Hello everyone,
This update is focussed mainly on our new mobile application. The app has been given far more than a lick of new paint and in fact has been rebuilt from the ground up to deliver a smooth, more intuitive and more accessible experience for everyone.
This app is being released into the app store over the weekend (14 & 15 Sept 2024) so many of your staff and colleagues may start using it from Monday 16 September 2024.
The key message for this update is to just make you aware that this new app has launched and that your staff may be using it and to give you some additional information should any of your team have any questions.
As always, should you wish to find out more about any of this, then please contact your Account Manager .
What's in this update?
New mobile application
This coming weekend sees us release our updated mobile app. The app will be available for everyone to download from Apple app store and Google Play store From 14 or 15 September 2024. Although it will install as an 'update' - it really is much more than an update. Our team have been working tirelessly to squeeze as much in to this update as possible and hopefully the details below will demonstrate that.
We are sending this update to you (administrators and key contacts) in advance so that you are aware of the change and so that if any of your staff or teams reach out to you about the app and how it is different then you are already aware and can reassure anyone with questions.
So here are a few questions answered for you in advance:
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Is the login process changing in any way?
Rest assured, the login process will remain unchanged - the screens may look a little different but it works in exactly the same way.
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Will I get the update automatically?
If you already have the app downloaded and you have apps set to automatically update then yes, by Monday morning you will have the new app installed on your phone ready to use. If you do not automatically update apps, then please visit the app store and search for Matrix Booking and select the update as soon as you are ready and then the process will be automatic from there.
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My company doesn't allow us to download apps - can I still use it?
If your company runs its own 'app store' then it will be delayed a few days whilst your IT team download the latest version and copy it over to your store - but rest assured it will arrive shortly.
If your company does not allow the use of mobile apps then unfortunately you will have to miss out on this exciting upgrade, however we are always happy to discuss this with your IT team to see if there is anything we can do to assist and make the app more accessible to you so please reach out to your Account Manager .
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Why are you emailing ahead of the update?
We are giving you this advance notice to pre-empt any questions you or your colleagues may have and to allow you time to communicate any important messages to your teams before this update is pushed to any of your staff that already have the app. Our training team have also updated the eLearning lesson on the mobile app (lesson 13 – mobile) which is available to everyone.
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Do I have to upgrade to the latest version?
As with most app updates, the update is not currently a mandatory requirement - you can choose to delay the upgrade to a more suitable or convenient time. However, any bugs or issues that are raised with the app in the future will be fixed and added to the next update, so to benefit from these you will need to update to the current version.
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What are the main benefits of this upgrade?
Some of the big changes include;
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full restyling so your bookings look clearer even from the homepage
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tapping on a booking shows you where this booking is on a floor plan
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the search button is now in a slightly more intuitive, logical place.
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you can now make bookings on behalf of others (if you have permission to do so)
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Accessibility compliance
The chart below provides an overview of the different changes you will see in the new mobile app:
*There is a single form element that does not have a label. This is specific to the close button on the menu for resource types in some scenarios for screen readers (WCAG success criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A), and 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A). ( more details )
Please feel free to share the above features and download links to any of your staff that may be interested in using the mobile app.
Finally, because the app has redesigned from the bottom up we have been able to really give a focus to accessibility and design patterns and we are extremely proud to say that our app has been fully reviewed and certified by an independent body to be WCAG 2.2 AA compliant with the exception of a single form element.
If you do have any further questions about the mobile app then reach out to your Account Manager who will be happy to assist you.
Meet the team
Yesterday (11 Sep 2024), a few of the team visited Manchester to attend the Government Property Conference in Manchester. This was a great opportunity to look further ahead at the overall property strategy and how our products can continue to help GPA (Government Property Agency) and their customers deliver on their strategic objectives.
Other upcoming events:
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Healthcare Estates : 8 to 9 October 2024 (Manchester Central)
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NHS Property 2024 : 6 November 2024 (London)
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Worktech 2024 : 19 to 20 November (London)
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Anticipate 2024 : 2 to 4 December (London)
For more information about these and other events, please visit the events area on our website .
Additional support and Training Hub
As we continually rollout new functions and features, you may find it useful to refresh your knowledge of our product and how it can help your business, especially as everyone’s journey into hybrid working is different.
It might be helpful to make sure you and your fellow Matrix Booking Administrators arrange some refresher training. This can be in dedicated sessions or it could be just using the e-learning modules we have available in our free Training Hub . Some of the e-learning modules may be useful for your wider teams, feel free to link to these from your internal knowledge bases, Sharepoint, or intranet.
If you would like to arrange any refresher training for your teams, contact your Account Manager who will arrange this for you.
Supporting information
Make sure all of your Administrators have access to our Support Portal to allow them to raise issues and access to .
Why am I getting this email?
You're receiving this operational email because you're either a Matrix Booking Administrator or you’re registered with us as a key contact involved with Matrix Booking. If this isn't the case or you no longer wish to receive these updates, select the update your preferences link at the bottom of this email.
This is also the same contact list we use to advise of any system issues or service updates. If you fully unsubscribe from this, you'll unsubscribe from both types of email.
If you’re updating your workplace processes and rules or if you would like more information about anything in this email or our other products, contact us to see how we can provide help or support with those plans and using Matrix Booking in general.
Regards from everyone here at Matrix Booking,
Ian Jones
Director of Operations