Release notes for August 19, 2023

• Release notes for Zoom Events
• Release notes for Workspace Reservation
• Release notes for Zoom Node
• Release notes for the enhanced Zoom Connector for SIP/H.323
• Release notes for Zoom Contact Center
• Release notes for Workforce Management

Release notes for Zoom Events

Changes to existing features

• Allow both hub hosts and hub owner to publish events and recordings
  Both the hub owner and hub hosts can publish events in the hub's Events tab (event listing) and recordings in the hub's Recordings tab (recordings listing).
• Remove ticket-level restrictions for group join links
  Group join links are not dependent on ticket-level restrictions. Hosts have a single place at the group-join-link level to control access behavior. Hosts can select the authentication method for each group join link, and all the domain and email allow lists are set at the group-join-link level (not at the ticket level). Multiple group join links can reference the same ticket with different authentication and allow list rules. For any existing group join link, the ticket level restrictions must be migrated to the group-join-link level. Ticket-level domain and email lists only determine registration behavior. Previously, hosts had to change group join link settings at the ticket level.
• Changes to payments and billing for paid events in Australia
  For paid events in Australia, the paid event ticket registration can start within the next 12 months from the event publication date. Previously, for paid events in Australia, the paid event ticket registration could only start 89 days from the event publication date.
• Change Event Detail Page's Title field to Tagline field
  In the Event Detail Page tab, the Title field will be changed to the Tagline field.
• Centralized event registration and authentication settings
  When registration is enabled for an event, hosts can use the Register & Join section. This section is a centralized registration page where hosts can manage existing functionalities, such as authentication rules, free/paid event, geo-blocking, registrations, and marketing consent. Under Registration & Join, hosts can create group join links and registration links and specify an authentication setting for each in the Event Access tab. Authentication rules live within the registration link, separate from group join links, and the host can apply additional filters at the ticket level. Ticket visibility rules still remain in the Ticketing section. Additionally, the Event Detail Page and Manage Registrants tabs are moved under the Registration & Join section.

New and enhanced features

• Admin features
  • Display locked features
    When account owners and admins disable and lock web portal settings that affect core features in Zoom Events, those features will be greyed out and display the lock icon. The host can hover their mouse over the locked feature and view the message that they cannot use that feature because it has been disabled and locked by an admin. Previously, features that were disabled and locked by account admins were hidden from Zoom Events. 
  • Allow host to upload downloadable material
    Account owners and admins can enable or disable the Zoom web portal setting Allow host to upload downloadable material. This setting controls the ability to upload downloadable materials in the Zoom Events event creation setup. Enabling this toggle allows hosts to upload downloadable materials during the setup process.
    Note: This setting does not affect the ability to upload documents in the webinar session's  Resources tab.
• Host features
  • Upload recording files to Zoom's cloud recording storage for simulive
    A recording file can be placed into Zoom's cloud recording storage and linked to the hub so that the hub owner or hub hosts can choose it when they are scheduling a simulive webinar. Hosts can set up a simulive webinar and upload their own preferred video. Once the video is processed, it can be selected as the simulive source.  Uploaded recordings are also visible in the Zoom web portal recording list and are tagged with the  From a Zoom Events Hub label. 
    Note: This feature must be enabled by Zoom. Zoom Events users who have qualified for video replacement can also upload recordings for Simulive. Zoom Events users who are not on a qualifying account can use Simulive but can only select from existing hub recordings. For additional questions, contact Zoom Support to discuss whether this feature is available for your account.
  • Identify companion or virtual mode users
    Hosts can view the participants who are in companion mode or virtual mode in their meetings/webinar sessions. They can ask participants to switch to virtual mode (for audio and video). An icon is displayed for participants who use companion mode, differentiating them from virtual mode users.
  • Enhancements to exclude specific tickets from certain email templates
    In the Emails tab of the event creation setup, hosts can select different ticket types and add them to the Email Exclude List. This excludes the selected ticket types from certain email templates. Attendees assigned those excluded tickets will not be sent the respective email template. The email template will continue to send normally to qualifying tickets that are not part of the exclude list. This feature has been implemented for the following emails that use Email Builder:
    
