Tempo v7.5.000 Release Notes

Introducing the V7.5.000 Release

• Generating a Flexible Recipe with Speed

  • Visual Builder - Importing Steps from Another Template

  • Dynamic Text in Work Instructions for BOM & BOE

• Improving Operator Execution Experience

  • Web Execution - Dispense Manual Flow

  • Support for Linked External Content (Veeva SOPs and URLs)

  • Blue Mountain Integration Validated Release

  • View Table Display to Allow the User to See Each Section Within a Table Row

• Greater Tracking of Type-based “Review-by-Exception” aka “Quality Data”

  • Elevating Quality Data (CPPs, CQAs) & Renaming “Approved” to “Closed”

  • Expanding Exception Settings to Granular Sub-Types

  • Adding Support for Uploading CSV Attachments to Runs

• Drive Action

  • Process Operations Landing Dashboard to Drive Action

  • Clean up & Export Users List

• Flexible Material Data Passing

  • ERP Batch Parameter Group Integration

• Minor Updates

Generating a Flexible Recipe with Speed

Visual Builder - Importing Steps from Another Template

Added the ability to import steps from other procedure templates into a Visual Builder Procedure and augmented the user experience for importing steps in general.

Key Features:

• Step Import in Visual Builder

  • Import steps from existing procedure templates directly into visual builder templates

  • Seamlessly reuse content across your organization's procedure library

  • Save time by leveraging previously created steps

• Improved Workflow

  • Access the import feature through a dedicated button in the Visual Builder interface

  • Browse and select specific steps from other procedure templates

  • Imported steps are automatically placed in your visual template at the right side of the canvas

• Cross-Template Compatibility

  • Import steps from both Visual Builder and List Builder templates

  • Maintain all step properties and configuration during import

Key Benefits:

• Reduced Authoring Time: Dramatically decrease the time needed to create new procedures by reusing existing well-tested steps

• Increased Consistency: Maintain standardized approach across procedures by reusing validated steps

• Knowledge Preservation: Build a library of best-practice steps that can be leveraged across your organization

• Simplified Template Migration: Easier transition from List Builder to Visual Builder by importing existing content

• Streamlined Collaboration: Enable teams to share and reuse each other's procedural knowledge

• Faster Onboarding: New authors can leverage existing step libraries rather than starting from scratch

Check out our Walkthrough - How to Import Steps into a Procedure for more details.

Dynamic Text in Work Instructions for BOM & BOE

The Text and Audio Instructions section has been enhanced with a new button to help authors add dynamic text to their step instructions. Upon clicking this button, a new modal will pop up similar in feel to our formula's modal. This modal will guide the user in adding dynamic text references to any of the parameters that exist on that template. Additional support for BOM and BOE has been added, allowing users to reference material and equipment ID's that are dynamically populated during run execution.

Key Features:

• Expanded dynamic text capabilities to include resource references in work instructions, supporting materials (input/output BOM), equipment, parameters, and constants

• Date formatting based on user's organization settings and displayed during execution in user’s local time zone

• Handling of null values by maintaining original placeholder syntax

• Ability to toggle between placeholder syntax and preview of substituted values

Key Benefits:

• Increased instruction accuracy through dynamic population of resource information (BOM, BOE, etc)

• Improved user experience with localized content and time zone support

• Greater flexibility in creating template-based procedures that automatically update with resource changes

• Streamlined workflow by eliminating the need for manual updates when resource details change

Check out our Walkthrough - How to Add Dynamic Text Instructions with BOM, BOE, and Parameter Data in Procedure Templates for more details.

Improving Operator Execution Experience

Web Execution - Dispense Manual Flow

Expanded Web Execution-supported functionality with the addition of Manual Dispense Flow functionality. The web dispense experience not only provides manual dispense parity but additionally has a user-driven enhanced UX design unique to web execution to help drive operator excellence.

Key Features:

• Manual Weighing Workflow: Complete end-to-end process for manual weigh and dispense, including sublot scanning, usability checking, and weight tracking

• Switch Source Capability: Ability to change material source containers mid-process while maintaining lot integrity

• Intelligent Verification System: Configurable verification requirements based on GMP status of materials

• Detailed UI: Web Execution Dispense makes use of the additional space afforded by a web browser to make it clear to the operator the target dispense quantity amount, limits, and what has already been dispensed

Key Benefits:

• Platform Consistency: Aligned functionality between Web and iOS platforms for consistent user experience

• Process Flexibility: Operators can adapt to changing conditions by switching sources or adding additional dispense operations

• Quality Assurance: Automated exception creation for out-of-specification dispensing helps maintain quality controls

Note: Bulk Dispense functionality and Integrated Dispense is not yet available in the Web interface and requires the iOS application.

