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    What's new in AskiaField 5.4.4?

    5.4 is here, and it's a big one! 

    The main work was done on Quota (engine and interface). Besides that, interesting stuff has been implemented. Let's see what was changed.

    Quotas

    Global Changes

     

    1. QUOTAS

    The whole quota management has been completely re-designed with the version 5.4. The quota engine has been rebuilt from the basement to the roof. Now you can have quotas on multiple closed question, on numerical question with dynamic ranges, create groups of items, etc.

    One of the main visible change is the new Quotas windows. Now, there is only 1 single window to define, manage and monitor the quotas. And it contains more options.

     

    1.1 Allow Over Target

    On the Quota window, we have renamed the behaviour and the actions for more understandable labels.

    5.3 Behaviour          =>      5.4 Allow overt target
    5.3 Automatic          =>      5.4 Never
    5.3 Semi Automatic  =>     5.4 Agent decides
    5.3 Manual              =>      5.4 Survey routing

     

    • Select multiple values (can be from different questions) and change the option for all the selected answers.
    • Priorities:
      • Never: Never go over the maximum target.
      • Agent decides: In some occasions the agent can decide to go over target.
      • Survey routing: Some routings can allow the interview to go over target.

    1.2 Appointments

    • Appointments in quota: Included amount of appointments for quota.
    • Total number of appointments: The total amount of appointments for this survey on this line.

    The task properties option "Only include an appointment in quota when importance >= *" will include appointments in quota.

     

    1.3 Available Time

    • Hovering over the available column will show you a clickable information icon. This will open an information window.
      • All call results can be seen here (not the sub results):
        • Available now: Contacts that are available at that very moment.
        • Available later: Contacts that will become available in the near future.
        • Over call back: Contacts that are over call back and will not be called (unless the call back options are changed).

    1.4 Availability Tab

    The global overview of the available amount of contacts for each call result and each list for the survey.

    1.5 Copy & Paste

    Whole tree:

    • It is possible to Copy part of, or the whole quota tree and paste it in Excel / Word or Notepad.
    • It is not possible to paste the tree back in the quota window.

    Target Values:

    • It is possible to select an amount of values (from the same column) and copy them.
    • It is possible to paste the values back in another column value.

    1.6 CAPI Tab

    • Agents that are in a CAPI group linked to the survey are shown here.
    • Each agent can have their own quota assigned for CAPI interviews.
    • If you want quotas by agent behaviour, you must give a specific target by agent to the main. "Quota" node (first row). Else, that will be considered as Quotas by Survey.

    1.7 Customize

    Personal quota window customizer:

    • These settings are not global, they are only visible for the Supervisor.
    • Contacts available for web: Default checked. Show the amount of contacts available for web in the availability columns.
    • Contacts available for telephony: default is checked. Show the amount of contacts available for telephony in the availability columns.

    1.8 Progress Bars

    • The minimum target is shown as a fixed length bar with a black border.
    • The maximum target is shown as a relative bar with a transparent border. (ex: Min = 10, Max = 35 -> maximum bar will be 3.5 times larger than the minimum bar.
    • Completes are shown as a green % fill of the bars.
    • Running interviews are shown as a blue % fill.
    • Included appointments are shown as a red % fill.
    • Hovering over the progress bars will give a tooltip with info.

    1.9 Priorities

    • Select multiple priority values (can be from different questions) and change the priority for all the selected answers.
    • Works best for import questions.
    • Priorities:
      • First: The system will try to reach this target first. On an import question, contacts with this answer will be called, others won't until the target is reached or there are no more contacts available for that answer.
      • High: The system will give a higher priority for this contact. On import questions, contacts with this answer will have a higher chance to be called.
      • Normal: Default value. The system will try to complete the quota tree on a balanced manner.
      • Low: The system will give a lower priority for this contact. On import questions, contacts with this answer will have a lower chance to be called.
      • Blocked: Contacts with this answer will not be called.

    1.10 Questions

    The following question types can be used in a quota tree:

    • Closed questions (only 1 answer per question).

    • Import questions (question based on list info).

    • Multi coded questions (multiple choice questions).

    • Numeric questions (questions that are answered with a numeric value).

    On the numeric question, you have the ability to add ranges: Right click on the numeric question > Add Range:

     

    1.11 Ribbon

    1. Add question: Add a new quota line as a sub question to the selected line. If another question is selected, the new question will be copied under all the answers from the selected question.
    2. Add range: Add a range to a numeric question. This will look like: Range [min => max [. The minimum value is included in the range, the maximum value IS NOT.
    3. Edit range: Change the selected existing range.
    4. Add group: Add the selected answers to a new group (not yet possible to do this for multi coded questions). Groups name can be changed.
    5. Delete: Delete the selected item (question / range / group).
    6. Allocate all: Evenly distribute the target value over the selected line(s).
    7. Allocate remaining: Evenly distribute the remaining target value over the selected line(s).
    8. Brokers: Add Agents (connected to a broker account) to the quota for follow up on their interviews.
    9. Count to percentages: Set the selected target to be controlled by the percentage value. If the main quota minimum value is changed, the percentage will stay the same and the count will be scaled according to the percentage.
    10. Percentages to counts: Set the selected target to be controlled by the count value. If the main quota minimum value is changed, the count will stay the same and the percentage will be scaled according to the count.
    11. Settings: An extra menu with options to change quota behaviour. 2 options are greyed out because they are not implemented yet.
    12. List Monitor: Open the list monitor for the selected task.
    13. Appointments: Open the Appointment calendar for the selected task.
    14. Find/Edit contacts: Open the 'find/edit contacts' window for the selected task.
    15. Find calls: Open the find calls window for the selected task.
    16. Modify Interview: Open the modify interview window for the selected task.
    17. Visualize data: Open the visualize data window for the selected task.
    18. Properties: Open the task properties for the selected task.
    19. Skills: Open the 'Associate skills to responses' window for the selected task.
    20. Language: Choose a language for the answers if they are implemented during the survey design.
    21. Customize: An extra menu with visibility options.
    22. Expand all: Expand all the sub items under the selected item.
    23. Collapse all: Collapse all the sub items under the selected item.
    24. Focus: Focus on the selected line. All other questions / groups will be collapsed.

     

    1.12 Sanity Checks

    Each quota line will check a few conditions to prevent human errors. If there is an error present, there will be an icon active to warn the user. The user can go to the quota line with the error and click on the icon to see an explanation of what might be wrong.

    • Min > Max
    • Question or answer that does not exist (Should not happen but just in case something goes wrong)
    • Sum of the minimums (for any parent and all parents together) > maximum on root line
    • For items on the same level (example 2 questions below the root line) The minimum of question 1 is > the maximum of question 2
    • Main / CAPI / Web:
      • Sum CAPI > Main
      • Sum Web > Main
      • Sum CAPI + Sum Web > Main

    1.13 Saving

    • If you add a question you will get a warning message and two buttons:
      • Warning message: Runtime values will no longer be updated unless you click the save / revert button. NOTE: Saving the changes might temporarily reduce the system's performance.
      • Save button: Save the new quota tree.
      • Revert: Go back to the last SAVED state. This might do more than just undo your last action.
      • There is an activity timer running while save warning is active. From the start of this message the supervisor has 30 minutes (default, but can be changed in the CCA settings - Task > Surveys).
      • Warning message: Another user is editing the quota structure. To prevent conflicts editing of the quota is disabled. A user will see this message if another user has the manual save warning.

    Saving / AutoSaving the changed values.

    • If you change any value, a small icon will appear on the line of the changed value. This save icon will remain there for 10 seconds after the last change. For example, change a value - this icon will appear -  you wait five seconds and change a second value - now you have to wait ten seconds for the auto save to kick in.
    • If you are in the 'Saving the Quota structure' state, the icon will appear after any value change. BUT it will only be saved when you click the save button (see previous topic).
    • This has been introduced to remove the overuse of the save button clicking.
    • When the auto save kicks in and there is a delay on the CCA connection you might receive a warning: Quota changes sent. Waiting for confirmation.

    Closing the Quota window while the save warning is active.

    • Yes: The quota tree will be saved.
    • No: You will go back to the last SAVED state.
    • Cancel or exit: Cancel this window and go back to the UNSAVED quota tree.

     

    Lock Timer

    There is an activity timer running while save warning is active. From the start of this message the supervisor has 30 minutes (default, but can be changed in the CCA settings - Task > Surveys). Every quota change will reset this timer. If there are no more changes and the quota is not saved, the timer will run out and you will be presented with a choice. At 75% of the timer a warning will be shown on screen.

    • Extend the session (Restart the timer and continue to edit the quota).
    • Save and release (Save the changes and release the lock).
    • Discard and release (discard all changes since the lock request and release the lock – this is the default option that will be used when the timer will run out).

    Cancel - closes the warning window. NOTE: this will trigger the default discard and release option when the timer expires.

     

    1.14 Settings

    Global quota settings for this survey only:

    • When checking the quota during an interview, use the quota values:
      • As they are at that moment: live quota updates during an interview (default).
      • From the beginning of the session: keep the quota values from the beginning of an interview session and compare to those values even though there are value changes in the meantime. A session starts when the contact is called. Changing the quota tree will reset these values.
      • From the start of the interview: keep the quota values from the beginning of an interview and compare to those values even though there are value changes in the meantime. Start of the interview is the very first time the interview is opened when the contact is called. Changing the quota tree will reset these values.
    • Include running interviews when evaluating the target. Default is unchecked - include the answers of running interviews in live quota. This will give a better visual idea of the interviews to do.
    • Use single target. Default is unchecked - use a single target or min/max target. Going to single target from min/max target, might give a warning, "Minimum and maximum targets do not match. Changing to single target is not allowed". This means there is a difference between the min and max target values. Be sure to validate that the values are the same AND the controlling value (bold value) are also the same for each column.
    • Allow CATI agents to view quota: (default: unchecked) Allow users to see the quota tree in the CATI window during an interview. Call information.

    1.15 Value Behaviour

    • Min and Max target: The changed value will be set in bold.
    • Grey values are calculated and cannot be directly edited.
    • Min target: Enter 0 or no value in the edit box and it will be seen as 0 or no minimum target.
    • Max target: Enter -1 or no value in the edit box and it will be seen as ∞ or infinity. The question Max target will also be ∞.
    • Select multiple value lines (within the same question) to change them all to the same new value.
    • Count to percentages: Set the selected target to be controlled by the percentage value. If the main quota minimum value is changed, the percentage will stay the same and the count will be scaled according to the percentage. (ex: Min target = 10, %= 50, count= 5 -> Change the min target to 20, %= 50, count= 10).
    • Percentages to counts: Set the selected target to be controlled by the count value. If the main quota minimum value is changed, the count will stay the same and the percentage will be scaled according to the count. (ex: Min target = 10, %= 50, count= 5 -> Change the min target to 20, %= 25, count= 5).

    1.16 Web Tab

    • Each agent can have their own quota assigned for web interviews.
    • Add an agent to the web quota by using the 'brokers' ribbon button.
    • Added agents need to have the 'broker' field filled in (can be found on the agent properties).

    • Note: These Numbers are only for information. Web quota are not allocated from the main quota tree.

     More information here: https://support.askia.com/hc/en-us/articles/208903145.

    1.17 Quota Monitor Language

    We have added the ability to have the quota monitor in one of the languages defined in the survey. When your quota view is open, go to Ribbon > Quota tab > Language and select the language wanted:

     More information here: https://support.askia.com/hc/en-us/articles/208182289.

    2. GLOBAL CHANGES

    2.1 CATI To Web

    Mail the current interview to the contact if he/she prefers to complete it online.

    • AskiaClient has a new button: 'send mail'.

    TI

    • Interview result will be: Appointment – CATI to web (with mail).
    • Required:
      • Task has to be on WebProd.
      • Mailing options have to be filled in.
      • Mail template has to be defined.

    2.2 Optional QES File Management

    • QES files are no longer generated into the working directory when adding a survey on. CCA/Supervisor. If you need it because you have AskiaVista plugged on the same QES folder than your CCA, then you need to activate the CCA settings > Tasks > Surveys >Maintain QES file in working directory.
    • If not activated, then importing / updating a survey will save the structure to database and no longer to QES file.
    • If not activated, then get working copy will generate a QES for export.

    2.3 Agent Properties

    Activate / deactivate the membership in the agent properties window:

    2.4 Agent Window: Different Agent Icons

    • New icons for Agents and Supervisors:

    • Agent window: real-time interview status for agents:

    • Active filter notice: visible notice that a window has an active filter:

     

    2.5 ID Column on all Views

    We have added the "ID" column in almost all supervisor windows. But you must select it to display it. Right-click on the header of the window wanted > select the "ID"field:

     2.6 Non-modal popup windows . . .

    Find call – Find/edit contact popups have been made non-modal.

     

    2.7 Call Information

    Extra info for call details:

     2.8 Restriction Properties Window

    Modules Tab: tab to define which modules can be used for the opened restriction ("SupervisorFullAccess" in this case).

    • Agent Modules (Modules that can be logged into with an agent restriction):
      • AskiaFace (default).
      • CATI (default).
      • Kodim (default).
    • Management modules (Modules that require a management restriction to login):
      • CCAPortal (default).
      • RecordingManagmentTool (default).
      • Supervisor (default).
      • Customer created module (see creating a module).

     More information here: https://support.askia.com/hc/en-us/articles/214377465.

     

    2.9 Lists: Schedules with Time Zones

    2.10 Outbound Group: Start Task for Manual Calls

    • Outbound group setting. Manual dial should trigger a new outbound task:

     

    2.11 Allow Agents to be Removed from all Outbound Activity

    • Option for an agent to remove himself/herself from outbound duty. In some cases an agent can choose to remove himself from all outbound activity. This can be done by selecting a default 'none' group. This option can be granted by a restriction setting:

    2.12 Audit on Supervisor Actions

    There is a new way of logging Supervisor actions. A lot of user actions will be logged in: statistics database – Statistic_SupervisorActions. The data logged can be accessed in SQL server at first. Later this should be followed by API access and possible a view in Supervisor.

    2.13 List Monitor

    • Find / edit contact on all tabs: option to use 'Find/Edit contact(s) on each call result in list monitor.

    • Split up blanks: Renamed 'blanks' to 'Not called' or 'Not mailed' Split (for unused contacts only):
      • Available
      • Quotas Closed
      • On DNC list
      • Invalid Number
      • Reserved for web
      • Priority 0

    2.14 Survey Feedback

    • Option to provide feedback on web interviews. On task properties a new option with dropdown Allow feedback (CAWI only):

    • This will activate/deactivate a new button, visible in the right bottom corner of web interviews that will allow to send information about various problems encountered during the testing of the survey.

    More information here:https://support.askia.com/hc/en-us/articles/213632909-5-4-CAWI-Survey-feedback . . . 

     . . . and here: https://support.askia.com/hc/en-us/articles/214172625-5-4-Survey-feedback-reader-tool.

    2.15 Survey Data Anonymisation

    Option to have sensitive information questions in interviews that supervisors cannot see or modify.

    More information here: https://support.askia.com/hc/en-us/articles/214098689.

    2.16 Recordings

    Recordings are now transferred from CTA to CCA, into a customised path. You can also chose the time when your recordings are transferred. For this, go to CCA settings > CTArchitect > File Socket:

     

    Recordings will be moved into folders created by year > month > day > hour. 

    The behaviour remain the same for survey and start recording routings (recordings renamed and moved to the survey directory).

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