As 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on a remarkable year of progress, innovation, and user-centered development for Canvas Catalog. Each improvement we’ve made has been guided by your feedback, ensuring the product continues to meet your evolving needs. This year has been one of our most ambitious yet, with numerous impactful developments introduced to enhance your Catalog experience. Let’s take a look back at everything we’ve achieved together.
The Return of the Chart in Catalog Analytics
We started the year by addressing a highly requested feature: the return of the chart in Catalog Analytics. Removed in a prior release, the chart turned out to be a crucial tool for many of you. During Hackweek, our team restored this feature and enhanced it, adding the option to show or hide the chart based on your preferences.
Read more here.
Catalog Storefront Theme Editor
Q1 also brought the long-awaited Catalog Storefront Theme Editor, enabling admins to customize storefronts without relying on custom JS/CSS. This release introduced features like branding options, redesigned course cards, and improved filtering. While this is just the beginning, it sets the stage for more customization tools in future updates.
Explore the Theme Editor here.
Enhancements to User Defined Fields
Your feedback led to a comprehensive overhaul of User Defined Fields in Q2. Key updates included:
- A redesigned interface.
- New input types like date selectors and dropdown menus.
- HTML formatting for enhanced flexibility.
- The ability to reorder UDFs. These changes make UDFs more intuitive and versatile.
Learn more about UDF enhancements here.
Admin Notifications
In Q3, we launched Admin Notifications, a new feature designed to keep admins informed about updates, releases, and surveys directly within the Catalog interface. Notifications appear on admin pages, providing timely and relevant information without disrupting your workflow.
Check out the feature here.
The Redesigned Promotions Page
Also in Q3, we reimagined the Promotions Page, introducing a fresh design and new functionality:
- Search and sorting capabilities.
- Pagination for easier navigation.
- Inline editing for efficiency.
- Faster load times and a modern interface. This update simplifies promotion management, saving you time and effort.
Explore the details here.
Salesforce Integration
The release of Salesforce Integration marked another milestone in Q3. This feature allows seamless synchronization between Catalog and Salesforce, including automated syncing of User Defined Fields and Subcatalogs. Now live, it streamlines data management and enhances operational efficiency.
Learn more about Salesforce Integration here.
Agile Development Approach
In Q4, we embraced a new development philosophy: think small, move fast, iterate. By focusing on smaller, targeted updates, we’re able to deliver value faster, involve users earlier through Beta programs, and refine features based on real-world feedback. This shift ensures that your needs remain at the forefront of our development process.
Read about our new approach here.
Redesigned Catalog Info Page
Q4 also saw the launch of the redesigned Catalog Info Page, featuring:
- LinkedIn Insights and Google Tag Manager integration.
- Clearer settings for parent and child accounts.
- Enhanced SEO tools with a new meta description field.
- Streamlined storefront settings. This update delivers a more intuitive and powerful admin experience.
Get the full details here.
Upgraded Category Menu
The release of the Upgraded Category Menu brought:
- A modern design.
- Faster load times.
- Pagination for easier navigation.
- Enhanced deletion safeguards to prevent accidental data loss. These updates make category management smoother and more efficient.
Explore the upgrades here.
Multiselect UDFs and Label Removal
We delivered two highly requested updates in Q4:
- Multiselect UDFs: Allow admins to select multiple values from a predefined list, enhancing data flexibility.
- Self-Paced Label Removal: Greater control over course displays to align with institutional branding. Both features are now live in production, reflecting our commitment to delivering tools that adapt to your specific needs.
Learn more about these features here.
Permission-Based Integration Tab
This update enhances security by introducing permission-based visibility for the Integration tab. Root admins can now control which Subcatalog admins have access, keeping sensitive integrations secure.
Discover this update here.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we reflect on this incredible year, we are also thrilled to share a glimpse of what’s to come in 2025. We’re kicking off the new year with two exciting features:
-
Canvas Catalog and Credentials Integration: A groundbreaking connection to elevate learner engagement and institutional value.
Learn more here. -
Recommendations Feature in Beta: A recommendation engine designed to improve learner discovery and engagement.
Check out the details here.
We can’t wait to continue this journey with you, building a more intuitive, powerful, and responsive Catalog experience. Thank you for your engagement, insights, and support throughout 2024. Here’s to another year of collaboration and growth!
With gratitude,
The Canvas Catalog Team
