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Release v8.7.5.3 (6th July 2026)

The following minor update notes apply to v8.7.5.3. This version corrects issues reported back on v.8.7.5.1 as published June 2026. Note that an intermediate release 8.7.5.2 was also published with some of these updates but is now replaced by 8.7.5.3.

Fixes

  • Match/Update and the use of the Record ID field: The Match/Update tool has been adjusted to allow the use of the primary key GUID field for record matching. Previously, the default matching to "ID" had to be manually reset to re-select the ID field.
  • Incrementing numbers for Living Collection Accessions: An issue with sequential numbering of new accessions skipping numbers has been fixed. This was caused when propagation records were also being added. The addition of the prop records was incorrectly incrementing the accession counter.
  • Seed Moisture Content field eRH%: This field was being edited as an integer rather than a decimal value. In some systems, all data fields in the Moisture Content grid were read-only - this has been altered.
  • RDE Image Imports: An issue with the Image Match/Import function in specimen RDE files has been fixed.
  • Multi-project databases: In some cases, projects storing more than one database project in the same data store were unable to select the required project when logging in. This issue was fixed in 8.7.5.2.
  • Tag all in RDE with custom field filters: In some cases, tag all would fail in RDE with custom field filters in place. This has been fixed.
  • Ctrl+F4 in RDE: An intermittent problem with the Ctrl+F4 record copy function in RDE fixed.
  • Seed Processing record addition: An intermittent issue with adding seed processing records has been fixed.

Release v8.7.5 (11th June 2026)

The following release notes apply to v8.7.5.1. This version adds new features and addresses reported bugs.

Added Features

  • Overall system efficiency: Improvements have been made to system level operations that handle tasks involving multiple, simultaneous operations. An example being when data grids and forms and perhaps other underlying functions such as record saving are competing for resources. This allows for smoother operations across BRAHMS including the reduction in occurence of data grid 'red triangles' and the need to refresh the data grid.
  • DNA Management Module: A comprehensive DNA and laboratories module has been added to BRAHMS. This provides options to store data from the tracking of source material to managing the DNA extractions, linked to their source material origin. For further details, refer to the BRAHMS DNA Module news item.
  • Image linking: Check out the short video on how to Auto-Link Images. The image linking tool, added in the previous revision, has been altered to add flexibility. This tool can now be used to link images to species, collection events, specimens, seed accessions and living collections. Rather than working only with barcodes/accession numbers, you can design a 'template' which can be used to match your image file names with your data records.
  • RDE Collections Match Tool: Check out the short video on using the Collection Match Tool . This RDE tool has been upgraded to provide more useful auto-match searching plus the ability to search on barcode. Thus, when adding data to specimen RDE files, you could add e.g. collection number and year first and then the auto-match tool will list all matching entries in your database. You can then opt to choose a match and backload data from your database to the RDE; goto the record in the database to edit it directly; or simply not add the data again to RDE to avoid repetition.
  • RDE barcode checking: Duplicated barcode checking now respects the RDE import 'Tagged Only' setting when importing RDE files. Previously, the entire file was checked restricting the ability to import a tag selection from a fully barcoded RDE file.
  • RDE Living Collections: A lookup selector added for Accession Numbers in RDE files for living collections. This backloads to RDE the accession number, garden, and species fields, including user prompts for conflicting data.
  • Garden Vernacular Name The living collections table field gardenvernacularname is increased in size to 255 chars and now has a multi-value lookup.
  • RDE Taxa Descriptions: The importer has been altered to allow the addition of multiple entries for a given taxa with the same text title (e.g. Morphology) and the same language - but with different text and optional literature links.
  • Seed Moisture Content: The existing Moisture Content table has been extended to allow storage of a greater range of measurements per test. These are accompanied by some new calculations. The new fields are available in the moisture content data grid and the related form.
  • Species parentage button: The recently added hybrid/parentage button to the species table has been moved from above the grid to the taxa toolbar.
  • Docked family selector for genera: When adding/editing genera, the family name lookup is now a docked selector.
  • Export data permissions: You can now enable/disable the option Export to xlsx/csv on a user-by-user basis.
  • Case sensitive queries: The main query tool now offers case sensitive searches. Note that this option is not available in the data grid filter row.
  • Tag Random: The Tag Random tool now ignores archived records in tables where archiving is possible.
  • Saving data on adding new records: When adding a new record, the system now force saves any unsaved records. Previously, if you added and edited a record and then proceeded to add another record before saving the already added record, those data would have been lost.
  • Deletion services: The BRAHMS deletion and related data merge services have been overhauled to increase efficiency.
  • Context menu additions: The data grid right-click context menu includes new options to reset to the default column view and to provide column help.
  • Application title bar: The BRAHMS application title bar has been updated to clarify the active user, the database project and the data connection in use.
  • Active Directory user searches: The Windows AD search option now allows you to search using surname plus the user initials or first name (or part of) to narrow down name searches. The 'Known As' name is now populated with the users name rather than the user ID.
  • Documentation updates: The Getting Started training guide has been updated and now includes new short trainer video links. The image management documentation has been updated and separated out from the main guide to a new PDF Image Management Guide.This includes a description of the new image linking tool. Documentation on designing reports has been separated out from the main guide and updated to a new PDF Reporting from BRAHMS. The PDF includes a number of tutorial reports to help the design process.
  • Training videos: A series of short Training Videos has been added to the BRAHMS website. These are also added to the revised Getting Started training guide. While mostly for beginners, some may be useful for existing users.

