Expere Engine and Tools Change Log Entries

Form tagline enhancement

Previously, the tagline on custom forms was set to "N," indicating that the form was not a custom form. The expected behavior is that the tagline displays a "Y" to indicate it is a custom form. A typical tagline consists of the following:

This issue has been resolved; custom forms are now accurately identified with a "Y" in the tagline.

Hash key value algorithm changed to reduce memory usage

Expere uses the function Arrays.toString() to produce the key used to associate the first level ContentCompiledObject to the second level object. This key produced a key 74 bytes in length, resulting in memory issues in certain instances.

We have implemented an enhanced algorithm that produces a key only 32 bytes in length, reducing memory usage. This key resides in the Ehcache.java file

Note: Users should clear the cache on any servers utilizing this enhancement by deleting the folder on the server. This ensures the cache is completely cleared.
The effective date for all products within the scope of this document for this release is July 14 for the UAT environment and July 21 for the Production environment. This release utilizes Expere Engine version 2016.2.0.

Expere Engine: continued enhancement of eSignatureAndFieldSupport and SignaturePointSet elements

Recently, we had implemented SignaturePointSet and eSignatureAndFieldSupport element changes in PBI's 382028 / 392582. With this continued focus we have implemented the following flags for the eSignatureAndFieldSupport element to return X/Y coordinates:

For more information, see the eSignature feature overview section on the Using eSignature and Acroform fields page.

Logging enhancement: FATAL level added

Previously, all errors in the Document Generation Services log files appeared simply as an ERROR. The log files have now been enhanced to include a new FATAL level whenever an environmental issue prevents execution.
Note: For example: "Expere runtime is unable to connect to the file system."

Expere Engine: document generation enhanced

Previously, users reported slow performance and time out issues when generating documents. These issues occurred with custom organizations where images existed at a parent level.

When a missing image existed: the system scanned the entire organization tree instead of the requested hierarchy level and incrementally scanning the levels above the original level.

This issue has been resolved; we have addressed the issue above through code changes that have replaced the previous method.

Expere Engine enhanced to utilize JBoss platform

We now allow Expere to utilize the JBoss platform. This upgrade requires users to install JBoss and place a new ExpereIEServices_JBoss.ear file in their JBoss installation location. For more information, refer to the Expere Implementation Guide and Expere System Requirements Guide.

Expere Engine: SignaturePointSet and eSignatureAndFieldSupport element changes

In an effort to support returning XY coordinates for all fillable fields we have begun the development work. The first step in supporting this feature is creating a new element (eSignatureAndFieldSupport). This element will only pass XY coordinates for esignatures at this time. In a future release it will control XY coordinates for all fillable fields. See the Using SignaturePointSet and eSignatureAndFieldSupport section in Using eSignature and Acroform fields for details on these two elements.

Java 8 and Saxon upgrade: DB and File System script process available

Recently, Java 8, Saxon, and stylesheet upgrades have been implemented; with these upgrades, users must run a script to remove duplicate imports for the database and file system. The scripts are available on your release media at:

See Important update regarding Java 8 and Saxon upgrade: DB and File System script process for detailed information.

.NET Runtime Required Installation Error resolved

It was reported that when installing Expere Engine 2015.3.0.1355 on Windows Server 2012 R2, a .NET Runtime Required error appeared stating that .NET 4.0 was required. However, Windows Server 2012 includes .NET 4.5.1.

Users were instructed to either click OK on the error message or create the following folder: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319, then remove the folder after completing the installation.

This issue has been addressed; we have removed the verification that checks the .NET version. Users can now complete the Expere Engine installation without seeing this error message or performing the workaround above.

Expere Engine: Barcode cover sheet enhancement

When utilizing UseCoverPage with the Ancillary Barcode functionality, data within the Instance Display Name elements would overflow off the cover sheet when too long.

Note: Barcode cover sheets are added for TRID documents and static documents without space for barcodes.

