What's New for August '17

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 August '17 release as of 13 July 2017:

Benchmark Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Benchmark Benchmark Yes With the Benchmark platform, released in June 2017, organizations can compare and visualize their performance across key HR metrics with other organizations based on their industry, region, and size, using up-to-date, accurate and consistent data across all of Cornerstone's clients, and across Cornerstone's extensive talent management product lines.

Compensation Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Configurable Merit Matrix Configurable Merit Matrix   With this enhancement, when creating adjustment guidelines for a merit increase, a new editable recommendation matrix is now available. This new matrix option enables administrators to completely configure a merit matrix using compa-ratio and performance scores in order to be more specific with recommendations. Organizations have the option to continue using the previously existing Recommendation Matrix option or use the new Editable Recommendation Matrix option.

Core Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Data Load Wizard - Display Threshold Data Load Wizard - Display Threshold   With this enhancement, the Data Feed Email Log and Track Data Loads Preview now state if the file was not processed due to threshold limit. This enables administrators to better understand when a file is not properly loaded due to the error threshold being reached. This also enables administrators to understand that no records were updated because the error threshold was reached.
End of IE9 Support (October '17 Release) End of IE9 Support (October '17 Release)   In order to keep up with browser security requirements and the latest software enhancements, Cornerstone will discontinue support for Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 9 with the October 2017 release. Please reach out to your IT department and make plans to convert to one of the compatible browsers prior to October 2017.
Universal Profile Navigation Tabs Redesign Universal Profile Navigation Tabs Redesign   With this enhancement, some elements of the Universal Profile pages are redesigned, including the navigation tabs, the breadcrumbs, and the page titles and descriptions. This provides a consistent experience across all Universal Profile pages and enables users to more easily navigate between Universal Profile pages when accessing them from a mobile device.
View People - Custom Field Availability Fix View People - Custom Field Availability Fix   With this enhancement, availability rules will be respected by Succession, OU and User Record custom fields in View People. The custom fields that display in filters, the Color By drop-down, and on the large view of the user cards will be based on a user's availability to view the field and its value. If a user at any point does not meet the availability criteria for a custom field, then the field and value will not appear.

Cornerstone HR

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Configurable Field Validations Configurable Field Validations   With this enhancement, organizations using Cornerstone HR can now control the format in which data is entered in Short Text Box or Scrolling Text Box type user record custom fields. This enables organizations to ensure better data quality and consistency across the organization, which in turn gives organizations more confidence to allow end users and managers to enter user information for themselves.
Time and Attendance Integration - Kronos Time and Attendance Integration - Kronos  

With the February 2017 release, the Kronos Time and Attendance integration was made available via the Edge Marketplace, and this integration enabled users to use Single Sign On (SSO) to log in to Kronos from the Cornerstone HR system.

With this release, basic user profile information is now synchronized from the Cornerstone HR system to Kronos user profiles. When a new user is added to the Cornerstone HR system, the user will automatically be added to the organization's Kronos system as well. In addition, when an existing user is updated in the Cornerstone HR system, the user's profile is updated in the organization's Kronos system.

Edge Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Cornerstone REST API Enhancements Cornerstone REST API Enhancements No

With this enhancement, the following updates are made to services within the Cornerstone API:

  • Job Applicant API custom fields return
  • Job Requisition API language parameters
  • Format Type Header enhancements
  • GetOU Service enhancement
  • SetUser Username Validation
Format Parameter Deprecation in October '17 Release Format Parameter Deprecation in October '17 Release No In the October '17 Release, the ability to specify the format parameter in the query string will be deprecated in the October 2017 Release. Please ensure that your teams update the web service requests to use the "content-type" parameter in the HTTP header before the October '17 Release (10/27/2017) to maintain uninterrupted service.
Open Access to API Explorer Open Access to API Explorer No With this enhancement, the API Explorer is publicly available and can be accessed both by current Cornerstone clients and by outside users.
Recruiting Integrations in Edge - August '17 Release    

The following Recruiting integrations are available in Edge with the August '17 release:

  • Accurate Background Check -
  • IBM Assessment -
  • Quest Diagnostics Drug Screening -
  • SmashFly -

Engage Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Campaign Status Enhancements Campaign Status Enhancements No

With this enhancement, Engage administrators can do the following:

