Bicom Release Manager

Bicom Release Manager is a service for desktop and mobile application distribution. It provides a single platform for distributing new application releases for testing to our Partners and release updates to the Partners’ End Users.

Some of the major BRM features are:

• Communicator Branding
• Automatic Updates
• Beta Partner Program

BRM Communicator Branding

Branding is an option for users who wish to have a branded version of the Communicator application. This applies only to the Communicator brand. The following information is supported:

• Company Name
• Company Logo
• Product Page
• Help Page
• Changelog Page

If no branding is enabled, the Communicator will default to empty branding information. Otherwise, Communicator will lazy-load the defined Brand information on the first login and keep the information up to date with regular checks.

BRM Communicator Branding video tutorial

The following video contains detailed information on how to purchase, create and apply Communicator Branding.

https://youtu.be/uNhaNWfABhc

Two Step Verification

To increase account security, we have implemented an additional verification step for users through integration with Google Authenticator.  

Two-Step Verification, also known as Two Factor Authentication (2FA), is an extra layer of security. It requires not only a password and username, but also something that only that user has on them. For example a piece of information only they should know or have immediately on hand - such as unique authentication code from the Google Authenticator mobile application. 

Using a username and password together with a piece of information that only the user knows, makes it harder for potential intruders to gain access and steal that person’s personal data or identity. 

The login procedure consists of:

• Standard login
• Additional Authentication Code from Google Authenticator that verifies your identity via an Authentication Code using a mobile device

Google Authenticator on a mobile device is supported for:

• iOS
• Android

To set up the 2FA, Google Authenticator needs to be installed. It can be installed by going to the correct mobile device store and searching for ‘Google Authenticator’ or by following one of the links provided.

This step can be skipped if you already have Google Authenticator installed. To start the 2FA setup process click ‘Proceed.’

Step 1: Recovery Key

The recovery key is used to reset the 2FA in case of device issues or device change.

It must be stored in a safe place, preferably not on the computer. It is recommended to keep it as a hard copy in a safe and secure place. To continue, type the provided Recovery Key for confirmation and click ‘Send.’ This confirmation step is necessary to make sure you were provided the correct Recovery Key.

Step 2: Setup Google Authenticator

This step will provide a QR code that contains the information needed to generate Authentication Codes. By following three simple steps, use the Google Authenticator application to scan the QR code.

Start the Google Authenticator on your mobile device and follow these 3 simple steps: 

1. Press the Add button in Google Authenticator
2. Choose the "Scan a barcode" option
3. Scan the QR code 

Once the Google Authenticator application has been set up by scanning the provided QR code, type in the currently generated Authentication Code to confirm that the scan was successful. Please make sure that you have enough time to type in the entire 6-digit code before the Google Authenticator generates a new one. After clicking ‘Send’ you will be logged in and free to use the service web interface. In case of any mistakes or error, the 2FA setup process will reset and you will have to go through the previous steps again.

Recovering Two Factor Verification

In case of issues with Google Authenticator, your mobile device or if you just want to change your mobile phone use the Recovery Key to reset your two-step verification.

In the login dialog, click on Recovery and in the new dialog type in your email and Recovery Key. After recovering your Bicom Release Manager account you will need to complete the setup process again as previously described.

Dashboard

The Dashboard page displays statistics for the currently installed applications on the systems.

The Dashboard allows you to view the total number of your licenses and visually display their status on the Pie Chart. There is also a total number of gloCOMs installed separated by mobile and desktop applications. On the charts below, you can check the number of installed applications by version number.

In two tables at the end, you can check the latest changes on your licenses and the highest count of the gloCOMs installed.

Automatic Updates Control

Automatic updates and Beta Partner program are supported as a part of the distribution model through the Bicom Release Manager.

Only the initial installation of the gloCOM application requires a Partner to share the download link with their End Users. All subsequent updates will be installed automatically.

Automatic updates per system

Automatic updates allow control over the application distribution. It offers options to specify which systems will receive updates on a per system basis (per PBXware or per Tenant) by turning updates on or off for chosen systems (on PBX or Tenant level). All systems (PBXware and Tenants) have automatic updates turned on by default.

The Licenses page in Bicom Release Manager displays a list of PBXware licenses associated with a Partner account. The list shows information related to gloCOM licensing, update control, system label, PBXware version, and the number of installed desktop applications. Each row represents a PBXware or a Tenant that is connected to the Partner Bicom Systems account. Tenants are shown individually, each in a separate row, directly below its parent PBX license.