This behavior has been enhanced. The Instance Display Name now wraps on the cover sheet. The following text was added to the cover sheet so recipients of the documents know to return the cover sheet with the document:

The effective date for all products within the scope of this document for this release is Friday, July 1st. This release utilizes Expere Engine version 2016.1.3.

Expere Engine: Endpoint URL issue resolved

When viewing the endpoint URL (Common/WSEndpoint) with NO transaction data, it was expected that Expere would return the results of the GetServiceInfo call; however, the SAXParser threw an exception due to the absence of data. This resulted in the GetServiceInfo call not occurring.

With the Expere 2016.1.3 hotfix, Expere now successfully returns the results of the GetService Info call when the endpoint is viewed with no transaction data.

The effective date for all products within the scope of this document for this release is Tuesday, June 21st. This release utilizes Expere Engine version 2016.1.2.

Expere Engine: Cash to Close calculated values provided

The ExpereResponse.xml file now contains Cash to Close calculated values available in a new <r:DocCustomDataItems/> parent element and <r:DocCustomDataItem/> child elements. Each of these elements has a DataItemName attribute and number for the value.

The new Expere Engine stylesheet, AddDocCustomDataItem.xsl, adds these elements as DocCustomDataItems.

The new elements exist as children and grandchildren of the <r:DocDescriptor/> element. The <r:DocCustomDataItem/> elements contain the following DataItemName attribute values:

The following code snippet appears in the ExpereResponse.xml file:

<r:DocDescriptor>
		<r:DocID>PKGD.LoanEstimate</r:DocID>
		<r:DocType>Dynamic</r:DocType>
		<r:DocDisplayName>Loan Estimate</r:DocDisplayName>
		<r:DocRootEntityName>INS.LoanEstimate</r:DocRootEntityName>
		<r:DocCustomDataItems>
 <r:DocCustomDataItem DataItemName="/Txn/IntegratedDisclosuresLoanEstimateTotalClosingCostsStoredValueAmount">34287</r:DocCustomDataItem>
 <r:DocCustomDataItem DataItemName="/Txn/IntegratedDisclosuresLoanEstimateClosingCostsFinancedStoredValueAmount">-34287</r:DocCustomDataItem>
 <r:DocCustomDataItem DataItemName="/Txn/IntegratedDisclosuresLoanEstimateCashToCloseStoredValueAmount">107815</r:DocCustomDataItem>
</r:DocCustomDataItems>
	 </r:DocDescriptor>

Expere Engine: Special Character handling enhanced

Previously, hosted and non-hosted transactions that called the Expere Engine failed when using certain special characters on static documents.

We have enhanced the Expere Engine to support the following special characters:

Newly Supported:

Existing (Previously Supported):

Note: Dynamic documents already support special characters.

Foundation for future platform enhancement

We have laid the ground work for a future enhancement to support additional hosted platforms. However, no customer-facing changes currently exist for this change. We will provide additional information as it impacts our users in a future release.

Expere Engine: Enhanced logging for caching and file system repository

Logging has been enhanced for the caching and file system repository to help track the progress of requests; these enhancements include the RequestID, OrgID, and PackageID. This enhancement is also a result of the changes made in PBI 382041 below.

Note: This change only impacts clients using the File System.

Expere Engine: Improved File System indexing

Changes were made to the file system repository to make the indexing process more efficient.

Note: This change only impacts clients using the File System.

Expere Engine: eSignature and AcroForm fields enhanced

Previously, users could not enable or disable eSignatures or AcroForm fields for transactions.

Users can now pass eSignature and Acroform values in the AncillaryOutput of a SelectAndGenerate or Generate request. For detailed information on enabling or disabling eSignature or Acroforms, see Using eSignature and Acroform fields.Select And Generate, and Generate.

