I’ve purposely been quiet so far this year on saying too much about our plans for the next release of the WORK[etc] CRM system. This is about to change. Starting with this post we’ll regularly be releasing sneak previews of what we’re working on, as we’re working on it.
New Menu System
The first big, big change is a new menu system.
Over the years we’ve grown out the work modules available as part of WORK[etc]. As we’ve added customers we’ve gained better insight into what is important and what eventually becomes basically invisible to the user over time. Building on this, the new menu system will bring core tools such as projects, support, and sales right to the very front, with what is important to the actual user now only ever being one-click away.
Here is how it is looking:
Immediately you’ll notice that we’re updating WORK[etc]’s interface toward more of an iOS7 / Metro-inspired flat work space. This will apply not only to the main menu, but to the entire web application. If you’ve been using the new Customer Portal, then you already have a feel for the new style.
Next up we’ve introduced a new section called “Messaging” which will enable a centralized view of all emails, discussions, notes, and email campaigns. Messaging items will still show underneath their attached project, support case, contact, or sales lead. This extra view, from within the menu, will help people who work across different divisions.
The new menu also introduces a color-coding system for each type of core activity and makes more of your frequently accessed activities available from within the menu itself. For example, if you want to quickly view a list of People tagged with the custom tag “Priority 1 Client”, right now you have to go off and create a SmartList report. With the new menu system, we introduce access to frequently used tags right into the menu system itself:
Want to see more of the new menu system? We’re currently previewing each of the main screens as a special challenge available to WORK[etc] Insiders.
SmartViews
You’ll notice from the design above that we now put Smartviews right at the front of every screen. Smartviews combine and replace our existing SmartList and Saved Filters concepts and bring the data that is important to you right up front. This tool is what really sets WORK[etc] apart from every other product in the market place.
The old SmartList tool allowed you to create a list of data items based on the entirety of your database. Saved Filters, on the other hand, allowed you to take a subset of data in an activity stream and show only those items for a certain employee or an activity type. Conceptually, both actions are identical. Not only did we confuse some people with what approach to use, we also (unintentionally) buried this powerful tool deep down in the old menu system.
In the example below you can see how an actual SmartView is now accessible from within the menu system. In this release we also make it possible to create a SmartView and publish it through to other people in your team (notice the little padlock icon to indicate a shared SmartView):
What Else Will This Release Include?
We’re still pulling together the final details, but this very first release is all about modernizing the User Interface and streamlining all its aspects, solving a few feature oversights, and then putting in place the foundations to release some of the bigger features we’ve had scoped out for a while now.
If you tweet, share, like (or whatever!) this post I’ll answer the questions I can right now, in the comments below.
COMMENTS
Looking good so far, Metro design certainly suits it – and the client portal login at the moment looks great, so if that’s the direction then I’m happy 🙂
Hi Dan – that is definitely the direction, and then some!
Loving the new look. Its much cleaner looking!
The look is amazing! The colors are bright and attractive and the layout of the new tabs is familiar but fresh!
Thanks Brittany – we show all the menu’s side-by-side as a customer review challenge in Insiders – it looks really good and should set the tone for the rest of the revamp.
Yes all your hard work does not go unnoticed! There is a reason I can honestly say Work Etc has changed my life! It truly has revolutionized the way I work, and I know I have you guys to thank! So keep up the good work! We are behind you all the way!
This is really exciting stuff Dan, This look is really going to keep us on the screen and really enjoy the experience of working inside the app. Keep up the good work!! I would love an easier way to make the forms match the modern styling of where the direction of the app is going. I really like what type form and even Squarespace does their forms.
Hi Ryan – absolutely forms will be getting a huge make-over in terms of design and embedding. Thank you for the tip on Squarespace, will check it out.
I’m looking forward to this one! The new look is going to be very enjoyable experience. By going with the flat look will it increase in overall performance do you think?
” By going with the flat look will it increase in overall performance do you think?”
Kind of, but not because of the flat design. More so because we’re now able to pull out a lot of server requests that become redundant or delay loading non-critical requests until after the core page info has loaded.
Nice enough new UI – but In my opinion, you need to stop worrying about interfaces and features and work on billing, invoicing and recurring charges. We bill 42 customers and it takes nearly a day to get it all done and out, because no batch processes exist.
No subtotaling available by type for invoices, no previous balance due, no statements – the entire backend is clunky and immature. Help us make money by saving time!
For the cost its OK product but should be much much better!