    • Event Reminder
    • Event Survey
  • Directly join lobby from event creation setup
    Hosts can directly join their event lobby by clicking the Join Lobby button under the See More dropdown menu in the event creation setup.
• Event setup features
  • Group join link for one-time password users
    When an event does not require registration and hosts select Sign in with a Zoom account or authenticate via email (OTP)  as the authentication profile for their event, they can create a join link. Hosts can specify email addresses or domains as an additional restriction for those users. This allows users on the domain or with the specified email addresses to register and join. It applies to both Zoom users and email-only users. Users will be asked to provide their email address at joining and must pass an email one-time password (OTP) verification to join. Only users on the email domains that the host specified can access and join the event; other users will receive an error message that they do not have permission. Hosts will receive a group join link after publishing the event. Hosts can copy the group join link, view the group join link in an email draft, and send an email draft to themselves.
  • Customize registrants’ join process
    Hosts can choose to issue fast-join links to the registrants for their events and can customize the join process of fast-join users. For public events, hosts can choose between the default fast-join (bypass authentication) option or the Always join option (attendees must authenticate when they access the fast-join link). This feature applies to events that have a Zoom account or email-only user as authentication, including registrants and pre-registrants. Registrants must answer the security question to join the event if this option was enabled for them. This doesn’t impact events that have IDP or Zoom account authentication along with specified conditions.
  • Security code at event join
    Hosts can enable the Security code at join option in the event creation setup. A security code will be sent to each attendee's inbox every time they join the host's event. Depending on the attendees' event authentication portfolio, attendees who join an event with the  Security code at join option enabled will have different scenarios.
  • Set default event and registration link
    When hosts set up an event, they can add a group join link or registration link to the event. The first option added to the event is considered the default, but the host can modify the default selection to a different event link. When the default selection is applied, the existing event detail page links or the links used by the hub will use the default setting specified by the host.
  • View change history for group join links and registration links
    Hosts can track who edits and updates their event access within their events. Any changes to the host's event access will be recorded under  Change History and include information about the user who made the change. 
  • List hub owner and all hub hosts in the Co-Editors screen
    In the Co-Editors screen in the event creation setup, the hub owner and all hub hosts are listed.
  • Search ability in event creation setup
    Hosts can search for an event creation feature and navigate to the corresponding location from the search results.
  • Resize rich text fields
    Hosts can resize rich text fields in the event creation setup. Previously, the rich text fields were not resizable.
  • Define the event's authentication portfolio and audience
    At the beginning of the event setup flow, event hosts will choose between requiring registration or having no registration. This choice decides the authentication portfolio available in the next step. Then, event hosts will select an authentication method to define the event's audience type. The authentication choice also decides the event detail page access. Event hosts can select from the following authentication methods:
    • When the choice is Zoom account holder and non-Zoom users, the host gets an additional option to customize the email verification code frequency for guest registrants.
    • When an event needs registration, hosts can enable two-factor authentication.
    • When an event is private, hosts can waive authentication at joining (issue fast join links to registrants).
    • When an event does not have registration, the email inviting people to register will not be triggered. The email from Zoom Events will be the join link email.
      