Bug Fixes

  • Data grid red triangles: The occurrence of data grid red triangles in some systems, especially when saving data, has been addressed by altering some underlying system functions that coordinate multi-function tasks.
  • Tag transfers: A small number of tag transfers were going into an infinate loop. These have been fixed.
  • Barcode generator: The barcode/accession generator, with certain configuration settings, was not opening. Also, with some configurgation settings, it was not calculating new sequences correctly. These have been fixed.
  • Grid filter row: An issue with certain grid row filter commands was interfering with some tag commands. While the filter would work, a command such as Tag > Tag all may have failed under some circumstances. This has been fixed.
  • People file editing permissions: The people and address table editing restrictions now respect the assigned permissions.
  • RDE and Higher Classification entries: In some cases, the same higher classifications were being added more than once. This issue has been fixed.
  • Image folders with image imports from xlsx: In some cases, image folders were being duplicated when importing images from xlsx files. This issue has been fixed.
  • Seed Accession form and seed transactions: The Seed Accession form has been updated to improve layout and data saving efficiency. Issues with recording seed transactions by count/weight have been fixed.
  • Species propagation defaults reporting: An issue with including the species name in species propagation defaults reporting has been fixed.
  • Author name formatting: Fixes an issue with author name formatting where 'abbreviated name. ex' could become 'abbreviated name.ex' (space removed before ex). This could in come cases, with RDE imports, lead to the duplication of taxa, especially in systems using multiple classifications.
  • Species descriptions and reports An error retrieving species descriptive text for reporting purposes has been fixed.
  • Projects/expeditions data grid lookup: This lookup, which works on the form, has been reinstated on the data grid.
  • Literature table tags: Issue when clearing tags in literature table when a filter is in place on the journal abbreviation column fixed.
  • Synonym processing: The ability to edit synonym links on the main species form was disabled on some systems. This has been fixed.
  • Hybrid name/formula calculations: Some minor adjustments have been made to improve calculated hybrid names - especially with the use of parenthesis and the position of x in generic hybrids.
  • Address merging/deletion and institution setup: Merging and/or deleting museums that were in use in your user project settings, were not being removed from the proejct settings. This has been fixed.

Release v8.7.4 (11th February 2026)

The following release notes apply to v8.7.4.16070 and BRAHMS Online (BOL v8). All reported bugs have been fixed as listed below the new features.

Added Features

  • Species parentage, hybrid names and formulae: In the main species table, you can now add and calculate hybrid taxon names and hybrid formulae based on parent taxa. To add a hybrid entry, select the new 'Add Parent Hybrid Cross ..' option. While BRAHMS has always had the facility to add hybrid names (nothotaxa) using the hybrid symbol embedded in a name (Genus × epithet), this update enables the explicit linking of 2 parental taxa records, optionally indicating the parent status, to create hybrid formulae . As the parents themselves may be hybrid names or formulae, these can become complex. Formulae are auto-calculated by BRAHMS and are treated like any other name for management purposes, for example, linking the formula name to collections. New calculated fields have been added to the species table to display the calculated parents and hybrid name formulae with/without authors. Some examples calculated within BRAHMS:

    (Rhododendron 'Catawbiense Grandiflorum' × R. yakushimanum 'Koichiro Wada') × R. (Elizabeth Group) 'Elizabeth'
    ((Rhododendron 'Bambi' × R. proteoides) × R. 'Mindy's Love') × ((R. 'Bambi' × R. proteoides) × R. 'Naselle')
    Phalaenopsis Cherokee gx 'Zuma Canyon Gertie' × P. White Chiffon gx 'Zuma Canyon'
    Sarracenia psittacina subsp. heterophylla × S. purpurea subsp. purpurea f. heterophylla
    (Brugmansia × rubella 'Mobisu') × (B. × rubella 'Wildfire')
    Magnolia 'Ian's Red' × M. sprengeri var. diva 'Eric Savill'
    Gladiolus carmineus × G. orchidiflorus

  • A new Image Tools ribbon group: A new Image Tools group has been added for the Images module. Some key tools have already been implemented in this release and are documented below.
  • Image Import: Images can now be registered in your image library from selected folders/subfolders. The images are initially unlinked to data records. Once registered, they can be viewed, sorted, queried, checked and reorganised as necessary. Large numbers of images can be registered quickly in this way. Image imports may be restricted to selected image file types (JPG, PNG, etc.). UNC paths are supported. Bear in mind, the images themselves are not added to your database, only the file references.
  • Image Specimen Linker: This new tool is used to auto-link images registered in your image library to herbarium specimens, based on barcode matches. The tool includes features to parse out the barcode from image file names (supporting prefix/suffix options), locate the correct specimen, and then add the relevant image-specimen link. Processing can be restricted to tagged image records. In due course, this feature will be extended to auto-link to other record categories based on matching file name components.
  • Image File Checker: An Image File Checker tool has been added, this updating the new calculated boolean field "File Found".
  • Image table calculated fields: New fields added to image table: File Found, Is Linked, #Image Links.
  • Taxa fields reinstated: The following fields: Kingdom, Taxa Group, Subspecies, Variety, Forma, Grex, Trade Epithet and Cultivar are again visible in the following grids: Collection Events, Specimens, Living Accessions, Living Collections, Living Collection Events, Taxa Descriptions and Seed Accessions.
  • Living Collections – garden specific common names: Common names can now be added directly to the Living Accessions table. In projects with multiple sites, common names often vary by region and thus, different gardens may have different common names for a given species.
  • BRAHMS online image viewing: On BRAHMS online v8, new features have been added to display all images (as image thumbs) associated with records in the current data grid. The images displayed respect grid filters as these are applied. Furthermore, the images are displayed in groups that correspond to any selected data grid sort. For example, if you sort the data grid by genus, the image thumbs are grouped by genus. Clicking on any image thumb will go to and highlight the relevant data grid record. And clicking on the data grid will highlight the relevant image thumb.