The update stage column displays a simple overview of current update control settings for that system. It provides information about the currently available update state for Desktop, iOS, and Android platforms. Possible values for the update stage are Stable, Beta.2, Beta.1 and Disabled. Stable means the system can receive only Stable releases. Beta.2 means the system is a part of the Beta partner program, and it can receive Stable and Beta.2 releases. Beta.1 means the system is a part of the Beta partner program and it can receive Stable, Beta.2 and Beta.1 releases. Disabled means the automatic updates are off.

Aside from these, there are Alpha stages, which are reserved for internal testing within Bicom Systems.

To make it easier for users to find and edit specific PBXware license, this page includes four filters and a search field. Also, you can sort licenses by the latest modified or show only licenses with installed gloCOMS. Filters allow you to display each platform (Desktop, iOS, and Android) per its status (Disabled, Test, and Stable). License filter allows you to search licenses with specific license status (Not Valid, Disabled, Enabled, Active). Clicking on a "RESET FILTERS" button, all filters are returned to the default value.

Configuring Individual System

Update control settings, as well as additional system details, can be accessed by clicking on a list item representing that system.

After clicking on specific item a Partner can see all available information for this PBXware, set a custom label for that system, and control updates on that system separately for each platform (Desktop, iOS, Android).

In case of tenants, Partner can choose to use default settings regarding updates stages, or to set a custom update stage for a specific platform. If default is chosen tenant inherits update stage from its parent PBXware. All tenants are initially set to use “Default” update stage.

Automatic updates per user

Beta Partner program functionality of Bicom Release Manager allows pre-release beta testing for Partner’s chosen systems on PBX and even Tenant level. Chosen systems will receive updates sooner, even during the Beta testing phase to allow Partners to test releases in their own environments. This approach adds another layer of stability checks before updates reach Partner’s end users. This program is available to all Partners that are using Bicom Release Manager.

Partners will have an option to mark a PBXware or Tenant as part of Beta Partner program only if updates are turned on for that system. This program can include any number of systems, but it is recommended to keep this number small for easier monitoring and testing. Additional systems can be added or removed from the program at any time.

While a new application release is in the Beta.1 or Beta.2 update stage Partners can choose to disable updates on all their systems not in the Beta program while still continuing Beta testing. This will allow for partial updates roll out to chosen systems once that release moves from Beta.2 to Stable. By using this procedure Partners can update their customers to this version gradually and in phases. To add a PBXware or Tenant to the Beta program simply set the Update stage to use Beta.1 or Beta.2 stage releases for the corresponding platform. The difference between the two is that Beta.2 releases are stabler than Beta.1.

Aside from being able to control updates for a specific system, a Partner can even have update control per specific End user. He can decide which End users get updates based by their email address.

Per user release control is available for Beta.1 and Beta.2 stages, i.e. for all systems that have automatic updates set to Beta.1 or Beta.2. It is important to point out that Stage Settings on a certain Partner account apply for all systems that belong to that same account. Per user release control is useful if you have the need to allow only certain End users to receive beta releases. So for example, let’s say that you have a PBXware, and a certain John Doe with email [email protected] connected to that system via gloCOM app. To allow only John Doe to receive Beta.1 releases, you’d have to set that PBXware Desktop update stage to Beta.1, and also add [email protected] to Beta.1 stage. Later on, if you want more End users to receive Beta.1 updates you can simply add their emails to Beta.1 Stage. If you, at some point, decide the whole system should now receive Beta.1 releases, you can remove all items from Beta.1 stage. Beta.1 is used as an example, and same logic applies to Beta.2.

There are 5 item types that can be added into stage:

• Email
• Group
• Domain
• License
• Tenant

Adding email into stage X means that only user with that email will get releases from stage X.

Adding group into stage X means that only users with email included in that group will get releases from stage X. Groups are also a feature of BRM, and they are useful to group multiple emails into one item, so you don’t have to add/remove each email into/from stage individually. There is a separate Groups page where Partner can have an overview of all his groups, create new groups, or edit/delete existing groups.

Adding domain into stage X means that only users whose email matches the domain will get releases from stage X. This is useful since usually employees of one company share the same domain in their emails, so adding the whole company can be done by adding a single domain, instead of adding all individual emails or creating an email group.

If the stage is set to filter per user it allows only users who are included into that stage to get releases from that stage. If the stage is not set to filter per user users get releases according to what is set on their system. Stage is considered set to filter per user if at least one email, group or domain is added into stage.

