What's New for April '16

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 the April '16 release as of 10 April 2016:

Compensation Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Employee Salary Management Redesign Employee Salary Management Redesign   With this enhancement, the Employee Salary Management page is redesigned to improve the look and feel of the page. In addition, employee salary data storage is optimized to enable the system to handle more robust salary storage requirements for future salary management enhancements.
Custom Reports - Additional Compensation Fields Custom Report - Additional Compensation Fields   New Compensation fields are added to Compensation and Multi-Module Custom Reports.
Custom Reports - Support Currency on Currency Tab in Summarized Reports Custom Report - Support Currency on Currency Tab in Summarized Reports   With this enhancement, when running a Compensation Custom Report, the currency option selected on the Currency tab will be reflected in the report output of summarized reports. Prior to this enhancement, the currency option selected on the Currency tab was not reflected in summarized report outputs.

Connect Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Search within Communities Search within Communities   With this enhancement, users can search for postings from within a community or topic. The search returns all available postings within the current community or topic that match the user's search criteria.
Tags in Communities Tags in Communities   With this enhancement, users are able to create custom tags and add them to postings in Connect communities. In addition, users may be able to search for postings by tag and filter postings by tag. When users can search for postings by tag, they can also click a tag that is associated with a posting to initiate a search for other postings with the same tag. This enhancement improves a user's ability to search for and discover content within Connect.

Core Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Data Load Wizard - Duplicate User Prevention Data Load Wizard - Duplicate User Prevention See Notes When an organization using Link loads new users using the Data Load Wizard, the system can be configured to determine whether the new users are similar to existing user records. This is done in order to prevent the same user from being added to the system more than once.
Data Load Wizard - Historical Effective Dating for User Data Data Load Wizard - Historical Effective Dating for User Data See Notes With this enhancement, when loading users into the system using the Data Load Wizard, an As of Date can now be associated with a user record. By setting an effective date for a user record, administrators can set changes that are effective in the past and in the future via the Data Load Wizard.
Headcount Planning   Yes Headcount Planning enables efficient, enterprise-wide collaboration to identify the number and mix of employees that will be needed to achieve the organization’s business objectives in the future. Headcount Planning controls access to sensitive information, includes built-in versioning and error tracking, and provides a seamless approval and consolidation workflow. The interface is designed specifically for the headcount planning process, rather than having to use a generalized spreadsheet.
Insights Career Mobility Career Mobility Yes The Career Mobility Insight empowers managers to create data driven career paths and development plans for individuals to realize their potential. Organizations will gain insight on internal career paths and the actions that drove historically successful successors along their paths. Furthermore, this will prescribe users with development plan action items to help new successors mobilize in their career paths.
Language Pack Enhancements - Dutch, Czech, Slovakia Language Pack Enhancements - Dutch, Czech, Slovakia   With the April 2016 release, Cornerstone is revising the translations for the Dutch, Czech, and Slovakian language packs.
Link - Duplicate User Prevention Link - Duplicate User Prevention See Notes With this enhancement, when an organization using Link creates new users, the system can be configured to evaluate whether the new users are similar to existing user records. If similar records do not exist, the new users will be created normally. However, if similar records do exist, the record creation is prevented.
Link - Historical Effective Dating for User Data Link - Historical Effective Dating for User Data See Notes With this enhancement, organizations using Link can now backdate user record data to before the user record was created. The system now supports historical effective dates as long as the date is on or after January 1, 1901. This enhancement applies to modifications that are made via the User Record or the Data Load Wizard. This enhancement enables organizations to more effectively use Cornerstone as their system of employee records.
Link - Manager Self-Service Link - Manager Self-Service See Notes With this enhancement, Cornerstone Link enables managers to utilize forms to update employee information for their direct reports. In addition, if configured, form data can be submitted by a user within a specified set of criteria for another user.
Online Help Ratings and Feedback Online Help Ratings and Feedback   With this enhancement, administrators now have the ability to rate topics and provide descriptive feedback within Online Help. The ratings and feedback will be used by Cornerstone to identify topics for improvement in Online Help.
Organizational Unit Fields in Forms     With this enhancement, organizational unit (OU) fields can now be added to forms so that OUs can be updated using forms.
Page Caching Security Enhancements Page Caching Security Enhancements   With this enhancement, when a user logs out of the system, certain system pages that potentially contain sensitive information pertaining to users and security are automatically cleared from a browser's cache. This prevents the information on these pages from being retrieved by unauthorized users.
REST Service Authentication via SP Initiated SSO Web Services - REST Service Authentication via SP Initiated SSO See Notes With this enhancement, organizations can now use SP-initiated single sign on (SSO) to authenticate their REST service users.
Universal Profile My Team Hierarchy Navigation Universal Profile My Team Hierarchy Navigation   With this enhancement, managers can now navigate through their direct and indirect report hierarchy using the My Team drop-down within Universal Profile. In addition, approvers and custom employee relationships can quickly navigate through their dotted line reports using the My Team drop-down. If the user serves in multiple roles that are available within the drop-down, then the user can select a specific role and view the reports that are associated with that role.
Custom Reports - User Types and Statuses     With this enhancement, user type and status fields are now available for all custom reports that have a User section. A new User Status Information section is added to include these fields.
Standard Reports - Support for OU Localization Standard Reports - Support for Organizational Unit (OU) Localization   With this enhancement, standard reports that contain organizational units (OU) will be updated to display the localized value for the OU. If there is no localized value for the OU name, then the default value displays for the OU name.
View People   Yes