Check out our Walkthrough - Step-By-Step Through the Manual Dispense Web Execution Flow for more details.

Support for Linked External Content (Veeva SOPs and URLs)

This release adds a new process action to Tempo called “Linked External Content”. This new process action adds support for opening two types of external content: Veeva SOPs and URL Links. The Veeva SOP Integration enhances Tempo procedures by enabling direct links to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) stored in Veeva Vault. This integration ensures operators always access the most current and effective version of SOPs during execution, streamlining the workflow between Tempo and Veeva document management systems. This feature supports both Veeva-specific document links and general URL linking capabilities within procedures.

Key Features:

• Direct SOP Access: Seamless integration with Veeva Vault for accessing SOPs within Tempo procedures

• Version Control: Automatic retrieval of the most current effective version of linked SOPs

• Document Selection Interface: Author-friendly navigation of effective Veeva documents during procedure creation

• PDF Rendering: Opens linked SOPs in a new tab as PDF documents for easy reference

• Universal URL Support: Capability to link to both Veeva documents and general web resources

• Steady State Verification: Ensures only approved and effective documents are accessible during execution when coming from Veeva

Key Benefits:

• Enhanced Compliance: Guarantees operators access only the most current, approved versions of SOPs

• Improved Efficiency: Eliminates the need to manually search for SOPs in separate systems

• Reduced Risk: Prevents accidental use of outdated or non-effective procedures

• Streamlined Workflow: Allows for single-click access to reference documents during procedure execution

• Time Savings: Provides faster procedure execution through integrated document access

• Better Audit Trail: Automatic capture of accessed document IDs, versions, and timestamps

• Cross-Platform Support: Accessible through both web and iPad interfaces

Check out our Walkthrough - How to Add External Content (Veeva SOPs and URL Links) via Process Actions in Procedure Templates for more details.

Blue Mountain Integration Validated Release

The Blue Mountain No-Code Integration enables seamless connectivity between Blue Mountain RAM (BMRAM) and Tempo systems for automated equipment calibration management via MQTT. Additionally, Tempo informs BMRAM when equipment status process actions are executed so that production MES scheduling can be represented within BMRAM.

Key Features:

• Equipment Association: Direct mapping capability between BMRAM equipment and Tempo Equipment Instances

• Real-time Calibration Monitoring: Automated tracking of equipment calibration status updates via MQTT broker integration with synchronization of critical calibration information such as:

  • Calibration ID and Status

  • Re-Calibration Date

  • Last Calibration Date

  • Last Calibrated By information

• Equipment Hierarchy Browser: Built-in BMRAM equipment hierarchy navigation system for easy equipment mapping

• Procedure/Batch Run Scheduling: Planned start and end dates are sent to BMRAM when a linked Tempo Equipment Instance has a status change occur, enabling BMRAM to know when an equipment is in use in MES

Key Benefits:

• Reduced Manual Effort: Eliminates the need for manually entering equipment calibration status

• Faster Workflows: Streamlines procedure and batch completion by removing manual verification steps

• Enhanced Compliance: Provides real-time calibration status updates to help maintain regulatory compliance

Check out our Walkthrough - Setting up the BMRAM Integration for more details.

View Table Display Allows the User to See Each Section Within a Table Row

Significant improvement was made to how table data can be viewed in both web and iOS interfaces. This enhancement gives operators more flexibility when working with tables and helps streamline the data review process.

Key Features:

• Improved Data Visibility

  • Added a new toggle option on tables that allows users to switch between different display modes:

    • Status View (default): Shows completion checkmarks for filled cells

    • Values View: Displays the actual entered values within each cell

    • List View: Shows a more compact row-based view

• Web Implementation

  • Web users can now easily switch between seeing status indicators and actual data values

  • Long text values are intelligently truncated to maintain clean table presentation

  • All existing table interactions remain unchanged - users still click to edit individual cells

• iOS Implementation

  • Updated the iOS interface with a three-option segmented control ("List | Values | Status")

  • Long-form text is appropriately truncated when displaying values

  • Maintains all existing table functionality while adding this new viewing capability

