Solution 7: 4.13 Preview Edition

 

Overview

Solution 7 4.13 is currently available as a preview build. This article explains what a preview build is, how it differs from the current official 4.12 release, what new features 4.13 includes, and how to install, set up and test it.

A Preview version is used for testing only. Do not use the preview version for fiscal reporting.

What is a preview build?

A preview build is a test version of Solution 7 that we release to a select group of customers prior to being released as an official build. It gives you early access to new features so you can try them out and send us feedback. It also gives our development team time to see the software in use in real customer environments and fix any issues before the official release goes out to the wider Solution 7 customer base.

Because the preview build is still in testing, you may come across issues or performance differences that aren't present in the official release. Your feedback helps us resolve these before 4.13 becomes an official build.

Our recommendation

The preview build is best suited to users who are comfortable testing new software and reporting issues. If you rely on Solution 7 for time-critical reporting, such as month-end close, we recommend continuing to use the official 4.12 release for that work.

Preview build (4.13) vs official build (4.12)

What's new in 4.13

Multi-book: pivot tables

In both version 4.12 and 4.13, Solution 7 can return balances from your secondary and adjustment-only accounting books using the Advanced Balances functions. In 4.13, you can now choose an accounting book in the pivot table options, so you can pull transaction lines from secondary (for example, GAAP) books and adjustment-only books.

This removes the need to export transactions for each book from NetSuite and combine them manually.

For more information on using multi-book with the pivot tables, use our Using Multiple Accounting Books guide.

Multi-book: budget upload

In version 4.12, budget upload could only support loading budgets to the primary book. In 4.13, the budget upload Map Worksheets screen now includes a new Accounting Book option, so you can upload budgets and forecasts to your secondary or adjustment-only books.

Note: Multi-book is a feature that must be enabled in your NetSuite account. If you don't use multiple accounting books, you won't see any additional books in these options. 

For more information on using multi-book with the pivot tables, use our Using Multiple Accounting Books guide.

Token-based authentication (TBA)

In 4.12, Solution 7 always uses your NetSuite username and password. You enter the email address and password you normally use to log in to NetSuite in the Solution 7 configuration, and Solution 7 authenticates these and creates a token for you in the background. This is a hybrid method that uses both your NetSuite credentials and a token.

In 4.13, you can choose to authenticate using TBA-only. You don't enter your NetSuite username and password into Solution 7 at all. Instead, you authorise Solution 7 from within the NetSuite UI, which creates a token that Solution 7 uses to connect.

Using TBA-only is optional and is set up by the configuration file. If you would like to test Solution 7 using the TBA-only method, we recommend creating a separate configuration file you can use to activate Solution 7. Installing the preview build does not switch you to TBA automatically, and you can continue to use the hybrid authentication method within the preview build.

On-going performance review!

Using Solution 7 with Token-based authentication only is still in testing, and you may notice slower performance when using it. Our development team and the NetSuite support team are working to improve this. If you find TBA-only too slow for your needs, you can switch back to the hybrid authentication method at any time.

Note: You cannot use the Administrator role with TBA. You must use the Solution 7 Reporting role or your own version of that role.

How to check which version you are running

1. Open Excel and go to the Solution 7 tab.
2. Click About.

3. The version number is shown, along with the date the preview build was released if you have the preview installed.

   

How to install the preview build

Contact the support team if you would like to install and test the 4.13 preview build. The Support links can be found at the top of this article. Once you open a ticket, the support team will be in touch with a special link you can use to install the 4.13 preview.

Once you receive the download link from Support, please use the following instructions.

When you install 4.13 and activate Solution 7, you will see the expiry date of your preview build. The preview build expires 90 days after installation. New updates will be made available as they are released, via the same install link. Once a new update is installed, the build expiry date will change.

How to set up token-based authentication (TBA)

If you are setting up the TBA-only method for the first time, we recommend creating a new configuration file for it. This keeps your existing hybrid configuration intact, so you can easily switch between the two while you test.

1. Make a copy of your existing configuration file and save it in the same place as the original. Give it a name that makes it easy to identify, for example "TBA Test".

   

2. Open Solution 7 and click Configure.
3. Click Change File and select the new TBA version. It will contain the same information as the original, we will amend the new version to work with TBA-only.
4. In the Description box, enter "TBA Test" to match the file name.

