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What's New in balanceTRAK

RETURN TO: Product Release Notes Index

BalanceAAPBalanceTRAK

Part of the balanceWORKS family of software

If you would like to review recent interface design changes, please see:   Software Transition Crosswalk.

Version 4.0


As part of our efforts to continually improve our products and services, Berkshire performs periodicthe following upgrades to balanceAAPbalanceTRAK software.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Berkshire’s Product Support department at: product.support@berkshireassociates.com.
OR from within the software, access Support from the Help icon in the software header to send a message to Berkshire.

Berkshire’s Product Support Team

This

The planfollowing preparationapplicant softwaretracking hasfeatures in Version 4.0 have been updated to include new featuresenhanced at the intervalsfollowing below:intervals:

June 2020

  • As part of the Indeed integration, options for Indeed job postings now include indicating if the position is remote, and if so, the type of remote arrangement (e.g., temporary, fully remote, flexibility to work from home). This supports an applicant’s ability to search Indeed postings, using these criteria.
  • BalanceTRAK can now be integrated with Jobfindah.
  • As part of our continual efforts to improve software performance, we have improved the platform’s underlying stability and addressed minor bug fixes.

April 2020

  • ViaFor “New”a Requisition’s Sources, the Date Sent column will better document the autopost function for various integrated job boards and “Old”the Planuser’s Codeactions.
  • For fieldsthe list column in Job Seekers, the Show Incomplete Job Seekers toggle icon will remain on until the user turns it off, even after the page is refreshed or the user navigates to another module.
  • For client organizations with multiple Job Posting pages (typically reflecting separate business units), the Job Description page header can be customized for each business unit.
  • In upgraded balanceAAP’sbalanceTRAK Datanotification Tablesemails, visual elements, including the employer’s job posting logo, will be displayed.
  • Approval Process notifications from balanceTRAK, Masterhave planbeen preparersadditionally upgraded as follows:
    • The notification triggers and process has been streamlined to better target recipient audiences, based on the participating user’s role and the action.
    • The Job Description will be attached to a Requisition Approval Process email message, in PDF.
  • The process of developing an Approval Process template has been centralized, limiting their creation to the Settings > Approval Process Templates module. (Previously, a new template could be developed while creating a Requisition template.)
  • System Tools > Profile Management will now include a control on the Administration tab to disable the Skip approver function for Approval Processes.
  • Enhancements have been made to Settings > System > Archives to improve data compilation and performance.
  • We continue to enhance the 4.0 interface in response to customer feedback, for minor bug fixes, for visual appeal, and to improve performance.

February 2020

  • Permissions for Requisition and Job Seeker Approval Processes have been modified to account for ad-hoc processes.
  • The settings for Requisition detail > Keywords have been adjusted to limit the number of keywords to 10.
  • When Job Seekers are copied to another Requisition for consideration, and the option to notify the Job Seeker is selected, a customized email message can now documentbe promotionsent. (An Administrator can edit/develop the message at: Settings > Email Templates.)
  • We continue to enhance the 4.0 interface in response to customer feedback, for minor bug fixes, for visual appeal, and transferto pathwaysimprove between AAPs, as part of developing feeders.performance.

January 2020

  • The AvailabilityJob >Seeker Factorlist Weightswill screennow hasdisplay beenthe augmentedfull withDisposition code description, and the Keyword score will automatically activate for new Job Seekers.
  • When a featureRequisition end date is reached, the toggle switches for Posted Internally/Externally and Accepting New Job Seekers will automatically turn off in all situations.
  • For an Offer letter to alertthe chosen hire, your company representative’s signature will now display in script when entered into the userSignature whenfield.
  • ZipRecruiter internaljoins feedersour arelist notof presentfree, soopt-in theyjob canposting befeeds, reviewedavailable and/orvia addressed.balanceTRAK.
  • We continue to enhance the 4.0 interface in response to customer feedback, for minor bug fixes, for visual appeal, and to improve performance.

December 2019

  • The Job Seeker Search query has been enhanced for faster performance.
  • On the Requisitions > Summary tab:
    • If multiple Job Posting pages are in place, Links will display for all of those sites.
    • Counts for incoming Job Seekers can be viewed by social media source.
  • Other Forms can now be attached when forwarding a Job Seeker, copying a Job Seeker to another Requisition, and scheduling an interview with a Job Seeker.
  • Automatic emails to job seekers who have been dispositioned will display the email address of the sender as defined in System Settings, rather than as an individual user.
  • When an email is sent from balanceTRAK, the system will validate all of the sender, recipient, and CC fields for proper address format.
  • For clients using sponsored Indeed ads, the minimum value will be $25 when completing the integrated Indeed menu.
  • System Alerts have been consolidated to a balanceWORKS landing page, organized by software product, offering a centralized method for users to view and acknowledge system messages.
  • We continue to enhance thisthe product4.0 interface in response to identified customer needsfeedback, for minor bug fixes, for visual appeal, and to enhanceimprove performance or perform minor bug fixes.performance.

