In our latest NetStork release, we have introduced several important changes related to the ease of use of the application, map printing, and data updates. We also dedicated substantial effort to improving database migration and task synchronization. Read the article for more details.
A seamless database migration, thanks to improvements to the application’s automatic update module
In NetStork 13.3 we have significantly improved the process of migrating the database to a new version of the data model, which occurs during an automatic update several times a year.
The program automatically detects changes that have occurred in the data model between versions and makes the appropriate modifications. In the new module:
- The whole process is very efficient and takes a few seconds even for large databases.
- There is no need to rewrite data from the old to the new data model anymore , which used to take quite a long time and was prone to errors (lack of permissions, insufficient memory on the server, etc.).
- It is no longer required that the version of the database corresponds to the version of the program performing the upgrade.
- It is possible to migrate the database during the first connection using the newly installed application (in earlier versions of NetStork this was not possible).
- You can connect to the database (in read-only mode) even without performing the application upgrade.
Task synchronization improvements – easier merging of changes made outside of the office
We have made a number of improvements to task synchronization with the database:
A solution for the case in which synchronized data has been deleted from the database.
In such a situation, if it is dictionary data –it will be restored from the synchronized task. In the case of regular data, a conflict is reported and changes from the task are ignored. This is in line with the general rule that higher priority is given to changes made in the database.
New mode of adding data from another task/project with data overwriting.
This option is available in the PRO license and allows merging of any database. The merge mode with data overwriting is a totally new feature. This means. that all possible conflicts are resolved in favor of the task and not the database, as normally.
Synchronization only of the records that have been changed.
We have streamlined the synchronization process so that only changed or new data is saved. As a result, synchronization takes less time and only those conflicts that have actually occurred are reported.
Protection against re-synchronization of the previous version of the task – unsaved after the synchronization was performed.
Such a copy of a task cannot be used for re-synchronization because it does not contain information about the last synchronization and about which objects have already been merged. The synchronization of such an outdated task is therefore no longer possible. In addition, after the synchronization, a message is displayed reminding you to use the latest version of the task (saved after the synchronization is performed).
New integrity tests: the connection record validity test and fiber relation validity test.
They detect faulty fiber connections/relations, referring to objects that no longer exist (were deleted in the database at the time when another user, working offline, made connections to them/created relations). These tests make it possible to diagnose such irregularities and then fix them (delete faulty connections or update relations).
More convenient map printing, thanks to multi-page printouts and print templates
In the new version of the application, we have added the ability to make multi-page printouts. It is no longer necessary to print on large-format sheets in order to include all or a larger part of the network on the printout. Now it is possible to position the sheets on the map freely and print only these parts of the map where the network is actually located.
Multi-page printouts of the network schematics
Once composed, the layout of the sheets (the printout project) can be saved and used later repeatedly to print a newer version of the network.
The second improvement is the possibility of setting a print template for individual or all sheets. The user can define any EMF (vector) graphics file as a background for the printed map.
Tailor-made data exports with the data export wizard to CSV files
We have added a tool for creating any customized data exports from the system to text files in CSV format. The wizard allows you to create multi-table data exports and configure the list of columns of each table.
It is possible to export fields of any type and creating logical fields using the description expressions.
Wizard for exporting data to CSV file
With the wizard, data from the system can be used to:
- Create specific data reports,
- Create cyclic data reports for analysis in another program/system or for the purpose of statistics,
- Perform cyclic data exports for integration with other systems.
Easier data updates with update mode in CSV loader
We have added the data update mode in the CSV loader, allowing users to update existing data rather than creating new objects. Using this mode is very similar to the data loader mode with the difference that you point the key fields that uniquely identify the object. During loading – if an object is found in the database – it will be updated instead of inserting a new object.
This mode can be useful in various integration scenarios – e.g., for cyclic status updates, service updates based on CRM data, etc.
Data update in the CSV loader
Colored navigation arrows on optical diagrams for easier navigation
To make navigating optical diagrams with navigation arrows easier, we have introduced different colored arrows to indicate the position on the current navigation path:
→ Purple – the previous scheme
→ Green – signifying the next scheme in the navigation path (from which the user has left using the purple arrow)
→ Blue – a schematic that has not yet been displayed (on the current navigation path)
Navigation arrows in different colors make moving around the optical schemas easier
Other improvements to Netstork 13.3
In the latest release of NetStork, we have also introduced several other new features and enhancements that will make working with the network easier and faster, including:
- The ability to perform complex queries in the data search tab
- A new operation for complete removal of the current cable from structures
- Automatic adjustment of notes editor size to its content
- A new description function GetCoords() to retrieve coordinates of objects.
Want to learn more about the NetStork network inventory system and see how it can improve your work? Contact us.