of you noticed this as well. And, even though under-the-hood changes may not sound as fancy as a new feature, it's often these types of improvements that have the biggest impact.
So, we're excited to say we've made a massive leap in reducing the time it takes to open tasks.
In fact, it could even be said tasks now load almost instantly. Woohoo!
2 - Assignee Required Field
It's now possible to set 'Assignee' as a required field in Project Settings. Perfect for teams who want to make sure every task in the plan has at least one Assignee.
Bug Fixes
In our continued effort to make the most reliable platform for you, we’ve been pedal to the metal eliminating some key bugs in the tool.
- Maps displaying tasks on non-working days
- Ability to set the end date of a task prior to the start date
- Materials edits not saving when other changes made in modal at the same time
- Subcontractor filter appearing in order of creation instead of alphabetically
- End date when extending duration by adding a Status shows the incorrect date on the pop-up menu
- Popconfirm windows disappearing off-screen
- Tasks with imported custom calendars unable to be edited
Most of these were caught by some of our eagle-eyed users - thanks for helping us keep Aphex as robust as possible!