December 2023: AASHTOWare Bridge Management Newsletter
The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force product update keeps all AASHTOWare Bridge Management (BrM) software users apprised of recent activity related to software development. The Task Force is committed to providing quarterly updates to maintain communication between the Task Force and those interested in the product.
BrM 7.0: New Page Builder
The new Page Builder combines the visual usefulness of the Visual Form Editor (VFE) and the ease of the current Dashboard editor. It is fast and easy to use. Users can drag controls around to reposition them. Editing the page no longer requires a user to refresh the page, a major improvement on being able to see how it’s coming together. The range of controls includes simple controls like checkboxes, dropdowns, and text entry up to complex controls like the work candidate modifier.
Users can take advantage of the new Page Builder to display their data to match their reports or make the data more compact for easier use on tablets or mobile devices.
Development will continue to expand the menu of options and controls as the 7.0 work continues. We are excited to see how users take advantage of this updated and powerful feature in 7.0.
BrM 7.0: Development Update
It has been exciting to watch the advancement of BrM. The old data has been migrated to the new format, and Mayvue has completed several significant changes to the software, including the new page builder (formerly the visual form editor), the backend framework, and inspection pages. BrM 7.0 feels modern, operates faster and is more intuitive. BrM is consistently receiving positive feedback about the software’s new look and feel, the transition process, and the utilization of agency-specific cloud-hosted sites.
Earlier this month, Mayvue held the third walk-through presentation for all BrM users, with another scheduled for mid-December. This walk-through identified many of the other benefits BrM users will experience when transitioning over to the 7.0 version. The feedback has been extremely positive, and users are excited about the future. Going into the new year, Mayvue will surpass 50% development completion of the 7.0 release and, in the early months of 2024, will continue to make tremendous strides in reshaping the software, sharing these advancements and new features along the way with live walk-throughs.
The first version of the Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) will also be handed to the database Technical Advisory Group (TAG) in the coming weeks for evaluation. The ERD will be refined over the last several months of development but the draft form is close enough for feedback and recommendations to be considered.
Since the last update, additional states have contributed to the solicitation and joined the steering group for the 7.0 software development. The Task Force remains focused on making this transition as seamless and fast as possible for all BrM users and hopes you join us for upcoming walk-throughs.
BrM 7.0: Cloud-Hosted Sites – Data Migrated
In early October, following the second BrM 7.0 walk-through, we have migrated all cloud-hosted sites to the BrM 7.0 platform. This process included migrating the agency’s database to the new coding guide format. To date, we have made several additional changes to the migration process resulting from direct agency feedback. The data migration process will continue to be refined all the way through BrM 7.0 development, which will provide numerous testing opportunities against the migration scripts and ensure data is properly migrated upon the release of BrM 7.0, resulting in minimal agency impact and ability to transition quickly. The AASHTOWare Bridge Management Task Force would like to thank the contributors providing vital feedback like this and ensuring all agencies are ready for the upcoming transition.
BrM 7.0: Application Programming Interface (API)
BrM’s API will be significantly improved within the BrM 7.0 framework. The AASHTOWare Bridge Management Task Force and Mayvue are still working on the details of the new API; however, it will be overhauled to work with AASHTOWare OpenAPI, will include logging of API calls, versioning, and business logic validity checks.
A new and robust product API is necessary for maintaining data quality, leveraging the AASHTOWare OpenAPI, and delivering greater value to all AASHTOWare clients.
Please reach out to support@mayvue.com for more information about the API if needed.
BrM 6.7.1 Patch Release
On November 20, 2023, the Task Force released a BrM 6.7.1 patch to the user community. It is available for download by reaching out to support@mayvue.com or by navigating to the BrM ShareFile location. The patch release notes are also available in the ShareFile folder, which provides a complete list of all updates in the patch.
The AASHTOWare Bridge Management Task Force strongly recommends agencies move to this latest version (6.7.1) at their earliest opportunity as it includes security updates and improvements to the BrM API, but also includes dashboard export/import feature, as well as implements various bug fixes, updates, and improvements since the BrM 6.7 production version was released in March 2023.
The patch installs in the same manner as previous BrM releases. Agencies will need to run the update install file, then the database scripts to complete the patch process, or email Mayvue to upgrade your site if you are hosted.
The AASHTOWare Bridge Task Force does not anticipate the need for another patch; however, the 6.7.1 software will be in production until all agencies transition to the BrM 7.0 platform. AASHTO will be issuing a letter to all states about the sunset support dates for the 6.X software in the coming months.
Possible BrM Workstation Retirement
BrM is undergoing a major overhaul, and we actively are looking to improve the user experience in every corner of the software. BrM Workstation is a fairly dated approach, and we need to either improve it, or retire it completely.
If your agency is using the workstation version of BrM, please join us on December 15, 2023 from 2pm to 3pm ET for a discussion on how to support your needs in the future.
If you plan to join please register at the link below, please note this is a states only session, if this time does not work for your agency please contact Ryan Fragapane, Product Director, at rfragapane@aashto.org.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kf-Cuqj0qHN1S7xAgvnS8KwcuiTC4NP9a
AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue
Member Departments and Associate Members wishing to use the AASHTOWare Bridge Mobile Inspection powered by Mayvue can license this application through AASHTO. This is an add-on to the enterprise version of BrM. The mobile application enables agencies to conduct inspections remotely via Android and Apple phone or tablet devices. It works offline and online to allow inspectors to collect inspection information without an internet connection.
Additionally, Mayvue released an interim application, the SNBI Collector, which enables agencies to complete SNBI inspections in the field on any device and can review and validate the inspection data via their desktop computers. For more information, contact Mayvue to see if this application is right for your agency.
2023 BrMUG
The AASHTOWare Bridge Management Task Force would like to thank all those who traveled to Boise, ID, and participated in this year’s BrMUG. A special thanks is also given to the presenters who helped make the meeting a success. This year, there was extra energy in the room due to the BrM 7.0 transition and the transformations the states will need to go through in 2024 or 2025 to implement BrM 7.0.
We hope the attendees felt the meeting was valuable and you left excited about the future. It is always a pleasure to talk in person and carry conversations into the hallways and after-hour events. We look forward to presenting BrM 7.0 progress with you regularly throughout the year and seeing everyone again next year in Long Beach, CA.
In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to the Task Force, BrMUG Board, or Mayvue with any questions, concerns, or needs. It is important to us to ensure all of our members needs are heard.
BrM Task Force Members
| Name | Role | Contact Info |
| Hedeen, David | Minnesota DOT, Chair | david.hedeen@state.mn.us |
| Nazareth, Craig | Rhode Island DOT | craig.nazareth@dot.ri.gov |
| Miller, Kent | Nebraska DOT | kent.miller@nebraska.gov |
| Bickley, Emily | South Carolina DOT | BickleyEJ@scdot.org |
| Alamares, Justin | Caltrans | Justin.Alamares@dot.ca.gov |
| Armour, Jacob | Michigan DOT | ArmourJ1@michigan.gov |
| Constable, Derek | FHWA Liaison, DC | derek.constable@dot.gov |