• Attendee features
  • Enhancements to the attendee's hub listing
    The attendee hub provides an avenue for attendees to easily discover the event content, stay connected with updated event content, and have opportunities to interact with exhibitors, sponsors, and other attendees. Attendees can easily access the community hub to discover events, use Zoom Events as a platform for interaction and sharing comments, and discover relevant event content. The visual layout of the event listing in the attendee's hub and the hub profile page is improved for consistency and easier searchability. 
  • Support for the desktop Attendee Companion app
    Attendees can join hybrid events using the companion app on desktop and laptop devices. This app allows them to attend an event in person or virtually without leaving Zoom Events. They can find, bookmark, and attend sessions in hybrid events. During hybrid events, attendees can participate in chat and Q&A without video or audio streaming, and they can also enable streaming for audio/video. Attendees can switch from companion mode to virtual mode in the lobby.
    Note: Livestreaming is disabled for the desktop lobby when attendees use companion mode.
  • Manual Zoom Event join for non-Zoom users on the Zoom mobile app
    Users without Zoom accounts can use the Zoom mobile app even though they cannot log in to the mobile app directly or even if they don't have a join link. They can use the one-time password (OTP) verification or manually sign in to the event with their email (via the app).
• Branding features
  • Email Builder General Availability
    Hosts can control the branding of their emails, using the Email Builder, to follow their brand identity and be more engaging for event attendees. The Email Builder customizes attendee invitation and confirmation emails. This feature uses the host's event logo, and hosts can customize the headline, email text, and images. The emails automatically inherit the event’s branding and color palette. Additionally, hosts can drag and drop sections and configure the section settings.
  • Localization support in Email Builder
    Email Builder emails are compatible with localization. Hosts can choose a language by clicking the Language setting for emails dropdown menu. Hosts can make customizations in the Email Builder view. Any customized text in Email Builder cannot be localized. All default content is localized per the selected language. Hosts can always reset their emails to the original compatible version.
• Hub features
  • Share editing capabilities for hub recordings and transcriptions
    The hub owner can share editing capabilities for hub recordings with a selective group of users. Instead of directing users to the Zoom web portal to edit hub recordings or transcriptions, users can edit a recording or transcription on the Zoom Events platform. The hub hosts and co-editors can be assigned permission to modify videos, including replacing and trimming videos and editing transcripts. They cannot delete hub recordings.
    Note: Only the hub owner can delete recordings from the hub.
  • Select registration or join link to display to attendees
    When event organizers enable the Publish on Hub option for their events, they can select the link from all registration/join links that they want to display to attendees. The selected link is also the event listing link. The event organizer can edit the event listing link to choose another one from the event setup’s link list if the event has already been published to the hub. The authentication method is embedded in the link itself, and the hub doesn't need to take account of the authentication method.
  • Upload pre-recorded content to the hub's Recordings tab
    Hub users can upload pre-recorded content—whether local recordings or the recordings of the events from the same hub—to the hub's Recordings tab to enable a Video On Demand (VOD) or simulive session. The videos uploaded in the hub's Recording tab will be stored on the Zoom web portal cloud storage instead of the Zoom Events platform. The video formats include .mp4, .mov, .avi, .wmv, and H.264 files. The maximum video size is 2GB.
  • Allow co-editors to use hub content library
    Co-editors can access the hub's content library and manage the assets. Co-editors can add or delete images and videos, create or delete folders, and move assets to folders.
• Analytics features
  • Identify registrants with Zoom or guest accounts in analytics reports
    In the analytics reports, hosts can view data for registrants, whether they registered with a Zoom account or guest email. This information has been added to the registration column in the General Ticket Registration report.
  • Rename and duplicate reports in Custom Report Builder
    Hosts can rename and duplicate all saved reports. They can edit their custom report names.
• Meeting & Webinar features
  • Production Studio
    Production Studio in Zoom Events allows hosts to produce visually engaging and branded webinars. Hosts can customize what an attendee sees, customize layouts, add borders to videos, adjust the aspect ratio, and customize all in-session branding features. This feature will not be immediately available, as it is dependent on a backend server update currently scheduled for August 20, 2023.
  • Allow panelists to start video in webinars
    The Allow panelists to start video option within a webinar is enabled by default, allowing panelists to turn on their cameras after they join a webinar session. Previously, the Allow panelists to start video setting was disabled by default for panelists within a webinar session.
  • Changes to Polls report format 
    The Polls CSV report format has been changed for improved data presentation and enhanced historical tracking. Changes to the Polls report format include adding Launched Polls historical data, a row for the count of responders, and renaming the User Email column to Email address. This change will apply to Polls for Meetings, Webinars, Events, and Sessions.