In addition to that, you can even add whole systems (license or tenant) to stage X, so everyone connected with gloCOM to that system will get releases from stage X. This is useful in cases where you already have added emails/groups/domains into stage, but you also want to let a whole system to receive releases from a certain stage. Note that adding license into stage automatically assumes that all of the tenants from that license are also included into stage.

Overview of available desktop and mobile releases

Desktop Releases

Desktop Releases page displays a detailed list of all available Desktop Releases. You get a quick overview of the product name, available versions, supported versions of PBXware, current release stage, and available download links.

You can filter releases by version or by update stage. To filter by version use search field above the table. Regarding stage filter, you can choose to display All, Stable, Beta.2, Beta.1 or Disabled releases.

Grayed out icon in the Platforms column indicate that there is still no download link available for that specific platform.

There are a couple ways to download the desktop app. You can download the app directly from a Desktop Releases menu, simply by clicking on the corresponding platform icon (Win/OSX/Linux) of the corresponding app.

Another way to download the app is through Desktop App Details section, which can be accessed by clicking on the actions icon of the app version you are trying to download. Inside of Desktop App Details section, you can use the download link for your desired platform (Win/ OSX /Linux).

Beside the download links, you get a complete overview of the app release stage, version, date, supported version of PBXware, and Change Log.

Change log allows you to see the list of the new features and bug fixes introduced in latest desktop app version.

Also if the release update stage is Beta.1 or Beta.2 Partner can choose to vote for stable, which will inform us that he is pleased with that release, and that it should become a stable release.

Mobile Releases

Mobile Releases page displays a detailed list of all available Mobile Releases. You get a quick overview of the product name, available mobile versions, supported versions of PBXware, current release stage and release platform. You are also able to filter the list by release stage, by platform (iOS or android), and by version. To filter by version use search field above the table. Regarding stage filter, you can choose to display All, Stable, Beta.2, Beta.1 or Disabled releases.

There are a few ways to download the mobile app. You can download the app directly from a Mobile Releases menu, simply by clicking on the corresponding platform icon (iOS/Android) of the corresponding app.

Another way to download the app is through Mobile App Details section, which can be accessed by clicking on the actions icon of the app version you are trying to download. Inside of Mobile App Details section, you can use the direct download link or you can go to the download page by using the QR Code or “download page” link.

Beside the download links, you get a complete overview of the app release platform, stage, version, release date, supported version of PBXware, and Change Log. Change log allows you to see the list of new features and bug fixes introduced in latest mobile app version.

Also if the Partner can choose to vote for stable, which will inform us that he is pleased with that mobile release, and that it should become a stable release.

Licenses

Once you click on the Licenses link in the left navigation pane you will be presented with a list of PBXware licenses associated with your account relevant information related to gloCOM licensing and update control.

To make it easier for users to find and edit specific PBXware license, this page includes four filters and a search field. Also, you can sort licenses by the latest modified or show only licenses with installed gloCOMS. Filters allow you to display each platform (Desktop, iOS, and Android) per its status (Disabled, Test, and Stable). License filter allows you to search licenses with specific license status (Not Valid, Disabled, Enabled, Active). Clicking on a "RESET FILTERS" button, all filters are returned to the default value.

• License column displays PBXware licenses associated with your account (arrow next to the license number indicate are their Tenants related to the license and clicking on its field with tenants will be expanded).
• Status icon column displays license status. Hovering over the icon, the description label will be displayed.
• Label column displays the license label. This label can be set in the edit license page.
• PBX version column displays the exact version system with this license is running on (e.g. 5.0). Tenants are shown individually, each in a separate row, directly below its: parent PBX. The tenant column will show the tenant code in those cases. Non-multitenant systems will not have listed Tenants below.
• Desktop gloCOMs column will allow you to see the number of gloCOM desktop clients that are in use on the system.
• Mobile gloCOMs column will allow you to see the number of gloCOM mobile clients that are in use on the system.
• Updated date column displays the time of the latest license update.
• Update Stage column provides the information about release stages associated for each of the gloCOM platforms (Desktop/iOS/Android).

Available update stages are:

Stable

Beta 2

Beta 1

Alpha 3

Alpha 2

Alpha 1

Disabled - Auto updates are turned off for specific OS platform

To give you an example, in case you have Beta 1/Disabled/Stable in gloCOM update column, Beta 1 means that your gloCOM Desktop client will notify you that update is available whenever new Beta 1 or Stable version is released, Disabled will mean that auto-updates are disabled for iOS clients and Stable means that your Android client will inform you when new Stable version is available.

