Hi, I'm Alex Noles from automationhelpers.com, a SmartSuite implementation partner. If you're familiar with SmartSuite, you know it's a robust tool designed to streamline workflows, enhance team collaboration, and cater to unique business needs. At automationhelpers.com, we use SmartSuite to create scalable solutions that foster business growth.
Key Releases and Updates of 2024
As we reflect on 2024, several key updates stand out, particularly in the realm of automations, views, formula enhancements, and security compliance. Here's a closer look at these pivotal improvements.
Enhanced Automation Capabilities
Throughout 2024, SmartSuite introduced advanced automation features that significantly expanded its capabilities. These updates empower businesses to automate intricate workflows without relying on third-party tools like Zapier.
Record Finding Made Easy
One of the remarkable features is the enhanced record finding capability. Imagine creating a new contact record and ensuring it doesn't already exist in your database—a breeze with SmartSuite's field search, such as email. You can merge records seamlessly and fill in any missing data.
Webhook Integrations
Later in the year, SmartSuite added webhook requests to automations, vastly improving integration options. Outgoing webhooks enable data transmission to any destination, while inbound webhooks allow data from various tools, such as marketing platforms and payment systems, to flow seamlessly into SmartSuite.
Math Operations in Automations
SmartSuite now supports math operations directly within automations. This functionality simplifies complex calculations like managing budgets, calculating commissions, and monitoring KPIs. Unlike typical work management tools, SmartSuite lets you perform arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division within automation steps.
Advanced Field Management
SmartSuite's ability to clear and append fields in automations adds a new level of flexibility. Previously, updating field values meant replacing existing data; now, you can start fresh or append new values, making it easier to maintain accurate records.
Improvements in Views
SmartSuite also introduced enhancements to its views, most notably the Gantt Chart view.
Gantt Chart View for Better Visualization
Released earlier this year, the Gantt Chart view allows users to visualize timelines and dependencies effectively. With the new dependency field, tasks and records can now indicate relationships, such as prerequisites for other tasks, crucial for managing complex projects. The Gantt chart better visualizes your team's timelines, making it easier to plan for bottlenecks and allocate tasks and resources.
This feature has proven invaluable in industries requiring meticulous project planning, like construction. It allows for effective task sequencing, ensuring smooth collaboration across different stages of a project.
Dashboard Enhancements
The introduction of the interactive Dashboard View brought a new dimension to tracking key metrics and monitoring team performance. A variety of widgets are now available, enabling users to customize data displays and share insights more efficiently.
Tailored Dashboards for Better Insight
Creating a dashboard is as straightforward as setting up any other view in SmartSuite. Widgets can be tailored to share information across diverse metrics, such as project status, tasks, and invoicing details.
Advanced Formula Functions
SmartSuite has also listened to user feedback and rolled out significant improvements in formulas, allowing more sophisticated data processing.
Format and Use Formula Results
This year, SmartSuite allowed users to format the results generated by formulas, enhancing data display options across different value types. Additionally, a range of new formula functions was introduced, enabling users to connect and manipulate data from related records more effectively.
Leveraging Time Tracking Logs
Excitingly, SmartSuite now allows users to incorporate time tracking logs directly into formulas. Teams can access data such as logged hours, reported times, dates, and notes, enriching how resources and time are efficiently allocated.
Document Automation and Security Compliance
DOCUMENTS: SmartSuite has improved document features, allowing multiple fields to be exported to PDF and triggering document generation through automations. This upgrade is especially valuable for onboarding new employees, providing instant document creation for employment contracts and training schedules.
SECURITY: Meeting the stringent requirements for data privacy and security, SmartSuite achieved SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA compliance in 2024, cementing its commitment to protecting user data.
Looking Ahead to 2025
2024 has been a year of remarkable progress for SmartSuite, showcasing improvements across automation, visualization, formulas, and document management. These updates provide unparalleled capabilities to support growing businesses. As we eagerly anticipate 2025, what update or feature excites you the most? For many, it's the enriched automation capabilities that have expanded potential uses significantly.
If you're interested in integrating SmartSuite solutions into your workflow or automating parts of your business, reach out at automationhelpers.com for a complimentary 30-minute consultation with our expert team. Don't miss out on maximizing your business efficiency for the coming year.
