Caseware IDEA | Release | November 2023 | V12.2

Published: 30/07/2024

1. Caseware IDEA V12.2

This latest release of IDEA significantly advances the functions and features available while still maintaining IDEA's world-renowned ease-of-use. The following describes these features and fixes included in Caseware IDEA V12.2 and related products.

1.1 Features

1.1.1 New Look and Experience

Enjoy a more intuitive user experience with smarter iconology, simplified navigation and naming conventions, making IDEA easier to use. Now you can find anomalies faster, boosting fraud prevention, detection and productivity, in-turn saving you time and money.

1.1.2 The Power of Hybrid

Now quickly access web-enabled resources such as Passport, IDEA lab and more, within our data analytics platform, at your convenience through our new embedded web browser. IDEA 12 brings to you a hybrid analytics experience owing to its seamless integration with Microsoft Webview2, that auto updates to maintain compatibility with Windows and ensures continuous data security. In addition, IDEA now supports single sign-on with CaseWare Cloud, streamlining user access and improving identity protection.

1.1.3 Built-in Smart Actions

Take a deep dive into your data with our new Smart Actions, featuring Google search, Maps and Translate, within IDEA at the click of a button. Analyze multiple cells at once, quickly check the legitimacy of exceptions, and perform faster investigations with accurate results, aiding smarter risk management.

1.1.4 Stronger Working Papers Integration

It’s easier than ever to integrate data analytics into your workflow with a more seamless integration between CaseWare Working Papers and CaseWare IDEA. You now have the ability to send databases and PDF reports, including history and observations to your Working Paper engagement in a single click. This enhancement improves documentation, reporting and collaboration with your colleagues and clients, strengthening the audit process and other engagements.

1.1.5 Enhanced Quick Summarization

Achieve 4 times faster results when you use our enhanced Quick Summarization function. You can now analyse 100% data and perform quick summarization of multiple data fields easily in no time. Get started on identifying the key focus areas for your audit using this feature, and accelerate your audit planning process today.

1.1.6 New Python Capabilities

IDEA upgraded to a new, more powerful Python version with this release to make it easier for you to automate manual, time-intensive tasks. Access the latest Python libraries, APIs, etc. to create your own Python scripts or utilize the enhanced Equation Editor with new custom functions to edit Python scripts within IDEA, eliminating dependency on external tools. In addition, you can also take advantage of a larger library of IDEA Lab plugins, delivering advanced analytics at your fingertips and improving audit efficiency.

1.1.7 Desktop Operating System Compatibility

IDEA is compatible with Windows 11.

1.1.8 Server Operating System Compatibility

IDEA is compatible with Windows Server 2022.

1.1.9 OneDrive Support

IDEA Compatibility with Microsoft OneDrive IDEA supports the use of Microsoft OneDrive as an external drive through specific scenarios, outlined below.
In each scenario, database files can be automatically synched with the OneDrive drive:

One computer using a local account
- In this scenario, one user uses a single computer and logs into OneDrive using a local account.
- Before installing or operating IDEA, you must also start OneDrive with a local account (Hotmail or Outlook account required) and ensure that the IDEA folder has been configured to be synched with OneDrive.
One computer using a Microsoft account
- In this scenario, one user uses a single computer to synch IDEA databases to a OneDrive account using their Microsoft account.
- When using a Microsoft account, you will automatically be logged into OneDrive. The option to select folders to synch is not available.
Two computers using the same local or Microsoft account
- In this scenario, two machines are used, both machines logged into the same OneDrive account. When a database is saved using computer 1, that database should be available on OneDrive on the second computer.
Concurrent Users on Windows Server, each using a unique OneDrive account
- In this scenario, two users are on the Windows Server using different OneDrive accounts to synch their files. Each local user should be able to synch with their OneDrive account while using IDEA concurrently.
Before installing IDEA, create the local accounts required. Each local account should have their own account for OneDrive. IDEA is installed through an admin account.

1.1.10 Caseware Cloud

With this release, you can now drag and drop files to Caseware Cloud and from Caseware Cloud into IDEA.

1.1.11 Licensing

IDEA Licensing Dialog now supports IPv6 formatted addresses when connecting to the NLS (Network Licensing Server)

If you are connecting IDEA and Caseware IDEA License Manager using an IVP6 connection, the machine with IDEA installed and the Network License Server must have IPV6 enabled:
- On the machine, go to Control Panel.
- Click Network and Internet.
- Click Network and Sharing Centre.
- Launch Ethernet Properties.
- Locate Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and check the box if it is not already checked.
- Click OK to save the changes.
On the machine where IDEA is installed, you must also set the environment variable:
- In the Windows System Search, search System Environment.
- Click Edit the System Environment Variables.
- Click Environment Variable.
- Click New button.

Note: If creating a user variable (i.e., admin), only the account admin will use this variable. Other accounts will ignore the setting.

Create the System Variable as defined below:
- Variable Name: LSTCPIPVER
- Variable Value: 6
- Click OK to save the created value.
- Click OK to close System Properties.
If IDEA is running on the machine when the Environment Variable has been updated, please restart IDEA.

