Perfion Windows Client - Version 5.2

DPI parameter on ImageServer will no longer resize images

Previously, the DPI parameter for the Perfion Image Server endpoint would resize the original image according to the requested DPI setting. Because of rounding issues related to conversion between pixels per centimeter and pixels per inch, the resulting DPI setting on images could show unexpected results. We have changed the meaning of the DPI setting, from previously resizing the image to only being a metadata setting. It is now possible to request an image in a specific size and with a specific DPI setting.

Binary imports may freeze when running on the Perfion Application Server

Running binary imports on the Perfion Application Server could cause the import to freeze, requiring a restart of the Application Server. Inter-thread communication has been refactored, so that locking is more unlikely to occur.

Perfion API output a language for non-localizables when using FormatMultiValue-expression

When using the FormatMultiValue-Expression on a non-localizable multivalue the output was erroneously made localizable and the resulting value was output for all active languages. This has been fixed so that only one non-localizable value is output.

Note: This also affected the ECommerce API since it relied on the result from the Perfion API.

Queries using hierarchical operators could be slow in some cases

As a part of 5.2.4, the performance of queries using hierarchical operators (mainly using "{" and "}") was improved. This improvement, however, could have the exact opposite effect. This slow down also affected ECommerce API-methods when using Variants, since they also need to be structured hierarchically. This performance slow down has been fixed.

Non-ASCII characters in filename for Binary Import 

When importing binary files via an URL, the filename of the imported file could be incorrect if it contained non-ASCII characters. This has now been fixed.

Incorrect response from Perfion Image- and File API when asset was not found

The Perfion Image- and File API could return an incorrect status code 400 (bad request) if the requested asset was not found. This has now been fixed so that a more correct status code 404 (not found) is returned instead.

Dashboard use “Having” in the filter

In some cases the Dashboard opened an empty grid if the Dashboard was using “Having” in the filter.

Main Grid jumps

Sometimes the Main Grid jumped when editing values in the grid. This has been fixed.

Scheduling trigger could show incorrect start- and end times

When configuring the Run From and Run To on a scheduling trigger, the system could show incorrect information on the overview, depending on the selected time zone on the trigger. This has now been fixed.

Execute Actions via Applications server

Some Actions was falling with “No user is logged in“ if Language is used in the conncetion string like “PerfionUserID=Admin;PerfionPassword=;PerfionLanguage=DE”

Actions - User roles ignored when executing actions

When a user has access to execute an Action, the Action will have access to all needed data and functions. Eg. an user have access to Actions but does not have access to run the Importer. The user can still execute an actions which uses the Importer.

User management - Readers can not have Admins permissions

If a user is member of the group Admins, the user needs to be an editor. If the user is a reader, and then is added to the Admins group, the user will be changed to an editor.

Bugfix of report export to properly use jpg format

When exporting using report the exported file data and file name for images was not done properly for images original being of format jpg/jpeg. When exporting using other option than original (e.g. high, medium, low) the exported file and filename was png - this should be jpg if original file is jpg/jpeg.

This has been fixed.

In Hierarchy Of on Basevalue in Searches

It is now possible to use In Hierarchy Of on Basevalue in Searches.

The 'edit publication' dialog now supports resizing

Previously it was not possible to resize the new/edit publication dialog, making editing of the XML (advanced mode) a bit difficult. The dialog may now be resized.

ERP Add-in for Microsoft Navision 2017 or newer now supports login based on User Principal Name

The ERP Add-in for Microsoft Navision 2017 or newer now supports login based on User Principal Name. By using this new capability, the Navision add-in can now be activated by Perfion users that are synchronized from Azure AD. 

Bugfix of Query Analyser showing proper total count on index usage

When option index was used in Query Analyser the total count was not correct - it showed the count of the returned rows and not the total count of the query.

This has been fixed.

Only the first of multiple cluster remote features using the same remote connection was returned from API

We have fixed an issue where only the first of multiple cluster remote features using the same remote connection was being returned from API. The feature that was returned was dependent on the order of the features in the configuration. The issue has now been fixed, so that all requested cluster remotes are being returned correctly in the API result.

