The Buddy Bar is a new enhancement designed to give you a more streamlined, customizable way to interact with your essential tools. By placing widgets (referred to as “buddies”) directly in the header, you free up valuable space on your board. Instead of having multiple widgets occupying permanent on-screen real estate, they’re now just a click away—leaving your workspace tidier and more focused on what matters most.

Relevant, On-Demand Information

Widgets in the Buddy Bar appear as simple icons, and if there’s a number that needs your attention—such as pending tasks or unread messages—it displays a badge count. If a widget doesn’t have any updates, it stays unobtrusive, showing only its icon. This ensures that you only see what’s relevant, when it’s relevant, without cluttering your screen.

Moving Widgets to the Buddy Bar and Resizing

Moving widgets to the Buddy Bar is easy: simply use the widget’s menu in its header to transfer it from the board to the Buddy Bar. Once there, you can open it in a resizable flyout panel—adjusting the view so it’s just the right size for the information at hand. Your preferred size is saved, so you’ll always get the optimal view going forward.

Rearrange Buddies

Beyond resizing, you can also rearrange the order of your buddies. This means you can prioritize the widgets you use most, placing them front-and-center for quick access. With just a few clicks, you have full control over how your top-level tools are organized, making it even easier to navigate your digital workspace.

Admin Configuration and Audience Targeting

Administrators can determine which widgets are available in the Buddy Bar for different audiences through Configuration Packages. They can pin certain widgets to ensure they’re always visible to the entire team, or assign others only to specific user groups. This level of targeting ensures that each department or role sees exactly the tools they need—no more, no less.

A More Efficient, Personalized Workspace

The Buddy Bar consolidates your tools in one accessible location, shows only what’s important at a glance, and gives you control over how widgets are ordered and displayed. It’s all about making your digital workplace more responsive, adaptable, and clutter-free. Best of all, this update will be available starting on Friday, December 13, so you can soon experience a cleaner, more flexible way to engage with your widgets.

Ichicraft Boards now streamlines the document creation process, making it easier than ever to move from concept to a fully editable file. Instead of searching through scattered folders or outdated templates, you’ll find all the right, company-approved Office templates conveniently within your personal digital workspace.

Template Library

A well-organized template library puts all the right resources at your fingertips. Instead of sifting through irrelevant files, you can quickly select a template suited to your task—be it a proposal for sales or a presentation for marketing. Each template can be grouped by department, region, or role, ensuring quick access to the most relevant starting points.

Location Selection

Choose where your new document will be stored—from a Teams channel to a SharePoint library. This targeted placement ensures that anyone who needs access can find it effortlessly.

Metadata & Launch in Editor

Once you confirm the file details, simply rename and add metadata before diving into editing. Whether you prefer the browser or an Office application, you can start working on your content right away.

Also Available in the Files Widget

If your Ichicraft Board includes the Files widget, these new capabilities are right at your fingertips without extra navigation. Simply open the widget to find your templates, create new files and folders, or upload existing documents. The same intuitive steps apply, allowing you to maintain consistency and efficiency directly from a familiar space within your board.

Buddy Bar for Quick Access

For even more convenience, this feature can be added to the buddy bar—your quick-access panel within Ichicraft Boards. Here, you’ll soon be able to create new files with just a few clicks, without leaving your current page. (Note: This buddy bar functionality is also launching soon. For more details, check out our other post about the buddy bar.)

Empower Your Administrators to Tailor the Experience

Ichicraft Boards also empowers administrators to fine-tune the entire template experience. They can create new templates, group them for specific audiences, and limit visibility so that only the right teams see the right resources. Admins can even “push” important templates directly to selected users, ensuring crucial documents are highlighted and easily accessible. With these controls, the company’s digital workspace stays relevant, clutter-free, and closely aligned with evolving business standards.

Admins Can Enable Your New File Creation Features on December 13

The new file creation and template configuration features are designed to further boost your efficiency—making it simpler than ever to access, create, and manage documents right from your digital workspace. Starting next week, on Friday, December 13, these enhancements will be available within your organization. Your administrators can then activate these new capabilities for you. Keep an eye out for updates and, if needed, encourage your admin team to make the switch so you can start benefiting from these improvements as soon as they’re released.