Through a list of PBXwares and PBXware tenants, Bicom Release Manager users can control updates on a per-system basis.

They can decide if a system is updatedable or not to disable updates completely or change the update status type. Update status defines if a system will use Stable or Test (release candidate) releases.

Separate update controls for different platforms allows us to have fine grained control over updates and to target a specific platform.

Separated platforms don’t affect each other and disabling iOS updates will not disable desktop updates as well.

Application statistics will show up only if there are desktop applications connecting to that PBXware.

If you click on a Tenant license or Tenant code directly on the License page, Tenant view will appear, with all relevant information, such as Licence number, Tenant code, PBXware version and Update Control. Also, the Tenant view will show up if you click on a Tenant code in a section under the PBXware.

Just like on PBXware level, separate update controls for different platforms allows users to control updates and to target a specific platform. Separated platforms don’t affect each other and disabling iOS updates will not disable Desktop updates as well.

On Tenant there is one additional option for Update stage field - Default. Default is an option for Release stage on Tenants that enables Tenants to use whichever option was set on the PBXware level. All tenants are initially set to use “Default” release stage.

Release notifications

Partners will receive notification emails from Bicom Release Manager when new releases are available.

When you click on Manage your Updates button, Bicom Release Manager will open in a new window and you will be able to access your account easily.

This email will also contain Change log for this release, with information about all of the changes.

User Aliases

Alias is a dedicated account which can be created by Bicom Partner, to grant employee permissions without sharing personal account information. User Aliases page gives overview of all existing aliases, and allows creation of new aliases as well.

Users of the Alias accounts can not see the list of other Alias accounts, and they can not create new Aliases.

To create a new Alias, click on New Alias button, enter the Alias name and valid email where activation link will be sent.

Activation link will be valid for 24 hours. This is another layer of protection to keep your data safe. Email you receive will contain activation link, click on it and new window will show up, where you have to set new password for alias user.

Password must be set within 1 hour or whole process of registration must be repeated. After new password is set, you can log into created Alias account. Alias account can be used only after the activation procedure with setting a password is completed successfully.

Bicom Partner can also deactivate Alias account (e.g. Employee with the Alias account does not work any more in that company).

Alias account can be removed by main account at any time by clicking on the red X.

Change Logs

Change logs are displayed in the update Bicom Release Manager for different brands. Goal is to provide the end user with information about all the changes in one central place. All change logs can be nicely formatted in contrast to the old simple text implementation. There are 3 separate tabs for Desktop, Android and iOS change logs.

Partner proxy and Custom download links

Adding proxy to Bicom release manager

NOTE: Available only in OEM version of BRM.

Once proxy setup is completed you can add the proxy domain address into Bicom Release Manager by going to the Settings page and editing the Partner proxy settings as shown below.

Please make sure to start the address with HTTPS and to keep it under 250 characters long.

This option will change all Partner links inside the Bicom Release Manager other than direct download links. All landing pages and QR codes will be using this proxy as their main domain. If partner proxy is removed from settings these links will default to https://up.bicomsystems.com

Adding custom Partner download links to Bicom Release Manager

NOTE: Available only in OEM version of BRM.

To change the partner direct download links you will have to go to each separate desktop and mobile release and set the link URL.

For desktop, go to Desktop Releases page and open a release for viewing. There you will be able to set custom links for each supported platform (Windows, OSX, Linux). In case of any problems, original Bicom Systems download links will still be available to you as a fallback and as a source of setup files for upload to your own servers. To edit a link press the Set Link button and enter the new link in the dialogue. If the Partner download links are left empty updates will default to corresponding Bicom Systems links.

For mobile, go to Mobile Releases page and open a release for viewing. There you will be able to set a custom download link. In case of any problems, original Bicom Systems download link will still be available to you as a fallback and as a source of setup files for upload to your own servers. The provided Release landing page link and QR code shown in the image below will use your proxy address as previously stated. To edit the link press the Set Link button and enter the new link in the dialog. If the Partner download links are left empty updates will default to Bicom Systems links.

Please make sure to start the address with HTTP or HTTPS and to keep it under 255 characters long. It is highly recommended to use HTTPS for partner download links.

Cipher format

Ciphers are usually found in their RFC format but their format may differ in openssl, NGINX and SSLlabs web page. To find a corresponding format supported by nginx use the following link:

https://testssl.sh/openssl-rfc.mappping.html

Feedbacks

Feedbacks page displays a list of all your feedbacks submitted via Bicom applications. You can filter and search your feedbacks by:

HASH code

Phone model

OS Version

Version

Brand

Edition