Bug Fixes

  • Exporting to XML: Fixes an issue with database exports to XML where synonym links were not always exported in full.
  • RDE for plants importer: Fixes an issue with the Living Collection RDE to BRAHMS import process where the source RDE file name and the Added On and Last Modified details were not added.
  • Living Collections RSO module: Changes made to the RSO module as follows: The Prod/Prop Table 'Request for Week' field was not auto-updating when the 'Req. Delivery Date' is changed; Prod/Prop Table: F-Prop Qty/Container now autofills to 1; RSO Status after import of RDEs is blank is set to 'Pending'.
  • Family and Genus Descriptions - name lookups: The lookups for family and genus description records have been fixed. These lookups were incorrectly using the species lookup. The lookup options also now use a docked selection tool window rather than the dialogue selection tool.
  • Taxa Descriptions RDE literature: Fixes an issue with RDE imports where description literature links were not always correctly processed when a supplied literature GUID was given.
  • Index seminum entry reports: Index seminum entry reports can now correctly be created.
  • Literature reports: Literature reports were failing if the selected records included a mix of references with and without journal links. This has been fixed.
  • Basionym calculated fields: Basionym (no auth.) and its HTML equivalent were not appearing correctly.
  • Transactions Table # Seed Accessions: This field now correctly calculates when seed records are attached to a transaction record.
  • QDS and verbatim DMS values: Updates calculations in RDE and Collection Events for QDS and verbatim DMS values.

Minor release update for v8.7.3 (1st December 2025)

The following minor release notes apply to v8.7.3.16052. Reported bugs have been fixed and there are a few additions.

Added Features

  • Marking up duplicates: While previously, the Multi-Summary tool option to 'Mark Duplicates' always marked up the duplicated records for deletion, you can now opt to tag duplicated records using a '1' for the first match and a '2' for duplicates.
  • Taxa Description RDE literature links: With RDE for taxa descriptions, you can now import existing literature GUIDs (together with other relevant data fields) from xlsx.
  • Living Collection stock changes: Extend field length for the plant stock change reason from 50 to 128.

Bug Fixes

  • Tag groups: The ability to create tag groups in some database categories was not operating. This has been fixed.
  • Author lookups on species form: Species table author lookups, while operating normally from the data grid, were not operating normally on the species form in some categories of databases. This has been fixed.
  • Database Exports: Exporting databases that included ParentLivingCollectionID entries in the plants table were failing. This has been fixed.
  • Sub-generic names and name matching from RDE imports: Sub-generic names such as genus section and series are no longer used in name matching when import specimen RD files. In some cases, this was causing the duplication of species entries.
  • Stock split events: Fix for a Plant Tools issue where stock split events were not showing in the Location Events tab.
  • RDE map calculations: Fix for specimen RDE files where the entry of verbatim lat/long and QDS directly to the data grid did not auto-calculate the decimal lat/long fields.
  • Taxa descriptions for families/genera: Issues with importing Taxa Descriptions from RDE for families with no stored genera or genera with no stored species have been resolved.
  • Living Collection RDE import source file/date: The RDE source file and import date were not being stamped into the main plants table, now fixed.

Release v8.7.3 (6th November 2025)

The following release notes apply to v8.7.3.16047. Together with other new features, this release includes major updates to BRAHMS Online (BOL v8) and the RDE->BRAHMS importer. Reported bugs have been fixed as listed below the new features.

Added Features

BRAHMS Online

For those wishing to create a project or institutional website, BRAHMS includes a comprehensive module allowing you to create your own website(s) with formatted web pages and to upload selected data and images.

  • BOL v8: BRAHMS Online has been fully replaced with a faster and more flexible system. For those interested in the technical detail, BOL has been updated from the previous .NET Framework 4.6.2 that used ASP.NET MVC 5 and Windows services for BRAHMS interactions - to the new application which is written with .NET 8 using server-side Blazor and ASP.NET Core which unifies ASP.NET, ASP.NET MVC, ASP.NET Web API, and ASP.NET Web Pages. It now uses a secured REST Web Api to replace the previous Windows service for BRAHMS communications. In the revised system, data are presented in virtualized data grids with a grid filter row similar to that used in BRAHMS desktop. Searching is fast and is not greatly influenced by the size of the tables. For example, a specimen table with ca. 2 million records can complete a query based on several fields in a few seconds. Visible columns can be selected by users (and a default view set by Admin); data can be sorted, summarised, mapped and exported (if permitted). Images uploaded as physical files or URL links can be viewed. Weblinks are available as uploaded from BRAHMS.
  • Website development: BRAHMS desktop has an upgraded Web Connect module allowing the creation and editing of websites and the uploading of data to the new BOL system. The new version has an improved editor with HTML syntax and formatting help with options for providing full control via the website CSS file. Bootstrap is now updated to v. 5.3.3. The Live Site View has been improved - updating when you save your page edits. There is a new feature allowing you to upload your own selected project BRAHMS Web Links (e.g. iNaturalis, WFO, IPNI, etc.) to your BRAHMS online site. Another new feature allows you to develop and upload map styles. For example, to differentially colour points in different altitude ranges. Online image folder management is much simplified.
  • Data uploading: Data uploading from BRAHMS desktop to BOL has been greatly simplified allowing you to upload all or selected data records from tables, independently from any other table uploads. Unlike before, you can now choose which fields to upload – including calculated fields and custom fields and set initial field online visibility. Data fields can be renamed as required. Data uploads can optionally be restricted to tagged or to records that have changed since the last upload. Data are assembled locally (on your PC) and when uploading is completed, it is copied to the server. The uploading of data and image links is much faster than before.
  • Installation: The installation of BOL is far simpler than before with potentially no reliance on Windows services. The BOL v8 installation folder will be provided on request to licensed users.

RDE to BRAHMS data transfers

RDE provides a fast and flexible way to add new data - and/or to import data from xlsx. The RDE to BRAHMS analysis and import procedures have largely been re-designed. This has resulted in a more robust process with improved flexibility, speed and error reporting. Larger files can now be processed in batches.