Key Benefits:

• Improved Data Review: Operators can quickly verify entered values without clicking into each cell

• Efficient Data Validation: Supervisors and reviewers can scan table data more efficiently

• Faster Workflow: Reduces clicks needed to validate data during execution and review

• Flexible Interface: Users can choose the display mode that best fits their current task

Greater Tracking of Type-Based “Review-by-Exception” aka “Quality Data”

Elevating Quality Data (CPPs, CQAs) & Renaming “Approved” to “Closed”

This release introduces significant improvements to exception handling, enhancing clarity around quality data management. We've updated terminology across the platform to better align with industry standards, making the distinction between exceptions and quality data more intuitive for users in quality management, batch review, and compliance roles. This also enabled more valuable views of the critical quality data in key screens.

Key Features:

• Terminology Updates:

  • Renamed field labels for better clarity:

    • "Review Exception" to "Review"

    • "Exception Type" to "Type"

    • "Exception Name" to "Name"

    • "Awaiting Approval" to "Open"

    • "Approved" to "Closed"

• Exceptions & Quality Data:

  • Added new column "Quality Data Type" on the Exceptions page

  • Added filter buttons on the Exceptions page to easily view:

    • All Quality Data

    • Exceptions

    • Critical Process Parameters (CPPs)

    • Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs)

    • Other Reviewable Values

• Procedure & Batch Runs:

  • Enhanced the Summary tab with a dedicated CPP/CQA tile highlighting not only CPPs and CQAs but those that are out of spec

  • Added visual indicators for CPPs/CQAs with an icon in execution views

  • Updated "Needs Attention" tile to include counts of out-of-condition items

• Configuration Settings:

  • Renamed "Exception Approvals" to "Exception & Quality Data Closures"

  • Changed "Approval" terminology to "Closure" throughout settings

• Reporting:

  • Added new CPP/CQA section to HTML and PDF reports

Key Benefits:

• Better alignment with industry terminology for quality management

• Improved distinction between exceptions and reviewable quality data

• Enhanced visibility for critical process parameters and quality attributes

• More intuitive workflow for closing exceptional events

Check out our Walkthrough - Filtering Under Quality Data for more details.

Expanding Exception Settings to Granular Sub-Types

This release introduces granular exception management capabilities to Tempo, allowing organizations to configure and manage exceptions at the individual type level rather than only at the group level. This enhancement gives quality managers more precise control over exception handling to address different needs within exception groups.

Key Features:

• Granular Exception Type Configuration

  • Exception configuration can now be managed at individual exception type level instead of just the group level

  • Users can set Default Severity, Signature Requirement, and Triggers for each individual exception type

  • Group-level settings cascade down to all types within that group

  • "Mixed" status indicator when types within a group have different settings

  • Confirmation dialogs when changing settings at the group level

• Enhanced Blocking Exception Configuration

  • Procedure templates now allow configuration of blocking exceptions at the exception type level

  • "Conditional Navigation Exceptions" type is defaulted to true in procedure templates

  • Web and PDF reports updated to display granular exception blocking configuration

Key Benefits:

1. More precise control over exception handling allows quality managers to address different exception types according to their specific requirements

2. Streamlined quality management process with ability to prioritize critical exceptions

3. Reduced operational overhead by managing common exception types consistently

4. Greater flexibility in procedure execution management - block only specific exception types

5. Enhanced user experience by allowing procedures to continue when non-critical exceptions occur

Check out our Walkthrough - Granular Exceptions Settings at the Team Level and Walkthrough - Granular Exception Settings for Blocking Exceptions Rules at the Template Level for more details.

Adding Support for Uploading CSV Attachments to Runs

Support for CSV file uploads across Tempo's templates and runs has been added. This new capability allows operators to easily upload and reference CSV data such as equipment output data directly within the Tempo workflow as simple attachments.

Key Features:

• CSV Upload Support

  • Upload Capability: CSV files can now be uploaded as attachments to:

    • Procedure Templates

    • Procedure Runs

    • Batch Templates

    • Batch Runs

• Seamless Integration

  • CSV attachments are fully integrated into the existing attachment system

  • Files can be uploaded through the standard file attachment dialog

  • Uploaded CSV files can be previewed directly in the browser

Key Benefits: This enhancement addresses a common request from manufacturing teams who need to capture equipment output data within their workflows. By supporting CSV uploads, operators can now:

• Document analytical instrument data

• Capture manufacturing equipment readings

• Provide additional context to batch and procedure records

• Maintain data integrity by keeping source data with the corresponding record

Check out our Walkthrough - How to Attach a CSV to a Run for more details.

