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October, 2024
Flex Platform | Flex CAD | Flex GIS | Flex Records
Flex Platform
New Login Screen With SSL Validation Check
The first and foremost update for 2024.3 is the one you’ll see when logging into Flex. Not only does the new login screen provide a more modern look, it also builds in the capability for an agency to utilize time-based, one-time password (TOTP). This brings Flex into alignment with CJIS requirements and prepares us for enabling agencies to use their own, existing IdM provider and other login methods in 2025!
The new login screen now requires users to pick their server first then enter in their username. Once users enter their username, they will be presented with a password prompt based upon IdM settings. If TOTP is enabled for that user’s agency, then they will be presented with a TOTP prompt once they enter in a valid password..
Additionally, Flex now performs an SSL Validation check whenever any user logs on. If the validation check is not successful, the user will be prevented from logging into Flex. This will help agencies ensure CJIS compliance and the overall security of their system.
The updated login screen will be applied across the board, for all Flex users once an agency upgrades to 2024.3. This new login screen is now the default login screen and is activated automatically. Users will have to select a server before connecting. For the SSL Validation Check, it’s important to note that this feature is not configurable and cannot be turned off. Your agency’s SAA can use the SSL CertCheckUtil to confirm validation and see where the problem is if the check is not successful.
Built-In TOTP
As mentioned, 2024.3 is the first release with built-in TOTP. This highly anticipated enhancement will allow agencies to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) via TOTP out of the box. To better help Flex customers comply with the new CJIS mandate for all CJI systems to have MFA capabilities, there is no cost associated with this feature; this will be available to any Flex agency that needs MFA but does not want to buy PassKeys.
TOTP integration will be available in Flex desktop, Flex Mobile, Touch, Jail Scanner, and Flex Admin Manager. Integration for the Evidence Scanner will be coming later this year. To enable, simply set Module.MFA.TOTP.Enabled to “True”. This can be set all the way down to the user level, allowing you to be as granular or wide as you need with this MFA functionality.
IdM Integration
Does your agency use a third-party IdM provider such as Microsoft Entra ID, Cisco Duo, Okta or others? We’re actively working on integration to third-party IdM providers so that your users can utilize the same username and password used in other agency applications with Flex. Keep an eye out for this in 2025!
Bomgar Remote Session Link
This update includes a new, direct link to flexsupport.motorolasolutions.com on the Flex desktop, Mobile and Jail screens’ help menu. This helpful link, which is available to all Flex users, will drastically reduce the amount of time customers have historically spent with the Flex Support team just trying to get to the Bomgar Remote Support portal. Now, users can get to the right website in one, quick click.
There are no settings that need to be changed; this link is automatically activated. Just look for the “Remote Support” link under the Help menu.
.Net 8
Microsoft will be ending support of .NET 6 in November 2024. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce that Flex is now compatible with .NET 8. CertCheckerUtil has already been updated to check for .NET 8. We know that these changes are not fun for anyone, so we are currently making changes to the Launcher to automatically install .NET moving forward.
It’s important to note that .NET 8.0 must be installed on all Flex clients prior to upgrading to 2024.3+. It can be installed side -by-side with .NET 6.0, allowing your agency to prepare for .NET 8.0 while still enabling backwards compatibility with .NET 6.0 until upgrading.
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Flex CAD
Add Multiple Vehicles in CAD Calls
We’re excited to announce this newest enhancement in Flex CAD, which has been one of the most requested features on our Ideas Portal! Starting in 2024.3, dispatchers can associate multiple vehicles to a call. The plates associated with the call are listed under a new tab called “Persons & Vehicles” in the Incident screen. There are multiple ways to associate a vehicle to a call. Dispatchers can include a license plate in the call comments, or they can manually or automatically run a query. After selecting the result they want, dispatchers can select a button called “Add to Call” and then select which call they want to associate the vehicle to.
To enable the Persons & Vehicles tab in the Incident screen, make sure Module.CAD.CAlltaking.RunNamesFromComments is set to Yes. To enable the “Add to Call” button, make sure the Module.StateLink.RemoveAddToCall setting is set to False.
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Flex GIS
Mobile Map Enhancements
We’re excited to share a number of Mobile Map updates made in the 2024.3 release. These updates include changes to the sidebar, which can now expand or collapse by clicking on any of the icons or the close button. When the sidebar moves, the whole map and navigation shift so that it doesn’t cover any portion of the map. It’s important to note that the state of the sidebar is saved to the client.
We’ve also added the ability to show and hide both incident and unit labels and icons. This will allow Mobile users to hide some of the clutter when too many incidents or units are displayed on the map. These toggles are located in the Mobile Map settings.
Finally, we have improved the experience for Mobile users that want to select an incident or unit that is in close proximity with other icons on the map. Now, users can right click on the map to display a list of nearby incidents and units in an area of the map with multiple incident/unit icons overlapping.
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Flex Records
Demographics Screen Changes
Frequently, NCIC, IBR, and Stop Reporting codes for race, sex, gender, ethnicity and color are not always the same. In an effort to streamline the process for Flex users and minimize errors in reporting, we have made a few changes to the Demographics screen. First, we’ve created Demographic screen-specific code tables for race, sex, gender, ethnicity, and color. We’ve also added a few new fields for Perceived Color, Perceived Ethnicity, and Perceived Gender. Lastly, a number of fields in the Demographics screen were expanded to allow the full abbreviations or descriptions of state-mandated fields.
There are no extra settings for this enhancement; the changes will automatically take effect beginning in 2024.3. No existing data will be lost; existing code tables will be copied over to the new code tables and existing rcmain data will now automatically point to these new code tables. It will be up to your agency to modify the new tbrc* code tables to conform to your requirements.
File Capture Screen Changes
We have a lot of customers utilizing the integration between Flex and CommandCentral Evidence, with some asking for the ability to set default download behavior. To preserve file authenticity, this newest enhancement will allow system administrators to set whether their users are forced to open files directly in CommandCentral Evidence rather than downloading files onto their desktop. Since not every agency will have a preference one way or the other, we have also provided the ability for the end user to make the decision themselves.
For SAA’s to set the default behavior for their agency, go to the new setting Module.FileCapture.downloadBehavior. If your agency does not have a preference and wants to enable the users to make their own defaults, no settings need to be changed.
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For previous product updates not listed on this blog, click here.