October 2019

  • Notification Whentools editinghave been enhanced for both the client-side Administrator and savingthe user:
    • A full array of controls are now available for the delivery of communications and event alerts. Just as before, these controls can be set globally by an Administrator (NarrativesSettings > TemplatesSystem), and then by the individual user.
    • In the software header, the optionNotification center will now be separated into two components, one for () Job Seeker and Requisition email messages, and a second center for () event alerts (e.g., Job Seeker has applied, a Requisition is closing). In addition to "Reverta display of recent notifications, delivery settings for the individual user will be directly accessible via the new icons.
      • Note: For continuity purposes, the previously determined (and more limited) settings will carry over. To check what's in place or take advantage of new features, all users should review their current delivery options. Simply click the Settings link, available under each icon.
    • The Notification widget will be replaced by the new quick-access points for communications, as described above.
  • For client organizations with a hierarchy of organizational units, Requisitions can be displayed by these secondary levels, using a drop-down menu in the "Location" filter, at the top of the page.
  • Under Requisition > Sources, additional settings will display, related to Default"sponsoring hasIndeed beenpostings supplementedand withselecting anpricing optionfor tosponsored "Revert to Last Saved Version". postings.

August 2019

  • AsFor Requisitions without an Approval Process, Client Settings have been modified with an option to place all new Requisitions into the secondPending phaseCategory.
  • On a new tab (Settings > System > Job Description), Sections of EEO-1 Report development to support "Component 2" data collection, the fileJob export feature is now available, in accordance with EEOC specifications.

July 2019

  • The first phase of updates to the EEO-1 Report module will support data collection for the form’s new “Component 2” submission. This functionality allows for the reporting of employee demographic counts by pay band for each EEO category. Below are Help links that provide more information:
  • To set precedence for multiple transactions in a day when the File Consistency check or Start Point analysis is run, System Tools > General settings have been augmented with a Personnel Action Order menu, providing the capability to prioritize personnel actions in a default or custom order.
  • We continue to enhance the interface in response to identified customer needs and to enhance performance or perform minor bug fixes.

June 2019

  • AsThe partopening ofmenu Appsfor to Hires,creating a suite of Applicant data reconciliation tools, duplicate applicants can now be reviewed and resolved.
  • The layout for working with File Consistency issues across an employee's transaction recordsRequisition has been improved soto thatclarify recordswhether withan issuesexisting canRequisition beTemplate quicklyis located,available selected,for and resolved.selection.
  • The visualActions look of the Summary chart headers has been improvedmenu on the DashboardJob Seekers. list has been modernized for better ease of use.
    • When forwarding a Job Seeker's information (or copying a Job Seeker email to other users), suggestions for balanceTRAK recipients will be prompted for you, with the entry of at least two letters from the user name.
  • Based on user permissions, software users can now reopen, edit, AND save submitted Job Seeker Forms.
  • When Accepting New Applications and Internal/External job postings are off, existing Job Seekers can now continue to complete Forms (e.g., BACKGROUND CHECK).
  • The Reports > Export function for Job Seeker data now displays more options for filters and fields, including limiting the export file to Job Seekers who have completed a particular Form.
  • The feature to alert users when a Job Seeker is not eligible to receive an Offer letter has been added to the Job Seeker > Offer tab.
  • For the client-side Administrator:
    • Workflow options for dispositioning viewed Job Seekers can be set at the overall level, in addition to by Job Seeker Stage.
    • System-generated email notifications can be controlled from the Email Templates screen.
  • WeDuring customer migrations to Version 4.0 Implementations, we continue to enhance the newly designed interface in response to identified customer needs and to enhance performance or perform minor bug fixes.

May 2019

  • TheEnhanced ADVERSE IMPACT FOR APPLICANTS report can now be runfiltering by individual Requisition Number.
  • A new feature to create Trend Reportsfields has been added to the ReportsHome module.page TheseSettings reportsmenu, willfor assistuse in identifyingpersonalizing positiveDashboard widget data.
  • Requisition security has been enhanced to allow for individual user restrictions when creating and negativemanaging movementRequisitions. in key AAP metrics over time.
  • User Management has been enhanced to allow for the copying of user profiles when creating new users.
  • WeDuring customer migrations to Version 4.0 Implementations, we continue to enhance the newly designed interface in response to previously identified customer needs and to enhance performance or perform minor bug fixes.