View People is a new, interactive visualization suite that helps managers and executives use employee attributes, such as performance and succession metrics, to identify high-value assets while on the go. View People is available from tablets and desktop devices to provide immediate access to key employee data.

View People removes the complexity and time-consuming process of searching for an employee or candidate. You no longer need to run multiple reports or have specialized knowledge about the system. View People enables you to search across your organizational units (OU) and module data by simply adding and removing filters. The results of a search can be saved or shared or can be used to trigger additional actions, like adding an employee to a list or talent pool.

Edge Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Edge Integrate     Cornerstone Edge Integrate enables organizations to quickly and easily integrate their Cornerstone system with other workforce systems. This includes recruiting tools, such as Broadbean and Multiposting, learning tools, such as Webex and GoToMeeting, and social tools, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Learning Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Course Recommendations Exclusion Flag Course Recommendations Exclusion Flag   With this enhancement, the General tab of the Course Catalog now has an additional option that enables administrators to exclude a learning object (LO) from being recommended to users. Although the ability to provide course recommendations is not widely available, this option enables administrators to proactively exclude certain LOs from course recommendations.
Data Load Wizard - Support Audit Trail Data Load Wizard - Support Audit Trail for Events, Sessions and Transcript Loads   With this enhancement, an audit trail is available when an Admin loads events, sessions or transcripts through the Data Load Wizard.
Enhanced Certification Transcript Web Service (SOAP) Web Services - Learning See Notes

With this enhancement, the following fields are now included in the Certification Transcript web service response:

  • Certification Status - This returns the user's status for the certification.
  • Earned Credits (within Section Item) - This returns the user's earned credits for the certification section.
Enhanced LO - Complete Web Service (SOAP) Web Services - Learning See Notes

With this enhancement, the following field is now included in the LO - Complete web service request for online courses and tests:

