The team behind Cubist Cloud wanted to build a platform that addresses and solves the challenges which frustrate gallery staff on a day-to-day basis. So, we installed a ticketing function within Cubist Cloud that allows users to leave feedback, report issues and request new features.   

For Dan Webb, Cubist Cloud’s Software Support Engineer, “the feedback is where this release all started. After assessing the feedback, we knew we wanted to improve ease of use and incorporate changes that would improve user productivity and their ability to carry out tasks as efficiently as possible.” 

The team listed the changes and refinements that would be necessary to meet user needs, with a focus on user-friendliness, flexible functions, personalisation and increasing productivity. The result is this major release, which Dan believes “improves the core idea behind Cubist Cloud, which is to simplify the daily running of an art gallery for the many roles inside the business.” 

What’s new or improved?

Style and layout 

We’ve changed how the system looks visually to make it more accessible and easier to navigate. In particular, we have: 

• Adjusted colours on buttons and grouped buttons by colour to denote their purpose. This includes buttons for editing, collecting and removing information 
   
• Changed how fields are presented and formatted in table view to make them cleaner and more streamlined 
   

• Adjusted the sizing of information to bring more balance to the page design and content, improving readability and consumability 
   
• Enabled white labelling. This allows the user to fully customise and personalise their colours and logo 

How search works

We highlighted areas that could be improved to enable users to find artworks faster and more easily. We have removed unnecessary search times by simplifying the system. Users can now: 

• Search within a specific field – users can type a field name and text to search that field. For example, they can type ‘provenance’ and search for something specifically in that area  
   
• View the artist’s name first in the search responses when they type into the search bar 
   
• ‘Pin’ an artist and view all works by that artist in just one click 
   
• Save searches for later 

The emailing function

Emailing from within Cubist Cloud is a major part of this release. Though not intended to replace a platform like MailChimp, Dan says this function is now a “flexible, powerful tool.” For example, users can: 

• Send print outs (PDFs generated from within Cubist Cloud) in the same way as invoices and presentations. This saves users time, as they no longer need to send documents from Cubist Cloud to another email hosting tool 
   
• Personalise and customise emails. The Cubist Cloud team can gather a user’s preferences on what logos, titles, signatures and colours they wish to use and edit them accordingly 

• Create an unlimited number of email templates in any design and email these templates to select clients or create mailing lists. Users can target specific clients with the information they want in the format and design they want, and preview what the recipient will see before sending 

If you use Cubist Cloud to create emails, it’s important to optimise your emails to maximise their performance.  

We’re already looking forward to our next release

Our next release is planned for before the end of the year. This will introduce more new features and improvements, and greater personalisation.