What's New for May 2015

Safe Harbor Statement: Any unreleased services or features referenced in this or other documents or public statements are not currently GENERALLY available and may not be delivered on time or at all. Customers who purchase Cornerstone OnDemand applications should make their purchase decisions based upon features that are currently available.

Select this link to download the complete release notes.

The following new features and enhancements are available for May 2015:

Compensation Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary By Request? Description
Administrator Task Visibility Administrator Task Visibility Automatically enabled in all environments when Compensation Redesign is in use With this enhancement, the new Compensation Task Administration - Manage permission enables administrators to view and manage existing compensation tasks. Administrators with the Compensation Task Administration - Manage permission can only view and manage compensation tasks for which they are within the Admin Visibility settings. When an administrator has access to a compensation task, the administrator can view the task details, extend the task, adjust budgets, reset compensation plans, track compensation plans, etc.
Compensation Redesign Compensation Redesign (new UX!) Yes With the November 2014 Release, the compensation layout and options were streamlined for an updated experience for managers and end users during the compensation planning cycle. This redesign includes a new floating scroll-bar for simple navigation regardless of where you are on the page. For organizations using the Compensation module, this functionality is available by request until July 2015.
Data Load Wizard - Salary Structure Data Load Wizard - Three OU Load Automatically enabled in all environments when DLW Salary Load and Compensation Redesign are in use With this enhancement, the Data Load Wizard and Compensation Data Feed are updated to support a three OU salary structure and administrator-defined salary range midpoints.
Define Salary Midpoint Define Salary Midpoint Automatically enabled in all environments when Compensation Redesign is in use With this enhancement, there is now an option to use the system generated midpoint or an administrator defined midpoint.
Three OU Salary Structure Three OU Salary Structure Automatically enabled in all environments when Compensation Redesign is in use With this enhancement, it is now possible to use a primary, secondary, and tertiary OU to build the salary structure. Any OU type can be used to build all tiers of the salary structure.

Connect Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary By Request? Description
Collaborative Learning - Cohort Communities Collaborative Learning - Community Templates Automatically enabled in all environments when using Learning and New Connect

With this enhancement, two new learning object (LO) types are now available, programs and cohorts. A cohort LO is a combination of a Connect community and a curriculum, where users can complete training within a curriculum structure and collaborate with other learners who are in the same cohort. A program LO is essentially a template for cohort LOs so that new cohort instances can be quickly created with a consistent structure.

Administrators can create community templates for use with programs and cohorts. A community template contains default content, including a banner, an HTML widget, topics, and postings. A community template is created in order to be used with a cohort LO, and when a cohort LO is created using a community template, a cohort community is created with all of the default content from the community template. This enables administrators to quickly create new cohort communities for each new cohort, allowing each cohort to have their own unique experience.
Connect Redesign Connect Redesign (new UX!) Yes With the March 2014 Release, the user experience of Connect was completely redesigned. This includes a customizable main page, intuitive community set-up and activity, and Q&A, Suggestion, Discussion, and File posting types. Once enabled, new pages must be set up through Nav Tabs and Links. Note: New Connect and New Knowledge Bank is a replacement for Old Connect. Currently, there are no plans to retire Old Knowledge Bank. For organizations using Old Connect, this functionality is available by request until 2016. For organizations not using Old Connect, this functionality is available at an additional cost.
Connect Redesign - Data Migration Connect Redesign - Data Migration (new UX!) Yes As of the February 2015 Release, a data migration script is available for all organizations using the legacy version of Connect. Communities, topics, and postings from the legacy version of Connect are copied into the redesigned Knowledge Bank and Communities functionality. The redesigned Knowledge Bank and Communities functionality functions differently than the legacy version of Connect, so only data is migrated; no permissions or preferences are migrated. This data migration is available by request until 2016.
Connect Redesign - Teams & Tasks Optimization Connect Redesign - Teams & Tasks Optimization   With this enhancement, Connect Teams and Tasks pages are optimized on the backend for faster processing and future API opportunities. This does not change any of the functionality, but testing is advised to validate experience and workflows.
New Posting Created Email New Posting Created Email   With this enhancement, a new email trigger is now available that enables community members to receive e-mail notifications whenever a new posting is created in new Knowledge Bank and Communities. This email trigger keeps communities up-to-date on the latest information shared, which is especially useful when new policies and announcements are posted. Whenever a new posting is created, an e-mail notification can be configured to send to the community moderator, community members, or topic followers, notifying users of the new posting.

