The EAS is comprised of a client component (i.e. the user interface), which runs on your local system, and a server component, which runs on a server system accessible over the Internet, and which processes client requests and controls access to the central repository.

The new release incorporates changes that are visible to you in the form of additional menu items. In addition, significant changes have been made to the server component, which you will perceive in the form of improved performance. For the technically minded, caching has been extended on the client and the server side. 

The most prominent feature in the new release is the Functional Requirements View, which provides you with a list of available Functional (a.k.a. Behavioral) Requirement Templates. If you have obtained a Digital Content Usage License, you can quickly and easily import Requirement Templates into your Evaluation Specifications. 

Requirement Templates are currently being added to the central requirements repository in the effort to create the most comprehensive requirements repository. The primary focus is on Requirement Templates needed for the evaluation of software.

Requirement Templates contain annotations in the form of public and private comments. As you may recall, private comments cannot be viewed by offerors. Private comments contain background information about the respective requirement, such as why it is important and what it entails.

Requirements in Evaluation Specifications and Requirement Templates have the same structure, meaning that no information is lost when you drag and drop a Requirement Template into an Evaluation Specification. It couldn't be easier. 

Care has been taken to follow well-known software design principles, which, among other things, mandate a clear separation of client and server components. However, this time, the server upgrade also requires a client upgrade. This means that you need to download and install the new EAS version.

Please note, that the download is free. You will not need to reenter license keys.