--- title: "Platform Release 256 - July 2023" slug: "factory-256-release-july-2023" updated: 2024-04-10T20:05:38Z published: 2024-04-10T20:05:38Z --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.tulip.co/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Platform Release 256 - July 2023 Release 256 is a short and sweet one! The major updates in this release include expanded functionality in Analytics, new status badge icons, and several bug fixes that improve usability. Let us know you thoughts on these updates in our [Community Forum](https://community.tulip.co/t/release-256-discussion-thread-july-2023/8778). ## Set up Alerts with Reference Line Layers in Analytics We have added alerting functionality to the "Reference Line" Layer that was introduced to Tulip Analytics in [Release 254](/r230/docs/factory-254-release-june-2023). This layer allows you to display a horizontal reference line on charts and values that are above or below the line are highlighted in real-time for immediate identification. Out-of-reference data can now trigger an email notification to be sent to assigned contacts. This enables supervisors to monitor production more efficiently, and quickly address potential issues before they impact production. [Learn more about chart layers and insights →](/r230/docs/chart-layers-and-insights) ![Group 10.png](https://cdn.document360.io/7c6ff534-cad3-4fc8-9583-912c4016362f/Images/Documentation/Group%2010%281%29.png) ## New Enhancements to the Universal Template All visualization types supported by visualization type-specific Analytics templates are now supported by the [Universal Template (beta)](https://community.tulip.co/t/transform-your-analytics-game-discover-the-universal-template/8776) in Tulip Analytics. The Universal Template allows you to easily toggle between a table, line chart, comparison, slideshow, and more for the same data source. ![Group 1 1.png](https://cdn.document360.io/7c6ff534-cad3-4fc8-9583-912c4016362f/Images/Documentation/Group%201%20%281%29%281%29.png) ## Updated Status Badge Icons You will notice the status badge icon has changed for Connectors, Display Devices, Machine Data Sources, and Edge Devices. This has no impact on functionality, but a design update to be consistent with the UI of the rest of the platform. [Video for "Release Announcement - Status Badge Update.mp4"](https://tulip.widen.net/view/video/edqntnqdws/Release-Announcement---Status-Badge-Update.mp4?t.download=true&u=gjbdww) ## Bug Fix Highlights Release 256 contains a couple of bug fixes that we want to highlight because they were reported by users: - Search bar on the Apps page now supports use of parentheses - Restrictions against use of invalid character have been added to the naming of Variables to prevent issues opening associated triggers - Resolved inability to open tables due to duplicate records after App import/export ## Full List of Ticket ID included in Release 256 If you are tracking any of these tickets and would like more details, please contact Tulip Customer Support via support@tulip.co or live chat through your instance. PLAT-23001 PLAT-22956 PLAT-22951 PLAT-22917 PLAT-22903 PLAT-22886 PLAT-22874 PLAT-22871 PLAT-22867 PLAT-22781 PLAT-22779 PLAT-22685 PLAT-22679 PLAT-22658 PLAT-22657 PLAT-22635 PLAT-22626 PLAT-22616 PLAT-22609 PLAT-22607 PLAT-22584 PLAT-22578 PLAT-22573 PLAT-22572 PLAT-22571 PLAT-22563 PLAT-22542 PLAT-22541 PLAT-22536 PLAT-22535 PLAT-22534 PLAT-22533 PLAT-22529 PLAT-22525 PLAT-22524 PLAT-22522 PLAT-22521 PLAT-22519 PLAT-22432 PLAT-22411 PLAT-22410 PLAT-22407 PLAT-22401 PLAT-22392 PLAT-22365 PLAT-22180 PLAT-22177 PLAT-22163 PLAT-22126 PLAT-22092 PLAT-22086 PLAT-21847 PLAT-21846 PLAT-21845 PLAT-21780 PLAT-21545 PLAT-21483 PLAT-21478 PLAT-21460 PLAT-21429 PLAT-20895 PLAT-20856 PLAT-20853 PLAT-20765 PLAT-20569 PLAT-20247 PLAT-20241 PLAT-20179 PLAT-20135 PLAT-20070 PLAT-19767 PLAT-19575 PLAT-19306 PLAT-19305 **Chart Layers** **Layers**are visualizations on top of **Tulip Analytics**that help drive insights. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/7c6ff534-cad3-4fc8-9583-912c4016362f/Images/Documentation/image-1663018351590.png) **Analytics** **Analytics** are live updating graphs and metrics calculated based on app data, Table data, and machine data. Analytics can be embedded and dynamically filtered within an application. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/7c6ff534-cad3-4fc8-9583-912c4016362f/Images/Documentation/image-1662410510869.png) **Universal Template** A visualization template for data to be interpreted into various **analyses**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/7c6ff534-cad3-4fc8-9583-912c4016362f/Images/Glossary/Screenshot%202023-07-06%20at%2012.56.41%20PM.png) **Connectors** **Connectors** enable real-time connectivity between your Tulip solution and a transactional system (e.g. an ERP). The output of a Connector Function can be used in Tulip Apps, Automations, and Functions. - **HTTP Connectors** utilize HTTP API endpoints. - **SQL Connectors** can enable connectivity with certain SQL databases. - **MQTT Connectors** can connect to MQTT brokers for machine monitoring. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/7c6ff534-cad3-4fc8-9583-912c4016362f/Images/Documentation/connector.gif) **Interface (Display Device)** **Note:**From r283 onwards, display devices are renamed interfaces. Users interact with Tulip applications through physical devices like touchscreens, PC monitors, mobile devices, and LCD screens. We refer to these as **display devices**. Display devices are always paired with a **station** during the application publication process. **Edge Device** **Edge Devices** are any hardware intended to connect physical things to the cloud. This can include entirely mechanical devices, older machines without network functionality, PLCs, and more. Tulip sells the **Edge IO** and **Edge MC** that interface directly into **Triggers** in a breeze, but Tulip can also support other Edge Devices.