The files widget gets another great improvement to make file management smoother and more intuitive than ever. Starting on Friday, December 13, you’ll have access to a refined set of menu options that simplify everything from organizing and naming files to sharing links and managing permissions. This enhancement ensures that your digital workspace stays efficient, accessible, and easy to maintain—all while you remain in the familiar Files Widget environment.

What’s New?

Several new menu items are designed to streamline your daily file tasks:

• Copy link: Quickly generate a direct link to share a file internally or externally.
• Rename: Keep file names clear and consistent.
• Favorite: Mark frequently accessed documents for instant retrieval.
• Move to: Relocate files to more relevant folders or libraries.
• Copy to: Create duplicates in other locations without extra steps.
• Delete: Remove outdated files immediately.
• Details: Open a panel to review and update file metadata, and view the full history of changes, ensuring complete context at any time.

Improvements to Existing Features

We’ve also polished some of the key functions you already rely on:

• Share: Experience a more straightforward, user-friendly sharing process. Easily set who can view or edit the document and generate a shareable link without hassle.
• Manage access: Fine-tune permissions directly from the widget. Grant or revoke access as needed, ensuring that the right people have the right level of involvement, boosting both security and collaboration.

Streamlined Move and Copy Dialogs

When you select "Move to" or "Copy to," a simple dialog appears, letting you quickly browse Teams channels, SharePoint libraries, and subfolders. You can also use the search function to pinpoint your target location. This direct approach reduces the time and effort needed to reorganize or duplicate files.

Why These Updates Matter

By placing these tools at your fingertips, Ichicraft Boards reduces the time spent juggling multiple windows or searching for the right settings. Renaming and favoriting files makes them easier to find. Copying and moving documents streamlines team collaboration. Adjusting permissions, viewing file histories, and updating metadata keeps everyone aligned and informed.

Available December 13

No extra steps are required. On Friday, December 13, these enhancements will appear in your Files Widget. Take advantage of them to keep your workspace tidy, accessible, and secure—so you can focus more on the work itself and less on managing it.

In today's workplace, timely and effective communication is essential. Whether it's a company-wide policy update, an urgent security alert, or a critical announcement that can't wait, getting the right information to the right people at the right time is paramount. That's why we're thrilled to introduce a powerful new feature to Ichicraft Boards: push notifications for urgent messages.

Stay Informed, Instantly

With our new push notification capability, organizations can actively alert users about urgent matters directly through Microsoft Teams. These notifications appear in the activity feed on both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring that important messages are seen promptly, no matter where your employees are working.

Imagine the convenience of reaching your entire organization instantly with a crucial update, without worrying about messages getting lost in overflowing inboxes or delayed in communication channels. A single click on the notification takes users straight to Ichicraft Boards, where they can read the full content of the urgent message and respond accordingly.

Tailored Messaging for Maximum Impact

We understand that not all messages are meant for everyone. That's why our push notifications are designed to respect your existing audience settings. When you send an urgent message, the push notification targets the audience you've defined. If the message is scoped at the board level without a unique audience, it defaults to the access settings of the shared board's visitors group. This ensures that your communications are both efficient and relevant, reaching only those who need to see them within your organization.

Empower Your Administrators and Board Owners

Control and flexibility are key components of effective communication management. In the Ichicraft Boards admin center, administrators have the power to activate push notifications and configure their availability to shared board owners. This means you can delegate communication responsibilities appropriately, allowing those closest to the information to disseminate it swiftly and accurately across the organization.

Integration with Microsoft Teams

Our push notification feature leverages the robust capabilities of Microsoft Teams, providing a unified and familiar platform for your organization's communications. By deploying Ichicraft Boards as a Teams App, you ensure a smooth user experience where urgent messages and push notifications work in harmony within your existing workflow.

Experience the Benefits

• Improved Responsiveness: Deliver time-sensitive information directly to your employees' devices, reducing delays in critical situations.
• Enhanced Engagement: Keep your organization connected and informed, fostering a proactive and collaborative work environment.
• Customized Communication: Target your messages to specific groups or roles, ensuring relevance and reducing unnecessary noise.

