Summary
Release Notes
Encore 5.3 is in general release.
NOTE: If your library uses Single Sign On (SSO) with Encore please see this Solution before requesting an upgrade: Encore 4.7+ and SSO.
NOTE: Sierra 5.3 is now the required version of Sierra and must be installed prior to the upgrade of Encore 5.3.
System changes in Encore 5.3
- RHEL 6 / CentOS 6 is no longer supported in Sierra and Encore 5.3
- RHEL 8 / CentOS 8 support
Support for version 8 of Red Hat / CentOS was developed for Sierra 5.3 and Encore 5.3, and for Red Hat users this will deliver OS support through the year 2029, but for CentOS users Red Hat's December 2020 Announcement that CentOS 8 updates will end December 31, 2021 (replaced by CentOS Stream 8), leaves no Sierra-compatible CentOS updates after that date. This means for CentOS users, CentOS 7 rather than CentOS 8 is now the longer lived CentOS choice, offering support through June 30, 2024. The now-longer-lived CentOS 7 continues to be supported in Sierra 5.3 and Encore 5.3, and so Innovative expects CentOS libraries will remain on or migrate to CentOS 7 rather than 8 because of the now shorter lifespan of CentOS 8, while Red Hat libraries will migrate to Red Hat 8, which is still on its original timeline. As Red Hat compatible CentOS 8 alternatives emerge, Innovative will consider those for Sierra and Encore support, and CentOS libraries are encouraged to share their thoughts and preferences regarding a successor to CentOS.
Highlighted Fixes in Encore 5.3
Requires Sierra version 5.3 or later
- Fixed an issue where the INN-Reach logo image cannot be loaded onto the Encore page if the passthrough search link to the Central INN-Reach system goes to WebPAC instead of Encore on the Central INN-Reach.
- Fixed an issue where logging out of SSO-proxied Encore in Firefox does not successfully redirect back to the Encore home page and displays an error.
- Fixed an issue with the ChiliFresh rating star images not being named properly for use with screenreaders.
- Fixed an issue where Selecting Encore facets refreshes the Encore results screen, contravening Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- Fixed an issue in Encore Duet searches, the last catalog record in a result set disappears if any facet is selected while the patron has selected the Plus tab.
- Fixed an issue with OverDrive outages causing Encore to become unresponsive if the OverDrive integration in Encore is enabled at the time of the outage.
- Fixed an issue where clicking on the "sample" link on an Overdrive ebook image, an "epub" file is downloaded and no sample is displayed.
- Fixed an issue with the back button not working properly when navigating from the Holds section of My Account to a record in the holds list and then back (using the browser back button), the holds list is not populated.
- Fixed an issue with Encore incorrectly generating title search for INN-Reach passthrough search link.
- Fixed an issue with Syndetics cover images not displaying correctly when using an ISSN to retrieve the image.
- Fixed an issue with Product Information (labeled on the Encore full record display as Prod.Info) sent by Content Cafe being poorly formatted and largely presenting information that is "inappropriate" for patrons.
- Fixed an issue with 9xx call numbers are not indexed in Encore.
- Fixed an issue where a checkin record has two call numbers, only the first displays in Encore. In the WebPAC the two call numbers display.
- Fixed an issue with some authority records not returning results (as Established Terms in Encore) working unless a space and wilcard is added to search.
Known Issues
Please visit the Resolved Issues in Encore 5.3 solution for information on issues reported and fixed in this release. For a complete list of existing Known Issues from Encore 4.6 through the present release, see Outstanding Known Issues for Encore (4.6-5.3)
Preparing to update your system
System Requirements
To upgrade to Encore 5.3, your library must meet the following requirements:
- Your library must be running on at least Millennium 2014 SP6 or Sierra 5.3 as the system requirement. If upgrading an INN-Reach central Encore server, please do not install Encore 5.3 until Resource Sharing 3.4 is installed.
- In addition, your library should have completed a full backup on the Encore server within the last 24 hours.
- If your library has Synergy Portfolios, you must open port 8006 on the Encore server for outbound access. (See Configuring Your Firewall.)
