What's New in Meridian Enterprise Server 2013

BlueCielo Meridian Explorer 2013 together with BlueCielo Publisher 2013 has been integrated into the new BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise Server. Meridian Enterprise Server (not to be confused with the flagship product Meridian Enterprise) is a web-based service platform for BlueCielo products. Meridian Enterprise Server combines the features of BlueCielo Publisher and Meridian Explorer into a single, more scalable solution for technical documentation publishing and online delivery.

BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise Server 2013 (and higher) is a complete replacement for prior versions of BlueCielo Publisher and Meridian Explorer that has been completely redesigned and reprogrammed. This allows Meridian Enterprise Server to provide additional functionality over prior versions of those products. Although Meridian Enterprise Server has most of the same features as prior versions of BlueCielo Publisher and Meridian Explorer, the products are not compatible and Meridian Enterprise Server 2013 should not be considered as an in-place upgrade for those products. For Meridian Enterprise Server system requirements, installation, and upgrade instructions, see the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise Server Administrator's Guide. For experienced administrators, a shorter BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise Server Quick Start Guide is also available.

Meridian Enterprise Server provides a web-based administration console named Configurator for all BlueCielo Publisher and Meridian Explorer configuration. The BlueCielo Application Manager is no longer needed to configure Publisher and the prior configuration user interface of Meridian Explorer has been replaced. Many administrative tasks can be performed as background tasks so that the administrator can continue working and complete the tasks later. No client software installation is required to administer Meridian Enterprise Server. Everything can be done through the modern, fluid, web interface that dynamically reveals details, uses popup dialog boxes for most user input, and minimizes page refreshes and reloads. The style is flatter, simpler, and similar to Windows 8 and Windows Store apps. Like BlueCielo Publisher and Meridian Explorer before it, Meridian Enterprise Server stores all data in standard MS SQL Server or Oracle databases. This includes configuration settings (no more registry editing) and a complete audit log of all system activity.

The major new features of Meridian Explorer in Meridian Enterprise Server include:

• Meridian Explorer security now uses BlueCielo groups and user accounts, not Windows groups. The users and their properties plus groups can be mapped, imported, and synchronized from MS Active Directory.
• Meridian Explorer security has been greatly enhanced with configurable security roles, permission levels, global permissions, multi-level item security based on property values, and separate permissions for projects.
• The Meridian Explorer client website has been freshened with a similar look and feel to Meridian Enterprise Server Configurator, with a new command ribbon and tabs for keeping multiple documents or projects open simultaneously.
• A version of the Meridian Explorer client website that has been optimized for the Apple iPad. Specific repository views can be enabled for mobile viewing.
• Relationships between tags are now synchronized to Meridian, supported in searches, and are shown on the References tab.

• Collections may be created similar to Meridian Enterprise.

  Note    The BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise User's Guide mistakenly states that the collections can be shared. They cannot be shared.

• User searches and navigation method changes are now considered as the scope of a repository view and can be accumulated to iteratively refine the search results list.
• Comparing documents, revisions, and project copies is now supported.
• Batch draft printing is now supported by the AutoVue Client/Server viewer.
• Project folders can be synchronized from Meridian Enterprise.

The improvements to existing features include:

• Support for MS SQL Server 2012 and Oracle 12c has been added. Support for MS SQL Server 2008 32-bit, MS SQL Server 2005 and earlier, and Oracle 11g Release 1 and earlier has been discontinued. For more information, see BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise Supported Software for this version.
• Document URLs (hyperlinks) are now included in the metadata that is exported by the Export to Excel command.
• The minimum screen resolution for Meridian client PCs is reduced to 1024x768 pixels.
• Hyperlinks may now be generated that open the items in a viewer window or download the item content. A new option makes the hyperlinks refer to the latest releases revisions of the items. Hyperlinks for a selection of items may now be sent in a single email message with one click.
• During repository synchronization, property values can be calculated using simple expressions.

The installation procedure for creating an iPad website on the Meridian Enterprise Server web server was excluded from the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise Server Administrator's Guide in the Meridian Enterprise Server setup package. The correct procedure is in the following topic.