Get Started Today

Enhancing your organization's communication strategy is as simple as activating push notifications in your admin center. Equip your workforce with the tools they need to stay informed and responsive in today's dynamic work landscape.

Don't let important messages go unnoticed. Embrace the power of push notifications with Ichicraft Boards and experience a new level of efficiency and connectivity in your digital workplace.

💡Note: This new feature will be available starting week 43 (October 21 - 25).

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Admin Changelog, designed to keep you fully informed about updates to Ichicraft Boards. This tool provides admins with clear visibility and control over all recent changes—from feature enhancements to bug fixes—ensuring you're always up to date with new deployments.

Access the Changelog on the New "About" Page

As part of this update, we've added an "About" page to the admin center, where the Changelog is now available. This page serves as a central hub for all update information, offering a comprehensive record of recent changes. With a clear, organized list detailing every update, admins can easily see what's new, what's improved, and what issues have been resolved. Each update is clickable, opening an in-depth dialog with detailed information about the change.

By utilizing the Changelog on the "About" page, you gain immediate clarity on system updates, eliminating any guesswork. You'll know exactly what has changed and why, empowering you to manage your environment more effectively.

Detailed Change Information at Your Fingertips

For every update listed on the "About" page, simply click on the item to access a detailed description. This opens a dialog that breaks down the specifics of each change, including new features, fixes, and how the update impacts your digital workplace. This level of transparency allows you to fully understand each update without needing to search for details.

Real-Time Visual Notifications

To ensure you're instantly aware of new updates, we've added a visual cue: whenever a new feature or fix is deployed, a red dot appears in the top-right corner of the admin center's menu, signaling that something has changed. While the Changelog on the "About" page is your main tool for tracking updates, this visual cue ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.

Stay Informed and In Control

We invite you to explore the new Changelog on the "About" page in the admin center. Stay informed, stay in control, and experience the benefits of streamlined update management with the Admin Changelog.

The Ichicraft Boards Search Widget redefines how users interact with their digital workplace by offering a versatile and customizable search experience. This powerful tool provides quick and efficient access to critical information. With its ability to support multiple scopes, advanced filtering options, and personalized configurations, the Search Widget integrates into any workflow, making it easier for users to find exactly what they need, when they need it.

The search widget can be accessed in two forms:

• Search Box in the Header: This search box provides access to a search panel, with all configurations handled by the search widget, but without taking up space on the user’s board. Always visible, it allows users to quickly search across different areas without leaving their current page.
• Search Widget on a Board: This can be added to the user’s workspace, offering flexible search options. Users can search across multiple systems simultaneously or focus on a single system for more specific results.

Search Box in the Header

The global search box in the header of Ichicraft Boards provides users with quick access to the search functionality from anywhere within the platform. It offers a unified search experience, allowing users to search across all available scopes or select specific scopes like People, Files, or News.

Dialog with results

When a query is entered, the search box opens a dialog displaying multiple results from each scope, such as People, Files, Knowledge Base, News, and more. Recent search queries are also accessible from the dialog, making it easy to revisit previous searches without re-entering the query. The search can be performed across all scopes or focused on specific ones, depending on the need.

Scopes and Custom Filters

To refine search results, a specific scope can be selected by clicking on one of the available tabs, such as People, News, or Sites. Administrators can define and manage custom filters within each scope, allowing users to further narrow down their search results based on specific criteria. Additionally, Ichicraft Boards supports filtering based on hierarchical term sets, which is especially useful for organizations that organize information by categories such as department or project type. This ensures a more structured and efficient search experience.

Configuration Packages (Admin feature)

Administrators can control the visibility of the search box through Configuration Packages (formerly known as Navigation Policies) and determine which scopes are accessible to users. The search box remains persistently available in the header, allowing users to initiate searches without interrupting their current workflow or navigating away from their tasks.

Search Widget on Boards

The search widget is another way to begin your search journey in Ichicraft Boards. While the search launched from the board header is also powered by the search widget, placing this widget directly on a board unlocks additional possibilities. The widget can be added to a board in three different variants, offering multiple ways for users to interact with and refine their search results, making it a highly versatile tool for accessing the information they need.