Hi Marc – agree 100% and this is on the roadmap shortly – with auto-direct debit possibly as a 5.1 or 5.2. The other issues, sub-totally, previous balance due can be small tweaks within the UI itself. Will you post to feature suggestions, with as much detail as possible (if you haven’t already). I’m midway through reviewing every single item in that forum and blocking relevant suggestions into project groups for development and release.
Design wise its a breath of fresh air!
Amazing how an existing model starts to look dated without you realising it…
I like the Smart views integration, really is what use most from Work etc, is like customized menu with all the key information I want to see just a click away.
Hi Dan, Looks like more good stuff. Hopefully we won’t loose any Smart lists we have already created?
No – absolutely not. The plan is for the current system to stay in place and allow those Smartlists to be shared or shown in a particular menu. New customers’ wouldn’t see the current system though, only the new version.
With all my 40+ projects this new look is going to help me for sure. I hope you next take care of the iPhone design and make it more easier to key in to do’s. Please use the standard iPhone and IPad navigating conventions here.
Hi Runy – there’s a more recent blog post were we’ve even included a video of the new iOS design / preview of the iphone app.
Sorry if I missed it. When is the target release date?
I do hope there will be performance enhancements – the “hardware upgrade” we got made things slower. Refreshing a list of 750 contacts, even logging in to the home page takes several seconds.
Looking forward to the improvements and additions! The UI has a refreshing modern feel. Any idea on a release date? Thanks!
I hate sharing release dates as soooooo many variables, but sensibly I’m hoping for late September. BUT some of the improvements we’re making in version 5 are simultaneously being rolled back into the current version also.
Can’t wait for the new release. I am digging the color contrast on the new menus, looks like it will be super easy to navigate.
I am worried about some of the changes, but I am very optimistic that the changes will be for the better.
Hi Jonthan – we’re working/aiming/hoping to be able to do roll this out as a backwards-compatible change and give everyone a whole lot of time to switch back and forth between version 4 and 5. But the data model is crazy complex so whilst we think we can do this, we’re yet to finish the proof of concept.
I’d like to play with this a little if there is a sandbox but I agree about changes being a scary thing for enterprise training.
Sandbox will be a few weeks away and only available to WORK[etc] Insiders.
Our company has already benefitted greatly from Work[etc] and your dedicated team. I just love how much of an asset you have made user feedback and can definitely experience the results on a daily basis – thank you all! 🙂
Another giant leap forward on an already excellent business application guys…well done.
I’m looking for ward to having a good look around and making further improvements to ny business with WORKetc.
Hi Dan
Thanks for the update and all the good work on usability enhancements.
It looks like Tasks (To Do List) has gone and now it’s just called Projects. Does that mean we’re going to get a combined Project > Task hierarchy? This would be awesome if it works as well as Wrike (which is widely acknowledged as being one of the best implementations of this for project management – though they’re missing many crucial things that are in WEtc).
Another good one to look at is Smartsheets, which has a brilliantly simple way of doing hierarchical tasks with Gantt.
Anyway, good luck amd I look forward to seeing the results.
Thank you for never letting work etc get out of date. I think you are far about the best out there, everything you need is in work etc to run a successful business. I think I am going to love this new update, I can not wait to use it!
We are new to WORK[etc], but I love all of the things that we can do now that we were unable to do with our previous system. I love the look of the new menus and can’t wait to get the update! We love what you guys have done already to help us manage our business. Keep things coming!
Hoping to see these new features and the fresh new look in September!
SmartViews looks good and the layout seems that it will work well. I worry at little that the new UI might take some time to get used to, but knowing that you guys only produce quality/ intuitive front-ends I’m sure we’ll be fine!
I absolutely love the new interface and the color-coding so to speak…menus seem much easier as well…may take a bit to get used to but overall a great upgrade to an already awesome CRM!
This new interface looks awesome! Can’t wait to see and use this new interface.
Hi Dan,
Ok…when will have this?
I like that the new look appears simple and user-friendly. Though I have grown to love how the current version of WORKetc works, it can LOOK intimidating to new users who are not familiar with the system. The new colorful warmer look can help allay fears.
I mentioned in a recent post that part of my job (and WORKetc’s) is to continue to sell the program within my organization. Your supreme customer service helps with this. So will the new user interface. Thanks
It’s seems as a great work. I hope you’ll redesign andorid app soon because I really miss worketc on cell phone. I use some another app for daily tasks because I need simple UI. I can’t wait new version
I love the new look and color coordination that it has. makes things a lot more easier and makes us as a company more productive. keep up the good work!
How’s things coming along?