Pre-Release FAQ

Last Updated: Oct 21, 2024

What is Vault Pre-Release?

Vault pre-release is a four-week period prior to the general availability of a new version. During this period, customers have an opportunity to explore the new version in a “pre-release Vault” based on their production configurations. The primary purpose of the pre-release Vault is to ensure current configuration behavior works the same in the new version. Any user acceptance testing (UAT) or validation testing should be done in this period. Optionally, customers can also use their pre-release sandbox to explore the features that are not automatically enabled and decide which of these they want to use in their production Vault.

When is pre-release?

See the most recent “About the Release” page for dates.

What is the pre-release version number?

Pre-release Vaults will initially have the same version number as the last limited release, which has the same set of features and functionality as the general release. For example, the pre-release version for 21R1 is 20R3.5. The following version (21R1.0 in this example) will contain the same functionality, plus fixes for issues identified during pre-release. Pre-release Vaults will be upgraded to the latest version when the release becomes available, typically two to three days before the Limited-release/early PODs are upgraded.

How long are pre-release sandboxes available?

Pre-release sandboxes remain available for four (4) weeks after the General Release. For example, the 21R2 pre-release sandbox would be available until four (4) weeks after the final 21R2 release.

Which customers can participate?

Any customer with a production or pre-production Vault can participate. A pre-release sandbox entitlement is automatically available for customer production and pre-production Vaults.

How do I get a pre-release sandbox?

Pre-release sandboxes are self-service. This means that each organization will need to create their own pre-release sandbox.

New Pre-Release Vaults

For full details on creating sandbox Vaults, see Adminstering Sandbox Vaults.

To create a new pre-release sandbox Vault:

  1. In your parent Vault (production, pre-production, or sandbox Vault), navigate to Admin > Deployment > Sandbox Vaults.
  2. Under Available Sandbox Vaults, you should see the Prerelease Available column. If this column shows “1”, your pre-release entitlement is available. If it shows “0”, a pre-release Vault may already exist.
  3. Under Active Sandbox Vaults, click Create.
  4. Enter a Name for the new sandbox. See details for Vault names.
  5. Select Configuration as the Type. At this time, this is the only sandbox type available.
  6. Select Prerelease as the Release.
  7. Select the Domain for the pre-release sandbox.
  8. Optional: Clear the Vault Owner: Current User checkbox to set all Domain users as Vault Owners.
  9. Click Finish. The creation process generally takes less than one (1) hour but may take up to eight (8) hours. When complete, Vault sends you a notification.

When you create a pre-release sandbox like this, you can log into it using your production (or existing sandbox) login details. Vault sets you up as a cross-domain user for accessing the sandbox.

Existing Pre-Release Vaults

In some cases, a pre-release sandbox already exists from a past general release. If that’s the case for your organization, you’ll see the pre-release Vault listed in Admin > Deployment > Sandbox Vaults under Active Sandbox Vaults.

To get the latest configuration from your Vault, you will need to refresh the pre-release sandbox. If you need to see the creation date of the pre-release sandbox, you can add the Created Date column to the Active Sandbox Vaults grid.

In this situation, you can log in to the sandbox Vault using your login credentials from the previous release. If you have an account on the existing pre-release Vault, you can also access the sandbox from the Admin > Deployment > Sandbox Vaults page by hovering over the sandbox name Active Sandbox Vaults, opening the Actions menu, and clicking Log in. If you prefer to set up access using cross-domain users, you can do that once you’ve logged in.

How do I refresh or delete a pre-release sandbox?

Pre-release sandboxes can be managed like other sandboxes. See Administering Sandbox Vaults for details.

Is participation required?

No. Customers do not have to create a pre-release sandbox or complete any testing. However, we do encourage it to ensure the system continues to meet your expectations.

What’s in my pre-release sandbox?

Pre-release sandboxes work just like other sandboxes. We copy only the configuration of your source Vault. For details on what items are included or excluded, see How Configuration Copying Works.

How do I log into my pre-release sandbox?

If you chose the option Vault Owner: Current User when creating your sandbox, you are the Vault Owner; otherwise, all Domain users are set as Vault Owners in the Sandbox.

Groups are copied from your production Vault, but they are empty because the users are not copied. When you add users in your pre-release sandbox, you can add them to the copied groups as desired.

For customers that create a pre-release sandbox using the new self-service steps, Vault sets up access using cross-domain users. In this situation, users can log in using their existing credentials and navigate between the production Vault and pre-release sandbox using the Vault selector.

How do I learn about new features?

See the most recent “About the Release” page.

How do I enable and configure features?

Many features must be intentionally enabled by an Admin. In some cases, enablement is as simple as selecting a checkbox in Admin > Settings. In other cases, enablement requires more involved configuration of lifecycles, workflows, document fields, etc. There are some enhancements that Veeva enables automatically. See the “About the Release” page for details.

What happens after pre-release?

When the release occurs, Veeva will upgrade your Vaults to the new version. The upgrade will not adversely impact existing documents or work in progress.

The visible impact of the upgrade will generally be the same as what you observe in your pre-release Vault. The set of enhancements that are automatically on will immediately be visible, and some features will require action by an Admin or Veeva Support to enable or configure before they become visible to end users.

How do I get the pre-release version of a Vault mobile app?

Pre-release versions of mobile applications for Vault are available during the same period as the Vault pre-release:

  • Station Manager for iOS: The pre-release version is available via Apple Testflight.
  • Station Manager for Android: The pre-release version is available via the Google Play Store for approved accounts. To have your account approved, submit a support ticket to Veeva Product Support including your Google Play Store account email address to receive access. Alternatively, you can download the pre-release version of Station Manager for Android as an APK file.
  • Vault Mobile (iOS): The iOS pre-release mobile build is available through Apple Testflight. To download the pre-release build, you must first install the TestFlight app. The pre-release build uses a different app icon and shows the text Pre-Release on the Vault Selector list within the app to help you differentiate. When you have completed pre-release testing, revert back to the production mobile build, which will override the pre-release build downloaded from TestFlight.
  • Vault Mobile (Android): The Android pre-release mobile build is available through Google Play Store Open Beta Testing. To get there, navigate to the app store listing on your Android device, scroll down, and select Join the Beta. After a few minutes, an app update will be available, which will update your app to the pre-release build. The pre-release build uses a different app icon and shows the text Pre-Release on the Vault Selector list within the app to help you differentiate. To revert to the production mobile track when you have completed pre-release testing, return to the app store listing and select Leave the Beta.