1. Recent Search Access: The widget includes a layout to directly access your recent searches, allowing users to revisit their previous queries quickly. When clicking on a recent search the search dialog is immediately opened and the results are presented.

2. Single-scope Search: The widget can be configured to focus on a specific scope, such as Azure DevOps. People Search or ServiceNow, making it an ideal entry point for users who need dedicated access to one particular system.

3. Multi-scope Search: Different scopes, such as People, Files, Knowledge Base, and News, can be toggled to view results specific to each data type. This option is especially useful if you want to make multiple scopes directly accessible without context switching. Results can be further refined using the filter menu located in the widget's header. This filter menu allows for narrowing down search results based on a variety of criteria.

Configurable Search Scopes (Admin feature)

Administrators can fully customize which search scopes are available to different user groups or roles, allowing for a more focused and relevant search experience. Through the admin center, Ichicraft Boards provides a variety of pre-defined search scope templates, including Files, News, People, Teams Messages, and Sites, among others.

Admins can also create custom search scopes that align with the specific needs of a department, role, or project.

Create and Edit Scopes (Admin Feature)

The Create Scope dialog in Ichicraft Boards allows administrators to customize search experiences for different teams or roles. Admins can name the scope, provide a description, and choose whether it should be part of the global "All" search, along with assigning an icon for easy identification.

Access can be managed by specifying which users or groups should see the scope, and the scope can be pushed to selected audiences by default.

Under Query Settings, admins can select a data source, define a query using Keyword Query Language (KQL), enable wildcard search, and apply initial filters to refine results automatically. They can also enable custom sorting for more specific results.

In the Filter Settings section, a filter menu can be added to let users refine searches further by applying predefined filters such as creation date, file type, or content type. Custom filters can also be created.

Edit Filter (Admin Feature)

As shown in the Edit Filter Panel below, admins can configure filters by assigning them specific property names and selecting the filter type. The following filter types are available:

• Aggregation
• Date Range
• Person
• Search Bar

Additionally, Ichicraft Boards supports filtering based on hierarchical term sets, which can be particularly useful for organizations that categorize information in a structured manner, such as by department or project type.

Fully Responsive Design for Search Across Devices

The search feature is fully responsive, ensuring that users can access their search results from any device, whether they are using a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone. This allows access to critical information on the go, helping employees stay productive no matter where they are.

Conclusion: Personalize and Optimize Your Workplace Search

The Ichicraft Boards Search Widget and the option to integrate search into the board header through Configuration Packages offer a powerful, customizable search solution tailored to the specific needs of every user within an organization. With features like multi-scope widgets, KQL-based filtering, custom search filters, and admin-controlled configurations, individuals can quickly and efficiently find exactly what they need.

We’re thrilled to announce that Ichicraft has officially achieved ISO 27001:2022 certification! This milestone means our commitment to top-tier information security is now globally recognized, ensuring our clients’ data is safer than ever.

What’s the Big Deal?

ISO 27001:2022 is the ultimate standard for information security. Achieving this certification shows we’ve got rock-solid systems in place to protect sensitive data and that we’re continuously improving to stay ahead of security challenges.

A Huge Thank You!

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible team. They worked tirelessly to upgrade our security practices, undergo rigorous audits, and ensure we met the highest standards. We couldn’t have done it without them!

What’s Next?

We’re just getting started! With this certification in hand, we’re more committed than ever to keeping your data secure while continuing to innovate and grow. Thank you for trusting us on this journey—here’s to a safer future together! 🎉

At Ichicraft, we understand that effective management of digital tools is critical to optimizing workflow and productivity. Our latest enhancement to Ichicraft Boards introduces the ability to assign admin roles to specific widgets, offering a higher degree of control and flexibility within your digital workplace.

The Need for Granular Admin Control

Previously, the admin role in Ichicraft Boards was all-encompassing, meaning that a single admin was responsible for the entire board and all installed widgets. While functional, this setup often led to inefficiencies, particularly in larger organizations where different departments or teams manage different aspects of the board. The ability to assign admin roles to individual widgets was a much-requested feature, and we are excited to deliver this enhancement.