Dashboard - Filter with only Having clause

It is now possible to use Filter at Dashboards with only Having clauses.

Dashboard - Order Widgets

It is now possible to order and reorder Widgets on Dashboards

Using System.Collections.Generic classes in Actions script

When trying to use certain classes in the System,Collections.Generic namespace in Actions scripts, the Action would fail with a message that the System.Core assembly needs to be referenced. This is now fixed.

Speed of hierarchical queries in the Perfion API has been improved

The speed of hierarchical queries in Perfion API has been greatly improved. The improvement is mainly seen when dealing with many items and deeper hierarchies. This improvement also applies to the ECommerce API. 

Image resize defaults to “Fit”

A bug is fixed so the Image endpoint resize use “Fit” as default.

Configurable OData metadata in OData remotes.

When configuring a OData remote connecting to SAP Business One, it could fail if the endpoint does not support requests for full OData metadata. Now, it is possible to configure the level of metadata, minimal or full, when configuring the OData connection.

Bugfix of Windows Client handling selectable default value deleted

When a selectable value used as default value in a feature configuration was deleted an error in the Windows Client occurred after restart and editing the feature configuration.

This has been fixed so only valid selectable values are used in the Windows Client and when deleting selectable values possible default value usage is also deleted.

Action Import

An error in Action Import removes references to EXECUTE.ACTION when reimport an Action.

Bugfix to Perfion Web Client report parameter handling

Perfion Web Client can now handle reports containing parameters of type input="Perfion.LookUp.Languages".

Timeout of 'Fix Invalid Images'

Previously, the 'Fix Invalid Images' would timeout after approx. two minutes. This has now been extended to one hour.

Actions - Export with templates

It is now possible to use the same export column more the ones in a export template.

Bugfix in Table Designer of proper empty cell usage and query language usage

When a table design contains an empty cell (no elements) and fixed width cell containing selectable with image feature value shown using @FormatValue then the row height would be wrong using the images original height. This has been fixed.

When a table design uses a datasource query having one language which is not the Windows Client users language then the language specific values like feature captions were not used correct when visualizing the table design in the Windows Client. This has been fixed.

Also a minor fix of proper datasource refresh when refreshing the table design visualization has been done.

SELECT.PERFION table mapping now supports excluding path information for binaries

Previously, when using Table output format in the SELECT.PERFION action command, the value for binaries (images and files) would contain path information. A new parameter @ExcludeBinaryRelativePath has been added, to disable this behavior.

OData remotes now correctly loads multiple pages

In certain situations, an OData remote would not load all data correctly causing remote columns to incorrectly show a blank value. This has now been fixed.

OData remotes now supports disabling SSL server certificate validation

When configuring an OData remote, it it now possible to disable validation of the server SSL certificate. This may, for instance, make it possible to use self-issued certificates on the server and still allow Perfion to connect using an encrypted connection. 

Grid operations were slow if many reports.

Certain grid operations were slowed (by seconds) if many Reports were stored in the database. Examples of such operations were right click menu and copy. This performance degradation has been removed. 

Certain features were being disallowed in Feature Data Import

Certain feature names were mistakenly being disallowed to import data into. Most notably, you could not import into any of the features used by the ECommerce API even features made to be configured on Products. This bug has been corrected. 

Search Filters with TreeView

A bug in Search Filters with TreeView is fixed so it did not throw an error

Incorrect languages when running a report

When running a report from the Web client, the languages could be incorrect if the underlying superquery had a languages setup different than the default EN.

This has been resolved

Import feature configuration could take a long time

Import of feature configurations could take a long time to complete on larger databases, even for small imports. This has now been fixed and imports can complete much faster that previously.

View Image and Save Image As are now available for readers

Previously, the View Image and Save Image As menu items was not available for Readers in the right-click menu. This has now been fixed.

Use of ImageUrl in the Perfion Image Control component in report designer

We have fixed an issue where the Perfion Image Control component in the report designer could fail to load an image via the ImageUrl setting, if the url was not identifying a .png image. The ImageUrl can now point to other supported image formats as well.

Bugfix of proper initial/first show of section scene

When the first section has a filter search scene as first scene and a category scene as the second scene the intial show of the section when starting the Perfion Windows Client did not show the search result after a search. Toggling the section from/to first section did fix the problem as a workaround. This has been solved so toggling is not necessary.

Certain string values would incorrectly show ellipses's in grid

We have fixed an issue where certain string values would show ellipses's (three dots) in grid, even though the column have enough space to show the entire value.

Bugfix in grid of proper freeze handling

When view or categorizer was changed in grid a possible freeze column was not properly handled - a wrong column could be chosen as frozen column.

This has been fixed so freeze state is cleared in grid view on view/group change and on categorizer change

Timeout checking for unique values increased to 15 minutes.

On large Perfion installations, users could experience timeouts when enabling unique values on a feature. The timeout checking for unique values has thus been increased to 15 minutes.

Dashboard - Count widget

The counting is now correct if the Dashboard use “Having” in the filter

'Execute Action' menu items are now sorted by name.

Previously, the menu items under 'Execute Action' in the main ribbon was not sorted correctly. This has now been fixed.

Grid - Selectables is now selecting the active value in the popup

Selectables in the Grid is now selecting the active value in the popup.

Bugfix of proper refresh of localizable inheritable feature

When updating a parent value for a localizable, inheritable feature where another language has child values breaking the inheritance the child values where cleared in the grid requiring a refresh to show proper db value. This has been fixed so other language values breaking inheritance are left untouched in the grid.

Data Web Service can now update read-only features

Perfion API allows update of read-only features - this can now be done using the Data Web Service.

Bugfix of properly show and handle formula features with wrong expressions

A formula expression present in data which could not resolve correct would result in exception in grid and difficult of correcting.

This has been corrected so validation of formula expressions are done both in grid and item editor showing bad feature data with red rectangle around as for other validation errors. The formula feature with wrong data can now be entered and the expression can be corrected without having to clear the feature value first.

Main Grid jumps

A bug sometimes the Main Grid jumps when editing values in the grid. This has been fixed.

Main Grid - Size of the Mulitiselect popup

A bug resized the Muliti Select popup in some cases. The size should now be correctly stored and reused for each feature

Allow drag-drop parent item on category when child item already has category

After user confirmation allow drag-drop parent item to category when children have existing category value.

Selectable in grid loose focus

In some cases a Selectable in grid loose focus in the popup.

Bugfix of cleaning up old values on single, localizable selectable restore of old values

Ensure proper restore of single localizable selectable values ensuring only current value is present in db

Perfion will not allow AD login if number of licensed users are at limit.

Previously, Perfion did not correctly validate available user licenses when new Perfion users needed to be created as part of the AD integration. This has now been fixed so that new users will not be able to login if there are no available licenses.

ItemTriggers - Execute action on error

Execute action on error is now working in actions executed via Item Triggers.

Actions - Filter and Order added to GET.FILELIST and FTP.FILELIST

The Filter and Order parameters is added to the Action commands GET.FILELIST and FTP.FILELIST.

Applications Server clean-up old logs

In some cases the Application Server did not clean up all logs from Item Triggers. The Clean-up routine optimized.

Scheduling was not handling changes related to Daylight Saving Time correctly

The Perfion Scheduler could make an incorrect task execution schedule when crossing the changes between Daylight Saving Time and Normal Time. This has now been fixed so that changes from Normal- to Daylight Saving Time and back is handled correctly.

Point-of-Interest could be overwritten

We have fixed an issue where the Point-of-Interest on images in the Windows Client could be reset to center image. The issue would happen if a user open the Point-of-Interest dialog and click OK without updating the position.

API - Include Swap Relation Direction in the result set

It is now possible to include Swap Relation Direction in an API result. Se the API documentation for more information about the syntax.

Report Server API enhanced with report parameters

The Report Server API used for generating Perfion reports has been enhanced with support for report parameters as defined by the super query of the reports.

Furthermore a new HTTP POST endpoint has been added for generating reports in same way as the Report Server API but with parameters as body of the POST in order to support larger number of report parameters.

Table Designer style setting update not clearing Translation settings

When editing and saving Table Designer style settings without switching to the Translation settings tab the Translation settings were cleared.

This has been fixed so Translation settings are kept properly.

OData remotes could fail to get all data when using paging

We have fixed an issue where an OData remote could fail to read all data from the remote system, when using paging. The issue was caused by the way that the '@odata.nextLink' was interpreted. This has now been fixed.

Reports running action

Reports with action can now be executed via the API or the Application server. 

Proper auto adjustment of row height for large texts in Table Designer when row height used

Now large texts can be shown in Table Designer cells if no constraint on height - also when other rows have fixed row height; i.e. the cell height is auto-adjusted to show all text for rows having no constraint and not auto-adjusted for rows having fixed height when rows are in same table design.

Incorrect file extension when exporting to Word format via ReportServer

When exporting a report to Word format via the ReportServer API, the file would be returned with a '.word' extension. This has now been fixed so that the file is returned via the correct '.docx' extension.

Select Remove Variants support in JSON queries

Previously, you could only select specific remote variants via XML queries in the Perfion API. This has now been extended so you can also use JSON queries.

Multi Factor Authentication logging

Some more logging added to the Multi Factor Authentication Email sending for error handling.

Application server status icon change

The Application server status icon now reflects the last completed job,
meaning that old failed jobs will not color the icon orange if the last job has succeeded.

Action - Appearance order by name

The Action Appearance is ordered by name in the Execute Action menu

Queries selecting clustered remotes failed if user had no read permit for them

Queries selecting clustered remotes failed to work, if the user executing the query had no read-permits to read it. This affected the Perfion API and the Web Client. This has been fixed.

Furthermore Perfion has been optimized so that only remote features that the user has read-access to (according to the security group assigned to each remote) are read. 

Bugfix of validating formula in Formula Editor

When an invalid formula expression is inserted in the Formula Editor the Formula Editor could breakdown in an exception on both refresh formula in Formula Editor and when closing Formula Editor.

This has been fixed so validation of formula expression is done as part of refreshing formula and as part of closing Formula Editor.

Proper auto adjustment of row height for large texts in Table Designer

Now large texts can be shown in Table Designer cells if no constraint on height; i.e. the cell height is auto-adjusted to show all text.

Filter Designer gave error when selecting a default value for selectable feature

In previous versions of Perfion you got an error when selecting default value for a selectable feature in the Filter Designer. This has been fixed. 

Bugfix of proper translation of Azerbaijan language

The culture info for the Azerbaijan language has been updated in the database so proper language code is sent to the translation service. Though the translation service DeepL does not support translation of Azerbaijan language - only Google Translate does.

Proper translation for languages having special culture info

For languages having special/complex culureinfo (e.g. en-nz) wrong language code was sent to the translation service. This has been fixed so lookup of proper culture info language code is performed before sending to translation service.

Bugfix in Filter Designer of ensuring proper caption of filter members

The caption shown for features in filter members in Filter Designer was sometimes in different language than current system user language. This has been fixed.

Users with no delete right for a base feature were able to delete items of that type

The Perfion API allowed a user with no delete rights to some base feature to still delete items of that feature. The issue also affected the Web Client while the Windows Client worked. This issue is now fixed. 

NAV Add-In could fail to authenticate user when using PerfionID

We have fixed an issue where the NAV add-in could fail to authenticate correctly, when configured to use a Perfion username only. An error message would be shown, telling that the Index was out of Bounds, and the Add-in would not show the data as expected.

Unique Values in import

It is now possible to import duplicate values and set the “Keep the first occurrence of records with duplicate keys” in Unique values features.

Dashboard - Has Value shows also Has Not Value items

The Dashboard is only showing Items with values if a widget with “Has value” and Count is selected.

Proper translation of norwegian culture language nynorsk

An error occurred if norwegian culture language nynorsk was chosen and DeepL was chosen as translation service.

This has been fixed so translation is obtained - though the translation language used is bokmål as DeepL does not support nynorsk translations.

Search Filter - Booleans can now filter on any type

Booleans in Search Filter can now filter on True, False, Neutral and Any. The old check box/slider is replaced with radio buttons

Performance of database indexes

A few indexes have been changed for performance optimization:

IX_Specs_SpecType_Item and IX_SpecsIX_ItemId_SpecType is dropped and IX_SpecsIX_ItemId_SpecType_Language is added.

OData connections now correctly trim whitespace in URI

Previously an OData remote could fail to load data if the URI contained whitespace characters. This has now been fixed so that any whitespace is automatically trimmed before calling the endpoint.

Optimization to cleanup of outdated jobs and job loggings

Due to performance/time-out problems in cleanup of outdated jobs and job loggings an optimization has been implemented.

Support for bosnian language added

Support for bosnian language added. Requires db upgrade.

OData remotes now also support JSON media type with minimal metadata

Previously OData remotes required the OData service to deliver full metadata descriptions in the responses. Some OData services are not capable of delivering this, which would cause the remotes to fail to load the data. This has now been fixed so that, when using JSON OData services, only minimal metadata are required.

Item Trigger - New column in ActionImput and more info in the log

In the Item Trigger a new column ChangeType is added to the ActionInput table Coalesced and the Application Server mark actions as “Merged” if the actions is executed in the same action.

Feature definition import error fixed

The feature definition import had an error when trying to import a new feature with enabled unique values property. This issue was fixed.

Scheduler task name handling updated

The scheduler task name was limited in size, but the UI allowed to enter more characters than technically allowed. Therefore, part of the task name could be cut off when saving or editing the task. This issue was fixed by limiting the length of the task name to 100 characters in the UI.

Actions - Executed via the Applications server

Actions executed via the Applications Server or triggered via Item Triggers are from 2023R1 executed by the user who ordered/triggered the action 

License management window updated

The license management window in Perfion did not allow to exit Perfion after an unsuccessful attempt of loading of Perfion license. After this update, the user will now have a choice to continue loading another license file, or to exit Perfion.

Feature data import updated to validate key feature values

Feature data import uses simple feature validation rules to validate all incoming feature data which is configured to be validated, but the key feature values were excluded from this validation. Now validation will also be applied to the key feature.

Richtext editor - reintroduce of paste as plain text

During latest update of the Richtext editor the button 'Paste as plain text' was removed.

The functionality has been reintroduced - the current 'Paste' button can be toggled to paste with formatting (default) or paste as plain text (toggled using new 'Paste as text' toggle button).

All Import logs can be viewed by users havning import permissions

Previously users having import permissions could only view import logs for their own import sessions. This has been changed so a user having import log permissions can view all import logs - though they can only stop their  own import sessions.

Message-column in Task- and Job-Log has been extended

The available number of characters in the message-column for both Task- and Job Log Entries were sometimes too small to hold the message. They have both been extended from 200 to 400 characters.

In assistance the tables holding Task Log, Job Log and ActionsQueue Log have all been given a right click menu "Show in external editor...", which will open the clicked log entry in the default text editor. 

Media service multi-file ZIP download

Perfion media service was updated to support multi-file ZIP download. The new features:

• Instead of 1 binary file/image ID now one can define multiple IDs separated with comma (,) or semicolon (;).

• If more than 1 binary file/image ID is defined the service will automatically add all requested files/images to the ZIP archive for download. Alternatively one can also demand a single file/image to be downloaded as ZIP archive by specifying a new "action" parameter value "zip" in request URL, e.g. action=zip.

• The updated media services accept POST type requests where one can define binary image/file IDs in the request body message instead of defining them in URL parameters. If IDs are defined in both places, then IDs will be combined.

• A new parameter "UseBinaryIdAsFileName" was added which allows to control how the files/images will be named when served by the media service. Using this parameter together with parameter "FileName" one can now chose to use file/image original name, custom name or use file/image ID as a name. In case the service will return multiple files/images where some will have duplicate names, those duplicates will be automatically renamed by adding a suffix to the end of the file name.

Actions - SELECT.CSV and SELECT.FIXEDWIDTH file encoding

A new parameter @Encoding is added to the commands SELECT.CSV and SELECT.FIXEDWIDTH. It is now possible to define which encoding the commands should use.

ECommerce API: GetConfiguration-response extended

The abbreviations and help texts are from now on being added to the GetConfiguration-response. 

New options to exclude feature definition from Perfion API query results

A new option _ExcludeFeatureDefinitions_ has been implemented in the Perfion API, to allow for more lean API results. Setting this option will exclude the feature definition element in the API response. Default is, as previously, that the feature definitions are included in the response.

Perfion Query now supports querying all active languages

New wildcard designator '*' for languages is implemented for Perfion Query to query all active languages.

Actions - Query with curly brackets and parameters

If a Query use parameters and curly brackets, the curly brackets need to be escape. Use double curly brackets like: <Clause id='*{{ID*' operator='=' value='*{=$Color}*' /> to escape the curly brackets.

REST API - New endpoints for Execute Action and Get Version

Two new endpoints Execute Action and Get Version added to the REST API.

User Admin - User roles

New Perfion Users is created without any roles, the administrator must add all the roles the user needs directly or by groups.  Former a new Perfion User was created with 6 default roles. 

Simple Active Directory integration

Before it was only possible to handle membership in Active Directory(AD).
Now it is possible to use a simpler integration by clicking the checkbox in settings. The simpler integration only creates one group in the AD and membership is now handled in Perfion like normal users.

Formulas works in grid, API and reports without used features being present

Formulas using features now can be used without the requirement previously of features used to be present; i.e. the formula features can be used without including features in query.

Possible to set prefix for groups created in AD

It is now possible to set a custom prefix for the groups being created in Active Directory by Perfion.

Perfion API supports remote feature columns using json

When using the json syntax in a Perfion API specifying columns for a remote feature was not supported. This can be used now. The returned column values are returned in a new json property called 'remoteValues'.

Furthermore wildcard '*' can be used as column to specify all columns should be returned.

Also a new query option 'expandClusterQueries' can be used to auto expand all clustered features in query to include all columns.

Remotes and related values can now be used in formulas

The handling of formulas have been extended with support for remotes and related values in formula expressions.

Watermarked image handling updated in media services (breaking change)

The watermarked image service will only serve watermarked images. Before, it was serving watermarked images conditionally based on watermark range parameter.
Other image services (image and uncached image) will return watermarked images only if image resolution matches predefined watermark range parameter. Before the update watermarked images were not served when requesting the original image. Image caching for watermarked images was also improved.

Memory leak in Perfion Application Server

The Perfion Application Server could seem to leak memory when using script tasks within Actions. This has now been fixed.

Perfion API Service no longer require .NET 3.5

The dependency on .NET Framework 3.5 has been removed. It is no longer necessary to install the .NET 3.5 runtime on the servers running the Perfion API services. 

Actions - new FTP commands and option for binary stream in soem SELECT and WRITE commands

Four new commands for FTP (FTP.DOWNLOAD, FTP.UPLOAD, FTP.DELETE and FTP.FILELIST ) is added to Actions. The FTP commands support: File transfer protocol (FTP), File transfer protocol secure (FTPS) and Secure shell file transfer protocol (SFTP).  The download command return a PBinaryStream which now can be used directly with e.g. SELECT.EXCEL. The upload takes an PBinaryStream from e.g. WRITE.EXCEL and upload this to the FTP server. WRITE.EXCEL can now generate PBinaryStream directly from the command. See the documentation for more information.

Feature Definition - Remote query field is disabled

In some cases, the Remote field was not correctly enabled. This was fixed.

Actions - Write Excel, Csv and fixed width files

A new parameter @WriteFileIfInputIsEmpty is added to the commands Write.Excel, Write.Csv and Write.FixedWidth. If the input to the commands is empty, the parameter can control if you would like to write an empty file or not.

Feature Definition - Key feature

The Remote Features in the drop down list of Key Features is removed. 

Number of Channels in license is now checked for

Maximum number of channels in license is now checked whenever inserting a new channel. If number of channels is exceeded, Perfion will refuse to insert a new channel. 

Use of Perfion API now requires correct license

The use of the Perfion API, including the eCommerce API, now require that the license include these options as enabled.

Perfion Office Add-in now supports authentication to Perfion API

Previously, the Perfion Office Add-in did not support proper authentication with the Perfion API. This meant that the Add-in would fail to connect, if the API was configured to require authentication. This has now been fixed so that it's possible to configure the connection including a username and password.