    Note: This feature will not be immediately available, as it is dependent on a backend server update currently scheduled for August 21, 2023.
• Networking & Chat features
  • Support for archiving in-meeting chat for regulated users on external meetings
    When account owners and admins enable or disable chat archiving for their Zoom account, Zoom Events web chat messages (public and direct) will also be archived, similar to in-meeting chat. Regulated users' Zoom Events direct chat conversations will also be archived when they join Zoom Events hosted by an external organization. When archiving is enabled, users in the archived event are shown a disclaimer that archiving is on.
• Payments & Billing features
  • Support for paid events in India
    The geographic availability where hosts can create paid events has been expanded to India. For users in India, PayPal only supports international payments:
    • Payments through PayPal between event organizers and registrants outside of India are supported.
    • Payments through PayPal between event organizers in India and registrants outside of India are supported. 
    • Payments through Paypal between event organizers in India and registrants in India are not supported. 
  • Support for Stripe for paid events in New Zealand
    Stripe is supported as another payment option in New Zealand. For events in New Zealand, paid ticket registration is limited to up to 89 days from the event publication date.
• Developer features
  Note: All API features will not be immediately available, as it is dependent on a backend server update currently scheduled for August 28, 2023.
  • Zoom Events onsite check-in API
    Users can manage a set of APIs for third-party check-in at the event level and session level. They can set the check-in status for an attendee for the event and given sessions. The event check-in API ensures that the attendee has an onsite ticket for the event. If the attendee has purchased an onsite ticket for the event, the API will return success. The session check-in API ensures that the attendee has an onsite ticket and whether the ticket allows the attendee to attend the given session. If the attendee has access to the session, the API will return a success response else.
  • Speakers API
    Event organizers can integrate third-party call-for-speakers tools with Zoom Events so that the event host does not have to manually sync speakers between the two systems. The API features include:
    • Retrieve a list of all speakers from Zoom Events
    • Create speakers with the required details
    • Update speakers' details post-creation
    • Delete a speaker from Zoom Events
  • Sponsors APIs
    Event organizers can use a set of APIs to sync sponsors between any third-party system/tool and the Zoom Events platform. The API features include:​
    • Retrieve a list of all sponsors from Zoom Events
    • Create sponsors with the required details
    • Update sponsor details post creation
    • Delete a sponsor from Zoom Events
• Integration features
  • Update the Marketo program status to No Show if the registrant did not attend
    Users want the most relevant status in their marketing system so they can market to their leads appropriately based on their event engagement. When a registered person does not attend any session in an event, their program status updates to No Show. In the Marketo Program, a registrant coming from a Zoom Events form is marked as Registered, and a registrant coming from a Marketo form is marked as Registered if the smart campaign step was used. After each session ends, everyone that has registered is updated to Attended. After the entire event has ended, all Registered people left in the Marketo program who never attended will be marked as No Show. This feature applies to users who pre-registered through a native Zoom form.
  • Sync an absentee list with Pardot
    The Absentee list is created to sync attendees who registered for the event but did not attend any sessions. In the Pardot integration in Zoom Events, the Absentee list is displayed beneath the Registration and Attendance lists. After an event has ended, registrants who did not attend any session will be added to the Absentee list.
  • Support alternative match fields in Marketo
    Hosts can map another match field that can be used instead of the email field. Users can have multiple records of a lead in Marketo that share the same email address. Attendance and activity are matched into Marketo, and hosts can use the email field and another custom field that they select. Based on the selected map field, only the lead that has a corresponding email address and value in that field will be updated. If no lead exists with that match ID, the behavior of automatically creating a new lead with the mapped data from Zoom Events will continue.
  • Only update registration data from the Zoom Events form in Marketo
    When registration is from outside Zoom Events, the registration data will not be synced and will not overwrite the profile in Marketo. If registration is from a Zoom Events form, the fields will continue to be updated. A new lead profile will be created and their fields will be updated if no matching record exists.
  • Automatically add registrant from Zoom Events form to HubSpot workflow
    HubSpot users can see the list of their events when they open the configuration page and can choose a HubSpot workflow where event registrants will be added. When a user registers through a Zoom form for an event, they will be automatically added to the workflow using that contact trigger.
  • Send unique join link to HubSpot contact field
    Hosts can automatically sync the unique join link for each registrant into a HubSpot field or custom object.  The join link matches the authentication method defined in the event (i.e., Zoom account authentication, guest join, or group join).