Widget-Specific Admin Roles: How It Works

The new feature allows board admins to delegate administrative responsibilities for specific widgets to designated users or groups. This functionality is accessible via the Widget Library, where admins can manage each widget's settings.

Steps to Assign a Widget Admin:

• Navigate to the Widget Library: From the admin center, select the "Widget library" option from the left-hand menu.

• Select a Widget: Choose the widget you wish to assign an admin to. In the example provided, we are looking at the "Apps" widget, a launcher for frequently used web applications.

• Manage Access: Within the widget's settings, locate the "Manage access" section on the right side of the screen.

• Assign an Admin: In the "Widget administrators" field, enter the name of the user or group you wish to assign as the admin for this specific widget.

• Save Changes: Ensure you save any changes made to apply the new admin settings.

Real-World Application

Imagine a scenario where your organization utilizes Ichicraft Boards for various purposes. The HR team might manage widgets related to employee onboarding and information, while the IT team oversees widgets for application access and technical support. With widget-specific admin roles, each team can configure and manage their own tools without interfering with each other, streamlining operations and improving workflow.

Reduced Admin Center for Widget Admins

Widget admins are granted access to a simplified admin center that exclusively provides entry to the admin widget library.

This focused interface ensures that widget admins can efficiently manage their designated widgets without the complexity of broader board administration tasks. Furthermore, widget admin configuration is easily accessible through the widget menu, which can be opened directly from the widget header, allowing for quick and straightforward adjustments.

Conclusion

The introduction of widget-specific admin roles in Ichicraft Boards marks a significant step forward in enhancing the flexibility and control of our platform. This feature empowers organizations to better manage their digital workplaces, ensuring that the right people have the right access at the right time.

We invite you to explore this new feature and see how it can benefit your organization. As always, our support team is available to assist with any questions or setup requirements. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance the Ichicraft Boards experience.

We’re pleased to announce a significant update to Ichicraft Boards: the introduction of a multi-resolution setup guide for shared board owners. This new feature is designed to help you create and modify boards that look great on any device, ensuring a consistent user experience.

How It Works

When setting up a shared board, you can now access a menu that lets you switch between different resolutions, such as widescreen, laptop, tablet, and mobile. This allows you to preview and make necessary adjustments, ensuring your board is perfectly tailored for each screen size.

This update makes it easier for shared board owners to design boards that meet the needs of all users, regardless of the device they’re using. With this feature, you can maintain the visual integrity and functionality of your boards, enhancing the overall digital workplace experience.

Key Features:

• Switch between resolutions (widescreen, laptop, tablet, mobile)
• Preview and adjust layouts
• Ensure consistency across devices

Explore this new feature in Ichicraft Boards and see how it can transform your shared board setup process.

We’re pleased to unveil an enhancement to our Countdown Widget: the Count-Up feature! This new functionality allows you to count the days, hours, and minutes since a specific event, providing a powerful tool for tracking ongoing achievements and milestones.

How the Count-Up Feature Works

The Count-Up feature is perfect for various scenarios, such as motivating teams with safety records or celebrating continuous operational success. For instance, tracking the number of days without any incidents in a factory can boost morale and emphasize the importance of safety.

Example of a personal board showing the Countdown Widget now capable of counting up.

Easy to Set Up

Setting up the Count-Up feature is straightforward. Navigate to the Countdown Widget settings, and select the "Count-up" option from the Display type dropdown menu. Input the start date of the event you want to track. You can also customize the title, subtitle, and colors to match your organization's branding.

Example of the Countdown Widget configuration, showcasing how to set up the Count-Up feature.

Practical Applications

• Safety Records: Track the number of days without incidents in a factory.
• Project Timelines: Monitor the duration of ongoing projects.
• Operational Metrics: Measure continuous operational achievements.

Conclusion

The new Count-Up feature in the Countdown Widget is a powerful addition to Ichicraft Boards, enabling you to track and highlight significant milestones effectively. Whether you’re focusing on safety, project timelines, or operational success, this feature keeps your organization engaged and informed. Try out the Count-Up feature today and take your digital workplace to the next level!

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance Ichicraft Boards with features that meet your needs.

P.S. – Who said a countdown can't go up? It's like watching your safety record soar to new heights every day! 🎉