  • Score - This field is used to determine a pass or fail status for the learning object (LO).
Get Details Web Service (REST) Web Services - Learning See Notes With this enhancement, a new Get Details REST web service is now available. This web service provides standard and custom field data for a learning object (LO) via REST Web Services.
Global Search LO Web Service (REST) Web Services - Learning See Notes With this enhancement, a new Global Search (LO) REST web service is now available. This web service provides a list of training courses based on specific parameters via REST Web Services.
Google Calendar Integration Google Calendar Integration   With this enhancement, the system now also supports integration with Google Calendar. Administrators can configure certain email triggers to include meeting invitations or calendar attachments. When a user using Gmail receive a meeting invitations from the system, their Google Calendar is automatically updated with the appropriate meeting information.
Increased Video Size     With this enhancement, videos viewed on the Transcript or LO Detailed page are displayed in a large frame.
Learning Rewards & Recognition Learning Rewards & Recognition   With this enhancement, badges and points can now be awarded automatically when a user completes training. Also, the points that are associated with a badge are now utilized throughout the system. For example, a manager can view a subordinate's total number of badges and points within the Universal Profile Snapshot, and a Leaderboard page displays employees with the most points across the user's organizational units (OUs).
Offline Player Enhancements Offline Player Enhancements Yes With this enhancement, the new version of Offline Player is more engaging and aligned with Cornerstone's new interface. Organizations can brand the Offline Player application with their logo and color theme. The offline transcript will look similar to the online transcript. Learning progress will be synced automatically.
Tin Can (xAPI) Support - Learning Record Store (LRS) Tin Can (xAPI) Support - Learning Record Store (LRS) Yes With this enhancement, the system is able to record external Tin Can activities on Cornerstone's Learning Record Store (LRS). External Tin Can activities include but are not limited to mobile apps, offline learning, web application, collaborative learning, games, videos, etc. When an external activity needs to be recorded, the application sends secure statements to the LRS to record all statements.
Training Completion Training Completion   With this enhancement, a Training Completion page can now be enabled for training. A Training Completion page is a page that is available to a user when they complete the training. Depending on the configuration of the training and the portal, the Training Completion page may display any points or badges that were awarded and provide opportunities to rate and review the training, view their certificate of completion, evaluate the training.
Training Completion Signature at LO Level Training Completion Signature at Learning Object (LO) Level   With this enhancement, administrators now configure whether a training completion electronic signature (e-signature) is required for specific learning objects (LOs). In addition, a new Default Training Completion Signature Preferences page is now available. This page enables administrators to configure the default setting for requiring training completion e-signature by LO type, which is set for a LO when the LO is created. Once the LO is created, administrators can modify this setting at the LO level via Course Catalog.
Training Plan Dynamic Update Training Plan Dynamic Update   With this enhancement, when a training plan is configured with managers as Plan Contributors planning for their subordinates and a new manager is identified for a user on their user record, then an automatic workflow moves the training needs to the user's new manager who is acting as a Plan Contributor. Any training needs that have been identified for a subordinate within a training plan will remain associated with the subordinate even if the subordinate is moved to a new plan contributor.
Transcript and Task Web Service (REST) Web Services - Learning See Notes With this enhancement, a new Transcript and Task REST web service is now available. This web service provides transcript and task data for users via REST Web Services. The service can return all transcript information for a user or only information for a specific learning object (LO).
Transcript Search Web Service (REST) Web Services - Learning See Notes With this enhancement, a new Transcript Search REST web service is now available. This web service provides transcript data for users based on a provided transcript status within a specified time period via REST Web Services.
Custom Reports - LO Availability and Added Fields Custom Report - Additional Learning Fields   With this enhancement, Learning fields are added to multiple sections of custom reports.

Mobile Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Apply with Mobile - Pre-screening Questions Apply with Mobile - Pre-screening Questions and Upload Documents   With this enhancement, pre-screening questions can now be completed using the mobile application, which enables more applicants to complete applications using the mobile application.
Apply with Mobile - Upload Document Apply with Mobile - Pre-screening Questions and Upload Documents   With this enhancement, applicants can now upload documents to their application, such as resumes and cover letters. Users can upload documents using Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, or iCloud. Applicants with a Windows device can upload documents using OneDrive.

Performance Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Custom Employee Relationships in Performance Custom Employee Relationships in Performance   Within the system, administrators can define custom employee relationships such as Dotted Line Manager or Secondary Manager. These custom relationships can be used in various areas of the system, such as performance reviews, compensation, and custom approval workflows for Learning.
Goals Redesign Enhancements Goals Redesign Enhancements  

With this enhancement, the following enhancements have been made to the redesigned Goals functionality:

  • SMART Goal Wizard - This wizard is now available for organizations using the redesigned Goals functionality. The appearance of the wizard is improved, but the functionality is not changed.
  • Total Goal Weight - Administrators can now configure Goal Preferences so that the total weight for all of a user's goals cannot exceed 100% for the current goal period.
  • View Details for Manager Goals and Alignable Goals - Administrators can now prevent users from viewing goal Progress, Comments, and Attachments of manager goals and goals that are available for alignment.
  • Universal Profile: Actions - When a user manages a goal from the Universal Profile: Actions page, the user is able to manage the goal from within the Actions space. Previously, users were directed to the Snapshot space, which was an issue for organizations that did not have Snapshot enabled.
  • Copy Details when Aligning - When aligning with another goal, users now have the option to copy the details of the goal to their new goal.
  • Goal Status Drop-down - If the Progress field is disabled and a goal has no tasks or targets, users can now update the goal status using a drop-down menu on the Manage Goals page.
Goals Redesign Auto-Upgrade Goals Redesign Auto-Upgrade   With this enhancement, all portals using Goals are automatically upgraded with the new Goals redesign.
Goals Team View - Excel Export Goals Team View - Excel Export   With this enhancement, administrators now have the option to export all of their team's goals to an Excel (Unicode .csv) file for the time period that is being viewed.
Performance Features in Action Items Performance Features in Action Items   With this enhancement, a user can complete Goal, Development Plan, Peer, and Training Form approvals from the Request tab within Universal Profile: Actions. Also, a user can view Observation Checklist and Training Form tasks in the Universal Profile: Actions page. This allows the user to more efficiently complete tasks and provide approvals.
Performance Rewards and Recognition - Leaderboard Performance Rewards and Recognition - Leaderboard   As part of the Learning Reward and Recognition project, users are now able to track their Feedback and Learning badges via a new My Badges page and engage in competition on a new Leaderboard page. Rewards and Recognition gives employees the opportunity to engage in competition and for the organization to motivate their employees to give and receive feedback, learn, and develop through non-competitive awards. Points need to be associated with Feedback Badges for users to be tracked on the Leaderboard.
Structured Feedback Structured Feedback Yes With this enhancement, users can add yes/no questions or rating questions to feedback requests. This allows users to receive clear, quick responses in a more seamless manner.
Update Goal Progress from Performance Review Update Goal Progress from Performance Review   With this enhancement, Goal Rating performance review sections can be configured to allow reviewers to access the Manage Goals page directly from the Goal Rating section. This enables the reviewer to quickly update the goal progress without exiting the performance review. The updated goal progress is reflected in the performance review.
Custom Reports - Added Fields in Performance Custom Report - Additional Performance Fields   With this enhancement, fields are added to the Competency and Goals sections for custom reports.
Custom Reports - Performance Review Sign-off Section Custom Report - Performance Review Sign-off Section   With this enhancement, a new Performance Review Sign-off section is now available when creating a Performance Review custom report. This section enables administrators to create custom reports that include information about the Sign-off section. This includes the decline to sign functionality.

Recruiting Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Broadbean External Sourcing   Yes The Broadbean External Sourcing integration enables organizations to source applicants from external job boards in Broadbean. The applicants can be added to talent pools and invited to apply to the job.
Broadbean Integration - Multiple Language Support for Job Postings - Broadbean Integration - Multiple Language Support for Job Postings  

With this enhancement, the following updates are made to the External Postings tab when configuring job requisition postings to Broadbean:

  • Language Drop-Down - When configuring Broadbean job postings, recruiters can now select which language to post the job in, based on the languages into which the job requisition has been translated. A language drop-down has been added to the Broadbean posting step to allow recruiters to choose the language. The localized job requisition will render correctly via Broadbean posting.
  • Posting DateColumn - A Posting Date column is added to the Job Boards section. This column displays the date on which the job was posted to Broadbean.
  • Language Column - A Language column is added to the Job Boards section. This column displays the language in which the job was posted to Broadbean.
Data Load Wizard - Support for Keyword and Cost Center OU   Yes With this enhancement, the Data Load Wizard supports two new fields through the Job Requisition and Job Requisition Template data loads, Keyword and Cost Center OU.
Enhanced Job Requisition Web Service (REST) Web Services - Job Requisition REST Service See Notes With this enhancement, additional fields are now included in the Job Requisition web service response.
FADV Enhancements and Migrate FADV from IUP to Edge Overview    

With this enhancement, First Advantage (FADV) integration is migrated to the Edge Marketplace. This allows organizations to purchase the FADV integration directly from Edge. Prior to this enhancement, FADV required a custom integration process that was managed through Global Customer Support. After the initial set-up, clients will be able to make configuration changes to the integration directly within the Integration Center, as opposed to using Global Customer Support.

