Collapse All Expand All

You Have Questions...We Have Answers

Check out our anticipated Frequently Asked Questions. Don't see your question here? Please submit it to [email protected].

General Questions

What is the version 14.00.00 Framework release?

14.00.00 is Akcelerant’s highly anticipated 2013 end of year release (formerly known as Version 12 or Panorama). The Framework is now able to provide a 360 degree view of an individual’s relationship with the financial institution. This release offers extensive new and enhanced functionality that introduces a variety of configurable and flexible capabilities within the Framework.

 

When will the version 14.00.00 Framework release be available? 

14.00.00 is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2013. In the first quarter of 2014, the beta version of 14.00.00 will be distributed to approximately 10 customers, representing a variety of core processors. After the beta testing period is complete, 14.00.00 will be released for general availability planned for the second quarter of 2014.

 

How do I become part of the beta test program?

To take part in the version 14.00.00 beta test program, please contact a Customer Care Specialist. Any customer participating in the beta test program needs to have a test environment and grant Akcelerant permission to connect to the environment and core for the purpose of testing.

 

Where can I go to get more information on the version 14.00.00 Framework release?

An announcement has been added to the homepage of the Collaboration Portal directing customers to a page that contains several 14.00.00-focused documents including an admin/end user guide, upgrade guide, new hardware and software requirements, feature highlights and more. This page will be updated frequently between now and the release of version 14.00.00, so we encourage customers to check it out often.

What core processors are compatible with 14.00.00?

14.00.00 is compatible with six core processors. These are DNA, DataSafe, XP2, Spectrum, Episys and IBS. Profile Import functionality is also compatible with version 14.00.00. All additional cores will be available in the 2014 end of year release.

What new features and enhancements are included in version 14.00.00?

14.00.00 includes over 100 new features and enhancements. A list of feature highlights can be found in the Release Notes section of this guide and on the Collaboration Portal.

Are there any Framework Lending changes included in 14.00.00?

Yes, there are several Framework Lending enhancements included in 14.00.00. These are listed in the version 14.00.00 Feature Highlights document located on the Collaboration Portal and in the Release Notes section of this guide.

Are there any Framework Service enhancements included in 14.00.00?

Although a project is underway to enhance the Service solution, no changes to service are scheduled to be released during the beta testing of 14.00.00; however, customers can anticipate some Service enhancements to be deployed with the version 14.00.00 general availability release.

 

Are there any Framework Recovery enhancements included in 14.00.00?

At this time, no Recovery enhancements are planned for version 14.00.00.

 

If I have any questions about version 14.00.00 or the conversion process, who should I call?

If there are any questions, please contact a Customer Care Specialist.

Framework Functionality Questions

What does person-centric mean?

Version 14 of the Framework has been designed with a person-centric approach, meaning users are better able to assess an account holder as a whole. Users can easily see all of a person's accounts, their relationships to other account-holders and their relationship to the financial institution right from the workspace.

What are the benefits of a person-centric approach?

A person-centric approach provides institutions with an invaluable 360-degree view of their account-holders and allows users to work the entire person at one time, rather than having to work one account at a time. Person-centric streamlines the collections process and provides users with a better Framework experience through countless new features and enhancements. Person-centric puts the power in your hands!

What is person queuing and how can I use person queuing?

Person queuing is an option administrators can set to queue off of the person rather than just their accounts. A person is queued only once, instead of all of the accounts for the person being queued. This allows the account holder to be evaluated as a whole.

What are custom and calculated fields?

Custom fields are a new feature in 14 that allows an institution to extend their database by adding new fields to be available in screens and field lists throughout the Framework. Calculated fields can be created to add two fields together. An unlimited number of custom and calculated fields can easily be created via a new Custom Fields page in System Management.

What is a multi-account workflow?

Certain workflow steps can be configured to be multi-account. A multi-account workflow allows users to work multiple accounts at once, rather than having to run the same workflow on many different accounts. This new capability saves users valuable time and provides for greater consistency while working accounts.

How are letter templates changed with the person-centric approach?

Letter templates can now have up to eight person roles associated to them, allowing users to easily define whose information is on a letter and who receives a letter. With the introduction of roles, separate letter templates do not need to be configured for primaries and secondaries. Letters can also be generated via a multi-account workflow.

What changes have been made to cases?

Cases have received many changes for version 14 to allow for better tracking of speciality processes. Cases are now more integrated with persons and accounts and can be created in a person workspace with just a few clicks. A new case workspace contains a tasks workspace where specific case-related tasks can be performed and assigned to different users. These enhancements allow for better organization of processes and quicker case resolution, as everything is tracked in one place within the Framework.

Conversion Process

What does the conversion to 14.00.00 look like?

Due to the significant number of new features and enhancements included in this release, Akcelerant’s recommendation is to take the out-of-the-box update first and confirm the Framework is working the way it does today. Then, integrate some of the new and more highly impactful features, such as business rules and advanced queuing, one at a time.

