Support for large reference data in offline mobile apps
Valid from Pega Version 7.2
A data page in a Pega 7 Platform mobile application with offline capability enabled can now be marked as a large data page. This feature improves performance significantly when you have a large amount of data in which only individual records change.
In this situation, after the initial sync to the mobile app, only the changes in the large data page are synced instead of the entire large data page. The database table is created for such large data pages in the encrypted SQLite database on the device. Changes such as add, delete, or update are reconciled as row-level updates. Furthermore, you can use JavaScript to query against this data. A large referenced data page is supported by list-based components such as repeating dynamic layout, auto-complete, a dropdown list, and radio button.
Support for offline and online cases in a single mobile app
Valid from Pega Version 7.2
A single offline-enabled application can now support both the creation and processing of online-only and offline-ready cases.
For online-only cases, a list of both the offline and online cases is always available. Case assignment and processing is performed on the server so that a case is available only when the device is connected to the Internet or to data. When a connection is not available for processing an online-only case, an error message is displayed.
For offline-ready cases, a user can open an assignment and perform tasks on that case. There is also an option to explicitly display a harness from a server instead of a client store.
Offline mobility improvements
Valid from Pega Version 7.2
Several offline mobility improvements have been made in this release. Additional use cases have been added for configuring offline-enabled mobile apps at design time. Read-only grids with limited features are now supported offline. You can configure auto-populated properties, and you can create work with parameters. It is also possible to open work by handle. You can use decision shapes with Boolean expressions (no when rules) in screen flows. Barcode scanning is now available in offline mode.
Mobile user interface updates
Valid from Pega Version 7.2
Several improvements have been made to the mobile-related user interface of the Pega 7 Platform. The content of the Mobile tab on the Application rule form has been redesigned. The Offline Configuration and Mobile Certificates landing pages are now available. The Signature Capture control has improved. Post-processing can now occur after the signature has been captured. You can auto-submit with the form submit. You can apply the signature to a page instead of applying it as an attachment to the case. The clear action completely removes the signature from the work object, keeping only the latest iteration of the signature. Touch interactions have been significantly improved. Response time is faster and there is better feedback on the touch action.
Low-code styling in mobile apps
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
The mobile channel now supports enhanced low-code styling and branding of mobile apps. For example, you can customize app icons in three different ways: by uploading an image, by selecting from a list of font icons, or by using the default text-based icons. This enhancement helps you to conveniently customize the look of mobile apps to match the branding guidelines of your company and provide a consistent experience for users across different channels.
For more information, see Applying a custom theme to mobile apps.
Offline support for Cosmos-based mobile apps
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
Mobile apps that are based on the Cosmos design system now support offline mode. Previously, offline-enabled apps had to rely on the classic look. Now, you can use the low-code Cosmos solutions to design apps that operate reliably regardless of the connection status.
For more information, see Designing apps for offline mode.
Removal of Pega Mobile Client 7
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
You can now use a single Pega Mobile Client™ that improves app performance, app development, and meets all your mobile needs. With the introduction of new functionalities for mobile apps, Pega Mobile Client 7 is removed in Pega Platform™ 8.5.
Upgrade impact
After an upgrade to Pega 8.5, you can no longer build mobile apps based on Pega Mobile Client 7, and existing apps based on Pega Mobile Client 7 no longer connect to Pega Platform. App developers can now configure mobile apps with Pega Mobile Client.
What steps are required to update the application to be compatible with this change?
Existing clients that upgrade to Pega 8.5 are automatically switched to Pega Mobile Client.
Web portal reuse removed from the mobile channel
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
The reuse of web portals for creating mobile apps with a single web view is no longer supported. You can conveniently update your existing channels that reuse web portals to take advantage of the multiple-views experience and native mobile capabilities, such as native mobile list views or floating action buttons.
Upgrade impact
The Reuse web portal option is removed from Pega Platform 8.5 and later.
What steps are required to update the application to be compatible with this change?
App developers need to use the migration tool available on the mobile channel to move their apps to the recommended new navigation designer. When users open existing mobile channel with the Reuse web portal option configured, they are prompted to run through the wizard to upgrade the mobile channel to the latest Pega Mobile Client based configuration. When this is done, app developers should rebuild the app.
Enhanced search in the mobile channel
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
The search configuration now includes up to three additional secondary fields, such as the case ID, category, cost, date, owner, and active channel. The enhancement increases the usability of search on mobile apps and provides more contextual information in the search results.
For more information, see Adding a search gadget.
Improved mobile channel user experience
Valid from Pega Version 8.5
Mobile channel authoring now includes two significant enhancements to the user experience. The new instant run-time preview makes security configuration more convenient. In addition, the offline tab is now present by default, to help you build offline-enabled mobile apps and complete assignments in areas with limited connectivity.