  • Batch processing: With batch processing enabled, you can import larger RDE files than was previously possible. The batch size can be set as needed (default is 1,000 records/batch). The total number of batches is auto-calculated. You can opt to import all batches or a subset of batches (e.g. the range 5-10 would analyse/import batches 5 to 10 inclusive). A single batch can be analysed/imported by setting the start/end batch to the same batch number of any available batch in the full range. In non-batch mode, you can still opt to import tagged records.
  • Analysis and Import: The analysis/import process can be more readily separated. You can select to 'Analyse Only' and then once analysis has completed you can optionally proceed to import the data. Or you can choose to import directly after analysis, batch by batch.
  • Data analysis and error reporting: The import analysis results contain more details than in previous versions, including the ID of the RDE record that is analysed/imported and the record Guid assigned to records that are to be imported. If errors occur during the import process (e.g. incorrect text string length or foreign key violations), this no longer causes the import process to end. Where possible, the import continues and full details of records that failed import are recorded in the Import/Analysis log. Import/Analysis results can be reviewed at any point during analysis or import without impacting on the process.
  • Data analysis/Import results data grid: All RDE import logs are now maintained in a separate folder. These log files can be opened using a new RDE option Analysis/Import Reports. This allows you to select the report on any imported RDE file (for a given import session) - and to review the result including being able to filter on any analysis/import errors.
  • Improved handling of taxon names: Improvements have been made with the analysis of taxa. In previous BRAHMS versions, there have, in some cases, been complications with indet. names and with genera in more than one family and issues related to multiple classifications. These have been resolved. This also applies to higher classifications which previously, in some databases, were being added more than once for the same entry.
  • RDE source file name added to tables: When new records are added to any database table, the origin RDE file name is added to that table in a new field 'Imported From RDE File'. This applies to all categories of RDE file and to all new records that are added to your database.
  • DUPLICATES field in RDE for specimens: When importing a Specimen RDE file to BRAHMS, the RDE records can now register multiple, comma separated museum/herbarium codes in a new field called 'DUPLICATES'. For example “K, MO, NY, EAP”. This will add specimens for all these entries, linked to the single Collection Event. Specimen-specific details such as the barcode or type status are not added to the additional specimens. This new function avoids the need to duplicate entire RDE records simply to add additional duplicates. This new function is similar to the use of the DUPS field in BRAHMS v7.
  • Seed Accession RDE and voucher specimens: When transferring a Seed Accession RDE to BRAHMS, it is now possible to include collection voucher details. These are used to generate specimen records linked to the seed record's Collection Event. For example, a seed accession may have a voucher herbarium specimen lodged at K with duplicates at PRE and SING. Thus, the seed accession, collection event and specimen(s) can be recorded in a single RDE file.
  • Taxa Descriptions RDE Literature: It is now possible to add literature references to Taxa Description RDE files. These can be new literature entries or (preferably) a link to an existing literature entry. Details about the link between the taxa description and the literature reference such as page numbers, status and notes, can also be added.
  • New RDE file for living collection plant events: Living collection plant events can now be imported via RDE. The function to import directly from xlsx is maintained.

Species/Taxonomy

  • Taxa Descriptions: Taxon descriptions for families, genera and species are now separated into 3 separate views with their respective menu options. Previously, these data were edited in a single table/view. Due to the nature of this table's relations with the various taxa tables, in large tables, access was rather slow. The new setup provides 3 separate menu options. The species descriptions option is the default with access to family and genus descriptions on a menu dropdown. Access to all 3 is much improved. Additions to the taxa descriptions RDE with associated literature imports are discussed above.
  • Reduction of species epithets from BRAHMS tables: The BRAHMS species table includes or displays many taxa fields from higher classification down to the various infra ranks (Kingdom, Tribe, Subtribe, Genus Section, Genus Series, Grex, and so on...). Until now, all of these fields have been available to display in all BRAHMS tables where species names are displayed, examples being Collection Events, Specimens, Living Accessions, Seed Accessions, Taxa Descriptions and Common Names. In this update, all of the non-essential taxon name fields have been removed from species-related tables. Instead, we only display Family, Genus, Species and the various calculated full taxa names. The full name includes all name components and can be used to filter on any name element. The full complement of fields is however maintained when designing reports. Aside from making it a lot easier to locate useful fields in the column manager, there are now less overheads opening tables that include the species name.
  • Calculated species full names with/without authors: New calculated fields have been added to display the full name with no authors – together with its calculated HTML and accepted name equivalents. Thus, you can have the full name with authors as specified in your Option settings as well as with no authors. the HTML equivalents are provided in the field list when designing reports.
  • Binomial name: The binomial name calculation now includes genus/species hybrid symbols.
  • Invasive species: A new module has been added to monitor Invasive Species in Botanic Gardens. Due to their unique status as living museums of plants from around the world, public gardens and arboreta can play a unique and pro-active role in assessing which non-native plants exhibit invasive tendencies. These institutions have the access and staff expertise to observe the reproduction and spread (or lack there-of) of plants that are not well known and may not be available in the horticultural trade and can make recommendations about these plants' capacity to become invasive based on those observations. One such project is the Morton Arboretum based 'Public Gardens as Sentinels for Invasive Plants (PGSIP)' which tracks this data submitted by participating gardens in the PGSIP portal .

Other additions

  • RDE Guide: New documentation is provided on Using Rapid Data Entry (RDE).
  • Tag transfer filters: Tag transfer now respects any filters in place on the grid supplying the tags to be transferred. Filters on receiving tables are not relevant. Tag transfers have also been made into a batched process to prevent memory issues if a large number of tags are present in the source grid.
  • Tag transfers from linked data tables: Tag transfers are now possible from the Documents, Images, Legal Permits, Literature and Transactions link tables to the parent records. As an example, you can now tag records in the transaction links table and transfer the tags to the main specimen, living collection or seed accession tables.
  • Copying specimen images files: A new tool has been added to copy images linked to tagged specimens to a selected folder. The user must have access to the images folder.
  • Calculated fields for image totals: New calculations have been added for image totals. Collection events now has an additional field to total images of linked specimens. Species has additional fields to total images from plants (alive and not so), collection events, specimens and seed accessions.
  • Calculated fields for species name: There is a new calculated field for species names without authors (see species update notes). You can configure the original calculated field as you wish with authors.
  • Map styles: Ability to design map styles to upload to BRAHMS online. These include map point colour, symbol and size set using small scripts defining values or ranges. As an example for collections, elevation range 0 - 500 - green square, 501-2000, yellow triangle; > 2000 Red circle
  • Record Zoom: The Selected text feature is now collapsed by default and has a reduced height providing more space to see the data column list.
  • Seed Accession numbering: When importing Seed Accessions from RDE, you can now automate Accession numbering using the options provided on System > Options > Seed settings.
  • Seed test summary: Seed test records include a new calculated field for Seed Test Steps Summary. This summarises the conditions and processing steps per seed test.
  • Living collections plant form: Updates to this form to standardise features such as plant moves with new Plant Tools form.
  • Living collections query: Much improved speed in the Living Accession and Plant tables for taxa related searches.
  • Living collections label requests: Improvemens to the UI for setting required label numbers.
  • RDE Quick Data Selector: Improvemens to the RDE Quick Data Selector filtering option which now uses contains rather than starts with and allows multiple space separated search terms.
  • SQL Command samples: Example commands have been added to the PDF Example SQL Commands .
  • Edit History table: Opening the main Management gt; Edit History table is speeded up with improved indexing.

