Please note: These release notes will probably be supplemented in the next few days/weeks after they have been sent out by e-mail. So if in doubt, please read the current version in the forum!
Dear community, dear EGroupware developers and users,
we are pleased that EGroupware EGroupware 21.1 is now, 25 March 2021 available.
Information in webinars, lectures and websites
Newsletter/Blog: New features and applications in EGroupware 21.1
Newsletter/Blog: Neue Funktionen in EGroupware 21.1
() Webinar Kanban in EGroupware - Video und Vortragsfolien
Webinar: smallPART mit PrĂĽfungen
CLT 2021: EGroupware im Homeoffice und in Bildungseinrichtungen Video und Vortragsfolien
Tux-Tage 2020: Vorträge zu EGroupware für Anwender und Admins: Videos und Vortragsfolien verfügbar
Presentation video and slides lecture Grazer Linux Tage 2021 - New in EGroupware 21.1
Vortragsvideo und Folien Vortrag Grazer Linux Tage 2021 - Neues in EGroupware 21.1
Open Education Day 2021 - Pädagogische Hochschule Bern - smallPART lecture
Open Education Day 2021 - Pädagogische Hochschule Bern - smallPART Vortrag
Webinare zum Thema CTI in EGroupware:
Technical information on the installation/update/integration of further applications:
Release Notes Maintanance Updates
The extended Release Notes of the Maintanance Releases (and the beta and release candidates 21.1) are collected in this topics:
New features, preferences or other important things (since release) of EGroupware 21.1
in chronological order.
Questions or suggestions?
If you have any questions or suggestions about this release notes, please post them in the forum. And please take into account:
How do I report a problem/error correctly?
Wie melde ich ein Problem/Fehler richtig?
Kind regards
Your EGroupware Team​
Perform the update
The update is triggered by installing a package update. The package update sets the configuration to 21.1, downloads the 21.1 Docker container and installs it.
The due database update is executed when the new Docker container is started for the first time.
That’s it 
Thus, it can be freely decided when the update is to be performed.
For a “manual” update, for example on a Docker NAS, only the version number must be adjusted in the Docker Compose configuration file.
Further information:
Manual (container) update in a Docker installation
Manuelles (Container)-Update in einer Docker-Installation
We recommend testing the update on a test system.
In principle, however, it should also be possible to switch back to the last 20.1 container. Despite the changes to the database schema. In special/individual cases, however, this may not work. Therefore:
It is absolutely necessary to create a backup of the system/database before the update!
Content:
Since the release of version 20.1, we have integrated some functions and configurations via updates. The most important ones are listed here:
There are already new functions (all CE) in 20.1 (after release):
- Address book sharing
- Resend Appointment Notification
- Video conference: Integration BigBlueButton
- Open in EGroupware tabs: CRM
- Configuration for phpMyAdmin
- Push server diagnostics
- EGroupware Mail Server Package
- and many little things…
Details in the complete extended changelog:
New features, preferences or other important things (since release) of EGroupware 20.1 Part 2
The biggest part in this update: A new app Kanban in EGroupware.
This is a modul of the EPL version!
Webseite EGroupware-Funktionen: Kanban
Website EGroupware functions: Kanban
Managing workflows, projekts and tasks with Kanban
In EGroupware EPL you can control processes easily and smartly with the new Kanban application. The Kanban method is suitable for sales processes, project organisation, software development or the management of other services.
The core of Kanban is visualisation and limitation of the tasks to be completed simultaneously. As soon as capacities become free, an employee “picks” a task from the pool and pulls it onto “Work in Progress”.
EGroupware objects can be automatically assigned to a board as a card and actions/changes can be automatically triggered when moving cards.
The Kanban module is a great universal tool to manage tasks and projects. Integrated in EGroupware: contacts, tasks, tickets, files/folders, users, … everything is already available.
The individual functions of the Kanban app are too much for this release note to describe here.
Until we have fully documented this, a webinar (in German) and the slides (German and English) are available here:
( Slides) Webinar: Kanban
This is a function of the EPL version!
Dialling from EGroupware via URL and opening address entries for calls had been possible for a long time. With the appropriate telephone system and, if necessary, middleware software.
Now full integration of (suitable) telephone systems realised. For this, (only) cloud telephone systems are usually considered.
The interface is designed generically. First, however, we have fully implemented the connection of the telephone services of our partner Placetel.
Since the integration and the range of functions is very extensive, only the functions and possibilities are briefly listed here:
- Dial from EGroupware (everywhere where a telephone number is displayed)
- On Call Open CRM View (InfoLog or Ticket system) Caller
- Call list (incoming/outgoing, answering machine, filterable)
- Actions from call list: callback, call => timesheet, , call => InfoLog, , call => contact, => CRM-view…)
- Display incoming, outgoing and missed calls in the calendar (+ actions)
- Busy Display EGroupware User
- Transfer EGroupware users to Placetel including phone numbers, Extension and, if applicable, MAC address of the telephone (also many at once!)