Resolved issues

• Minor bug fixes
• Security enhancements
• Resolved an issue where hosts could not see pre-registration/registration status and attendance from the Manage Registrants report.

Note: The Enhancements to video upload in the hub's Content Library feature have been pulled from release due to issues with deployment and will be available in the October 2023 release.

Release notes for Workspace Reservation

Changes to existing features

• Workspace Reservation Beta licenses expiration
  The transition period for beta licenses for Workspace Reservation will end on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. To maintain any workspaces you’ve created, you’ll need to purchase your Workspace Reservation subscription or ensure that Workspace Reservation is included in any Zoom bundle packages you may currently have. If you do not purchase these subscriptions by July 31, 2024, you will no longer have access to managing the workspace(s) you created during the beta program. Upon expiration of the account's Beta license, the account admin will lose management, assignment, and reservations of their workspaces. However, the workspace data will be retained. If the account admin purchases a Workspace Reservation subscription before the Beta license expiration, Zoom will automatically replace the free Workspace Reservation Beta license with the paid subscription.

New and enhanced features

• Device features
  • Support for Logi Dock Flex (Beta)
    Account owners or admins can add and configure the docking station with a screen, Logi Dock Flex, using Zoom Device Management (ZDM). This allows users to check in to workspaces by plugging their computer into the docking station. Additionally, the docking station’s display is set up as a scheduling display. This feature is in beta.

Resolved issues

• Minor bug fixes
• Security enhancements

Release notes for Zoom Node

New and enhanced features

• Node Management portal changes
  Zoom Node management has moved from the Advanced section of the admin portal and is now its own section under Admin. This change also includes a dedicated update portal, that displays available updates for all modules as well as the update history.

Changes to existing features

• Advanced monitoring support for ZPLS
  Zoom Node now supports Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) for monitoring with Node servers utilizing Zoom Local Survivability modules. 

Resolved issues

• Security enhancements
• Minor bug fixes

Release notes for the enhanced Zoom Connector for SIP/H.323

New and enhanced features

• Support for provisioning Trio C60 as a Zoom Rooms Controller
  The enhanced Room Connector now supports provisioning the Poly Trio C60 in Zoom Rooms controller mode. Once provisioned these devices can be assigned to a Zoom Room for use.
• Automatic certificate validation
  Certificates uploaded to a Node server via the local admin interface will now be automatically validated once they have been imported.

Resolved issues

• Minor bug fixes
• Security enhancements
• Resolved an issue where outgoing video would not be sent when joining a breakout room.

Release notes for Zoom Contact Center

Changes to existing features

• Requirement for address book contact lookup
  In Contact Center Management Roles settings, for custom roles, when Address book management under Administration section or Address book tab under Client Management section are not checked, then the consumer information is not matched with address book contacts for engagements handled by users with that custom role. If address book contact lookup is needed for users with a custom role, at least one of these settings needs to be checked. There are no changes to the default role settings.