Bug Fixes

  • Darwin Core (DwC) exports: Fixes issues with taxa name formatting in Taxonomy and Specimen exports and also issues with " marks in the Habitat Text field. UTC dates are suffixed with Z. Cultivar names are added to cultivarEpithet. var is replaced with var.
  • Export to XML from PostgreSQL: Updates a slow query in PostgreSQL for setting synonomy level prior to export to XML. In some cases, this caused the export process to severely slow up towards the final export stages.
  • Unwanted Save Record messaging: Addresses issue of unwanted requests to 'save changes' when traversing the living collection plants grid in edit mode with the plants form open. This was due to an issue with the calculated Accession Summary field.
  • Record Checks table: Fixes Match/Transfer issues when using Record Checks table.
  • Import images to RDE: Fixes an issue RDE specimen images import from a selected folder. Also provides better feedback during the import process, displaying the image filename being processed.
  • Species habit: The species habit field in Taxonomy RDE files was hidden and thus not imported. This has been fixed.
  • RDE Higher Classification duplication: Higher classification records (Kingdom down to Order fields) are no longer duplicated when importing RDE files that include these data. This duplication only occured in some databases.
  • RDE Taxa Description homonyms: Homonym checking is disabled when importing Taxa Description RDEs. Thus you can added more than one entry for the same species to the same RDE file.
  • WebLinks Editor: The WebLinks Editor now catches errors when parsing URL parameters with mismatched angle brackets.
  • Collection Event form error: Fix for issue where "SemaphoreSlim already disposed" message appeared after viewing specimens on the collection event form when in Edit mode in some systems.
  • Index Seminum: Collection Summaries and Comments added directly to the IS table were not always being saved.
  • Index Seminum: non-accessioned material: A fix to a reporting error where more that 1 non-accessioned entries were added to the Index.
  • GeoCAT mapping: Links to GeoCAT conservation maps are operating again.
  • Tag Transfers for Seed Accessions: Tag transfers that include Seed Accessions now work correctly when including the full hierarchy of child records. Thus, for tagged species, the tags will be transferred to collection events, seed accessions, tests, transactions, seed standards, etc.
  • RDE barcode checks: An issue with checking for duplicated barcodes on somnme systems has been fixed.

Updated Release v8.7.2 (10th July 2025)

The following release notes apply to v8.7.2.15832 . This update addresses bugs reported following the publication of 8.7.2.15770 in March

Added/Updated Features

  • Plant transaction Linking: Improves UI feedback and speed of linking all non-stock tagged plants to a transaction.
  • Specimen Reports: Collection event species and species taxon descriptions added to specimen report options.
  • Linked Documents Viewer: Open linked documents by double-clicking and improved record selection highlighting.
  • Seed Accession Match transfer: read-only seed accession weight and x-ray data column overrides added to match transfer.

Bug Fixes

  • Specimen Accession/Barcode auto-numbers: Specimen accession number (& barcode number generation) did not generate codes when a non-zero code had not been requested at the time a new incremental code sequence was created, or when an existing sequence was reset to zero.
  • RSO grid editing: Not possible for non-admin/manager users who are not set as readonly on the LC module.
  • RSO grid: RSO vendor was read-only and could not be changed.
  • RSO Management Form: Reordering functions not working.
  • RSO management form: Opening dialogues from the RSO Management form was not enabled.
  • Seed accession RDE import: Collection event matching did not include colloector name and species in matching.
  • Excel image match/import tool in RDE: No columns available for matching.
  • RDE images: Importing using Excel not working correctly.
  • Specimen RDE: Additional dets import not functioning correctly.
  • RDE: Image linking/deletion in RDE not enabling.
  • RDE forced lookup: The forced lookup option for supplier (requeted order vendor) and RSO garden locality names was not restricted by the set RDE configuration option.
  • Project museum selector: Not displaying any records when opened in the User Management grid.
  • Configuration options : Project Museum Codes in configuration options did not scroll when more museum codes than would fit into the viewable area were added.
  • Assembled Names: Issue with creating autor/other names from assembled names grid.
  • Index Seminum form : Did not list the IS Entries.
  • Collection events selector: Failed to open from the living accessions form.
  • Document links: Form could fail on opening.
  • User creation: Creating a User with an accented character in the username failed.
  • Database project manager: Database project management dialogue could fail to open.
  • Literature form: Linked records were not displayed in the Literature form.
  • Living Collections module: A user without edit access could still add propagation records.