1.1.12 Page Setup Function

Page Setup functionality has been added to Print menu, IDEAScript and Project Overview.

1.1.13 Sending To Working Papers

IDEA now enables task automation using IDEAScript and Visual Script, updates to History and Project Overview for Send to Working Papers.

1.1.14 Supported Imports

A number of Import File Types have entered Tier 2 support. The Import File Types listed below will no longer be supported with the next release:

AuditFile Financial 2.0
dBase
MSAccess 97
MSExcel 97

1.1.15 Supported Exports

A number of Export File Types have entered Tier 2 support. The Export File Types listed below will no longer be supported with the next release:

MSAccess 2000-2003
MSExcel 97

1.1.16 ODBC Driver Documentation - IDEA Install Guide

Your IDEA installation package includes Caseware IDEA ODBC Driver. You can install this software to create User or System DSNs (32-bit or 64-bit) so that other applications can access and use your IDEA data. For example, you can connect a reporting package through IDEA ODBC to visualise your IDEA data.

Installation Notes

IDEA ODBC Driver is not installed as part of the IDEA installation process, regardless of installation method. The IDEA ODBC Driver must be installed separately, after IDEA installation has been performed.
- You must have administrative permissions on the machine on which you are installing the driver.
- You must install the driver on the same machine that you have IDEA and the destination application installed.
- Caseware IDEA ODBC Driver can only be installed on a 64-bit operating system.
To install Caseware IDEA ODBC Driver:
- From the IDEA installation package, navigate to and double-click ODBCDriver_Setup.exe.
- The Caseware IDEA ODBC Driver installation wizard appears.
- If you are prompted to install prerequisite software, click Install.
- In the Welcome screen, click Next.
- In the License Agreement screen, select the option to accept the terms and click Next.
- In the Destination Folder screen, accept or change the destination folder and then click Next.
- In the Ready to Install the Program screen, click Install.
- In the Completed screen, click Finish.

For information on how to use Caseware IDEA ODBC Driver, view the Using Caseware IDEA ODBC Driver 12.2 topic in the IDEA help Page Setup functionality has been added to Print menu, IDEAScript and Project Overview.

1.1.17 Port Protocol Documentation - IDEA Install Guide, Caseware Network License Server Installation Guide

If you are running IDEA and Caseware IDEA License Manager behind a firewall or proxy, ensure the following:

HTTP/TCPPort 80 and HTTPs/TCP443 must be accessible. These ports are used for online license registration, accessing Passport, IDEALab and Caseware Cloud.
- If these ports are not accessible, offline registration must be used. Passport, IDEALab and Caseware Cloud will not be accessible.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) port 5093 must be open on the Caseware Network License Server (NLS) machine and all IDEA client machines to allow proper communication.
The following two license servers must be accessible:
- https://elicense.caseware.com
- https://elicense2.caseware

1.1.18 Documentation - IDEA Help

Access the IDEA Help by pressing F1 within IDEA.
Delimited Extended as an option is missing from the Topic “Import Assistant - Specified File Type”.

1.19 Documentation Installation Guide

Python version updated to 3.9.2 In IDEA Installation Guide.

1.2. Fixes

FEATURE	DESCRIPTION
IDEA ODBC Driver	Resolved an issue where the IDEA ODBC Driver crashes when refreshing a Power BI dashboard.
History Export	Resolved an issue encountered when attempting to export history to PDF or Doc for a database which has certain tests run on it with expand all details and IDEAScript selected.
Append, Extract and Summarize Database	Resolved an issue where certain tasks (Append Database, Direct Extraction, Summarization, etc.) added extra spaces to character fields, causing incorrect results.
Database	Resolved an issue where records in currently open database could not be selected after Stratified Random Sampling window was closed
Field Manipulation, Select Database, Visual Script Editor	Resolved inconsistency issues with dialog window positions for Field Manipulation, Select Database, Visual Script Editor
SAP Import Database	Resolved an issue with SAP import of a single column database or an Empty Database
Database Sorting	Resolved an issue where Sorting a database and Order of Grouping affected results in a Top Record Extraction
Network License Manager	Caseware IDEA/Network License Manager license display issue when non-IDEA licenses are present has been resolved
Database Extraction	Resolved an issue where Indexed Extraction on an extracted database gave incorrect results.

2. SmartAnalyzer

The current release provides new app-related features and some improvements to existing functions and features available in SmartAnalyzer. Note that the availability of the app- or audit test-related features depends on the apps or audit tests you have on your machine and on whether they support the new features.

See the New Features and Enhancements topic in the SmartAnalyzer Help available in the File tab of the Select and Run Audit Tests and Results and Reporting modules.

2.1 Features

2.1.1 Data Request dialog

The Data Request dialog comes with a new filter and sorting feature. You can search for specific entries if there are numerous data requests available. You can now enter partial data request names, resulting in a list of matching data requests. You can also sort the list alphabetically.