Expere Config Tool enhanced

Previously, an issue existed in the Expere Config Tool utility (Important update regarding the Expere Config Tool) in the 2016.1 release. Users reported an error when launching the Expere Config Tool utility and as a result, could not update various fields.

As a workaround, we had provided instructions on how to manually update the following configuration files and various settings within these files:

The Expere Config Tool has been enhanced, consisting of the following:

Users can access the updated Expere Config Tool utility here.

Expere Engine: Black Duck security enhancement

The Expere Engine is now scanned with the Black Duck Security for every external release.

StoreNode attribute enhanced

Previously, the StoreNodeAddition element could sum other elements, but not other StoreNodeAddition elements.

The Expere Engine stylesheets (AddTotalResultAttribute.xsl and GetTotalResultStoreNodeAddition.xsl) have been enhanced to include the StoreNodeAddition element so it could be included in the sum of another StoreNode element; the TotalClosingCosts StoreNodeAddition element now includes StoreNodeName=”TotalClosingCosts” and totalResult=”” attributes available in the Requirements Editor.

This behavior was necessary to subtract Total Closing Costs from another total.

Enhancement to PDFs with E-signatures

An issue had been identified with certain PDF viewers and e-signatures. Specifically, documents with e-signatures turned on but not captured, would display, and sometimes print a box around the signature field.

This has been corrected; e-signature capable documents, where an e-signature has not been captured, will no longer display or print a box around the signature field.

Note: This was not a common issue and would only occur with specific PDF viewers. Adobe did not produce this issue.

Expere OPPSA package behavior enhanced

Previously, when a document was removed from base content, OPPSA stopped printing when it encountered the missing document. In some instances, the system stopped printing any remaining documents depending on where the document was located.

This behavior has been enhanced; when an OPPSA package includes a document that has been removed, an error appears stating which document must be removed from the specified package in the OPPSA product.

Special Character handling enhanced

Issue: There are certain special characters which are ANSI printable but fail to print due to constraints in Expere code. Errors occurred in Expere when attempting to resolve special characters in the following scenarios:

Summary: The following enhancements have been implemented: Expere now handles special characters for static documents without resulting in any fatal errors.

Expere upgraded to Java 8 and Saxon

Summary: Embedded versions of Expere .NET and Requirements Editor now utilize Java 8 and Saxon.

For more information, see the following Expere System Requirements Sections:

Java and .NET Implementation Guide consolidated

We have recently consolidated the .NET and Java installation procedures to now reside in one webhelp implementation, available here: Expere Implementation Guide.

The effective date for all products within the scope of this document for this release is TBD. This release utilizes Expere Engine version 2015.4.0.

TRID Rounding issue resolved

Issue: Previously, the following issues occurred on the second page of the TRID documents when line items (fees) were entered as a negative value:
  • When at least one itemized negative fee existed in a section, the section total printed "$NaN" instead of the correct total.
  • If a negative "Additional Charges" line item total existed, the section total and "Additional Charges" line items did not print a value.
  • If a negative "Additional Charges" line item total existed, the "See Addendum for add’l charges you can shop for." line item did not print a value.

Solution: These issues have been resolved; the section total now appears correctly when negative line items (fees) exist. Additionally, the "Additional Charges" and "See Addendum for add’l charges you can shop for." line items appear correctly.

GetServiceInfo API enhanced

Issue: Previously, the GetServiceInfo.xml autotester test returned version number 4.1.5 for every third party library. This issue occurred as a result of our work on PBI 333176 (CRM: GetServiceInfo is not working).

Solution: We have resolved this issue; the correct version number now appears for each third party library.

Barcode spacing issue resolved

Issue: Previously, the Expere Engine reserved space for ancillary barcodes on dynamic documents even though the barcode element was not included in the .REQ file.

Solution: This issue has been resolved; when generating a dynamic document and selecting an ancillary barcode option, the document will no longer reserve space for the barcode if the .REQ file does not contain a barcode element.

This feature requires an Expere Engine update.