Release v8.7.2 (21st March 2025)

The following release notes apply to v8.7.2.15770

Added Features

  • .Net Framework upgrade: Previously compiled with the .Net 4.7.2 Framework, BRAHMS is now compiled using .Net 4.8.1. This is the current .Net Framework version which will be available on Windows 10 (and later) PC's. For anyone unable to use the 4.8.1 compiled version a .Net 4.7.2 version is available for download. .NET Framework 4.8.1 has various performance improvements and bug fixes that can lead to better application performance and stability. It also includes the latest security updates, providing better protection against vulnerabilities. There are also enhancements with high resolution screens (e.g. clarity). These various enhancements can significantly improve the performance and efficiency of your applications. A useful guide to .Net Framework release changes is here. NB. BRAHMS will be upgraded to .Net Core in a forthcoming revision.
  • RDE analysis: Speed improvements with RDE import analysis especially noticeable in larger RDE files.
  • Form processing: Improves form processing in general throughout BRAHMS.
  • Match/Update tool: Adjusts Excel Match/Update Wizard to include nullable GUID's as transferable columns and non-nullable Guid's as read-only (match only) columns.
  • Image viewer: Improvements made to the image viewer. This includes fixing a long-standing issue with image locking where the last image accessed in BRAHMS was locked for re-naming or moving. We have also introduced a level of throttling on image numbers assembled to the viewer. This was problematic in the species table where images of all related collection events and specimens per species are assembled.
  • QDS calculations: QDS map calculations in the lat/long editor have been improved to work from QDS to lat/long as well as lat/long to QDS. Lookups in the QDS grid fields now access the map editor.
  • Verbatim map fields: Verbatim map values for lat/long/elevation data are now added/updated when using the Map editor entering the values using DMS. Elevation data entered in ft on the Map Editor now update the verbatum elevation values in the data grid.
  • Collection Categories: The lookup for Collection Event major categories (PS, Seed, LC, OBS, etc.) has been altered to ensure users cannot add non-standard values.
  • Index Seminum reporting: Extension of Index Seminum reporting options to create reports on either the Index Seminum Catalogue or Index Seminum Transactions.
  • Living accession supplier names: The supplier/donor lookup in living accessions now backloads surname+initials data if these are added to the addresses table.
  • Living accession seed origin: The field named 'MSB serial number' has been renamed to 'Seed Accession Number' making it more general purpose for all projects.
  • Container Qty calcultations: Production/Propagation container quanity calculations based on trays/flats x containers per tray/flat have been updated to respect partial trays such as 1.5 tray/flats.
  • Edit History archiving: The Edit History archive function 'months to archive' is now more flexible with the input now accepting any value between 1 and 300 months (25 years).
  • Stimulsoft reports: Stimulsoft reports updated to latest version.

Bug Fixes

  • Seed stratification data: Fixes issue with saving seed stratification data in the propagation table.
  • Seed duplication: An error using the seed bank lookup has been fixed.
  • Custom lookup deletions: Fixes issue with the deletion of custom lookup values in some databases. Some additional improvements to efficiency when editing custom lookups.
  • Species name calculations: Fix for the species name recalculation script that did not exclude trade epithet when configuration was set to exclude trade names.
  • Plant form stock management: The plant form stock management editor now uses the same procedure as available on the new Plant Tools Inventory option.
  • Plant form location changes: The main plant form location change button was not always being enabled after a change. Now it is correctly enabled.
  • Collection Event save: Eliminates the incidence of the user being asked to save data when browsing down the main Collection Events table in Edit mode with the form opened. This was caused by some calculations being checked.
  • Web Links Manager: An issue with some components in the Web Links Manager has been fixed. On some systems, the function to make a Web Link available in different BRAHMS tables was disabled. The wording on this form has also been clarified.
  • RDE barcode checks: An issue with barcode checks in multi-database projects (data stores with more than one database project) has been fixed. This check was not always being restricted to the currently loaded database project.
  • Filter row = operator: An issue when using '=' in the grid filter row was causing an error in some cases. This has been fixed.
  • Using TAB in the filter row: Filter row error using a TAB instead of Enter was causing an error when column summary opened.
  • Deletion of specimens: The delete specimen option was not enabled on the collection event form ( Specimen Tab) on some systems.
  • Collection Category filters: Fix for issue in some systems where the main collection category filter (e.g. PS) was lost when adding/removing filters in the collection events table.
  • RDE image viewing: The RDE images menu option was not working correctly on some systems.
  • Hidden dialogue windows: Some dialogue editors were opening behind some selection dialogue making access difficult.
  • Tag groups in SQLite: Fixes an issue with Tag Groups in SQLite databases.
  • Species name update: Fixes an issue with the selected specimen det and the update of the parent collection event species name – a bug only occurring in a small number of database configurations.
  • Plant Uses/Traits: Fixes lookup issues with adding/editing Plant Uses/Traits on the species form.
  • Database import from XML: Fixes an issue with synonym and basionym imports when importing a database using XML files to SQLite.
  • Prop/Prod container selection: Fixes an issue with selecting containers for tagged records (bulk updates).
  • Permissions in Production/Propagation: A user with no access to edit Living Collections can no longer add Production/Propagation records.
  • Prod/Propagation form: Fixes issue with Prod/Propagation form where when closed in edit mode prevented the Edit toggle button from being used from the grid.

Release v8.7.0 (22nd January 2025)

The following release notes apply to v8.7.0.15674 (in fact updated to v8.7.0.15678 on 4 Feb following a few further adjustments). As well as including a broad range of system additions, enhancements and fixes for all reported bugs, this update includes extensive behind-the-scenes code refactoring which will simplify future update activities. System installation size: The 8.7 system installation size has been substantially reduced as we have removed ArcGIS for 32 bit machines. If you are not using a 64 bit PC, we can provide the 32 bit version.

