In the rapidly evolving landscape of Property Tech (PropTech), staying static is not an option. For users of MRI Software, the release of Platform X.7 (PMX) represents a significant leap forward, particularly for those who rely on Page Builder to tailor their user experience.
Upgrading to the latest version isn't just about a fresh look; it’s about unlocking a new tier of flexibility and power in how you handle data. However, with great power comes a steeper learning curve. At Assetsoft, we specialize in navigating these complex upgrades, ensuring your business logic transitions seamlessly to the new environment.
Here is a deep dive into what is new in the MRI Platform X.7 Page Builder and how it changes the game for custom page development.
1. The Shift to JavaScript Expressions
For developers and administrators accustomed to legacy web design tools from the past 20 years, the shift to PMX X.7 introduces a significant change: a greater reliance on JavaScript-based expressions.
While this might seem daunting at first, it enables dynamic field manipulation that was previously difficult to achieve. The new Page Builder allows you to use simple JS expressions to concatenate strings (e.g., combining a Building ID and Lease ID for a clean display) or perform on-the-fly arithmetic between input fields.
Why this matters: It reduces the need for heavy backend processing for simple display logic, making your custom pages faster and more responsive for the end-user.
2. Logic Builder: Built-in Security and Validation
One of the most significant improvements in the X.7 ecosystem is how Logic Builder APIs handle data compared to traditional data requests.
In the past, building custom pages often required extensive manual coding to ensure fields complied with security roles and data limits. The new Logic Builder APIs automatically return metadata on Table and Field Security and Field Lengths.
- Efficiency Boost: Page Builder automatically consumes this metadata. If a user tries to enter seven characters into a 6-character field, the page handles validation natively without requiring you to write any additional code.
- Security: Field-level security is respected automatically, saving developers roughly 80% of the validation work typically required during customization.
3. Advanced Data Handling: Passing Arrays for Bulk Updates
The true "killer feature" of the new Page Builder is the ability to pass entire data grids as objects to the API. This moves us beyond updating single records to handling complex, bulk transactions in a single call.
In the X.7 environment, you can define complex array structures in Logic Builder that mirror your Page Builder data grids. This allows you to:
- Loop through data: Create loops within your API to handle multiple rows.
- Batch Operations: Perform inserts, updates, and deletes within a single API transaction.
- Smart Updates: The system can distinguish between Original Value and Current Value, allowing the API to decide which records have changed intelligently and need updating, rather than unthinkingly overwriting data.
This architecture significantly reduces network traffic and database load, leading to a smoother experience for users managing high-volume data, such as rental updates or lease abstractions.
4. Accelerating Development with AI
The bridge between SQL logic and Logic Builder scripts has never been shorter. The new environment supports an AI-assisted workflow in which developers can take complex SQL queries, such as joins between the Lease and Building tables and use AI tools to generate the equivalent Logic Builder script.
This AI co-pilot approach automates the creation of input parameters, data types, and variable mappings, turning a tedious manual process into one that takes seconds.
5. Debugging Like a Pro
With the shift to a modern web architecture, the browser’s Developer Tools (Network Tab) becomes your best friend. Debugging in X.7 involves inspecting the JSON payloads passed between Page Builder and the API. This transparency enables rapid troubleshooting, ensuring your complex array structures are passed and received key-for-key.
Why You Need an Expert Partner
While MRI Platform X.7 offers incredible tools, leveraging them requires a mix of traditional database knowledge and modern web development skills. The transition from legacy code to JavaScript expressions and object-oriented Logic Builder arrays can be complex.
This is where Assetsoft comes in. As a premier technology consulting firm for the real estate industry, we specialize in:
- MRI Software Upgrades: ensuring a smooth transition to Platform X.7.
- Customization: Building bespoke pages and reports that fit your unique business workflows.
- Integration: Connecting your customized MRI data with third-party apps.
Don't let the technical complexity of the new Page Builder slow down your operations. Let us help you build a system that works as hard as you do.
Ready to upgrade your MRI experience?
Visit us at www.assetsoft.biz to book a consultation today.
