DATA INTEGRITY ENHANCEMENTS

APIS has been enhanced with several additional features to further ensure the integrity of the data that is input into the system at the time of entry.  This streamlines the initial data entry process providing a directed approach while ensuring that critical components of each record are captured and each event is recorded with optimal efficiency and accuracy.  This means less work for the person entering the data and less work for those reviewing the data for approval.  It also limits the exposure of an incomplete record getting lost in the shuffle.  The addition of these enhancements has allowed APIS to further increase flexibility in the area of configurable data entry screens.

CONFIGURABLE ENTRY SCREENS

Clients will now have the ability to select which fields they would like to have visible for data entry, based on the type of event.  For example, the information you may want to capture for a shoplifter is different than the information you would want to capture for a Dishonest Associate case.  Whether Case, Investigation and Incident records, our clients will now be able to fully configure input screens to fit their specific needs.  This provides not only the fields you want but also provides the flexibility to put those fields in the order you want to have them on the page. You can now create a variety of possible entry screens based on a variety of events, each triggering off of our exiting "smart-field" technology so that the user is not picking from a list of event entry screens, but rather the screen is tailored for entry based on the initial fields selected.  For example, a person selecting an External case and then shoplifting, may see different fields for entry then one selecting External and then Refund Fraud – both of which would appear different than the form used to document details regarding an Internal case involving a Dishonest Associate.

REPORTING IMPROVEMENTS

We have further enhanced the ability to export report data from the system and provide easy functionality to export data to Excel. In the process we are also making changes to our already powerful Adhoc tool to further streamline ease of use.

MULTI-LANGUAGE

Not only will the spring release have the ability to include other languages (French, Spanish, German, etc.), but also dialects of those languages.  When a user in Puerto Rico logs on he/she will she their version of Spanish, and a user in Mexico will see another.  This is still all the same database but what the user will see will be for their particular language and dialect of that language. The most exciting aspect of this enhancement is that the same technology that allows language dialects also enables clients to have dialects for different divisions within the same corporation.   This means that if you have two divisions of the same company using the same system but each has their own internal language (ex: one prefers "Merchandise Dept" and the other refers "Merchandise Area") each can use the same system but use their own dialect for calling the same data fields.

DB2 SUPPORT

APIS will support IBM DB2 as well as MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server databases.

LDAP SUPPORT

APIS has already been integrated in with several clients LDAP programs, but now that integration will be easier.  By utilizing LDAP integration users have a single sign on and authentication to access the system.   

EMAIL ALERTS

One feature many of our clients have requested is the ability to create alert notification based on certain types of incidents, investigations or cases.  For example if a Regional Manager should be informed if there is a fire at a store in their Region, they would be notified as soon as the incident is entered into APIS.  The alert could be in the form of an email or a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) and can be tailored based on both the type of event and the dollar amount. (Ex: Email me on entry of every ORC case over $500.00)

IMPROVED SECURITY SCHEME

Setting up users was already easy in APIS but with the spring release it becomes not only easier but also with heightened security.  Users are assigned to an Authority Record that details what permissions they have.  These Authority Records will be maintained by the System Administrator and will be introduced with all the new features.

WORK FLOW RESTRICTIONS

The ability to restrict what level a case, investigation or incident can be assigned to will change greatly with the new release.  Clients will have the ability to determine how many levels up or down a particular hierarchy a user can assign a record to as well as at what level a user can approve a case. 

RECORD RESTRICTION AND SECURE USER GROUPS

Today's APIS provides the ability to restrict access to certain records only to those users who have access to Restricted Records. The new release provides several more advanced capabilities allowing a user the ability to set himself as the owner of a particular record and then guest IDs may be given access to the record as needed and likewise this access may be removed at any time.  This means that if there is a specific case where access would not normally be granted to a particular user, however special circumstances require collaboration on the case, the special user's ID may be listed as a guest to provide temporary access.  In addition, System Administrators will be able to create a variety of Secure User Groups that are titled and to which user IDs are listed to limit access to certain records to the group listed.   As an example, an investigation could be restricted to the Ethics group for specific users handling ethics investigations versus a separate investigation that may be restricted to only the Corporate Investigations group. 

KEY DATA ENCRYPTION

Information security continues to be a critical concern for the team at RuMe and with the spring release we will be encrypting critical and sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers and driver's license numbers.

CONFIGURABLE DASHBOARD

Each client has different needs for what they want their users to see when they first log on.  Some want them to see stats and figures while others want them to see announcements and alerts.  In an effort to meet all the needs of our clients we are developing a configurable dashboard that allows the clients to pick and choose what they want displayed on the opening page based on the users Authority Record.  This means that different users may have different main screens to maximize productivity by providing data and resources based on user needs.

LETTERS & FORMS CONFIGURATION

APIS contains several forms and letters that the clients use either internally or that they give/send to others.  These forms often change and with the spring release our clients will no longer need to come through the team at RuMe to make those changes.  The administrator can add or change letters and forms.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions takes on a whole new form with the spring release.  Users will have the ability to post questions within APIS and have someone designated to respond.  A few examples of how this would be used could include: How best to investigate a certain type of case?  What do I do if…?  Etc.

ENHANCED DIGITAL STORAGE CAPABILITIES

APIS already has the ability to store key digital files within a case, investigation or incident, but with the spring release that capability becomes more efficient.  We've redesigned the functionality to ensure that digital evidence storage does not impact database performance along with a variety of other steps to further increase speed and response.

TASK MANAGEMENT

In using APIStask a user can request an action from another user and reference a case, inv or incident. The reference can be blind (i.e. the recipient can not see the case, investigation or incident) but the task is still connected to the event.  A calendar is then provided to not only show tasks that a user has assigned but also ones assigned to them.

APIS continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of both the clients and the industries it serves.  Stay tuned for more exciting changes coming soon!