Added Features

System/Data Tools

  • Record Checks: A new data grid (Management > Record Checks) has been added to display all Record Checks across your database system. You can transfer tags from this table to the source records using the 'V' tag -> Source option as provided. For example, you may want to tag all collection events that have had their map data checked during the past 3 months.
  • Edit History Archiving: The Edit History table can now be archived using System > Options > Management > Archive EditHistory tool. This leaves a selected time period active, the remainder going to a new Edit History archive table. The archive can be partially or fully restored. The Edit History table is by far the largest table in most systems and having access to your entire edit history is not always required. For projects with massive edit history tables, there may be performance advantages.
  • Excel Match/Update: The Excel Match/Update and the Excel to RDE tools have been overhauled. For example, you can now save match/updates reports to a xlsx report file and thus check unmatched entries. Where possible, import errors are listed on a newly added Excel import form tab.
  • Dynamic Weblinks Import/Export: The Dynamic Weblinks tool now includes the ability to import and export weblinks. New projects can thus import a useful default start up list of dynamic weblinks – and you can share your weblinks with other projects. Download a useful sample list of weblinks. To import the entries from the up-zipped download, select Management > Manage Weblinks...> Import...and then, as prompted, locate the .bwl file downloaded here. Highlight the weblink entries of interest then Import.
  • ArcGIS internal mapper updated: ESRI ArcGIS updated to 200.6.0 from 200.1.0. The 32 bit version of the mapper has been removed - we can provide if required.
  • Tag performance: Tagging records is now faster, this impacting on many routine activities.
  • SQL Query tool command help: The SQL command query tool provides help by adding the current table and field name when the tool is opened. For example, when opening the query tool in the species table from the field Label Range Text, the following command is auto-added: UPDATE speciesgridview SET labelrangetext = NULL WHERE labelrangetext IS NULL; NB this command in itself will make no changes.
  • Form navigation: All forms now have navigation buttons (next/previous/top/bottom), useful for users working on tablets where forms are maximised, hiding the underlying data grid and toolbars.
  • Last Modified/Created On sorting: The main toolbar sort options for 'Last Modified On' and 'Created On' now include colour coding to indicate when selected.
  • Password Show/Hide: An option has been added to Show/Hide password text on entry. Password entry text is hidden by default throughout BRAHMS.
  • Barcode sounds: Barcode located/not located warning sounds have been softened.
  • Data Connection locations: The Data Connections form now displays the physical location of SQLite database files.
  • System Languages: Chinese, French, Spanish, Portuguese have been added as UI languages. NB. In some cases, the translations will require revision. The existing German and Portuguese translations have been improved. You can select your UI language on login.
  • Sequence Generator: Enhancements to sequence generator increasing the number of characters permitted in prefixes.
  • Field Additions: New standard fields added across much of the system in response to user demand.
  • Multi-value lookup separators: Multi-value lookups now respect separator spacing if added, an example for e.g. plant garden uses being 'Bedding | Dry gardens | Garden Edging | Low Maintenance'.
  • Register Assembled Names: The feature on the main Summary Tool is now restricted to System Administrator and Project Manager roles only and is not visible to other users.
  • Calculated fields: New calculated fields added to many tables in response to user demand.

Species/Taxonomy

  • Taxa Descriptions - Adding: Taxa descriptions for families, genera and species can now be added directly to the taxa descriptions table rather than from e.g. the species table form.
  • Taxa Descriptions - Form: The Taxa descriptions table has a new form with options to add/edit text, text group, language and literature links.
  • WCVP lookup: A taxa tool added allowing you to check your names against the World Check List of Vascular Plants (WCVP). You can check/update species records against WCVP and selectively update details for taxon status, author names, protologue citation, IPNI code and known geographic distribution including TDWG codes. This new option is found on the main species table form - WCVP Matching tab.
  • Genus Abbreviation: New field for genus abbreviation added to the genus table, especially used for Orchidaceae.
  • # Host collection events: New calculated field for the total number of collection events where the taxa is a host species.
  • Entity rules: Several new entity/species name rules added to assure validity of all names linked to an entity.
  • Species name calculation for grex: Updates species name calculations updating Grex positioning within a name (if a grex is provided).
  • Species name calculation for name qualifiers: Species name calculations now adjust the position of Species Name Qualifer entries. If the entry is 'agg.', this is formatted after the designated epithet. Other entries (e.g. 'cf.', 'sp. aff.' are formatted before the designated epithet.

Collection Events/Specimens

  • Collection Categories - selection: Provides drop-down selection for the collection category field on the collection event form the same as in the collection events grid.
  • Collection Categories - multiple values: Collection Event records can now be associated with multiple collection categories. For example, the same event may be linked to preserved specimens, living collection and seed accession wild origins.
  • Specimen form: Overall updates to specimen form including lookups for all eligible fields e.g. phenology.
  • Collection Event form: The collection event form has improved layout for viewing specimens and their determinations.
  • Copy Determination tool: A new tool to copy a selected determination to all specimens linked to a collection event.
  • Transaction summaries: The transaction table calculated summary field now lists family and genus names where the list is restricted one family or genus. Examples: 'This transaction includes 11 specimens in 5 taxa in 1 genus (Leguminosae-pap Chaetocalyx).' and 'This transaction includes 3 specimens in 1 taxon (Mycenaceae Mycena glutinipes). There are 3 type specimens.'.
  • Family/Genus codes: Family and genus local and institution codes are now visible in collection events and can thus be included in specimen reports.
  • Determination table fields: The det table now displays the collection event collection date fields.
  • Field Number: 'Field Number' renamed to 'Collector Number' throughout. Any existing report references are auto-updated.

Botanic Gardens

  • Living Collection toolbar: The layout of options on the main living collections toolbar has been revised to clarify/simplify.
  • Living Collection tools: Tools for managing stock checks, status confirmations and changes, name verifications and changes, location changes, and several other functions have been streamlined into a single docked form with tabs for each function making it easier to navigate through and update multiple plant records. This also simplifies the collections toolbar itself.
  • Living Collection virus status: A new tool added to record the virus check status of plants with fields for virus status and virus date check. An associated plant event is added per check.
  • Living Collection Stock Adjustments: The process of botanic garden plant stock adjustment has been simplified making it easier to adjust stock levels up and down with additional fields for plant mass and stock estimates. Current plant stock can be edited independently from initial stock values (which do not now change). The (somewhat confusing) +/- Stock removed field is no longer required. All stock changes are recorded in plant events.
  • Garden Location Selector: The garden locality selector now displays locality status and classification to help with selections.
  • Garden app: The garden app, when used in multi-site projects, now exports locality data for lookups only for the current garden/site.
  • Plant status lookups: The Plant Status change tool has a new lookup for notes in addition to the existing lookup for the change reason.
  • RSO/Propagation enhancements: RSO and propagation enhancements added, based on user feedback. These changes include changes to RequestedForDate/WeekNo, Requested Delivery Container, Container Quantity and Plants per Container all of which are updated in prop/prod if edited in RSO; week number calculations updated after editing delivery date; refinements to RSO form; in RSO, PropagatedFor and RequestedBy are synchronised if/when values differ.
  • Propagation Form: A new Find Accession search box added to Propagation Form.
  • New Accession fields: The accession table has new fields for received size (receivedsize) and received container (accessioncontainer) category.
  • New Plant fields: The plants table has new fields for plant history (e.g. history about a particular tree), status change reason (e.g. name of a pathogen), virus checking status/date, plant category (e.g. Champion Tree), mass(yes/no), estimated quantity (yes/no).
  • Old garden location names: Out of use garden location names can now be linked to current locations using the 'Location renamed to' field.