  • Quickly view and manage campaigns that are in the queue and ready to launch
  • Review the details of closed campaigns, which helps design follow-up campaigns
  • Delete draft campaigns, which prevents unneeded campaigns from cluttering the Engage Library
Engage Actions Engage Actions No With this enhancement, in addition to the email link and mobile distribution methods, Engage administrators can also distribute surveys via the Actions page of users' Universal Profiles.
Engage Filter and Reporting Enhancements Engage Filter and Reporting Enhancements No With this enhancement, the Engage Dashboard features improved filtering and reporting functionality, which makes it easier to extract meaningful data collections from employee feedback.
Engage Engage Yes

With the Engage platform, released in June 2017, administrators can create and schedule recurring, continuous feedback campaigns to capture satisfaction and engagement feedback from employees using mobile or web devices. Engage can be used to measure employees on three dimensions: Satisfaction, Engagement, and Commitment, allowing organizations to continue fostering a productive workplace.
Mobile Engage Widget Mobile Engage Widget No With this enhancement, a mobile widget for Engage surveys is available on the Cornerstone mobile application, allowing users to quickly access company surveys using their mobile devices.

Learning Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Catalog Connector API - AICC Course Integration with LCMS Vendors Catalog Connector API - AICC Course Integration with LCMS Vendors Yes With this enhancement, a streamlined course loader API is available for transferring content automatically between content vendors and the Cornerstone platform. With this API, 3rd party AICC courses are automatically synchronized to the course catalog, and the administrators do not need to manually upload them to the system.
Content Security Enhancements Content Security Enhancements Yes With this enhancement, it is possible to control whether or not the LMS permits the upload of Flash-based courses, and the SCORM 1.2 session ID for online courses can be automatically encrypted upon configuration.
Create Child Sessions Permission New "Create Child Sessions" Permission No With this enhancement, in portals where the backend setting to allow multiple providers is enabled, users with the permission to view ILT sessions can NOT create child sessions for a provider unless they also have the new permission to create child sessions. Users who only have the permission to view sessions are limited to a read-only view of ILT sessions.
Custom Reporting - Learning Fields Custom Reports - Learning Fields No With this enhancement, custom reporting has been enhanced to include the addition and improvement of several fields related to the Learning module.
Learning Assignment Tool - Ability to Copy Emails Learning Assignment Tool - Ability to Copy Emails No

With this enhancement, all email settings, including custom emails and ad hoc emails, are copied when a learning assignment is copied, and any portals which retained old proxy enrollment functionality due to an exception are automatically upgraded to the learning assignment tool.
Learning Experience Platform (LEP) - Learner Home Learning Experience Platform (LEP) - Learner Home No

With this enhancement, users have access to a single learning hub called the Learner Home. This page facilitates a seamless learning experience for users, allowing them to browse for and request relevant training, search and filter for specific training, and helps ensure compliance by helping users prioritize and take action on training they must complete. The Learner Home includes several features which enable learners to easily select subjects of interest, discover training based on machine learning, and quickly access and request new training.
Learning Experience Platform (LEP) - Learning Search Learning Experience Platform (LEP) - Learning Search No With this enhancement, users have access to the Learning Search page, which is a fast-performing, mobile-optimized search page that provides learners with an engaging learning exploration experience. The Learning Search page provides a collection of filters which allow users to find training they want to take, and also provides access to transcript and training tiles which allow users to quickly resume existing training or request new training.
Offline Player New Version Offline Player (New Version) No

With this enhancement, the following fixes have been made to a new version of the Offline Player:

  • Offline Player can be used through a network proxy without receiving an error
  • The total time recorded for training is accurately recorded
  • Special characters can be used in usernames and passwords without producing an error when users log into the Offline Player
Online Course Pop-Up Blocker Enhancement Online Course Pop-Up Blocker Enhancement No

With this enhancement, the system recognizes whether the browser's pop-up blocker is activated, and if so, prompts learners to click on a message which then opens the online course.
Roster Completion Date Modification Audit Trail Roster Completion Date Modification Audit Trail No

With this enhancement, when an administrator modifies a user's completion date for a session, the exact date and time that the change occurred is recorded in the audit trail history.
xAPI Learning Reporter - Full Rollout xAPI Learning Reporter - Full Rollout  

With this enhancement, the Learning Reporter is no longer in beta, and the following features have been added:

  • The Learning Reporter can operate on multiple browser types
  • Multiple languages are supported by the Learning Reporter
  • When the Learning Reporter widget is viewed in a language that is read from right to left, the widget features are aligned to the right of the widget
  • Users can view which version of Learning Reporter they are using

Mobile Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Language Detected Login Language Detected Login   With this enhancement, mobile application login pages are localized based on the default language of the user's device. As previously implemented, after the user is logged in, the application is displayed based on the portal's language configuration for the user.
Login Page UI Enhancements Login Page UI Enhancements   Minor enhancements have been made to the Cornerstone mobile application's login pages for an updated look and feel.

