Overview
The Early Access Self-Serve Opt-In capability empowers Cytracom customers to explore and participate in innovative features before their general availability release. This self-service portal provides transparency into our development pipeline and allows you to be among the first to experience cutting-edge ControlOne capabilities.
Use Case: Explore, activate, or review early access features from the Partner section and confirm authorization for sensitive capabilities.
Who Should Use This: MSP Administrators who manage ControlOne network settings and need to opt in to beta or pre-GA features.
Prerequisites
- [ ] Access to the ControlOne Partner section (network management tools and dashboards)
- [ ] MSP Administrator role or equivalent permissions to manage early access features
Accessing Early Access Features
Understanding the Interface
The Early Access dashboard is organized into two primary columns:
Active Features Column
- Purpose: View and manage early access capabilities currently enabled on your account
- Functionality: Monitor your active experimental features and their performance
Available Features Column
- Purpose: Browse new early access features available for enrollment
- Functionality: Explore upcoming capabilities and their development stages
- Actions Available: Review documentation and join new experimental features
Feature Development Stages
Each early access feature displays a clear stage indicator to help you understand its maturity level:
Concept Stage
- Description: Initial feature conceptualization and early planning
- Characteristics: Basic functionality outline, limited implementation
- User Impact: Minimal functionality, primarily for feedback collection
- Participation Level: Limited to select customers for concept validation
Alpha Stage
- Description: Core functionality developed with basic testing completed
- Characteristics: Feature works but may have bugs or incomplete functionality
- User Impact: Functional but potentially unstable, frequent updates expected
- Participation Level: Broader customer base for functionality testing
Beta Stage
- Description: Feature-complete with comprehensive testing and refinement
- Characteristics: Stable functionality with minor bugs or polish needed
- User Impact: Near production-ready experience with occasional issues
- Participation Level: Wide customer participation for final validation
Release (GA)
- Description: Generally Available - full production release
- Characteristics: Complete, stable, and fully supported functionality
- User Impact: Production-ready feature with full customer support
- Participation Level: Available to all customers
How to Participate
Before Opting In
- Review Feature Stage: Carefully examine the development stage indicator to understand the feature's maturity level and potential impact on your operations.
- Read Documentation: Click the Documentation link for each feature to access:
- Comprehensive capability overviews
- Known limitations and considerations
- Implementation requirements
- Expected timelines and updates
- Assess Business Impact: Consider how the experimental feature aligns with your business needs and tolerance for potential instability.
Joining Early Access Features
- Select Target Feature: Choose the early access feature you wish to participate in from the Available Features column.
- Opt-Out: This is not an option in user interface at this time. If you need to opt-out, please contact support or your account representative. We can help you opt-out.
Managing Your Participation
- Monitor Active Features: Regularly check your Active Features column to track your current early access participation
- Provide Feedback: Share your experience and suggestions through designated feedback channels
- Opt-Out When Needed: Click Leave next to any active feature to discontinue participation
Step-by-Step Navigation
Step 1: Navigate to the Partner section
Open the Partner section to access network management tools and dashboards.
Where to find it: Main ControlOne navigation or dashboard entry point.
What you'll see: The Partner section with network management tools and dashboards.
Step 2: Select Early Access Features in the menu
Choose **Early Access Features** from the menu to open the early access management area.
Where to find it: In the Partner section menu.
What you'll see: The Early Access Features screen with options to view active and available features.
Step 3: Navigate to Active Features to review enabled options
Navigate to **Active Features** to see which early access options are currently enabled for your organization.
Where to find it: On the Early Access Features screen (tab or link).
What you'll see: A list of early access features that are already active.
Step 4: Switch to Available Features to browse activatable features
Switch to **Available Features** to browse new features you can activate.
Where to find it: On the Early Access Features screen (tab or link next to Active Features).
What you'll see: A list of features you can opt in to. Each feature is labeled with its stage: **Beta** or Release (GA)
Each new feature is labeled with it's stage
-Beta
-Release (GA)
Each new feature is labeled with it's stage
-Beta
-Release (GA)
Step 5: Open the Documentation link for a feature (optional)
Click the **Documentation** link for a feature to get step-by-step guidance and feature-specific details.
Where to find it: Next to or within each feature in the Available Features list.
What you'll see: Documentation with setup steps and details for that early access feature.
Step 6: Opt in to activate a new early access feature
Click the opt-in control (e.g., **Opt in** or **Join trial**) for the feature you want to enable (for example, agent control policy features).
Where to find it: In the Available Features list, next to the feature you want to activate.
What you'll see: Any confirmation or authorization prompts required for that feature.
Step 7: Toggle the authorization switch for sensitive features
If the feature is sensitive, turn **on** the authorization toggle to acknowledge and confirm your permission to enable it.
Where to find it: In the opt-in flow or feature card when the feature requires explicit authorization.
What you'll see: The toggle in the “on” state, indicating you have acknowledged authorization.
Step 8: Click I Understand and Confirm to finalize access
Click **I Understand and Confirm** to complete the process and grant access to the sensitive early access feature.
Where to find it: In the same dialog or screen as the authorization toggle.
What you'll see: Access to the early access feature is enabled, and it may appear under Active Features.
Expected Result
Early access features you opted in to are enabled for your organization. You can see them under **Active Features**, and any sensitive features are enabled only after you confirm authorization.
You'll know it worked when: The feature appears in **Active Features**, and you can use or configure it according to its documentation.
Best Practices for Early Access Participation
For Customers
- Start Small: Begin with Beta-stage features for more stable experiences
- Test in Non-Critical Environments: Avoid implementing Concept or Alpha features in business-critical workflows
- Maintain Feedback Communication: Actively participate in feedback collection to influence feature development
- Document Your Experience: Keep notes on functionality, issues, and suggestions for comprehensive feedback
Support and Communication
- Dedicated Support: Early access participants receive specialized access to the product management team.
- Regular Updates: Expect frequent communication about feature updates, known issues, and improvements
Important Considerations
Risk Management
- Early access features may impact system stability
- Functionality may change significantly during development
- Features in Concept or Alpha stages are not recommended for production-critical workflows
- Always maintain backup communication methods when testing experimental features
Feedback Expectations
- Your participation directly influences feature development
- Timely feedback helps accelerate feature improvements
- Detailed bug reports and use case scenarios are invaluable to our development team
Timeline Awareness
- Development timelines may shift based on testing results and feedback
- Not all early access features will proceed to general availability
- Some features may undergo significant changes before final release
Getting Help
For support with early access features:
- Contact the product team. You will have a direct contact that reaches out to you when you opt-in.
- Reference feature-specific documentation
- Schedule consultation calls with our product specialists