In the fast-evolving world of Supply Chain Design, Cosmic Frog continues to lead the way with cutting-edge innovations designed to meet the demands of modern professionals. Our October 2024 product update introduces new features that enhance functionality, improve user experience, and drive productivity. Here’s a closer look at what’s new:

• Sharing – Multi-User Model Collaboration
• Model Database Backups
• Named Filters in Policies and Conditions
• Cosmic Frog for Excel App Builder
• Next Gen Help: F1 Contextual Help
• Cascading Changes in Master Data
• New Map Layers with English Support

Sharing – Multi-User Model Collaboration

The new sharing feature enables real-time collaboration between multiple users on the same model database, enhancing teamwork and ensuring accurate inputs from various stakeholders. Users can easily share, view, and manage access through Explorer and Cloud Storage, with clear icons to identify owners and collaborators. Operating on a “last change wins” basis, this feature promotes coordination to prevent overwritten changes. It ultimately streamlines collaboration, boosts productivity, and maintains accuracy with diverse inputs, fostering a more efficient workflow across teams.

Model Database Backups

The new Model Database Backups feature allows users to create snapshots of their databases, enabling experimentation with changes, while ensuring easy restoration if needed. Backups can be created and retrieved through Cloud Storage, offering the flexibility to restore to the current database or a new one. This functionality streamlines data management and protection.

Prioritizing the Database Backups feature provides peace of mind when implementing experimental changes, allowing a seamless return to a previous state if issues arise. By reducing the risk of data loss and enhancing flexibility, this feature improves the safety and efficiency of database management.

This feature also works great in parallel with the new Sharing capabilities. We encourage users to leverage the model database backup feature prior to sharing with other teammates to ensure they can restore the model if needed.

Named Filters in Policies and Conditions

The introduction of Named Filters greatly enhances the flexibility and precision of data management within Cosmic Frog’s ecosystem. This feature allows users to create and save specific filters directly on grid views, which can be utilized seamlessly across various policies and conditions. For example, if you create a filter named “DCs” in the Facilities table to capture all entries with “DC” in their designation, this named filter can then be applied in a policy table, providing a dynamic alternative to the traditional Group function.

Unlike Groups, named filters automatically update; adding or removing a DC record in the Facilities table will instantly reflect in the named filter, streamlining the workflow and eliminating the need for manual updates. Additionally, when creating Scenario Items or defining Map Layers, users can easily select named filters to represent specific conditions, making the process quicker and simpler. The ability to preview data associated with selected named filters within Scenario Items and Map Layers ensures quick verification and a smooth workflow, positioning Cosmic Frog at the forefront of innovative supply chain solutions.

Cosmic Frog for Excel App Builder

Experience the power of building applications with ease using the Cosmic Frog for Excel App Builder, embracing “no code” workflows that empower Excel to interact seamlessly with Cosmic Frog. This feature enables you to construct new models or link to existing ones, facilitating data imports, exports, scenario creation, and running scenarios effortlessly. Additionally, you can upload and download data files, as well as execute utilities within your Optilogic account—all simply from the Excel ribbon bar. The process of developing Cosmic Frog Apps is streamlined and accessible, allowing for quick deployment to other users without the need for Excel Visual Basic coding expertise. This innovation democratizes decision-making across your organization by transforming your Cosmic Frog models into intuitive, powerful applications, enhancing accessibility and operational efficiency enterprise-wide. 

Next Gen Help – F1 Contextual Help

The F1 Contextual Help feature enables users to quickly access relevant Help Center documentation by pressing “F1” or clicking the Help Icon in the Blue Header. The platform automatically searches for documentation based on the current app section, streamlining support and improving workflow efficiency. This feature significantly reduces the time spent searching for help, allowing users to find solutions without disrupting their tasks. By providing immediate, context-aware assistance, it enhances the overall user experience and facilitates seamless work. 

Cascading Changes to Master Data

Cascading changes to master data allow for the automatic update of all related tables. For instance, modifying a Customer Name in the Customers table will simultaneously update that name in related tables such as Demand and Transportation Policies. This significantly simplifies the modeling workflow. Previously, users had to manually change all related data tables, risking errors that could render the model infeasible. This approach saves time and dramatically enhances productivity. 

New Map Layers with English Support

New map layers are now available, including roads, satellite, and topography, with the added option to display them in English. This enhancement offers greater flexibility in presenting results and meets the requirements of many of our customers. 

Your Feedback Matters

At Optilogic, we’re dedicated to understanding our users’ needs and enhancing your experience. This update is the result of extensive research and design, shaped by your valuable feedback. Join the Frogger Pond Community (open to all Personal and Professional users!) to share your insights, connect with fellow Froggers, and help us continually improve our platform! 

Ready to Try Out These New Features?

Are you ready to experience the amazing new features of Cosmic Frog? Log into your account today to explore the Database Backup, Multi-user Database Collaboration, Named Filters in Policies and Conditions, F1 Contextual Help, Cascading Changes in Master Data, and New Map Layers with English Support features—they’re all designed with you in mind!   

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