Do my 'customizations' (workflows, queuing, reports, letters, etc.) move over seamlessly?

Manual steps may need to be performed in order to configure any customizations, but a majority of the update is automated. Prior to taking the release, institutions are provided with an upgrade guide that contains a readiness report to help the institution plan accordingly.

Do my custom reports move over seamlessly?

If a developer onsite at the financial institution created custom reports using the Framework’s advanced report builder or the institution hired Akcelerant to create custom reports, these may not work correctly in version 14.00.00. Akcelerant can assist in correcting any issues at our billable hourly rate.

Do I need a test system?

Yes, a test system is required to implement the version 14.00.00 Framework release. In the past, some Akcelerant customers have felt a full regression test was not needed when taking releases. Due to the extensive enhancements included in 14.00.00, Akcelerant strongly recommends that a full regression test is run to ensure all features are functioning as expected.

Do we need to be on the latest version of the Framework before taking the 14.00.00 release?  

Yes, customers need to be on the latest version of the Framework prior to taking the 14.00.00 release.

Do Framework hardware and software requirements change for version 14.00.00?

Yes, there are some changes. This information can be found in the System Requirements section of this Guide.

Do I have to upgrade?

Ultimately, yes. An agreement with Akcelerant requires the institution to stay current with software updates. The agreement also specifies a guideline for remaining current on releases, and if the institution choose not to stay up-to-date based on that guideline, additional costs may be incurred in the event that a problem is reported. Akcelerant understands that version 14.00.00 is a large update and we currently plan to support Version 10 of the Framework through 2014 and into 2015.

How much effort is required to take the 14.00.00 release?  

The 14.00.00 release requires more effort to load than past releases. For example, before loading version 14.00.00, users are required to complete Akcelerant’s readiness report. This step was not required in the past. Instructions for completing this step are included in the upgrade guide. In addition, a new installer is used to load the 14.00.00 release which requires different execution steps than in the past.  

What do I need to know about the new installer?

The new installer allows all Framework features and servers to be set up using only one comprehensive installer. Furthermore, the Collaboration Portal offers a checklist of all tasks that need to be completed before installation, as well as the status of the install. Additionally for quick access, many third party files and installers including Credit ++ and Symitar PowerOns can be downloaded directly from the Portal. This new installer also provides easy to configure multi-server setups, and no longer requires a manual installation for the DMZ services. Lastly, the new Configuration Manager tool makes it simple to add, remove and update the installation configuration after the initial install.

Before upgrading, the institution needs to obtain an installation key from an Akcelerant Customer Care Representative. Also the institution's IT team needs to ensure outbound access to https://services.akcelerant.com is available, as it is used by the new installer. Finally, the Akcelerant Framework now requires that the .NET 4.0 Framework is installed on the web and application servers.

Is there any downtime anticipated when loading the 14.00.00 release?

End users need to be out of the system when the upgrade to version 14 is performed.

Do I need to make any changes to the core interface?

The release notes contain any and all instructions relating to core interface changes.

Are any of my connectors be impacted? 

Any connectors being enhanced in version 14.00.00 are listed in the release notes. All others function as they do on the institution's current version.

Does profile import functionality for either an interface or supplemental files need to be changed?

Each distinct account holder in the file, wither primary or joint, must have a valid SSN in order for the account holder to be created in the Framework. If any account holder in the file does not have a SSN, an SSN needs to be added to the file in order for the account holder to be created in Version 14. Additionally, the Version 14 profile import assumes that every account holder in the file is a person, rather than a business. If the import file contains businesses as well as persons, the institution will need to work with Akcelerant to identify these businesses ahead of the Version 14 upgrade.

If I am using the export functionality, do the providers consuming the files need to make any changes?

No, this functionality is not impacted.

 

What kind of training is provided?

One end user training will occur during the beta release of version 14.00.00 in Q1 of 2014. Administrator webinars will take place quarterly throughout 2014. All webinars will be recorded and placed on the Collaboration Portal for easy viewing. If an institution would like personal or customized training, it is available at a cost. Please contact an Akcelerant Account Manager to inquire.

Are there any interactive tutorials on version 14.00.00?

Yes, interactive tutorials are available including: navigation, cases, letters, emails, promises, custom fields, queues, screens, workflows and more.

Is there help documentation for version 14.00.00?

Yes, this Upgrade Guide as well as the Admin and User guide may be previewed through the link that has been added on the Collaboration Portal homepage.

Budget Considerations

Hardware and Software

As referenced above, there are some changes to the Framework’s hardware and software requirements. Please review the new hardware and software requirements in the System Requirements section of this Guide to determine if these changes impact the financial institution's budget.

Training & Consulting:

If I have any questions about how to budget for version 14.00.00, who should I call?

If there are any questions regarding how to budget for version 14.00.00, please contact an Account Manager. 

 

 

---

©2017 Akcelerant Software LLC. All Rights Reserved.