Learning Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary By Request? Description
Collaborative Learning - Programs and Cohorts Collaborative Learning Automatically enabled in all environments when using Learning and New Connect

With this enhancement, two new learning object (LO) types are now available, programs and cohorts. A cohort LO is a combination of a Connect community and a curriculum, where users can complete training within a curriculum structure and collaborate with other learners who are in the same cohort. A program LO is essentially a template for cohort LOs so that new cohort instances can be quickly created with a consistent structure.

Administrators can create community templates for use with programs and cohorts. A community template contains default content, including a banner, an HTML widget, topics, and postings. A community template is created in order to be used with a cohort LO, and when a cohort LO is created using a community template, a cohort community is created with all of the default content from the community template. This enables administrators to quickly create new cohort communities for each new cohort, allowing each cohort to have their own unique experience.
Course Catalog Search Redesign Course Catalog Search Redesign (new UX!)   With the March 2014 release, the Course Catalog Search was redesigned The redesigned Course Catalog enables administrators to search the Course Catalog using custom fields and is now consistent with the new user experience. For organizations using the Learning module and Global Search, this functionality is available by request until October 2015.
Create and Update Session Web Service Create & Update Session Web Service Automatically enabled in all environments when Web Services are in use With this enhancement, a new Create Session web service is now available. This web service enables administrators to create and update session learning objects (LOs) via REST Web Services. Also, session parts can be created and updated, session availability can be set, and registration details can be configured. Administrators can load historical or current data. This web service functions similarly to creating and editing sessions within the system.
Curriculum Player Redesign Curriculum Player Redesign (new UX!) Yes With the November 2014 Release, the Curriculum Player is redesigned with a new user interface and is now consistent with the Transcript page in Universal Profile, giving users a seamless learning experience. Users can now view videos, postings, and notes in-line without having to leave the player. For organizations using the Curriculum Player, this functionality is available by request until October 2015.
Curriculum Versioning - Relative Due Dates Curriculum Versioning - Relative Due Dates   With this enhancement, a new relative due date option is available when configuring the curriculum structure that allows the administrator to maintain the original assigned date of a learning object (LO) even if the curriculum is reversioned. Prior to this enhancement, any reversioning of the curriculum caused the assigned date for all LOs with a relative due date to be updated to the date on which the curriculum was reversioned. This resulted in the due dates for LOs within the curriculum to change, even though the administrator had not specifically changed the individual due date of an LO.
Custom HTML for Self-Registration Custom HTML for Self-Registration   Prior to this enhancement, self registration pages could only include a single image that displayed either above or next to the self registration form fields. This enhancement gives administrators the ability to add custom HTML and other design features to self-registration pages so that they can improve the look and feel of the page. This improvement in appearance is meant to encourage more users to complete self-registration when they land on the self-registration page.
Enroll User Web Service Enroll User Web Service Automatically enabled in all environments when Web Services are in use With this enhancement, a new Enroll User web service is now available. This web service enables administrators to request, register, and complete one or more learning objects (LOs) for users in batches via REST Web Services. Administrators can enroll a single user, all users, all organizational units (OUs), or a group. Administrators can also specify a due date for the training. This web service functions similarly to proxy enrollment within the system.
Offline Network Player Offline Network Solution Yes With this enhancement, the new Offline Network Player enables users to complete training offline using a kiosk or a shared device, eliminating the need to download or sync courses.
Offline Player Redesign - End Support for Old Offline Player Redesign - End Support for Old Contact CSOD to enable in all environments and disable old Offline Player

With the May 2015 Release, Cornerstone no longer supports the old Offline Player. Because of this, Cornerstone will no longer fix defects or build new features associated with the old Offline Player.

All organizations must switch to the new Offline Player application which provides access to learning when there is no Internet connectivity. Users can start a course through the online portal, continue working on it from the Offline Player, and complete it through the online portal. Both SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 Online Classes are supported.
Sessions Display User's Time Zone Sessions Display User's Time Zone   With this enhancement, administrators can now select to display the session start and end time in the user's time zone. Prior to this enhancement, all sessions displayed in a fixed time zone set by the administrator, which corresponded to the session location. For vILT sessions, the user's time zone only displayed on the Events Calendar page.
Transcript Redesign - Universal Profile Transcript Redesign - Universal Profile Yes With the June 2014 Release, the Transcript page is redesigned with an improved user experience and is accessible from the Universal Profile. Once enabled, active relevant widgets and links direct users to the new Transcript page. The configuration of the Transcript title and description is migrated to Transcript Preferences instead of within Navigation Tabs. For organizations using the Learning module, this functionality is available by request until July 2015.