April 2019

  • A new option"handshake" icon has been added to the Requisition list view, indicating that a closed Requisition resulted in the position(s) being filled.
  • On the Requisition detail > Summary tab, the Job Seeker by Stage table includes a new column for "undispositioned" Job Seekers.
  • In the Job Seeker detail, the BACKGROUND CHECK form can be automatically released to the Job Seeker from the Screenings > Background Check tab.
  • The Offers tab is now available in the FileJob ConsistencySeeker checkdetail to support sending a personalized merge letter on company letterhead to the selected candidate. The recipient can then respond to the Offer letter from the Profile area of the Job Seeker account.
  • At Reports > Export > Requisition > Fields, the selection options have been expanded so that Requisition exports can be further customized to include thespecific priorfields.
  • To plan. With this setting,accompany the scanOffers cantab:
    • An beadministrative performedSettings onarea thewill Rosterhouse toOffer flag inconsistencies between the prior and current year entries.Templates.
    • CensusClient CodingSettings, nowas includesimplemented toolsby to:
      • FilterBerkshire Product Support for client accounts, will control the display of the Census CodingOffers tabletab, toas readilytriggered review and update EEO group classification mismatches.
      • Supportby the advancedOffer user in filtering for letter-based Census codes and converting these codes to the proper numerical entries.stage.
    • Client Advancedorganizations can take advantage of an even wider array of editable HistoryEmail Templates, featuresfor allowuse youin to:
      • Createsystem notifications. The full library includes templates for a Requisition closing; a hire being made; Background Check completion; and storeApproval aProcesses, "Historyamong plan,"others. originatingFor fromsystem balanceAAP'sactivities Startwhere Pointapplicable, analysis,there anare existingseparate featuretemplates thatfor estimatesreal-time theand historicaldaily placement goals based on current plan data.reminders.
      • ManageDuring createdcustomer History plans, by assigning onemigrations to theVersion current4.0 planImplementations, and/or deleting prior History plans.
    • Wewe continue to enhance the newly designed interface in response to previously identified customer needs and to enhance performance or perform minor bug fixes.

    March 2019

    • The Plans,Job Seeker list can be shown in the initialfollowing landingconfigurations:
      • Displayed page,in nowGrid helpsview youfor tracka auditcomprehensive plans,view includingof, theand optionaccess to, applicant data.
      • Filtered to show auditedJob and/orSeeker unauditedStage/Disposition AAPsfor oneach applicant.
    • As part of a follow-up interaction with the OpenJob PlanSeeker, tab.an Auditadditional plansForm (as stored in the requisition under: Other Forms) can be automatically released to the Job Seeker from the Job Seeker detail. Form completion status will be indicated on thisthe tabForms tab, and the corresponding email message is recorded on the Recent PlansCommunications list through highlighting.tab.
    • AfterThe theplatform reorganization of External Availability in the prior release,for Census CodingHelp toolsvideos has been upgraded, and new offerings have been enhanced with the following features:
      • The layout has been redesigneduploaded to featurethis aviewer. table format, displaying all relevant Census Coding information — including Census/Job Code matches — PLUS a direct work area for updating these matches.
      • The Censusnew Codingtopical tablevideos can be filteredaccessed by Jobusers Code,from EEOa Code,corresponding CensusbalanceTRAK Code,task revision version, and whether in use.area.
      • ADuring Censuscustomer code listing can be expandedmigrations to displayVersion the4.0 SOCImplementations, (Standard Occupation Code) definition and demographic statistics from the U.S. Census database.
      • The work area now features comprehensive, multi-level Search tools to find Census Codes.
      • Census code assignments can be exported to Excel, via a quick-click button.
    • File Consistency > Batch Ops have been augmented with:
      • Options that consider and help resolve multiple personnel transactions for an employee when they occur on the same day.
      • (For a Master plan) a global operation that updates the Plan code in an employee's personnel action records to match the employee's "Reports to" entry on the Roster Data table.
    • Wewe continue to enhance the newly designed interface in response to previously identified customer needs and to enhance performance or perform minor bug fixes.

    February 2019

    • ForThe betterJob easePosting ofpage use,has been updated with the software'sfollowing settings:
      • The company name used when sharing openings can now be updated on AvailabilityJob Posting Page >settings.
      • To Externalincrease Availabilitysecurity, componentsSearch engines have been segregated into two distinct work areas, accessible directlyrestricted from thescanning sideInternal navigationJob menu:Posting pages.
    • For clients with Job Seeker > Communication turned on:
      • Via Account settings, each user can opt to receive an email to Outlook when a Job Seeker replies to a RecruitmentbalanceTRAK-initiated Areasemail.
      • The Censusprocess Codingfor recognizing incoming texts from Job Seekers has been enhanced to prevent duplicates when the Job Seeker has applied to multiple Requisitions.
    • TheAbility BESTfor UTILIZATIONan RULEIncomplete reportand (dispositioned Job Seeker to access partially completed APPLICATION and/or PRESCREENER will be restricted. However, this type of Job Seeker can still receive a Form for completion from a AvailabilitybalanceTRAK user by email.
    • Via Reference Tables > FactorJob WeightsCode), nowseparate outputsvideos improvedcan analysisbe whendisplayed to Job Seekers by Job Description, to replace the "Alldefault Plans"video, optionwhere is selected for a Master/sub plan set.suitable.
    • During Wecustomer migrations to Version 4.0 Implementations, we continue to enhance the newly designed interface in response to previously identified customer needs and to enhance performance or perform minor bug fixes.