2.1.2 AutomationID tool

If you are using automation to open a specific app workflow, entries such as Home and Data View will no longer be available in the workflow toolbar. These entries are not applicable when you call an app workflow through automation because they refer to the IDEA main window or to a list of apps.

2.1.3 Standard Import Routines

For every import using a Standard Import Routine the option ‘Use Delimited Extended import (RFC 4180)’ is enabled by default. This improves the performance of the import and makes sure that the data are imported correctly in case the data contains additional special characters like quotation marks or line breaks within a string.

2.1.4 Marketplace Icon

The Marketplace icon and entry in the SmartAnalyzer ribbon have been removed as the functionality is not available as of IDEA 12.2 anymore. Information on available apps will now be provided via the Passport feature in IDEA.

2.1.5 Uninstalling Additional Files When Deleting an App

If an app contains additional files, these files will now be uninstalled when deleting the app. In case the additional files are shared with other apps the files remain and are not deleted when one of the apps using these files is deleted.
This feature is introduced with version IDEA 12.2. Older apps or apps which have been imported with a previous version of IDEA do not contain this feature.
In the new version of SmartAnalyzer App SDK (v5.0) an app developer can define whether additional files of an app can be uninstalled when deleting the app.

2.1.6 Custom Preparation Routine

Custom Preparation Routines is a new object type which can be created with the latest SmartAnalyzer App SDK version 5.0. A Custom Preparation Routine enables users to tag existing IDEA databases (.imd/.idm) in order to prepare these databases to be analysed in an app. So far, you had to use a Standard Import Routine to import a file that was automatically tagged during the import, or you had to manually tag an already imported file. This tagged database could then be analysed using an app.
Now you can create your own Custom Preparation Routine. It can be selected from within the Standard Import Routine wizard to tag existing IDEA databases by mapping the fields in these databases to make them also available for analysis in a certain app. With a Custom Preparation Routine, you can tag several IDEA databases in an IDEA project at once.

2.2 Enhancements

2.2.1 Data Request dialog:

The Data Request filter field is now case insensitive. No matter if you enter the name of the Data Request you are looking for in upper or lower case the corresponding Data Request, if available, will be shown.

2.2.2 Default document structure for SAP® DART feature:

Import of S/4HANA® files (SAP ACR): You are now able to define a list of SAP ACR files to import using the default document structure for the SAP® DART module.
The log file has been enhanced and optimized to provide more information on the files that cannot be imported by the module.

2.3 Fixes

FEATURE	DESCRIPTION
Systematic Sampling	The Compute button in the Systematic Sampling available in the results window is now enabled only if a sample size can be generated. Otherwise, the button is disabled.
SAP® DART module	Some localization and display issues have been resolved. For instance, captions and tooltips in the Define Tags dialog or the Default document structure for SAP® DART module now show the correct language corresponding to the IDEA language installed alongside.
Import Routine	In rare cases, an issue occurred where the SmartAnalyzer main and Standard Import Routine databases became out of sync. This resulted in the Standard Import Routine wizard not working properly. Now a message prompts users with a short instruction on how to resolve this issue by deleting the database files, restarting IDEA, and reimporting the apps.
Data Request	When opening a Data Request file in a PDF format an error message was displayed claiming that a PDF viewer was not installed. This message was also displayed if a different PDF viewer than Adobe Reader was installed. This behaviour has been fixed.
UNC path	Previous versions of SmartAnalyzer were not able to open a database which has a UNC path. This affected users having their profile folder redirected to a network folder or users with IDEA projects located in a network folder. This behaviour was caused by limitations of the underlying SQLite database. This issue has been fixed.
Global parameter	In rare cases the use of a global parameter of the type float for audit tests failed. In the current version this issue does not occur anymore.

Download Instructions

If you are a firm champion or firm template author, you will have access to your unique download package by accessing the My Software page and clicking on the download packager icon top right. If you are responsible for managing updates and have not received login details for the CaseWare Africa Success Community, click on Login (top right) and then choose the Register Now option.

If this is not successful contact our admin team at info@casewareafrica.com

Additional Information

Who is the firm champion?

The "Firm's Champion" is the staff member responsible for rolling out the template to the users at the firm.

I do have a CaseWare Africa Success Community login

If you are a firm champion, you will have access to your firm's unique download package by accessing the My Software page and clicking on the download packager icon (top right).

I do have a CaseWare Africa Success Community login but cannot see the My Software option

You may request the file to be provided to you by your firm champion.
Alternatively to obtain this access your firm champion will need to update your user permissions on the Content Management page once they have logged in. This page is available when selecting the My Team's Information option in the drop down menu. When clicking on the Manage button next the user's name, ensure that the Download Software checkbox is ticked. This will allow the user access to the My Software page.

I don't have a CaseWare Africa Success Community login

If you are responsible for managing updates and don't have a login for the CaseWare Africa Success Community, click on the Login button in the top right and then Register Now.
If this is not successful contact our admin team at info@casewareafrica.com

Previous Release Information

CaseWare-IDEA-Release-February-2022-Version-12-1

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Release Notes

For more detailed information on these and other enhancements to the software, please go through our Release Notes.

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