Mobile Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary By Request? Description
Mobile Completed Training Mobile Completed Training   With this enhancement, users can now view completed training on Cornerstone Mobile®. Simply tap the Completed tab on the Transcript menu to view the list of training that is in a Completed status.
Mobile Connect Live Feed Mobile Connect Live Feed   With this enhancement, Connect Live Feed activity can now be enabled for Cornerstone Mobile®. Live Feed appears on a new Activity tab and allows user to view various status, activity, and broadcast updates right from the app. Users can also comment on and like postings. Administrators can enable Live Feed activity through Mobile Preferences.
Mobile Push Notifications Mobile Push Notifications   With this enhancement, push notifications are added to Cornerstone Mobile®. This features allows users to receive push notifications on their device.
Mobile Remember Me Mobile Remember Me   With this enhancement, a Remember me checkbox is added to login pages when signing in to Cornerstone Mobile®. Checking the box remembers the user's login credentials upon returning to the app.

Performance Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary By Request? Description
Full Edit Not Started Off-cycle Review Tasks Full Edit Not Started Off-Cycle Tasks   With this enhancement, administrators can fully edit off-cycle performance review tasks that are in a Not Started status.
Performance Review Evidence Collection Sections Performance Reviews Evidence Collection Section   With this enhancement, an Evidence Collection section can now be added to performance reviews. Evidence Collection performance review sections enable reviewers to input or upload material that provides evidence supporting competencies. These sections also display all existing evidence that has been collected to support the required competencies. Reviewers can filter the section by competency to view only the evidence that supports specific competencies.
Performance Review PDF Updates Performance Review PDF Updates   With this enhancement, minor updates are made to the performance review PDF.
Performance Reviews Batch Rating Performance Reviews Batch Rating   With this enhancement, a new page enables reviewers to view reviewees within the same performance review task on a single page, provide ratings and comments, more quickly complete performance reviews, and view a high-level overview of all reviewees.
Performance Reviews Comments - Copying and Pasting    

When comments are copied and pasted (from programs like Microsoft Word) into the browser, the background HTML formatting is also copied. Although this HTML is not visible to end users, it may cause issues with the browser and system. For example, the background HTML may not be supported and can break the formatting or cause a page to become unresponsive. Additionally, if your organization uses an HTML tag that is included in your inappropriate word filter, this may prevent the page from being saved.

If you have a need to copy and paste content into a performance review, please be sure to right-click the field into which you are pasting the content, and select the "Paste as plain text" option. You can also perform the same action by pressing [CTRL]+[Shift]+[V]. This will ensure the formatting HTML does not get inserted into the text.
Performance Reviews Optimization     With this enhancement, Performance Reviews are optimized on the backend to improve server response times when saving a performance review. This does not change any of the functionality, but testing is advised to validate experience and workflows.
Performance Reviews Pagination for Suggested Comments Performance Reviews Pagination for Suggested Comments   For portals using the redesigned performance reviews, pagination is added to the Add Suggested Comments pop-up within the redesigned performance reviews. If there are more than 25 suggested comments, then any additional comments are divided into pages of up to 25 comments per page.
Performance Reviews Redesign Auto-upgrade Performance Reviews Redesign Auto-Upgrade (new UX!)   With the June 2014 release, Performance Reviews were redesigned so that all employees experience a more intuitive, simple, and transparent performance review. The redesign features all previously available sections, spell-check functionality, goal comments and attachments, the ability to add a Development Plan section, and the ability to configure star ratings. The redesigned functionality also includes redesigned PDF printouts for a seamless process. With this release, all portals are automatically upgraded with the new Performance Reviews redesign for all new or copied performance review tasks.
Recurring Observation Checklist Validity Period Recurring Observation Checklist Validity Period   With this enhancement, a validity period can be set for previously validated competencies in recurring observation checklists. Prior to this enhancement, there was no ability within a recurring checklist to designate when previously validated competencies were considered valid in the first instance of the new recurring checklist.
Snapshot - Reviews - Display Completed Tasks Snapshot Reviews - Display Completed Tasks   With this enhancement, the Display completed tasks checkbox is selected by default on the Snapshot - Reviews page. This ensures that users see historical performance review information as soon as they navigate to the Snapshot - Reviews page.

