Published Release Notes

New property pxSaveDateTime

A new property, pxSaveDateTime, records the date and the time that an instance was saved with business changes to the database. This property is always used when an instance is saved, whether you are creating an instance or updating an existing instance. This property is not updated when an instance is moved from one system to another, and it is not updated during certain system management operations that do not change the content of the instance, such as column exposure.

WebSphere log error with Java 8 for Enterprise JavaBeans

For environments that are deployed by using Java 8 on IBM WebSphere Application Server version 8.5.5.9 through the last 8.5.5.x fix pack, the log might report that a class was not found when the application server attempts to start Enterprise JavaBeans. If Java EE functionality is not needed, no further action is required. However, to use Enterprise JavaBeans, see WebSphere log error with Java 8 for Enterprise JavaBeans.

Precision of Oracle Timestamp property when using RDB-Save

DateTime properties that are mapped to an Oracle Timestamp column will experience a loss of precision when they are saved using the RDB-Save method. When you use RDB-Save for an Oracle Timestamp, precision will be accurate to the second. For example, a value of 20171119T124745.006 will be saved as 20171119T124745. When you use Obj-Save, precision will be accurate to the millisecond. For more information, see DateTime property mapping in Oracle for Pega 7.

Support for sending emails by using Microsoft Graph

Email integration with Microsoft Office 365 now supports sending emails by using Microsoft Graph. With this enhancement, you can send email with a more secure protocol that complies with your organization’s security policy.

For more information, see Creating an email account.

App Studio enhancements further support Pega Express methodology

App Studio now includes improvements that you can use to plan your Microjourney™ in a more convenient way. The Overview workspace now includes a button to edit application details, such as name, description, and business objectives, without having to switch to Dev Studio. You can also access relevant information faster, because Case Designer displays additional details about channels, data objects, and attachments associated with a case type directly in a properties pane. For improved management of your features, feature categories are now available in the application inventory so that you can clearly communicate to your development team what type of features need implementation.

For more information, see:

• Editing application details in App Studio 
• Associating personas with channels 
• Adding features to application inventory 
• Creating a Microjourney for customer success

Conversation flow and smart shapes for the Digital Messaging chatbots

When creating Pega Intelligent Virtual Assistant™ (IVA) for Digital Messaging, chatbot developers can now use new conversation smart shapes in a dedicated flow, making the design process simpler, more robust, and intuitive. With the new smart shapes, the chatbot displays text messages or asks questions to users in one of several ways. In addition, developers do not have to create additional rules, switch tabs, or perform manual validation. You can associate the conversation flow that you create for your IVA with a business case, use the flow on its own, or reuse it in another conversation flow, improving the overall chatbot design process.

For more information, see Adding a stand-alone conversation process for a conversational channel, Adding a case type conversation process for a conversational channel, Editing the conversation smart shapes and Flow shapes.

Support for REST connectors to route network traffic via proxy

To easily route network traffic, you can now configure proxy details for individual REST connectors. This enhancement allows you to manage your proxy settings so that you can securely access online resources that lie beyond your proxy servers.

For more information, see Configuring a REST connector.

Connect-HTTP support discontinued

Pega Platform™ no longer supports Connect-HTTP rules. HTTP connectors were used to start HTTP request/response interactions between Pega Platform and external systems identified by a Connect HTTP rule (Rule-Connect-HTTP rule type).

After an upgrade to Pega Platform 8.6 and later, you can still use and modify existing HTTP connectors, but you cannot create new ones. As a best practice, use REST connectors instead, which offer more capabilities and have better support from development teams.

For more information, see Connect REST rules.

Data import wizard compatibility with Cosmos applications

The data import wizard is now Cosmos-compliant. When you launch the data import wizard as a page, you can leverage the new features provided by Theme-Cosmos, such as adding custom buttons and functionality to your Cosmos applications.

Addition of Data Access Tab to access control policy condition rules

You can now select associations and declarative index classes when creating access control policy condition rules. The Column source field in the policy condition can now accept properties from available associations and indexes. For ease of reference, the selected associations and indexes are available on the new Data Access tab. 

Using the new tab, you can build complex authorization models in which access restrictions for a class depend on the attributes present in the associated and indexed classes, along with the attributes in the current class. For example, a project management application can now separately maintain project lists for each operator and use that information to restrict read/write access to unique projects.

The information available on the new Data Access tab reflects rule form changes, which are similar to the existing functionality of the Report Definition in the Application Data Model. 

For more information, see Creating an access control policy condition.