2024 Updates for Evolution and Validate
Exciting developments are on the horizon at SimVenture, with a host of technical improvements and new features set to roll out in the final quarter of 2024. Whether you’re an educator using Evolution to enhance your business learning experiences or a business coach working with Validate to support startups, we’ve got some exciting updates in store. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming soon.
1. Validate technical support and development moves in-house
As of February this year, our SimVenture technical team has taken on full responsibility for the development and technical support of Validate. This move is designed to streamline your experience with all of our products, offer enhanced functionality and reliability, and result in quicker technical support response times.
2. 170 technical improvements to Evolution
By the end of September 2024, Evolution will receive a significant update, including 170 smaller improvements aimed at boosting the simulation’s functionality. The updates will focus on:
- Smaller functionality improvements to enhance overall user experience.
- Security enhancements to keep data safe.
- Performance upgrades for a smoother experience.
- Usability improvements for better navigation and user interaction.
- Bug fixes to eliminate minor issues.
3. Evolution – Sustainability Version 2
One of the more significant updates to Evolution will be the release of Sustainability Version 2. This update includes major changes to how sustainability is measured and managed within the simulation, including:
- A new people section that rates the business according to the way it treats its staff.
- Sustainability rating is based on the lowest of all six sections (environment, ethics, product design, suppliers, premises, and people), rather than an average.
- Training and recruitment processes have been simplified, with pay levels affecting all staff.
- A customer’s demographic will influence how important your sustainability rating is to their purchase.
This update in Evolution is planned to launch later this year.
4. Customisable difficulty levels in Evolution
Educators will soon be able to customise the difficulty of scenarios in Evolution to suit different learner levels. This exciting new features allows for:
- Tutor/Coordinator control over the difficulty of activities.
- Flexibility in difficulty levels that vary between scenarios.
- A custom level option, allowing coordinators to modify settings such as market size, starting cash, and interest rates.
- For simple scenarios, difficulty may adjust market size. For more complex ones, it could affect factors like borrowing ease, supplier prices, and interest rates.
This feature gives educators more control over the challenge presented to students, tailoring the learning experience to different abilities.
5. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Evolution
To increase security, two-factor authentication (2FA) is being added to Evolution, allowing users to safeguard their accounts with an extra layer of protection:
- Users will download an authentication app, which will generate a code they’ll need to enter upon logging in.
- We’re finalising which authentication apps will be supported – more on this soon!
6. Single Sign-On (SSO) for Evolution and Validate
Single Sign-On (SSO) is coming to both Evolution and Validate, allowing users to log in using their existing university credentials. This will streamline access and improve ease of use for clients who request this as their preferred sign-in method. Please note that while this feature is already available for clients, product users won’t be able to switch SSO options mid-way through a course. If this is something of interest, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for further information.
7. Evolution – Getting Started Programme
Launching later this month, the Getting Started Programme will replace the current videos and Core Skills activities. This programme will feature:
- Newly created interactive functionality that enhances user engagement.
- Structured onboarding to provide a more effecient and immersive experience for new users.
This programme aims to make onboarding smoother and more intuitive, ensuring users quickly gain proficiency.
8. Evolution – New Business Essentials Programme
The Business Essentials Programme, tailored to undergraduate-level learners, will begin rolling out over the next quarter. This programme offers a set of progressive activities that cover essential business principles, knowledge, and concepts.
9. New activity types for Evolution
Evolution will soon include a broader range of activities as standard, catering to different learner levels and objectives. Here’s a breakdown of the new activity types:
- Pathway Activities: These guided activities take users on a predetermined route through specific topics, using interactive functionality to ensure directed learning. Designed with independent learning in mind, Pathway Activities will cater to targeted segments and learner abilities.
- Challenge Activities: Users will need to complete specific objectives within a set timeframe, offering an alternative format for student tasks. These activities are ideal for competitions, complete with the potential for online leaderboards.
- Explorer Activities: These resemble the current open activities (e.g., Green Spokes), placing users in scenarios where their primary goal is to survive and thrive. These activities may feature achievement levels like Gold, Silver, or Bronze.
These updates represent a significant step forward for both Evolution and Validate, with a focus on flexibility, enhanced learning experiences, and improved security. We’re excited to see how educators and learners alike will benefit from these changes, all of which will be in place by October 2024, with some rolled out throughout the upcoming quarter. Keep an eye out for further updates, and as always, feel free to reach out with any questions.
If you’re yet to try Evolution or Validate, book your free demo today.