- User can pair softphone (Android, iOS) directly via QR code from EGroupware
- All administrative activities of the daily business can be done in EGroupware
- …
We have already organised 3 webinars (in German) on this major topic. Here are the links again:
Webinare zum Thema CTI in EGroupware:
We want to provide more detailed information as soon as possible. Until then, our website
and the Placetel web pages
offer a lot of information.
Integration of other telephone systems:
Simply contact us to find out whether an integration of the telephone system is possible.
We are a Gold Partner of Placetel. From the provision of a test account to the configuration/integration in EGroupware, we offer our support.
If you are interested, please contact us.
This is a modul of the EPL version!
Among the previous ways to operate EGroupware securely:
- Brute Force
- 2FA
- Password rules
- Restriction Setup
- (SSL transport encryption)
the EGroupware firewall (EPL function!) now offers the possibility to further restrict the login to the web interface. Factors are (currently):
- Time (time, day of the week)
- Origin (network, IP address)
- Group membership
- 2FA
Other factors can be implemented in the future.
The logic and functionality follows that of conventional network firewalls. Rules are created, which are then run through in the specified order.
The created set of rules can be tested directly in the configuration:
The created rules can be reordered by DnD.
With a misconfiguration, you can block your own access! Therefore, always keep another session open in a private tab or another browser.
For example, it is possible that only users who are in a certain group can log on to EGroupware from outside (Internet, untrusted network).
More details will follow in a separate article.
smallPART, our module for video-based learning, which was introduced with version 20.1, is now getting a major update:
Exams and tests with smallPART
With smallPART, video-based tests can now be created, conducted and assessed.
Details can be found on our smallPART/Exams with videos website:
This great tool is suitable for many use cases:
- Schools/universities in education
- Training for employees in companies (safety trainings, IS safety, …)
- Driving schools
- Shared discussion/evaluation of (technical) recordings
- EGroupware trainings
- …
A long lecture also about smallPART (unfortunately in German and only German slides):
CLT 2021: EGroupware im Homeoffice und in Bildungseinrichtungen Video und Vortragsfolien
File sharing has been extended to include (organisational) internal file sharing. Thus, files and folders can now be shared between internal users.
Both files and folders can be mounted in the personal file area (as long as the share exists).
This supplements the previous possibilities to realise file system permissions for groups/users via ACLs. This always requires a user with administrative rights.
Sharing is done as before (file sharing) in the file manager.
The notification of a release therefore always takes place by e-mail.
The recipient(s) then have the possibility to access the files/folders. Until now, this was not technically possible if you were logged into EGroupware yourself.
Files are immediately added to
/home/user/shares
Folders can also be made available permanently in
/home/user/shares/folders
In 21.1, another theme is delivered, which represents EGroupware in dark mode:
The dark mode can be easily switched directly in the EGroupware interface:
We have integrated a configuration option in the user settings:
Thus, the setting can be set as a forced setting, a default setting or a user setting.
EGroupware also reacts to the setting of the operating system/web browser. To do this, the setting must be set to “auto”.
For a while now we have been offering an installation package for a mail server.
This mail server integrates seamlessly into EGroupware and you can administer everything you need for your daily business via EGroupware.
The push module is also integrated. This means that e-mails are displayed in EGroupware as soon as they arrive on the mail server.
Installed on an EGroupware standard installation (Prerequisites!) with
apt install egroupware-mail
Prerequisites are, among others: An EGroupware standard Docker installation!
An article in the forum describes the EGroupware mail server in more detail:
EGroupware Mail - containerized mail-server for EGroupware
Beschreibung EGroupware Mail
We have also created a category in the forum:
For this topic we recommend the assistance of our professional support.
Together we check the requirements and the possibilities of using the EGroupware mail server. We also assist with the implementation and migration.
=> Contact
The push introduced with the 20.1 is extended in the 21.1 by the modules
- Address Book
- Helpdesk
- Kanban
Push?
EGroupware pushes changes to the clients by itself.
Example:
Two users (somewhere …) have opened a Kanban board and are talking to each other via video call. If one employee moves a card to another column, the card is also moved immediately for the other user. Both always see the same status.
As always with a new EGroupware version, we have added a new standard background image:
The “Your session time…” is now centred smaller at the top.
We have moved the social media links to the login box to make room for an app showcase at the bottom. The individual modules are described here via mouse-over.
After logging in, a new start animation appears with the apps that are available to the user.
EGroupware also has a new logo and a new motto:
Smart Online Office
- Smart : Intelligent linking of information
- Online : Web application usable on all platforms
- Office : (Almost) complete office in the web browser
EGroupware is now fully PHP 7.4 compatible. The 21.1 container is thus also delivered with PHP 7.4.
Archive or Git installations can now also be operated on PHP 7.4.
PHP 8.0 compatibility is in progress and almost finished. Appropriately tagged containers are available for testing:
https://registry.hub.docker.com/r/egroupware/egroupware/tags?page=1&ordering=last_updated
We are currently developing on PHP 7.4 (soon on PHP 8.0), so to be clear, we cannot promise compatibility for older (or newer) PHP versions. In development, we are forced to work with fixed versions in order to keep the development and testing efforts within a possible range.
This also applies to our Docker container for DB, Web server, Push, COOL, Rocket.Chat.