Platform Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary By Request? Description
Admin User Page Optimization Admin User Page Optimization   With this enhancement, the Admin User Add and Edit pages are optimized on the backend to provide for faster processing. The functionality of the page is not changed, but testing is advised to validate the experience and workflows.
Clickable Magnifying Glass in Global Search Clickable Magnifying Glass in Global Search   With this enhancement, the magnifying glass icon within the Global Search widget is now clickable and initiates a Global Search.
Custom Reports New Design and Auto-Upgrade Custom Report Builder Redesign & Auto-Upgrade   With this enhancement, the user interface (UI) for the Analytics page and the Custom Report Builder are updated to match current styles. This provides a cohesive user experience across the application.
Online Help - Require Authentication Require Authentication for Online Help   With this enhancement, Online Help can now only be accessed by users who have been authenticated by logging in to a system portal. If users try to access Online Help while not logged in to a system portal, they receive an error message prompting them to log in to access the page.
Optimize Navigation Bar    

Prior to this enhancement, the existing navigation themes in Display Preferences did not fully support WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) or 508 compliance and did not provide an ideal mobile (touch) friendly experience.

With this enhancement, a Contemporary - Extended theme is added to Display Preferences. This theme is an optimized version of the Contemporary theme and will support all WCAG and 508 compliance standards and provide an improved experience on mobile devices. The Contemporary - Extended theme has the same appearance as the existing Contemporary navigation theme but is optimized to meet WCAG and 508 compliance standards and provide a more mobile-friendly experience.
Retire Support for FF3 Retire Support for FF3   In order to keep up with browser security requirements and the latest software enhancements, Cornerstone OnDemand is discontinuing support for Mozilla Firefox 3 with the May 2015 release. Please contact your IT department and make plans to convert to one of the compatible browsers.
SSO Google Oauth SSO Google Oauth Yes With this enhancement, users can now log in to the system using their Google authentication credentials via Google Open Auth 2.0. This means that Google will act as the identity provider. When the user logs in to the Cornerstone OAuth SSO URL, they will be redirected to the Google server to enter their login credentials. Upon successfully logging in to Google, the user will be granted access to the Cornerstone system.
Universal Profile - View My Team Universal Profile - View My Team   With this enhancement, managers are able to see and access the Universal Profile of any of their direct reports from any page in Universal Profile using the new My Team drop-down. This drop-down displays the manager's direct reports visually and is available on the manager's Universal Profile and the Universal Profile of their direct reports. When the manager selects a direct report from the My Team drop-down menu, the manager is directed to a consistent page within Universal Profile. For example, if a direct report is selected when viewing the Transcript page, the manager is directed to the Transcript page of the selected direct report. The My Team drop-down enables managers to more effectively manage their teams from within Universal Profile.
Video Streaming Video Streaming   With this enhancement, videos uploaded to the system are streamed to the user with minimal buffering and interruptions via Akamai Technologies. When a video file is uploaded to the system, it is sent via FTP to Akamai to be transcoded into standard audio and video formats, and it is scaled for quality where appropriate. Video content that was previously uploaded to the system will also be migrated and made available for streaming.

Recruiting Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary By Request? Description
Drag and Drop Form Builder Drag & Drop Form Builder   With this enhancement, the form creation process is updated to include drag and drop features. Fields can be dragged and dropped into the form and easily rearranged within the form builder.
Electronic W-4 Forms Electronic W-4 Forms Yes Through integration with CIC Plus, the electronic W-4 Forms enhancement allows employers to assign electronic W-4 Forms to new hires, who can then electronically complete W-4 Forms during the onboarding process.
Selection Cornerstone Selection Yes The Selection functionality is designed to predict which applicants will excel in the job. Selection provides recruiters with a range of features that can be added to the application workflow to assess an applicant's fit for the job and help narrow down the list of applicants to the most likely to be successful in the role. The results can also be used to determine the level of onboarding an applicant would need in order to reach the standard of performance for the job.