5. In the Data Provider drop-down, select "SuiteAnalytics Connect - NetSuite2.com TBA".

   

6. Once you switch to TBA-only, you will see the warning box pictured below. Click Yes. 

   

   The username and password fields become read-only and the authentication method is set to "Token-Based Authentication".

7. Click Advanced if you need to check your account settings. Your Account ID stays the same, and there is no Role ID field because you authenticate the role in NetSuite in the next steps.

8. Click Connect. This will prompt NetSuite to open in your default web browser.

   

9. If you are not already logged in to NetSuite, log in as normal. If your company uses single sign-on, NetSuite opens using your usual SSO login.
10. NetSuite shows a page asking you to allow Solution 7 to access your account. This displays the Account ID and the role that Solution 7 will use. The role defaults to the Solution 7 Reporting role. You can choose a different role, but not Administrator.

11. Click Allow. A message confirms that authorisation is complete, and you can close the browser window.

    

12. Return to Excel. Solution 7 confirms the Account ID and role it will use. Click OK.

    

13. Click OK to save and close the configuration window, then activate Solution 7 as normal.

How to switch back to username and password authentication

You can return to the hybrid authentication method within the preview build, exactly as you do in 4.12.

1. On the Solution 7 tab, open Configure.
2. Click Change File and select your previous configuration file where you enter your NetSuite username and password.
3. Enter your NetSuite username and password to authenticate, then click OK.
4. Click Activate. On activation, Solution 7 will authenticate the credentials plus create and authenticate a token with NetSuite in the backend.

FAQ and Troubleshooting

Do I have to use token-based authentication if I install the preview build? No. Token-based authentication is optional. You can use the hybrid username and password authentication within the preview build, just as in 4.12.

Do I need a username and password to use token-based authentication? You don't enter your username and password into Solution 7. However, if you aren't already logged in to NetSuite when you click Connect, you will need to log in to NetSuite as normal (or via single sign-on, if your company uses it).

Who decides whether to use token-based authentication? The authentication method is set per configuration file. If you are using a shared configuration file, ensure you have saved a separate config file to test TBA to avoid breaking the connection for other users. Your company's IT or security team may require TBA-only, so check with them if you're unsure.

What happens when the preview build expires? The preview build expires 90 days after installation. Please keep checking this page and update the preview build so it does not expire.

When will 4.13 become an official release? 4.13 will be released as an official build once testing is complete and we're confident everything is working smoothly. We'll share the release date once it's confirmed.

Common Errors

Solution 7 failed to activate. Unable to connect to NetSuite because no valid Token-Based Authentication token is configured. Please return to the Configuration dialog to check your NetSuite connection settings. 

Resolution

This message suggests the user has selected TBA-only as the authentication method in Solution 7 but have not clicked Connect in the configuration file to authenticate TBA with the Solution 7 role in NetSuite. 

1. Open the Configure button and click Connect. This will prompt NetSuite to open in your default web browser.
2. If you are not already logged in to NetSuite, log in as normal. If your company uses single sign-on, NetSuite opens using your usual SSO login.
3. NetSuite shows a page asking you to allow Solution 7 to access your account. This displays the Account ID and the role that Solution 7 will use. The role defaults to the Solution 7 Reporting role. You can choose a different role, but not Administrator.
4. Click Allow. A message confirms that authorisation is complete, and you can close the browser window.

Failed to listen on prefix [X] because it conflicts with an existing registration on the machine.

Resolution

This message suggests the user has clicked Connect on the Solution 7 configuration but has not selected "allow" in NetSuite. 

1. Click OK on the configuration to save your changes so far.
2. Close Excel.
3. Open the Configure button and click Connect. This will prompt NetSuite to open in your default web browser.
4. If you are not already logged in to NetSuite, log in as normal. If your company uses single sign-on, NetSuite opens using your usual SSO login.
5. NetSuite shows a page asking you to allow Solution 7 to access your account. This displays the Account ID and the role that Solution 7 will use. The role defaults to the Solution 7 Reporting role. You can choose a different role, but not Administrator.
6. Click Allow. A message confirms that authorisation is complete, and you can close the browser window.

Feedback and support

Your feedback on the preview build helps us improve Solution 7 before the official release. To report an issue, share feedback, or request the preview build or an update, open a support ticket via zoneandco.com/customer-support-form.