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9.0: Prodigy - Release Notes

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We are incredibly proud to announce the launch of version 9.0, codename Prodigy, a seismic update that fundamentally transforms how you build and collaborate on the Toca platform. Every change in this release is focused on one central goal: empowering you to build applications faster than ever before.

From a simpler, more focused interface to powerful new organizational layers and seamless external connectivity, Prodigy is a monumental step forward for low-code development. Get ready to experience a platform that truly keeps pace with your ambition.

What's New

Workspaces

In any complex environment, great organization is the key to velocity. Workspaces introduce a powerful new organizational layer to Toca, simplifying navigation and dramatically improving collaboration.

  • Group Everything: A Workspace is a dedicated container where you can logically group related Automation Projects, Apps (Web Applications), and Data Stores (Persistent Storage).
  • Simplify Collaboration: Share and manage access to entire solution sets with specific teams or users in one place.
  • Streamlined Navigation: Contextualize your work and easily switch between distinct projects or departmental initiatives without losing focus.

Migration of existing projects

Don't worry, your existing projects will continue to work but they will be grouped together when you first upgrade to version 9 and placed in their own workspaces. When you first arrive to the platform post upgrade to Prodigy, you'll be taken through a wizard that will show you how we've grouped them and give you the opportunity to change anything if you want to group things differently.

UI Redesign

We have completely re-engineered the Toca user interface. We stripped away the visual clutter, moving away from overly stylized elements to deliver an experience that is as simple as possible, but no simpler.

  • Clarity and Purpose: Every single pixel now serves a purpose. The design focuses your attention squarely on the design environments where you build your automation and apps.
  • Unrivaled Focus: Gone are the distracting drop shadows and rounded corners. The new UI champions a clean, direct aesthetic, letting the software you build be the star.
  • Optimized Navigation: We've introduced improved signposting and a suite of new hotkeys to make moving through the platform swift and intuitive.

External Datastores

Stop rebuilding your data structure! With External Datastores, Toca now allows you to connect directly to your existing SQL databases, integrating your applications with enterprise data in seconds.

  • Zero-Migration Integration: Connect to an external database and immediately begin using its tables and views within your Toca applications.
  • Broad Support: We offer native support for the industry's leading SQL databases:
    • Microsoft SQL Server
    • Azure SQL Server
    • PostgreSQL
    • MySQL
    • MariaDB
  • Secure Connection: For enhanced security, you can establish connections via SSH Tunneling.

Notifications and Comments

Prodigy makes Toca an even more powerful environment for team-based development, ensuring you stay in sync whether you're building, debugging, or monitoring.

In-Designer Comments

  • Contextual Feedback: Leave comments, reply, and react directly next to the code or components in the automation and app designers.
  • Tag and Link: Effortlessly tag other users to bring them into the discussion or natively link to other entities (like apps or projects) within the platform for crystal-clear reference.

Platform-Wide Notifications

  • Stay Informed: Receive real-time notifications for important events happening throughout the platform.
  • Multi-Device Alerts: Get alerts on a range of devices, ensuring you are always aware of critical activity without having to leave your current screen.
  • Slack Notifications: You can connect your Slack workspace to your Toca platform so that it sends notifications to a Slack channel of your choice. This lets you see what is happening with your Toca platform without ever leaving the comfort of your messaging platform.

Bug Fixes

A number of bug fixes were included in this release across the platform.

Contact <support@toca.io> for a full list of bug fixes included within this release.

Deprecated

Nothing has been deprecated in this release.

The Toca team is confident that Prodigy will redefine your development experience. Dive in, explore the new interface, and start leveraging these powerful features to build faster than you ever thought possible.

Happy Building!

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