Rapid Data Entry (RDE)

  • RDE Manager tagging: Tagging is now implemented in the RDE manager.
  • RDE Lookup/Selector windows: Lookup windows in RDE have been replaced by dockable data selectors allowing you to keep the data selector open while navigating through the RDE records. You can also apply a lookup selection to all tagged records.
  • RDE Query tool: The Query form SQL command scripting tool is now is now available in RDE files.
  • RDE for Specimen Dets: Overall improvements to RDE for specimen determinations with new lookups and clarification of field names for current and selected dets. A docked Specimen Selector option has been added.
  • Specimen RDE form: Specimen RDE files now have a form with tabs for all the main categories of data including species, collection event, specimen, determination data and custom fields. The form provides new data capture controls including, as an example, the ability to enter map references in DMS and auto-calculate these to Decimal Degree format.
  • Specimen RDE matching tool: A new configurable Collection Events matching tool is available for use with specimen RDE files. Use the new 'Collection Match Tool' button above the opened RDE file data grid. This allows you to check whether a particular record has already been added to your database or simply to search for matching collection. The tool helps avoid the entry of duplicated records. You can also transfer data back to RDE from the database for the matched record and/or go directly to the Collection Event record in your database to edit it.
  • Excel to RDE: The Excel to RDE importer now lists data warnings including catching errors where text fields exceed the max permitted length. Previously, these errors were not reported resulting in the potential skipping of import records. The revised importer clearly lists RDE records with data issues.
  • Taxa RDE 'Not Online' upload: RDE can now be used to set the online status of a species record.

Seed Bank

  • Seed Accession form: Seed accession form layout improved.
  • Store Bank field: Storebank field length increased from 50 to 128 chars.
  • Last best germination test: Adds a new calculation for the best germination test result in the last seed test group per accession. Seed accessions are often tested in batches every several years. This can be used against other test results (including best ever result) to monitor decline in seed germination % over time.

Literature

  • #Species list: A new calculated field listing species A-Z that are linked to each literature entry.
  • #Link totals: New calculated fields for the number of taxa and the number of non-taxa links to each literature entry.

Addresses and Visitor log table

  • New Address fields: The address table has new fields for Short Institute Code and Old Address. The Museum code increased from 10 to 15 characters.
  • New Visitor Log fields: The visitor log table has new fields for Country, Family and Genus and also allows custom field additions.
  • #Transactions: A new calculated field for transactions total.
  • #Accessions supplied: A new calculated field for the number of living accessions each institution/company has supplied.

Reporting/Exports

  • Stimulsoft Upgrade: The integrated BRAHMS reporting tool Stimulsoft.Reports.Wpf has been upgraded from version 2022.1.6 to the latest version 2024.4.3.
  • Images and Reports: Updates to the reporter include the ability to add images from your image links table. This feature applies to all BRAHMS tables where image linking is possible. A practical example would be to add a selected species image to a species fact sheet report.
  • Species reports: Descriptive texts also include the text group and language fields.
  • Designing a label guide: A detailed PDF review on how to design a herbarium label can be accessed on Designing Herbarium Labels.

Bug Fixes

  • Manager status: In some systems, users with Manager status were not seeing the correct application menu. This did not apply to Admin or Normal users and only impacted on a small number of projects. This issue has been resolved.
  • RDE Manager duplication of file names: The issue of RDE file names being sometimes duplicated has been resolved.
  • Data grid navigation in Edit mode: A long standing issue causing edit status ambiguity when navigating records while in edit mode, has been fixed.
  • Lookup nullable values: The custom lookup field setting for 'non-nullable' with a default value has been improved. In some systems, this was not holding.
  • Living Accession Habit: The data for Species habit now correctly appears in the plants and accessions tables.
  • Excel exports: Some 'missing GUID' issues fixed when exporting data to xlsx/csv.
  • Custom column Find/Replace in RDE: Issue fixed when using find/replace with certain filters applied.
  • Range filter headings: With custom fields, the range filter displays column header rather than fieldname in the dialogue.
  • RDE specimen det imports: Fixes issue with RDE Specimen determination analysis/import which in some cases failed.
  • RDE specimen - force New: In some cases, especially when specimen analysis was excluded, the Force New Collection Event setting caused an error (setting collections with specimens to be Observations) now fixed.
  • RDE imports with some accented characters: The import of some accented characters in certain database tables caused some data values to be unmatched against identical database values - causing a duplicated record entry. This issue, restricted to a small number of known cases, has been resolved.
  • Tag random: Fixes issue with tag random in databases with multiple projects where the records tagged may have come from any database and not just the currently used database.
  • Verified on UtcDateTemplate: UtcDateTemplate applied to 'verified on' column in the Record Verification form to set the stored UTC data/time values into local data/time for display.
  • Alternate name recalculations: The alternate and full name recalculation script no longer overwrites existing non-null values.
  • Reference calculations: Literature reference calculations adjusted to make consistent.
  • Taxa Name editor permissions: Access to this tool is only permitted if the user as access to editing taxa.
  • RDE taxa look/common names: Species lookup in RDE for specimens no longer overwrites common name if one is added.
  • Plot ID in Collection Events: Enabling/editing this field no longer throws an error.
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