In Icecat Release Notes 189, we review the key highlights, including enhanced gallery features, the transition to SSR for our contact page, the health monitor for icecat.biz, and the new Delete endpoint of UserMedia API. For further details, please refer to the previous Icecat Release Notes.
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that our team has started preparing for automatic image cropping in the latest sprints. While the back-end components are still under development, involving adjustments to the gallery structure and creating a new Python service for images’ automatic cropping, we are pleased to announce some notable enhancements to our gallery.
The new gallery introduces copy buttons, streamlining the process for users to duplicate necessary links without the need for additional clicks. This improvement aims to enhance user convenience and efficiency when working with image links.
In response to user feedback, we have simplified the image window by eliminating an extra pop-up. Previously, users had to navigate through a pop-up to set attributes such as “Expiration Date,” “Privacy,” “Deactivation,” and “Delete” for a specific locale. These options are readily available directly on the image information page, providing users with instant accessibility and a more seamless experience.
To improve traceability and ease of navigation, we are showing the image ID attribute. Users can now easily locate specific images in the product history by referencing their unique image IDs.
As we progress with the development of the automatic image cropping functionality, a dedicated button has been incorporated into the image window. While currently locked, this button will unlock upon completing the automatic cropping feature, allowing users to transition to this exciting functionality seamlessly.
These enhancements signify our commitment to improving user experience and pave the way for more efficient and streamlined image management within our platform.
In our latest sprint, we are delighted to announce the successful completion of transitioning our Contact page to Server-Side Rendering (SSR). This upgrade enhances the overall user experience and brings about noticeable improvements in page responsiveness.
Even without delving into specific metrics, users will undoubtedly feel the enhanced speed and responsiveness of the Contact page. The transition to SSR aims to optimize server-side processes, resulting in a more seamless and faster user interaction.
However, for those who appreciate concrete numbers, we have compelling metrics that validate the success of our development efforts.
The old metrics:
The new metrics (after development):
The transition to SSR has significantly reduced page load times, ensuring that users can access the Contact page swiftly and efficiently.
We remain dedicated to extending this success to other website pages as we celebrate this achievement.
This is a significant step toward enhancing our website’s performance and user connectivity. We are thrilled to announce the start of the development of a health monitor. This vital component is a crucial link between our platform and users. It empowers us to ensure a seamless and reliable experience.
As part of this sprint’s milestones, we are excited to introduce the newly developed and released statistics feature, providing insights into the types of requests sent by our users. This comprehensive report allows us to monitor and analyze the influx of requests from our valued partners throughout the day.
The significance of this statistics report lies in its ability to act as a health check for our website. By cross-referencing the received requests with expected submissions, we can swiftly identify any discrepancies. In the event that certain requests are missing, our health monitor equips us with the means to pinpoint the specific area that requires further investigation and improvement.
This proactive approach allows us to uphold the high standards of reliability and performance that our users expect.
In our latest sprint, we are excited to unveil a significant enhancement to our UserMedia API – the introduction of a new endpoint: UserMedia/Delete/UserMediaVideos/{VideoId}. This powerful endpoint empowers users to seamlessly delete unnecessary videos, providing a swift and efficient solution for content management.
This new endpoint’s primary functionality enables users to remove unwanted videos from their media collection instantly. Users can trigger the deletion process by utilizing this endpoint and providing the specific VideoId, eliminating the need for complex procedures.
What sets this feature apart is its comprehensive approach to data management. Upon initiating the deletion process, all associated information, including video locales, age ratings, and access details, will be automatically purged. This ensures a clean and thorough video removal from the UserMedia API, streamlining the user experience and minimizing manual intervention.
This development not only aligns with our commitment to user-centric design. But also responds to user feedback, providing a solution that enhances content control and simplifies content management workflows.
We’ve introduced error messaging notifications to our recently developed search query statistics feature. This addition enhances the user experience by providing real-time feedback on any issues encountered during search queries.
The hamburger menu on Icecat.biz received a simplification makeover. We removed the “Services page” and “Invest in Icecat,” consolidating all essential information into the Channel Partners and Manufacturers pages. This redesign aims to make navigation more intuitive and user-friendly.
Addressing user concerns, we’ve fixed error messaging during the logging process into our Product Information Management (PIM) system. This ensures a smoother experience for our channel partners, accompanied by clear instructions.
The PIM Search page received several improvements. Users can now view recently sent requests by double-clicking on the “Search query” field, utilizing browser cookies for added convenience. We’ve also implemented a hover effect on search results, enhancing visibility. The “Column display” filter behavior has been refined, allowing users to make settings and close the filter easily.
During this sprint, we initiated the analysis of previously collected statistics related to support requests. This valuable data will enable us to pinpoint areas within our system and service that require attention and improvements, ensuring a more responsive and efficient support system.
We addressed technical debt with various developments, including Redis cluster MMO cache migration, re-engineering of scheduled reports, enhancement of the tasks queue processing tool deployment process for improved system monitoring, and architectural improvements in the tables responsible for the Icecat category tree.
Review our blog for continuous updates as we work towards innovating and elevating your Icecat experience. Your feedback and support are key drivers behind these enhancements.
Read further: Icecat, brand rank, ecommerce, Icecat, PIM, product content, release notes