Drive Action

Process Operations Landing Dashboard to Drive Action

We're excited to introduce a new dashboard in Tempo, designed to provide at-a-glance insights into your manufacturing operations. The dashboard serves as a central landing page when logging into Tempo, helping various roles quickly identify what needs attention and monitor workload across the system.

Key Features:

• New Dashboard Navigation

  • A dedicated Dashboard icon has been added to the left-hand navigation as the first item under Tempo, making it easy to access your operational metrics

• Open Runs Visualization

  • Open Procedure Runs: Interactive pie chart displaying current procedure runs by status

  • Open Batch Runs: Visual breakdown of batch runs by status

  • Both visualizations are clickable to filter the runs list page by the selected status

• Executable Runs

  • Quick counts of procedure and batch runs in executable states

  • Direct links to the runs pages filtered for executable items

• Exceptions & Quality Management

  • Open Out-of-Spec CPPs & CQAs: Column chart displaying critical process parameters, critical quality attributes, and other reviewable values that are open and out of specification

  • Open Exceptions & Overrides: Monitor unapproved exceptions and pending overrides counts with links to filtered views

  • Batch Runs with Most Open Exceptions: Table showing the top 5 batch runs with the highest count of unapproved exceptions

• Quality Review Insights

  • Batch Runs In Review Longest: Table displaying the top 5 batch runs that have been awaiting review for the longest time

  • Released Runs: Weekly metrics for batches and procedures scheduled to end this week, plus historical data on released runs over the past 12 weeks

Key Benefits:

• Improved operational visibility with at-a-glance metrics

• Faster identification of items requiring attention

• Enhanced quality oversight through consolidated quality data views

• Faster time-to-job-to-be-done completion in Tempo

Check out our Video - Capabilities of the Operations Dashboard for more details.

Clean Up & Export Users List

Introduces helpful improvements to the Users List page, providing System Administrators with enhanced visibility and management capabilities. These features help ensure system security by tracking user login activities and managing user access more effectively.

Key Features:

• Last Login Tracking

  • Added a new "Last Login" column to the Users List page showing time elapsed since each user's most recent login

  • Display format: "X days, Y hours, Z minutes"

  • Consistent tracking across all login methods (username/password, SSO, and code-based authentication)

  • Empty values display "<No Value>" for users who have never logged in

  • Full sorting capabilities (ascending/descending) on the Last Login column

  • Last Login information is tracked across teams and organizations

• User Status Management

  • Added Status column to display Active/Inactive status of users

  • Status column is filterable, allowing administrators to easily see only active or inactive users

  • Added menu option to show deactivated users

• Improved CSV Export

  • Last Login information included in CSV exports in UTC timestamp format

  • Status column values included in CSV exports when visible

  • Proper handling of null values in exported data

  • Export reflects the current filtered view

Key Benefits:

• Enhanced system security through better visibility of user activity

• Improved user access management with clearer status indicators

• More efficient user auditing with comprehensive export capabilities

• Better license allocation with insights into actual system usage

• Simplified compliance reporting with detailed user activity records

Check out our Walkthrough - Exporting User Data to CSV for more details.

Flexible Material Data Passing

Batch Parameter Group Integration via Public API

The “Create Batch Run” Public API request has been updated to support Batch Parameter Groups.

Key Features:

• When creating a batch run via the Public API, the most recent effective batch parameter group associated to the batch template and material output will be automatically applied to the run

• If no batch parameter group exists that is associated with the batch template and material output, the run is created in the same manner as in prior Tempo versions

• If the primary output material is tied to multiple parameter groups for that batch template, the latest created and effective parameter group will be selected on batch run creation

• In terms of priority, values sent via the API take first priority, then Batch Parameter Group values, and finally batch template default values

Key Benefits:

• Eliminated Manual Entry: Removes the need for manual data input, reducing human error and saving time

• Improved Operational Efficiency: Provides streamlined workflows through tighter coupling with ERP systems

• Platform Maturity: Advanced integration capabilities strengthen Tempo's position as a mature enterprise platform

• Scalable Solution: Supports a variety of use cases and customer environments, making it adaptable to different business needs

Minor Updates

• A number of bugs were also addressed and the details are provided in the Impact Assessment