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 a more focused and wider 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 (via Profiles), manage the user viewing audience, and email users that results are read. Publish Groups are no longer in place to govern plan access.

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.
Export Data

  • Previously located under Data > Advanced, the Export function now has a stand-alone access point in the side navigation menu under Data. The prior Data sub-tab located under Reports is no longer in place.

    Along with changes to AAP Reports, mentioned above, these enhancements better differentiate tasks related to outputting AAP Reports versus those needed to export plan Data.

  • Accordingly, the Roster Compensation export (for OFCCP submission) is now solely available by accessing Data > Export.


BalanceTRAK 3.9.1 to Interim BalanceTRAK 4.0

Some of the most beneficial updates to Berkshire's applicant tracking system are highlighted 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.
Side Navigation Menu

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

Admin Settings

  • The Administrative Settings task area has been renamed Settings.

  • A suite of options under Settings > System is now organized to better support the client-side Administrator.

Job Posting page

  • (Where turned on) The Job Posting Page is now a section under Settings.

    Some previous Client Settings have been moved here, including editing for the EEO Statement, to give more control of the page to the client.
Archive Settings

  • The Archive function is now located under Settings > System.
User Access Code

  • The User Access Code is now referred to as Location Access Code.

Export Requisition and Job Seeker Data

  • Previously, tools to export data were specific to, and accessed via the Job Seekers or Requisitions module. Now, the Export function for Job Seekers and Requisitions is located under Reports.

  • More detailed Export > Filters are available to configure the output file.
Reports (including Filter and Export Settings)

  • Reports has been renamed TRAK Reports to support users who have subscribed to multiple balanceWORKS applications.

  • Filter and Export Settings are no longer side navigation menu items. These tasks are better organized into the TRAK Reports page and available via tab header access.