New and enhanced features

• Admin features
  • Virtual Service Numbers for Japan 
    Zoom Contact Center is introducing the ability for admins to purchase Virtual Service Numbers (050 & 0ABJ) in Japan, enabling agents to receive inbound calls and make outbound calls. Account owners and admins can select their preferred number from the pre-populated list, with a notification displaying the concurrent call limitations for each phone number type. Admins will be required to schedule a video call during Japan working hours to show the actual documents uploaded for verification. Call routing for 0ABJ outbound calls will be geographically based, with specific routing requirements for Eastern and Western cities of Japan.
  • Agent whisper announcement
    The agent whisper announcement feature allows admins to play a configurable announcement to agents just before they are connected to the caller. This announcement helps agents gain context regarding the engagement by providing agents with caller information through their headsets. It is available for inbound engagements, outbound engagements using the dialer, transfers to agents or queues, and conference to queue scenarios.
  • Advanced search for address book contacts
    Admins, supervisors, and agents can search address book contacts by various attributes such as name, phone number, email, and more. The feature enhances productivity and improves the search experience for users accessing the address book from the Zoom desktop client and the web portal.
  • Enhancement to 10DLC registration
    To comply with carrier regulations and avoid potential message blocking and surcharges, Zoom Contact Center is introducing a warning message for agents who send SMS from US/CA Virtual Service numbers but have not created a 10DLC campaign. This warning will be displayed whenever agents send messages via the Zoom Contact Center client. Messages will not be blocked if a valid 10DLC campaign is active, pending, or associated with the phone number used for messaging. SMS-enabled numbers that are not US/CA numbers are exempt from this requirement.
  • Enhancement to role organization and settings
    Zoom Contact Center has reorganized and streamlined the permissions and settings within Roles to provide a more logical and user-friendly experience. The changes include moving all setting-related permissions to the Engagement Settings tab, renaming the tab to cover all contact center settings, and categorizing the settings into logical groupings. Additionally, Analytics Permissions has been renamed to Analytics, and the tabs have been reordered for improved usability.
  • Language selection for captions and live transcriptions
    Consumers can select preferred languages for viewing captions and live transcriptions. Users can now choose from the available languages that Zoom has enabled, ensuring content is displayed in their desired language. This feature is available across different platforms, including desktop, tablet, kiosk, and mobile, providing a consistent experience for agents, end consumers, and users accessing the web portal.
  • Enhanced flow descriptions and widget information
    Admins can see descriptions for flow widgets, helping new users understand the purpose and usage of each widget within the flows. The descriptions are displayed in the flow canvas and list view, promoting increased adoption and reducing errors in flow building. Admins can also choose to hide or unhide brief widget descriptions in the left panel and access expanded descriptions when a widget is selected for view or edit. Account owners and admins can also write descriptions for individual flow versions, making it easier to distinguish between different versions of a flow when they make changes.
  • Integration with kore-ai
    Account owners and admins can integrate kore.ai chatbots with Zoom Contact Center by setting up the kore.ai connector app in the Zoom Marketplace. This app allows admins to specify connector details, authenticate the connection, and easily manage the connector.
  • Downloadable voicemail transcripts
    Account owners, admins, and users with voicemail download permissions can download voicemail transcripts as files, allowing easy storage and post-engagement analysis. This feature must be enabled by Zoom.
  • Support for Virtual Backgrounds
    Account owners and admins can upload images to create a Virtual Background library for agents. Agents to view and apply virtual backgrounds in the Zoom desktop client on Windows. This feature must be enabled by Zoom.
• Agent and consumer features
  • Contact center support in Zoom PWA
    The Zoom PWA supports Zoom Contact Center. Agents with a Zoom Contact Center license can use the Contact Center tab in the PWA to access contact center features like voice, video, messaging, inbox, address book, and analytics.
  • Persistent chat and video engagements across domains
    Chat and video engagements to persist across sub-domains supported by a brand. Consumers can start a chat/video engagement on one domain and navigate to another sub-domain within the same brand without losing their ongoing engagement. This ensures a seamless consumer experience while navigating various sub-domains on a brand's website.

Resolved issues

• Resolved an issue that prevented consumers from accessing an ongoing chat engagements within a single domain

Note: The Web chat support for CRM integrations (ServiceNow, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Zendesk) feature has been pulled from the release due to issues with deployment, and will be available in another upcoming release.

Release notes for Workforce Management

New and enhanced features

• Admin features
  • Enhanced schedule page experience
    To improve the schedule page UI, critical elements like net staffing, interval identifiers, filters, and search remain fixed at the top when scrolling. This enhancement addresses the issue of losing visibility and interaction with key components when scrolling down on the schedules page.
  • Time and date preferences
    Account owners and admins can choose their preferred time and date formats.
  • Enhanced Timezone configuration
    Account owners and admins can set a default global timezone for standardized reporting and scheduling. This solves the challenge of inconsistent report data and UTC-based scheduling.
  • Default shift activity
    Account owners and admins can easily edit default shift activities and edit the activity's length, and move or delete it. This provides greater flexibility over agent scheduling.
  • View historical scheduling group interval data in forecasting
    Account owners and admins can easily visualize interval-based historical data metrics used for forecasting in day-to-month granularity, and customizable date ranges.