These update notes outline the new, enhanced, and modified features introduced in this update. Take note that some changes necessitate action, so it is crucial to review these notes thoroughly. They complement the Stibo Systems Enterprise Platform (STEP) Online Help, which offers comprehensive details on both existing and new system functionality, providing detailed explanations and step-by-step instructions for use, as applicable.
Update highlights include the following:
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Inbound Message Streaming: The initial release of a new streaming component designed to enhance data ingestion efficiency is in ramp-up status. Leveraging Kafka, this solution harnesses genuine data streaming capabilities by processing individual messages in real time, facilitating faster data onboarding. This functionality is in a ramp-up phase, so not all customers will have access to it. (MDM Platform)
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Configuration Management: Building upon the work done in the last few updates, now configuration management includes enhanced support for administrators, aiding in predicting the impact and mitigating risks associated with STEP configuration updates before installing a change package. (MDM Platform)
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Automated Asset Handling: Optimized asset importer configurations for seamless management of externally maintained assets. Additionally, 2024.2 offers a robust pre-processor for enhanced data adaptability, offering increased flexibility and near real-time updates that minimize manual effort and accelerate business processes. (Product MDM)
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Instrument Update: New to Instrument is an enhanced product packaging experience offering comprehensive management of packaging hierarchies, providing visibility and control over product inclusion, pallet setup, and distribution optimization. Also available in this update are extended capabilities around maximizing the outcome of data enrichment within product data containers including reference handling and table filters—increasing the flexibility around accessing the data needed to review your composite and complex data structures. (Product MDM)
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Loqate Cloud Address Verification Update: The connector now uses Loqate’s latest cloud API, removing the risks associated with staying with legacy APIs and also leveraging Loqate’s new AI address parser, which provides an uplift in verification rates and performance. (Customer, Supplier, and Location MDM)
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Product MDM Channels Support Multiple Markets: Introducing Product MDM Onboarding Channels improvements to map market dimensions in STEP to markets in PDX so vendors can provide market-specific product data to retailers. (PDX Syndication)
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XLS Export / Import of Products in Multiple Languages: This solution addresses the growing demand for multilingual proficiency in managing the import and export of product data on a large scale. (PDX Syndication)
Additional highlights are included in supplemental materials such as update overview slide decks and update-specific videos. These resources are available, along with these update notes, in the Stibo Systems Service Portal and within the Customer and Partner Communities.
Stibo Systems consistently creates updates to align with the changing demands of the market and the preferences of our valued customers. Each update brings a multitude of benefits, incorporating enhancements inspired by user requests. This note-set summarizes a diverse array of new features, enhancements, and other changes -- those mentioned above and much more.
Update notes are accessible by clicking on the links below:
Note: Product Data Exchange (PDX) updates typically follow a different cadence than STEP updates. PDX-specific update notes and online help are available within the PDX solution. Once logged into the tool, click Help Center > Documentation using the left navigation panel. Documentation opens in a new tab.
Quarterly Updates
Updates are identified by the year and quarter in which they are introduced to customers. The first four digits (2024) indicate the year of the update. The last digit (2) indicates the calendar quarter. To learn more about update frequency, including target update times, and end-of-life baseline support dates, refer to the new STEP Update and End-of-Life Information topic in the System Update and Patch Notes documentation.
There are no regularly scheduled maintenance patches. However, there are times an ad-hoc maintenance patch must be made available to allow for system hotfixing. It is important that users read the documentation available for those updates. Action may be needed by on-premises customers to install the maintenance patches so that they can apply hotfixes, if / when applicable.
Update Guide
In addition to the individual update notes, upgrading customers should read the 2024.2 Update Guide. This guide provides information that existing customers need to know prior to upgrading. This includes actions required for deprecated components and unsupported functionality.
The Update Guide includes information about actions that existing customers need to take prior to updating to the latest version.
Important: Some functionality described within these notes is controlled via licenses and/or component installations and may not be available on your system.
Academy and Community Resources
Stibo Systems Communities
We strongly encourage all customers and partners to actively participate in their dedicated Stibo Systems' Communities, fostering collaboration with fellow users. These update notes and other update materials, including videos, are also available within each Community. Stay updated on upcoming events and much more by registering today.
Stibo Systems Academy
Maximize your investment in Stibo Systems Master Data Management (MDM) by taking Academy courses and completing our certification programs. The MDM Academy provides hands-on training opportunities for both customers and partners, aiming to enhance your understanding of Stibo Systems' MDM solutions. Comprehensive details regarding classes and programs can be found on our website: https://www.stibosystems.com/services-support/mdm-academy.
Installing STEP 2024.2
For SaaS environments, updates can be done in the SaaS Self-Service UI or (if not available) by raising a request with Stibo Systems Support. More information on the update process in the SaaS Self-Service UI can be found in the Upgrade Environment section in the in-build User Guide.
For on-premises customers, the baseline (and additional components) can be installed using these commands:
./spot --upgrade=step:2024.2
For on-prem systems, the SPOT --upgrade command may be used to find compatible components that can be added at the same time as the baseline patch (i.e., --upgrade=all). Refer to the SPOT Program topic of the System Administration Guide found in Downloadable Documentation. For assistance, contact Stibo Systems Technical Services.
For customers that have custom add-on components and/or if Stibo Systems Support is deploying your system updates, submit an update request via the Stibo Systems Service Portal.
This document is intended for use by active Stibo Systems Enterprise Platform (STEP) users and partners and describes the above and other new functionality and improvements in greater detail. It does not serve as a replacement for the online help, which includes additional information on previously existing and new system functionality, as well as more detailed explanations and step-by-step instructions for use, when appropriate.