It is now possible to control the PHP max_execution_time via the EGW_MAX_EXECUTION_ME parameter in the
docker-compose(.override).yml
This can be necessary in installations with very large amounts of data (or slower hardware).
We have moved the search to the top menu and added a filter selection on the rigt side. In this way, we have aligned both with other modules.
Now, in many cases, the sidebar can be hidden to get more space on the screen for the calendar.
The selections in the sidebar under the date selection have been rearranged and thematically separated with hyphens.
Calendar: Buttons for video-calls, InfoLogs, phone calls
Im Kalender stehen nun drei neue Button zur VerfĂĽgung:
-
video calls
During an ad-hoc video call with a user, appointments are created to book the video conference resource and to monitor availability. These appointments can now be hidden/shown with the button.
-
InfoLogs
If the display of InfoLogs in the calendar (EPL function) is switched on, the Infolog entries can now be hidden/shown.
-
phone calls
For telephone calls with CTI support (EPL function), the telephone calls are entered in the calendar. These entries can now be hidden/shown.
The buttons only appear if the corresponding functions are switched on/configured for the user!
Status/BBB: support record a meeting and play/download it via calendar
The recording of a BigBlueButton (BBB) conference can be started in BBB:
The recording function can be disabled in the administration under:
/Admin/Applications/Status/Site configuration
Recordings can be played back directly via the context menu in the calendar:
We would like to take this opportunity to once again recommend our partner for BigBlueButton:
Older Article about bbbserver.de
Ă„lterer Artikel ĂĽber bbbserver.de
Please do not forget to transmit the Partner Connect ID immediately after registration !
=> by e-mail to info@egroupware.org
For Jitsi we recommend our partner KiwiTalk
More Information:
Jitsi in EGroupware with KiwiTalk
Jitsi in EGroupware mit KiwiTalk
File Manager: Mount WebDAV shares
Previously, external directories/shares could be mounted in EGroupware via SMB, local directories, FTP:
Mounten von Verzeichnissen/Freigaben im EGroupware-Dateimanager
Mounting directories/shares in the EGroupware file manager
Now it is also possible to mount WebDAV shares in EGroupware.
For example, shares from other EGroupware instances can be integrated.
Collabora Online: Support for Draw
With Collabora Online 6.4.7, Draw is offered as an application:
Major new features with macros and Draw in Collabora Online update
Wichtige neue Funktionen mit Makros und Draw im Collabora Online Update
In EGroupware, the Draw file types (odg, …) are processed accordingly and the Add menu is extended to include Draw.
Collabora Online: User setting interface
Since Collabora Online 6.4.0, the interface can be switched to the so-called notebook bar:
Collabora Online: Changing the user interface classic <=> notebookbar
Collabora Online: Wechsel der Benutzeroberfläche Classic <=> Notebookbar
Now the desired interface can be selected in the user preferences:
Or be preset/forced by the admin…
E-mail: Address configuration
It is now possible to configure the generated/displayed address.
Example:
Addressing up to now:
Mr Stefan Unverricht (EGroupware GmbH) <su@egroupware.org>
Now configurable:
Therefore also possible without company and salutation:
Stefan Unverricht <su@egroupware.org>
The setting is located in the user preferences:
This means that (gender-specific) salutations can still be maintained in the address book without using them in the address. In some cultures this is now unwanted. Also in Germany…
The company name can also be removed in this way. The company name should help with searching, but often makes the address very long. This can now also be avoided.
Push: allow setting EGW_MAX_PUSH_USERS
It is now possible to address a large number of push users.
The standard was previously 1024.
The current maximum number is displayed in the log.
InfoLog: Add info_owner/merge placeholders
It is now possible to insert the owner of an InfoLog as a variable in document outputs or e-mails:
Resources: allow custom icons for categories
It is now possible to select your own icons from the storage path under
/Admin/Admin/Site Configuration/General/Enter the VFS path where additional images...
in the resources as a category icon.
This way, a resource inherits the icon if it is selected:
smallPART: Support LTI 1.3, Shibboleth v4.0
Added support for LTI 1.3 and Shibboleth v4.0.
This extends the integration possibilities of smallPART in LMS (Moodle, OpenOLAT, …) and the compatibility to current authentication mechanisms.
smallPART: Improved Moodle integration
The integration of smallPART in Moodle has been improved.
Further documentation in the GitHub Wiki:
If you have any questions or problems, please create a topic in the forum:
or (better for this topic) contact our support:
General: Functions/icons of applications not granted
App-icons from applications that are not granted for the user are now no longer offered in other applications.
For example: InfoLog or the file manager in the e-mail module.
General: New icons, translations, graphical changes
The visual appearance has been further improved:
- Icons replaced
- Fields adjusted
- Fields in settings reordered
- …
Many translations have been added or improved.
These points are always “work in progress”!
We are happy to receive tips on incorrect or unclear translations. => Forum
Community translators please change translations directly on our translation server.
Further translators are welcome! Interested? => su@egroupware.org
Professional support
As always, we offer professional support for update or migration:
Technical Services and Professional Support
We also offer this for users of the Community Edition!
Contact
=> Contact us
