What's new in OJS 3.4

OJS 3.4: New features and improvements over version 3.3

The Open Journal Systems (OJS) is one of the most widely used platforms in the world for managing and publishing scientific journals. With the launch of the 3.4, OJS has brought a number of new features and significant improvements over the previous version, the a 3.3. These updates aim to optimize the editorial flow, improve the user experience and offer more flexibility to editors, authors and reviewers.

In this article, we explore the main new features of OJS 3.4, focusing on improvements to the editorial flow, email templates and the submission process.


Editorial Flow Improvements

The editorial workflow is the heart of any scientific journal, and OJS 3.4 has brought several improvements to make it more efficient and intuitive.

1. Improving the Editorial Flow Interface

  • Modernized design: The editorial workflow interface has been redesigned to be cleaner and more intuitive, making it easier to navigate and manage tasks.

  • Simplified Overview: Editors now have a clearer view of the status of each submission, with visual indicators highlighting completed and pending steps.

2. Improvements to Peer Review

  • Step-by-step evaluation: The peer review process can now be divided into stages, making it easier to manage complex reviews.

  • Feedback to Reviewers: Reviewers can receive feedback from editors on their evaluations, promoting more efficient collaboration.


E-mail Templates feature

Email templates are an essential tool for communication between editors, authors and reviewers. OJS 3.4 has brought several improvements in this area.

1. Customizable Email Templates

  • Editing made easy: Editors can customize email templates directly in the OJS interface, without the need to change code files.

  • Dynamic Variables: It is possible to include dynamic variables in the emails, such as the author's name, article title and submission status, making the messages more personalized and informative.

2. New Pre-Defined Templates

  • Automatic e-mails: OJS 3.4 includes new automatic e-mail templates for common situations such as submission confirmation, review request and editorial decision notification.

  • E-mail approval: Editors can configure certain emails to be approved before sending, ensuring greater control over communication.


Improvements to the Submission Process

The submission process is the authors' first interaction with the journal, and OJS 3.4 has brought several improvements to make it more user-friendly and efficient.

1. Simplified Submission Form

  • Dynamic Fields: The submission form now displays only the fields relevant to the type of article, reducing complexity for authors.

  • Real-time validation: Authors receive immediate feedback on errors or unfilled mandatory fields, avoiding rework.

2. Support for New File Formats

  • Additional Formats: In addition to the traditional formats (PDF, Word), OJS 3.4 supports new file formats such as LaTeX and Markdown.

  • File Viewing: Authors can view their files directly in the browser before finalizing the submission.

3. Improvements to the Author Experience

  • Submission Progress: Authors can see the progress of their submission in real time, with clear indicators of completed and pending steps.

  • Transparent communication: All communications between authors and editors are centralized in a single interface, facilitating follow-up.


What's new in OJS 3.4

In addition to improvements in the editorial flow, email templates and submission process, OJS 3.4 has brought other important new features:

1. Improvements in Accessibility

  • Responsive Design: The OJS 3.4 interface is fully responsive, working well on mobile devices and tablets.

  • Screen reader support: Improved accessibility for visually impaired users.

2. Integration with external tools

  • ORCID: Improved integration with ORCID, allowing authors and reviewers to link their ORCID identities directly in OJS.

  • Crossref: Support for new Crossref features, such as automatic metadata generation and integration with the citation service.

3. Performance and Safety

  • Performance optimization: Improvements in system performance, reducing loading times and increasing stability.

  • Security updates: Correction of vulnerabilities and implementation of new security measures.


How do I upgrade to OJS 3.4?

If you are using OJS 3.3 and want to take advantage of the new features in version 3.4, the upgrade is simple. However, it is advisable to have specialized technical support to ensure that the process goes smoothly. The OJSBR oferece serviços de atualização, hospedagem e suporte técnico para revistas científicas, garantindo que sua revista esteja sempre com a versão mais recente e segura do OJS.


Conclusion

OJS 3.4 brings a series of new features and improvements that make the management of scientific journals more efficient, intuitive and secure. From enhancements to the editorial flow to improvements in the submission process and email templates, this version offers powerful tools for editors, authors and reviewers.

If you want to upgrade to OJS 3.4 or need technical support to make the most of this version, contact OJSBR. We are here to help your journal operate with excellence and peace of mind!