Performance Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Custom Reports - Goal Fields Custom Reports - Goal Fields   A Goal Creation Date field is now available in the Goals section when creating a custom Goals report or a multi-module custom report. In addition, a Target Stretch and Target Threshold field are now available in the Targets section when creating a custom Goals report. This enables organizations to obtain additional context when reporting on goals.
English (UK) Language Pack Update English (UK) Language Pack Update   With this enhancement, for the English (UK) language pack, the term "Goal" is updated to "Objective" throughout the system, including Custom Reports and Manage Shared and Dynamic Goals. This creates a consistent experience for users of the English (UK) language pack.
Performance Review Distribution Report - Z-Score Calibration Performance Review Distribution Report - Z-Score Calibration   With this enhancement, organizations can select specific cohorts and see a performance review z-score, which provides insight into how a particular reviewee is performing relative to the average of their team, division, location, or position.
End User Performance Pages UI Redesigns End User Performance Pages UI Redesigns   With this enhancement, the Scheduled Tasks, Launch Off Cycle Review, and Performance Review Summary pages are redesigned to help administrators execute their workflows in a more pleasing user interface. There are no functional changes to the page, only an update to the look and feel of the page.
Universal Profile: Snapshot Widgets Responsive UI Design Universal Profile: Snapshot Widgets Responsive UI Design   With this enhancement, the Snapshot: Competencies, Snapshot: Development Plans, and Snapshot: Reviews pages are now responsively designed so that users can easily view and use these pages from a mobile device. When these pages are viewed on a mobile device, the functionality on the page is automatically adjusted to fit the smaller screen size.

Recruiting and Onboarding Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Accurate Background Check Integration Enhancements Accurate Background Check Integration Enhancements   With this enhancement, an applicant's references data will be passed to Accurate Background Check when a background check is performed on an applicant.
Active Fields by Requisition Template Active Fields by Requisition Template   With this enhancement, administrators can now hide certain fields on the General tab when configuring requisition templates. The fields will still appear on the requisition template for administrators, but they will not appear for recruiters when creating a requisition using the template.
Applicant Feed Applicant Feed   The new Applicant Feed page provides a single page view of an applicant's entire history of events and comments from the most recent 20 requisitions related to the applicant. This allows recruiters to only have to access one page in order to view this data.
Applicant Profile Enhancements Applicant Profile Enhancements   Additional enhancements to the Applicant Profile page are being made with this release to enable recruiters perform actions, such as adding applicants to requisitions and talent pools, through a simpler and more effective process from the applicant's profile.
Custom Reports - Onboarding Fields Custom Reports - Onboarding Fields   With this enhancement, new fields are added to Onboarding Custom Reports.
Custom Reports - Recruiting Fields Custom Reports - Recruiting Fields   With this enhancement, new fields are added and modified for Recruiting Custom Reports and Multi-Module Reports.
Data Deletion to Support Data Privacy - Enhancements for Recruiting (Invite-Only Beta) Data Deletion to Support Data Privacy - Enhancements for Recruiting (Invite-Only Beta)  

With this enhancement, should your organization choose to enable the Data Deletion functionality, job applications for applicants who were not hired will be deleted when one of the following occurs:

  • The period between the date on which the requisition is moved into a Closed status and the current date has exceeded the data retention period.
  • The period between the date that the applicant was dispositioned and the current date has exceeded the data retention period.
Data Load Wizard - Job Requisition Template Data Load Wizard - Job Requisition Template   In order to support the Active Fields by Requisition Template enhancement, the visibility of the job requisition template fields is configured on the requisition template. In addition, the Job Requisition Template Data Load Template is enhanced to include the following additional information under the Helpful Hints tab. “NOTE: Visibility of these fields will be configured using the "Manage Field Visibility" pop-up on the requisition template. You must have relevant permission to manage Requisition Template page.”
FADV Background Check Integration Enhancements Overview FADV Background Check Integration Enhancements Overview   With this enhancement, additional requisition and candidate data will be passed to First Advantage (FADV) so that the data does not need to be entered manually in FADV by the administrator and applicant.
IBM Assessment Integration IBM Assessment Integration   IBM Assessment is a third party assessment vendor that provides assessments for Recruiting.
Password Preferences for Candidate Profile Creation Password Preferences for Candidate Profile Creation   With this enhancement, the password rules that are configured at the top level Division Organizational Unit (OU) are respected and displayed to applicants when they create an account on the career site. This ensures that applicants meet the minimum password requirements that are defined for users in your organization.
Preboarding Organizational Unit Configurations Preboarding Organizational Unit Configurations   The Preboarding Organizational Unit Configurations page enables administrators to manage and configure preboarding organizational units (OU) for new hires. The page lists all of the preboarding OUs that have been created. From here, you can edit, copy, and delete the preboarding OUs.
Preboarding OU Configurations Auto-Upgrade with October 17 Release Preboarding OU Configurations Auto-Upgrade with October '17 Release   Preboarding OU Configurations will be auto-upgraded with the October ’17 Release. After the auto-upgrade, the Preboarding Organizational Units Enablement section will not be visible on the Onboarding Workflows page.
Quest Diagnostics Drug Screening Integration Quest Diagnostics Drug Screening Integration   Quest Diagnostics (Quest) is a third party vendor that provides drug screenings for Recruiting.
Requisition Enhancements Requisition Enhancements   With this release, requisition enhancements are made for requisition templates, requisitions, and requisition requests.
Requisition Request UI Redesign Requisition Request UI Redesign  

With this enhancement, the pages for configuring and managing requisition requests are redesigned to improve the look, feel, and functionality of the process. All pages for configuring requisition requests now appear as top-row tabs. Prior to this enhancement, the pages for configuring requisition requests appeared as a list of tabs on the left-side of the page.

In addition, the user interface (UI) design for the Requisition Request pages for submitters and reviewers is updated to match the current look and feel of the system.
SmashFly Integration SmashFly Integration   SmashFly is a Recruitment Marketing and Candidate Relationshp Management (CRM) solution. SmashFly helps you find, initiate and nurture candidate relationships so you both can better determine fit before hire to reduce costs, improve engagement, and increase retention.
Start Onboarding Enhancements Start Onboarding Enhancements   With this enhancement, administrators can now limit the onboarding process to only applicants who are in a Hired status. In addition, the original hire date on the user record will reflect the hire date value on the Start Onboarding page.
Updates to Equal Employment Opportunity Preferences Updates to Equal Employment Opportunity Preferences   With this release, the Record EEO field is moved from Requisition and Applicant Preferences to Compliance Enablement Preferences. This change allows administrators to manage both of the EEO Category preferences (Record EEO and Require EEO Job Categories) at the Location Organizational Unit (OU) level. This ensures that the EEO Category field only appears on requisitions where it is relevant based on location.

Succession Features

Feature Name from Release Notes Feature Name from Release Summary Contact to Enable? Description
Employee Relationship in Succession Task Assignment Employee Relationship in Succession Task Assignment   With this enhancement, the SMP Manager Task is renamed to Employee Relationship Succession Task. In addition, the Employee Relationship Succession Task can be assigned to Manager, Indirect Manager, Dotted Line Manager, and other custom relationships that are defined in Employee Relationships Administration. This enables organizations to engage more employees in succession planning activities.
"Manager" Task & Template Renamed "Employee Relationship" "Manager" Task & Template Renamed "Employee Relationship"   With this enhancement, a Succession manager task can now be assigned to Manager, Indirect Manager, Dotted Line Manager, and other custom relationships that are defined in Employee Relationships Administration. As a result, the Manager task and template is renamed to Employee Relationship.
Org Chart & List View in Employee Relationship Task Org Chart & List View in Employee Relationship Task   With this enhancement, users who are completing an employee relationship task can switch the Org Chart view between hierarchy and list. This enables the user to view the organizational structure in a way that is the most helpful to them. When an administrator configures an Org Chart template for an Employee Relationship task, they can configure which org chart display type (chart or list) is displayed by default.
Succession Task Redesign New Task Auto-Upgrade Succession Task Redesign New Task Auto-Upgrade   With the August 2017 release, all succession tasks that are created following the release are automatically upgraded to the new design.
Universal Profile: Succession Snapshot Responsive UI Redesign Universal Profile: Succession Snapshot Responsive UI Redesign   With this enhancement, the Snapshot: Succession pages are now responsively designed so that the users can easily view and manage employee ratings and successors from a mobile device. When these pages are viewed on a mobile device, the functionality on the page is automatically adjusted to fit the smaller screen size. In addition, enhancements have been made to the Snapshot: Succession functionality: