Get a sneak peek at the revamped Self-Service Portal launching soon. Look forward to a refreshed, vibrant homepage, a sleek dark mode, a modern UI/UX, and (ta-da!) easy portal customization from the Admin Center.
Fall is coming, and that means the Fall 2024 Release of Alloy Navigator is just around the corner. We’ve been working hard over the past few months to pack the upcoming 2024.2 release with many amazing features. One of the most anticipated updates this fall will bring is the completely revamped Self-Service Portal. Let’s look at what’s in store for you and your customers soon.
A Self-Service Portal is the face of an IT team for customers. It is where customers and internal company users can report issues, search for ready-made solutions, or browse the service catalog. Alloy Navigator offers a pre-configured, ready-to-go Self-Service Portal with all the essential features, available to an unlimited number of end-users. It’s operational right after deploying Navigator and has long been the preferred channel for the user-IT communication.
But time goes by, and the face of the IT team now needs a face-lift. Our tried-and-true interface was showing signs of wear, especially when compared to the new features introduced in the Web App for technicians in 2023 and 2024. It was clear that the Self-Service Portal required a technological refresh—and that’s exactly what we delivered. The new Self-Service Portal now looks and feels fantastic!
Another issue with the legacy system was the need to access the web server and use a special utility—the Web Configuration tool—for any customization. While effective, this tool wasn’t available to cloud clients, who then had to contact our Support Team even for simple changes. Though our support engineers are always happy to help, requests like “Update the motto in the header please” or “Make it purple” were becoming cumbersome. That’s why we’ve now moved all customization settings to the web-based Admin Center, empowering you to configure your Self-Service Portal according to your company’s specific needs.
The first thing you’ll notice about the revamped Self-Service Portal is the striking new home page. We’ve reimagined the visual experience to make it more engaging and user-friendly. The centerpiece of this update is the background image that now ties the home page together. And it’s customizable! Whether you want to showcase your brand, promote your company culture, or simply add a touch of elegance, this feature allows you to align the portal’s look with your corporate identity seamlessly.
All the familiar widgets—such as submitting tickets, accessing the service catalog, searching the knowledge base, and more—remain in their usual places, but their refreshed appearance now offers a more intuitive experience.
We’ve also given the sign-in screen a stylish upgrade, featuring new background graphics, an enhanced layout, and your company’s logo seamlessly integrated into the sign-in box for a more polished and cohesive look.
To keep up with user preferences, we’re thrilled to introduce a native dark mode to the Self-Service Portal. Dark mode isn’t just a trend—it’s a feature that many users prefer for its reduced eye strain, especially in low-light environments.
Come to the dark side! We have cookies
, — said everybody 10 years ago.
To switch to dark mode, simply click the sun-moon icon in the top right corner of the portal header. Once activated, all elements transition to a softer, more subdued visual presentation. Besides enhancing eye comfort, dark mode can also extend battery life on laptops with OLED displays, making it a practical choice for users on the go.
Working with tabular lists, also known as data grids—like Tickets or Equipment Reservations—has never been more convenient! Here’s what’s new:
One of the most noticeable changes is the introduction of slide-out forms for all objects, now appearing from the right side of the screen. Whether you’re viewing ticket properties, requesting a service, or creating a new equipment reservation, the form will slide out smoothly, offering a fast and responsive experience.
We’ve adopted this approach from our Web App and rebuilt all forms using React, a modern technology that powers many dynamic and interactive websites. This upgrade brings significant enhancements, delivering a more interactive, consistent, and responsive user experience. These forms are designed to adapt seamlessly to various window sizes, ensuring a satisfying interaction every time.
Customizing date, time, and number formats just got easier! Self Service Portal users can now choose to use regional formats based on their browser locale. For example, users from Australia (G’day mates! 🏄) can keep American English for the portal interface while displaying dates, times, and numbers according to their browser’s locale. These new settings are easily accessible in the user profile.
Now, customizing your Self-Service Portal is easier than ever—all you need is a browser! We’ve moved all portal settings to the Admin Center, preserving the existing options while adding some exciting new features. Explore these settings yourself! New features are marked with the 🔖 icon.
These settings give you the flexibility to tailor the Self-Service Portal to perfectly match your organization’s needs.
, — said everybody 10 years ago.
