Analytics release notes

June 30, 2025 (Version 25.6.16)

We made some fresh UI changes to dashboards, giving them a more modern look. Watch out for more dashboard-related changes coming soon.

May 20, 2025 (Version 25.4.21)

The Flexible Variance (Beta) program in Analytics has now ended. It’s been replaced by the Flex Modes module. You’ll no longer see the Industry modes item in the Mode menu in Analytics. Instead, you’ll see a new Flex Modes item in your side navigation menu, underneath Analytics.

This module is being released in phases. If you don’t see it yet, it will appear soon.

Flex Modes is an extension of Analytics. You can continue to use Analytics just as you always have, but now you have a new, more flexible way to explore your data. Future changes and enhancements to Flex Modes can be found on the new dedicated release notes page.

Read the Flex Modes user documentation here.

Visit our website to learn more about Flex Modes.

March 7, 2025 (Version 25.2.5)

• On dashboards, we added a button to the top that allows you to jump directly to a section (line) on the dashboard. This is a handy navigation tool when you have a large dashboard with multiple lines of widgets, as you no longer have to scroll down through the dashboard to get to the widget you want to see.

  
• In Flexible Variance (Beta) mode, you can now add a chart to the Chart view tab. We also made the following changes to the toolbar:

  • We added a Save as favorite button (heart icon) to give you a quicker to save your favorite analysis results.

  • We converted the Sparklines menu into a button (blue line icon), so you can now turn the sparklines on or off with one click. For better context, the sparklines now sit within the Total column rather than in a separate column.

    

January 27, 2025 (Version 25.1.2)

In Flexible Variance (Beta) mode:

• We introduced the Transaction view tab that displays the underlying transactions for the data currently displayed in the grid.

• We introduced the Matrix tool that allows you to filter and pivot selected data into a matrix format.

• We added the Count option in the Measures menu that corresponds to the dimensions in the database. This is also available in measure columns, providing greater flexibility when it comes to determining the data that is displayed in the grid.

• We improved the row selection functionality. When focusing on rows, you're no longer restricted to selecting adjacent rows; you can now select a batch of rows that aren't next to each other.

January 10, 2025 (Version 24.12.16)

We're continuing work on the Flexible Variance (Beta) mode that we released in August. The following enhancements are now available:

• Advanced search: Previously, this panel only showed the filters you applied using the three other filtering methods. Now, you can initiate an advanced search from here. Click the Add filter button at the top, then select one of the filtering methods, and proceed to set the conditions.

• Chart builder: You can now visualize the data of a column in a chart.

• Chart view tab: We introduced another tab at the bottom of the screen containing pre-built charts that reflect the data displayed in the grid. These charts update according to the filters you apply to the grid.

• Other small changes:

  • You can reorder columns in the grid.

  • We removed the Summary button from this mode, as it is not required.

December 11, 2024 (Version 24.11.18) - general news

Homepage enhancements

Now when you apply one or more filters and sort orders to the grid on your homepage, your selections are retained. This means the next time you view your homepage, it'll look exactly as you left it. This effectively lets you set up your homepage to always display only the items you're interested in.

In addition:

• We introduced a Clear filters option to simultaneously clear all the filters you've applied.

• We changed the filtering behavior, so fewer clicks are required to get the results you're looking for. Now if no options are selected, this is equivalent to all options being selected.

• We changed the style of the tab filter buttons above the grid to make them easier to see.

• We now display the description of items in the grid, where available, so you can quickly determine their contents.

New navigation now turned on for all users

In September 2023, we launched a new navigation menu on the left side of Phocas. Recently, we identified that some users were still using the old navigation method, so we migrated them to the new navigation today. If you’re one of those users, you’ll notice the visual difference. The new navigation brings the following benefits:

• Easier movement between the different Phocas products and sections.

• Resource Centre: Easy access to in-product help and news, new user documentation site, and other learning resources. The old navigation pointed to the old user documentation site, which is no longer being updated.

• Upgrades and service request form: Quick way to contact us about making additions to your site.

• Product feedback form: Tell the development team what you like about Phocas.

November 5, 2024 - general news

We're delighted to announce two exciting items...

Upgrades and services form

A new form, available in the side navigation in Phocas, makes it easy for you to request upgrades and services from within your Phocas site. Your email address is automatically inserted into the form, and you can select from a list of common requests. For example, you might need additional user licenses or databases, or service work, such as ERP migration or training. If you don't see the request you need, simply select the Other option. Then give us some brief information and submit the form. We'll get back to you within a few days with a quote, and then we can get started on your upgrade or service!

