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Software Release Crosswalk

BalanceAAP/BalanceHub 3.9.1 Transition to BalanceAAP 4.0

In Version 4.0, Berkshire has enhanced the relationship between the preparation of AAPs and the dissemination of plan results, through software consolidation. This consolidation also supports Berkshire's efforts to improve software administration so that clients can benefit from additional flexibility in managing user permissions and improved security.

In detail, the software products have been reorganized/consolidated into a revamped Affirmative Action software suite, as follows:

  • The plan preparation software balanceAAP remains, with enhanced functions.
  • BALANCEhub, the application for sharing AAP results, is no longer a product. However, DASH and SHARE remain, housed directly within balanceAAP, as part of its enhanced functions.
  • REACH, the Good Faith Efforts tracker, remains as a stand-alone product, while retaining its connection settings for integration with balanceAAP.

The most critical differences between Version 3.9.1 and 4.0 are outlined in the table below:

Previous Function

Version 4.0

Login Screen and Software Access

  • Along with other visual changes made to the software, the Login Screen and software access buttons have updated looks.
Security Settings

  • Previously not required, Security tabs for Password and Security Questions are available for the user Account, by clicking on [user name] in the software header.

Navigate between Applications

  • For software subscribers who have access to multiple balanceWORKS applications, the previous Applications drop-down in the software header has been replaced with circular icons.
Plans List

  • The Plans button in the software header has been relocated to the side navigation menu.

    • Visually, this better helps orient the user to (locating, creating, or accessing a plan on) the Plans list. In addition, the user can quickly identify how to return to Plans from within an individual AAP.

Side Navigation Menu

  • The menu is now collapsible and expandable, providing more workspace.

Plan Home Captions

  • Plan Home captions have an updated look and streamlined verbiage.
Plan

  • The Plan module is now called Settings to better reflect updated navigation and task-related functions.
Create Plan

  • The Archive setting that was previously located solely under Plan > Plan Information is now available under Create Plan. While the system will display a default setting (of three years from the Plan Date), another date can be entered by the plan preparer while initially creating the AAP.

Narratives

  • Tools for working Narratives have been pulled out of Reports and placed in the side navigation menu as a specific, unique step.

  • The development of Narratives is now differentiated from the task of compiling finalized AAP components that occurs in Reports.
Publish Plan

  • Making the completed AAP available for viewing by others is now a unique step, accessible from the side navigation menu.

  • The plan owner can readily turn on plan access, manage the user viewing audience, and email users that results are read.

BALANCEhub > SHARE and BALANCEaap Reports

  • Rather than being housed in SHARE, finalized AAP Reports are now accessible from balanceAAP > Reports for both the plan owner AND the viewer of plan results. For the plan owner in particular, this removes the need for the plan owner to manage, and navigate between, two applications.

    Viewers will see the Plan Overview tab and the AAP Reports list, based on settings determined by the plan owner.

  • Access to Reports > Filters is no longer from side navigation menu. Rather, Filters are available as a sub-tab on the AAP Reports screen.
  • The AAP Reports page is visually redesigned to make tools for viewing and outputting Reports more readily seen and used, including making Report Group headers more prominent; adding Report-based icons for Download type; and providing large Export check boxes for selecting Reports.
  • Options for configuring the output file are no longer organized under a side navigation menu item for Reports > Export Settings. Instead, these settings are better located on the AAP Reports page.
  • Access to EEO-1 and VETS-4212 remains in the side navigation menu, based on the user's permission to prepare or view those filings.
BALANCEhub > DASH

  • DASH is now known as the Dashboard, available in balanceAAP as a function in the side navigation menu.

  • While administrative tools remain for the plan owner on the Options and Summaries tabs, the standard user will see the View and (Dashboard) Reports tab, based on settings determined by the plan owner.