In addition, permissions are also being added to enable organizations to restrict and limit user access to initiating a background check, viewing background check results, and viewing background check details.
Google Analytics in Applicant Workflow Google Analytics in Applicant Workflow Yes Organizations can now use Google Analytics or Universal Analytics to track applicants as they are going through career sites, job postings, and application workflows.
Inbound Data Feeds for Candidates and Applicants   Yes With this enhancement, the Data Load Wizard now supports scheduling of inbound data feeds (IDF or recurring loads) for Candidates and Applications.
Onboarding Manager Usability Enhancements Onboarding Manager Usability Enhancements   With this enhancement, many Onboarding usability enhancements are made.
Recruiting and Candidate Search Usability Enhancements Recruiting and Candidate Search Usability Enhancements   With this enhancement, many Recruiting and Candidate Search usability enhancements are made.
Requisition Usability Enhancements Requisition Usability Enhancements  

With this enhancement, the following requisition enhancements are made:

  • Requisition custom fields on the requisition and requisition request can be set as read-only or editable.
  • New custom fields can be created in Requisition and Applicant Preferences.
  • Cost Center organizational unit (OU) can now be viewed on a requisition, requisition template, and requisition request.
  • Custom field data entered in the Position OU is copied over to the requisition template.
SEO for Career Sites and Job Postings SEO for Career Sites and Job Postings See Notes With this enhancement, career sites and job postings can now be optimized in order to determine whether or not the career site should be indexed by search engines. The meta page title and description for job postings can also be customized, which is needed to optimize career sites for search engines. Optimizing career sites can also help the career site rank higher in search engine results for potential applicants that search for jobs through search engines instead of by going to an organization's job page on their website.
Static URL Enhancement Static URL for Viewing and Sharing Career Site Search Results and Applicant Resumes   With this enhancement, recruiters will be able to share job search results and lists of applicant resumes using a static URL that can be sent via email or embedded in a button on a career site. The URL can be accessed without needing to log in to the career site.
Talent Pools Talent Pools Yes With this enhancement, the Manage Talent Pools functionality is redesigned with a new user interface (UI) and the integration of Recruiting features. For portals with Recruiting, talent pools can now be used to source applicants for job requisitions. Candidates can be added from Manage Applicants and can be added to job requisitions from within the Manage Talent Pools page.
Custom Reports - Additional Recruiting Fields Custom Reports - Additional Recruiting Fieldg   With this enhancement, fields are added to the Requisition and User sections for Recruiting Custom Reports.
Reports - Increase Character Limit for Question User Comment Onboarding Custom Report   With this enhancement, when running Form Management Custom Reports or Onboarding Custom Reports, the character limit for the Question User Comment field is increased from 500 to 1200. The field appears in the Form Template section of these reports.
Reports - Onboarding and Forms in Multi-Module Custom Report Onboarding Custom Report   With this enhancement, Onboarding and Forms modules are added to the Multi-Module Custom Report.
Reports - Onboarding in Custom Reports Onboarding Custom Report   With this enhancement, an Onboarding Custom Report is now available in custom reporting. This report allows you to create customized reports on onboarding data. The onboarding data can be used to make informed decisions about where new hires are having trouble in the onboarding process.

Succession Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Talent Pools Redesign Talent Pools Redesign Yes With this enhancement, the Manage Talent Pools functionality is redesigned with a new user interface (UI) and the integration of Recruiting features. For portals with Recruiting, talent pools can now be used to source applicants for job requisitions. Candidates can be added from Manage Applicants and can be added to job requisitions from within the Manage Talent Pools page.
Custom Reports - Support Unlaunched Tasks Custom Report - Support Unlaunched Tasks   With this enhancement, data for Succession Management Plan (SMP) tasks that have not yet been launched will be visible in the report output when running Succession Custom Reports. Prior to this enhancement, tasks that were not launched for respective users were not being pulled into the report output.