October 2, 2009

CDD Vault Update: Release of CDD3

This is the first release of CDD3, whose overarching goal is to streamline, simplify and enhance the user experience.

Dashboard

The dashboard has been completely redesigned to provide you with quick links to the data and tools you access most.

In addition to the standard recent activity log, the Recent Activity tab now lists recent protocols and molecules relevant to you. Those are selected based on your latest activity in the application.
The Messages tab now displays the number of new messages posted in your Vault, making it easier than ever to keep up to date with your Vault activity.
The People tab gives you easy access to your Vault members' names, roles and contact info.
The Settings tab can be used by Vault Admins to configure vault preferences.

Explore Data

The old Archive and Mine tabs have been combined into one single access point for organizing and exploring all your Vault's data. There you can both run new searches and saved searches (previously under Mine), and view your molecules, protocols, plates, references, and files (previously under Archive). From any page under Explore Data, you can add public data sets or privately shared data sets to the pool of data you are exploring by clicking on the "Choose data sets..." link in the banner near the top of the page.

Import Data

Based on lots of feedback we have received from our customers over the years on the old mapper/slurper data import functionality, we have developed a new, streamlined, four-step visual workflow for importing data into your Vault.

Step 1: Upload a new data file or select a previously uploaded data file from which to import data
Step 2: Map the fields you want to import from the file into your Vault. Previously this mapping process was spread over several screens, but in the new version the process is coalesced into a single screen. To make repetitive mapping of similar files almost instantaneous, you can now save and later apply reusable mapping templates (see below for more details). We added a preview of the data in the first several records of the file, so that you have all relevant information at your fingertips when deciding how to map the file. We also added real-time checking for mapping inconsistencies and omissions, so that you know immediately if something additional needs to be done.
Step 3: Review your mapping, and if you are happy with it, start importing the data. You can also save your mapping as a template in this step.
Step 4: Review the data import and either commit or reject the data.

Mapping Templates

One of our most requested features, the big new feature of the data import redesign is the ability to save mapping templates and to apply them to map similar files, avoiding tedious repetitive mappings. You can create mapping templates from Step 3 of the workflow. It is possible to create mapping templates from old mappings, so you can create your first template right away. Once you have a mapping template, starting a new similar data import should then be a matter of seconds.

Share Data

We have gathered all the CDD Collaborate™ features in one place, the Share data tab. This is the place to manage your collaborations and data sets. You can also review data publication requests, and if you are a Vault Admin, approve or deny pending requests.

Easy Vault Switching

If you are a member of several Vaults, you can now easily switch to another Vault from any part of the application. Just click on your current Vault name (in the top left corner of the page) and select the Vault to which you want to switch.

Additional Help Messages

In addition to the existing contextual help (identified by "?" icons throughout the application), we have added large yellow help messages on many pages. These messages provide direction/hints about what you can do or explain how to perform common actions on each page. If you'd like to clear away messages after reading them, you can dismiss a message by clicking the "X" in its top right-hand corner. That message will then no longer appear when you navigate back to that page. If you want to see all dismissed messages again, you can restore them from the Account page.

And More

Many other pages have been enhanced to bring your relevant data forward and to make it easier to analyze. Check the new protocol, run, molecule and plate pages for some examples, including things like locked headers for large data tables or better pagination.

Tag(s): CDD Vault Updates , CDD Blog