New user documentation site

If you're reading this note, you're looking at our new user documentation site! We've moved our user documentation to this new platform and given it a fresh look with enhanced content display and search functionality, along with an easy-to-remember URL: docs.phocassoftware.com

Please update any bookmarks you have to the old site, which will be retiring soon.

October 1, 2024 (Version 24.9.4)

In the side navigation Recents menu, you can now see the 20 most recent items you've opened. Previously, this list only displayed the 10 most recent items.

August 29, 2024 (Version 24.8.1)

We released a new mode called Flexible Variance (Beta). This mode shows variance data and is useful for making comparisons over time, similar to the other variance modes. However, it provides a richer exploration of variances, as you can determine what's driving the variance by selecting two different periods. This mode is still in development, so it looks and behaves differently from the other modes.

July 29, 2024 (Version 24.8.1)

We released a new mode called Flexible Variance (Beta). This mode shows variance data and is useful for making comparisons over time, similar to the other variance modes. However, it provides a richer exploration of variances, as you can determine what's driving the variance by selecting two different periods. This mode is still in development, so it looks and behaves differently from the other modes.

June 26, 2024 (Version 24.6.4)

In the side navigation menu, we introduced a sub-menu for Budgets & Forecasts. Previously, when you clicked the Budgets & Forecasts menu item, you went straight to the Budgets & Forecasts homepage. Now, you can view a list of your recently opened budget and forecast workbooks and click one to open it. Alternatively, click the More button to open the Budgets & Forecasts homepage to find the full list of workbooks and other options.

June 11, 2024 (Version 24.5.9.1)

• We updated the font to make the data easier to read.

• We reinstated the ability to switch between the mobile and desktop on mobile devices.

  

May 21, 2024 (Version 24.5.3)

• We reinstated the ability to delete the favorites, alerts, and dashboards that you own via the homepage.

  

  While you can’t delete items that were shared with you, you can use the grid filters to remove such items from your view on the homepage. Administrators can delete all dashboards in your organization’s Phocas site.

• We fixed an issue whereby you were unable to sort by custom properties in Custom mode. All custom property columns can now be sorted in ascending or descending order as expected.

April 9, 2024 (Version 24.3.7)

We updated the Phocas homepage. The updated homepage combines the best bits from the two previous homepage options (that you could switch between) and gives you a cleaner layout with enhanced functionality. Take a tour of its key features and read the FAQs.

February 26, 2024 (Version 24.2.1)

• We removed the option to switch back to the old method of navigation.

• We are currently fine-tuning a new homepage design, which will be released soon.

February 7, 2024 (Version 24.1.3)

Phocas AI

We are excited to announce the release of AI functionality within the Analytics module. Phocas AI (beta version) is available in some Phocas sites now, followed by a gradual rollout that incorporates customer feedback. This feature is available for Phocas cloud customers only.

Phocas CRM

We enhanced the CRM user restrictions functionality to give you two models for applying CRM restrictions. Previously, you added individual items, such as a group, team or territory, to a restriction rule, one at a time. Now you can add multiple items to a rule at the same time using the new …(as semicolon separated values)> option which is driven by whatever is in the Group, Team, or Territory settings on the user maintenance form.

Phocas Analytics: upcoming change

The option to switch between the old and new methods of navigation will be removed in late February. If you're still using the old method, we recommend you become familiar with the new side menu navigation (released in September) to get around Phocas more efficiently.

January 8, 2024 (version 23.12.2)

You can now apply a working day calendar to a Line chart when using a Day period type.

November 20, 2023 (version 23.11.1)

We updated the mobile version of Phocas to support the new navigation changes we released in September. When viewing Phocas on a mobile device, you’ll notice the new, simplified layout. The side menu is initially hidden, and accessible via the button in the top-left corner. We are currently working on a mobile-friendly version of the homepage.

We also resolved several issues and continue to be busy working on exciting new features.

October 23, 2023 (version 23.10.1)

We are busy working on exciting new features but made the following small changes:

• We added the word Account to the title of what was previously called the Settings page, as Account settings is a more descriptive title and matches the label in the user menu.

• We removed the page title and icon that were displayed on product homepages.

• We updated the fonts we use in the new side menu.

• For menu items that have long names that become truncated, tooltips now display the full name.

October 9, 2023 (version 23.9.2)

We are letting the dust settle after the release of the new side menu, so we have nothing new to release this time. We resolved some small issues and have been reading your feedback and planning our next work items.