The following enhancements can be found in the latest release (Version 2.0) of the
EMS Master Calendar. As always, we'd like to thank our customers for their valuable
feedback and ideas providing us guidance in the development of this new version.
Please review the following list of benefits and features to see for yourself why
the EMS Master Calendar is the most sophisticated event publishing solution available.
What's New in EMS Master Calendar 2.0
|
New Calendar Subscription and Email a Friend Functions |
Now it’s even easier for users to stay current on events that are important to them. With just a few
clicks they can “subscribe” to a calendar to automatically receive emails when events have been added,
changed or cancelled. And if they want to notify someone of a particular event, the Email a Friend
function makes that task simple. |
|
Powerful LDAP Integration (optional) |
Through the separately-licensed Integrated Authentication module, LDAP integration enables the system
to use security group information maintained on your network to determine the appropriate permissions
for Master Calendar users. |
|
Improved Section 508 Compliance |
We’re now using the Watchfire® Bobby™ accessibility testing tool to eliminate barriers to
accessibility and verify compliance with existing accessibility guidelines, including Section 508
of the US Rehabilitation Act and the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). |
|
Numerous Search Enhancements |
Master Calendar has always given you the ability to execute very specific searches. However, sometimes
you want to cast a wider net. So, users can now define Event Type Views, which are groups of event
types that can be used as search criteria. Other enhancements include the ability to search all
calendars at once, to use multiple event types in a search and to perform keyword searches of free-form
text entries. |
|
Simplified Security Setup |
User security settings can now be applied via templates that you define. For example, if you have a
certain type of user that should be allowed to view specific calendars, request that events be added to
others and submit directly to some, simply define those settings as a template and apply the template
to any new user that falls into this class. |
|
RSS Feeds for Real-Time Calendar Updates |
The best event information is data that is accurate up-to-the-second. RSS feeds can be used by your IT
staff to post real-time information from the Master Calendar to another web page. Users can also
utilize RSS readers to have instant access to current calendar information. |
|
Additional Event Info with User Defined Questions |
To ensure that event information is detailed and complete, we’ve introduced the concept of User Defined
Questions. “UDQs” are questions that users can answer to supply more information about an event they
are submitting. Extremely versatile, UDQs can apply to one calendar or multiple calendars, and can be
optional or required. |
|
Enhanced Data Import/Export |
Organizations and communities are increasingly relying on the Master Calendar as the focal
point of their event publishing efforts, and consequently, the system is receiving data
from an ever-increasing number of sources. So, we’ve enhanced the import/export
capability of the optional Data Connector module to allow more flexibility in file names
and dates, to simplify the export of data to Microsoft® Excel®, and to include
information from custom fields in the export. |
|
Simplified Event Submission |
The event submission process has been simplified through the ability to indicate default event
start/end times and better date selection functionality, including the addition of options for single
and multi-day events. The process has also been enhanced to include contact phone number, a field for
event priority, and custom field hints. |
|
Connector Enhancements |
For sites that use both the Master Calendar and EMS scheduling software, “connectors” can be used to
add EMS events to the Master Calendar. Connectors can now be defined to require that imported events
be approved before they are posted. And Master Calendar-specific information can now be added to
events imported via a connector. Also, connectors now ignore the Display on Web settings in EMS to
ensure that all events are candidates for posting. |
Additional Help Text and Tool Tips |
The availability of more help text and additional tool tips has made the system even more user
friendly. Add descriptive text to the calendar selection page to guide new users; display useful
information through calendar description pop-ups and customizable calendar event tool tips. |
|
Convenient File Attachments |
Users can now attach files – flyers, maps, etc. – to an event, making them easily accessible to anyone
who clicks on a calendar entry to review its details. And to ensure that this function is used
properly, your system administrator can set parameters on the type, maximum size and number of
attachments allowed. |
|
New Customization Options |
Additional color options provide even more control over the look and feel of the system. Also, Master
Calendar pages can now display a custom logo and a new option determines whether calendars and
groupings are shown in three simplified columns or one column that includes calendar descriptions. |