- Your Encore server must have 24 GB of available memory. The system must also be 64-bit with at least 8 cores. If you are a hosted customer, please open a ticket via the Supportal to schedule your upgrade with Discovery staff.
Changes to Expect
- As of Encore 4.3, the gold skin is the only skin option for Encore. If you are updating from an earlier release, you will see that change.
- As of Encore 4.3, there are changes to the syntax for the passthrough search. If you are upgrading from 4.2, please see Add an Encore search box to a web page for more details.
Pre-upgrade Preparation
- If you are upgrading from Encore 4.2 to Encore 5.3, determine what Patron Page functions to offer your Encore users. If you are upgrading from Encore 4.3 or higher to Encore 5.3, you will not be prompted to determine Patron Page functions to offer to your Encore users.
- To configure Patron Page functions, see Customizing Patron Page Functions in the Encore Staff Guide.
Release Notes
Release notes include software behavior changes introduced in the update (some may have implications for training or data review prior to upgrade), any actions library staff should take prior to or just after updating the system, and notification of new features and other enhancements included in the update.
Actions staff must take
The Upgrade Manager is a web application developed for performing self upgrades of your Encore system, available in Encore 4.1 and later Encore releases.
Your library's upgrade process consists of two phases: preparation and commit.
To schedule an upgrade for your Innovative-hosted Encore system, please submit a ticket via the Supportal.
NOTE: Starting with Sierra 5.0, a change was made to allow for all software upgrades to use signed URLs for software downloads. You will see a new passkey validation prompt during the prep phase of the upgrade. You can obtain the passkey from CSDirect (https://csdirect.iii.com/custconv-aws) using your login credentials.
Preparation phase
During the preparation phase the Upgrade Manager will run multiple checks on your system, download the necessary software for Encore 5.3 and prepare the software for the commit phase. There is no expected downtime during the preparation phase. Innovative recommends running the preparation phase a day or two before the commit phase.
Using a web browser, connect to the Upgrade Manager:
https://[your Millennium or Sierra application server]/iii/upgrademgr
NOTE: Web browsers Chrome and Safari are not supported for running the Upgrade Manager application.
- When prompted, log in with your usual admin application credentials.
- If running Sierra 5.3, you will see a “Enter Passkey” box. You can obtain the passkey from CSDirect (https://csdirect.iii.com/custconv-aws) using your login credentials.
- Respond to the backup question and continue with the upgrade.
- Upgrading from Encore 4.2 to Encore 5.3 only: When prompted, check the box next to each function to show in the Encore Patron Page. You can change the list of functions later in the Admin Application. See Customizing Patron Page Functions.
- The application displays an "End of preparation phase" message when the preparation phase is complete.
- Log out after the preparation phase is done.
Please contact Customer Support immediately if your browser closes, the process appears to be stalled, or you encounter an error message of any kind. Your upgrade may still be running as expected. Customer Support staff can quickly determine whether the upgrade is still running and advise you how to proceed.
While the self-upgrade process has been extensively tested, we recommend that you plan to complete the commit phase during Innovative's regular business hours.
Commit phase
Once the preparation phase has completed successfully, you will be ready for the commit phase.
You can expect up to 15 minutes of Encore downtime while the current application shuts down and the upgraded version starts up. In the final stage of the upgrade, the Encore application should automatically resume, running Encore 5.3. .
- Log back into the Upgrade Manager:
http://[your Millennium or Sierra application server]/ iii/upgrademgr - You will be be prompted to enter the Passkey again. The Passkey may change between the time the Prep and Commit Phases are run so please obtain the Passkey from CSDirect(https://csdirect.iii.com/custconv-aws) using your login credentials.
- Confirm that you are prepared to resume.
Please feel free to share any feedback you have on the application or the self-upgrade process in general. Please submit a ticket through the Supportal.
After the Upgrade
The default location for the Administration Application is on the Millennium or Sierra application server:
- Sierra: http://[your Sierra application server]/sierra/admin/
- Millennium: http://[your Millennium application server]/iii/admin/
Your username and password remain the same.
NOTE: Due to variations in system architectures, some customers may find their Encore Administration Application remains on the Encore Server.