Orbis MRM 6.5 Release Guide
Orbis MRM 6.5 Overview
Orbis MRM 6.5 was released on 21st December 2011. This is an exciting upgrade which includes the launch of our new automated workflow solution. Based on customer input and extensive research, we have developed a solution that will dramatically speed up the way Orbis MRM is used.
Automation is the key to operational efficiency and control in marketing. Through the implementation of marketing automation comes streamlined workflows, embedded best practices, incorporation of all stakeholder activity and, as a result, greater visibility and control.
Figure 6.5.1 – Adding an activity establishes the workflow of that activity type with task dates automatically
calculated based on the launch date
Orbis MRM 6.5 will also deliver several interface enhancements as well as some intuitive additions to the Digital Asset Library and a more configurable Creative Showroom. Finally, this release will see an overall improvement in our browser support for Safari which will significantly improve usability for Apple/MAC users.
All the new features and enhancements to Orbis MRM outlined in this guide have been strongly inspired by valuable customer feedback. We continue to seek input on our product direction and encourage all customer recommendations.
New Orbis MRM Workflow Automation
Orbis MRM 6.5 will deliver tremendous efficiency to your marketing operation by automating a number of the steps you would normally go through to define marketing activities.
We understand from speaking with our customers that each activity has quite a few standardized associated tasks related to that activity. E.g. when creating an outbound HTML email, you need to brainstorm, brief, sort the creative, get it approved, and finally get it out to the market.
Orbis MRM 6.5 allows you to create an activity that has all these associated tasks ready to go, and will work backwards from the “in-market date” and organize all the tasks by duration necessary to get the piece to market. Of course, each activity can be customized to suit e.g. you may be using external graphic designers for a particular piece, so you may want to add a day or two to the creative process of the HTML email in this example.
The new workflow solution provides users with an array of tools to administer and use workflows within campaign activities allowing efficient management of key workstreams and expediting the production from the initial brief to launching the final activity.
Highlights
- Define your workflows, assign them to activity types, and every time you add that activity type the workflow is established for you, with dates automatically calculated based on the planned launch date for the activity
- Edit the workflow by adding and removing tasks specific to each individual activity
- Change a launch date and watch the task chart change instantly on the screen, highlighting which tasks would be under pressure based on the new launch date
- Automatically progress an activity through its stages using pre-defined yet adaptable workflows requesting the participation of people when required. Alerts are also sent out when tasks become overdue ensuring that teams stay on top of the tasks that have been assigned to them
- Organize tasks that need to be completed into workstreams and have complete visibility over your planned vs. actuals allowing you to keep your launch on track
Orbis MRM 6.5 Key Features
Set up and manage workflow definitions
Figure 6.5.2 - A view of all workflow definitions and the activity types they are assigned to
- Unlimited number of workflows and task definitions.
Create as many workflows with task definitions to meet your launch requirements - Smart way of administering your workflows.
Quick access to recently created and modified workflow definitions
Ability to sort, filter and identify workflows based on the name, description or even the activity types that they are assigned to using the latest Orbis MRM grid control - Single dependencies and multiple workstreams.
Organize interrelated tasks in a workflow into workstreams. Workstreams provide the capability of creating multiple groupings of tasks that need to be completed in an activity whilst dependencies provide a way of enforcing a sequential ordering in which tasks are completed leading up to the launch - Estimate your work effort and task durations
Allocate and plan the amount of work effort and time required to complete tasks in a workflow
Determine the workflow of an activity type
Figure 6.5.3 – Associate a workflow to an activity type e.g. Banner
- Link a workflow to one or more activity types
Orbis MRM gives you the capability to link as many activities as you want to a workflow - View all activity types and the workflows associated to them
Easily identify the relationships between all activity types and workflows from one screen
Timeline of tasks within an activity workflow
Figure 6.5.4 – Get a complete view of the activity workflow. Items in red indicate tasks which are overdue
or cannot be completed in time based on the current launch date
- Gantt view of workflow
Preview the schedule relationships between tasks in a workflow with respect to the planned launch date. Also, hover your mouse over a task bar to bring up the key details pertaining to the task - Understand the impact of shifts in the launch date
Change the launch date and instantly see the tasks in the workflow which would be under pressure - View tasks that fall within a certain period
Tasks that fall between certain dates can be viewed by selecting a time period with the flexible timebar selector. This can be adjusted by moving and dragging the timebar - Identify tasks that are under pressure
Overdue tasks which can have an adverse impact on your launch date appear in red on the task chart allowing you to quickly identify and act on them
Plan, manage and execute your workflow from one place
Figure 6.5.5 – Have an overview of the workflow in an activity
- Plan your launch with one click
Orbis MRM automatically creates all the tasks in the workflow calculating their dates by working back from the launch date based on the pre-defined workflow rules - Roll up or drill down
The ability to collapse and expand all task information essentially gives you the flexibility to get a high level summary of your workflow or drill down into the details - Adapt a workflow to meet the requirements of an activity
Edit the workflow by adding or removing tasks specific to the individual activity. Assimilate new tasks into the workflow by setting dependencies and have task dates automatically recalculated for your launch - Real-time updates to workflow schedule
Complete visibility of the progression of tasks in a workflow gives you a greater degree of control over the activity lifecycle
Keep your launch on track by having clear visibility over Planned vs. Actuals
Figure 6.5.6 – Change the status, raise a flag or record the actual dates and work effort of a task in the workflow
- Track your actual task durations and work effort
Have clear visibility of planned vs. actual dates, duration and work effort - Automated email alerts
Team members are automatically prompted when tasks are assigned. Alerts are also sent when tasks are reassigned, overdue or cancelled - Flag any tasks that require attention
Tasks which require attention can be easily flagged
Orbis MRM 6.5 Enhancements
- Creative Showroom
Added support for configurable DPI (Dots per inch) - Digital Asset Library
Folder browser now includes the Asset ID
Search results now include the Asset ID - Home Screen
New layout provides more real estate and a refreshing new look
Figure 6.5.7 - See the Asset ID of a resource in a column
Orbis MRM 6.5 Obsolete features
No features have been made obsolete in this release
Please contact your local Orbis helpdesk or Relationship Manager if you have any questions or would like to provide feedback.
Kind Regards,
The Team from Orbis Global
