KYCnow Release Notes

1. New status pages for video identification and group outreach (UI & API)

Two new overviews are available under "Process Status": The Video Identification Status page displays all video identification processes started in the respective tenant, including their status and other information. The results can be filtered by status, provider, person type, and start time.

The group outreach status page provides a central overview of all initiated group outreaches and the resulting individual outreaches. The management type allows you to filter whether the individual outreaches were edited by the original user or delegated to others. This page is available to customers with group outreach enabled.

Both overviews can also be accessed via the API. The corresponding endpoints can be found in the API documentation.

2. Delete outreaches directly in the overview (UI & API)

Outreach processes can now be deleted directly on the outreach status page. After switching to edit mode, one or more outreaches can be selected and, after additional confirmation, completely removed.

Please note: This is a permanent deletion. The entire outreach process and all associated data will be removed, the outreach link will no longer be accessible, and the data cannot be recovered. This feature is not currently limited to administrators.

A corresponding endpoint is also available for the API.

3. Improved tenant information and navigation (UI)

The tenant name, the remaining time until automatic logout, and the logout button are now displayed in the upper right corner. Links to help, system status, and release notes are now located in the lower left corner of the navigation.

4. Name: Screening Monitoring in Closed Files (UI)

Matches from the Name Screening Monitoring can now also be evaluated in closed files without having to reopen the file. Notifications indicate if a relevant match is likely to require further investigation or if an evaluation could affect the AFC index.

The AFC index is updated after the file is reopened and accessed again. Additionally, company matching, the consideration of configured screening lists, and other aspects of hit processing have been optimized.

5. Further improvements in files and monitoring (UI)

The overview of closed files now also displays the risk assessment and the AFC index. If increased due diligence requirements apply, a corresponding note is displayed in the file next to the AFC index.

The company name is now consistently visible in the subheader. If it differs from the file name, this is indicated directly next to the file name. Furthermore, navigation within the monitoring results cards and other user interface details have been improved.

6. Various optimizations and bug fixes

In addition, various minor bugs were fixed and adjustments were made. These include improvements to the linkage graph, translations of the risk calculation, name-screening matching, and the display of screening details. Unnecessary information and settings were removed, and various labels within the application were standardized.

1. New: Name Screening Monitoring (UI & API)
   Continuous name screening monitoring for companies, intermediate companies, beneficial owners, and first and second management levels against all PEP, sanction, watch, and warning lists used in the name screening process. When lists are changed or new entries are added, the flagged names are automatically re-checked, the results are documented in the respective KYC file, displayed in the frontend, and made available via the interface.
2. WZ2025 is now available (UI & API):
   They will be issued in addition to the WZ 08 until further notice. Updates to existing files (for German companies) will only occur when master data is reordered.
3. New "Outreach Delete" endpoint (API):
   Individual outreaches can now be deleted via an endpoint. This deletes the entire process; the action cannot be undone.

1. UI update: More consistency and better usability
The user interface has been completely redesigned in this latest release. Numerous adjustments to design, navigation, and button logic ensure a more consistent and user-friendly application.

2. Name Screening: Optimized display and improved navigation (UI)
Several improvements have been implemented in the Name Screening feature. These include a more consistent display of list selections, the correct display of incomplete birth dates, improved accuracy in matching Person Records, and the ability to access closed files and view results in monitoring.

3. Outreach Process: Advanced filters and full CSV export (UI)
The outreach process has been functionally enhanced. The video identification status is now visible, additional filter options facilitate evaluation, and the CSV download now includes all pages of the selected filter results.

4. Documents and Reports: New features in the viewer and an additional report (UI)
The Document Viewer has been enhanced and now supports features such as rotating, zooming, and, in certain cases, searching within documents. Additionally, the Record PDF is now available in English. Furthermore, the BIR (Business Information Report) is a new feature, available for all D&B files in addition to the Comprehensive Report.

5. Further improvements in master data, configuration and usability (UI)
In addition, various optimizations were implemented in master data, configuration and usability, including new information in the group overview, revised dropdowns, improvements to custom fields, additional data information and various bug fixes.

1. Media Screening: AI classification directly integrated into the search.
Media screening has been further improved: Classification by the AI ​​agent is now directly integrated into the search. The previous "AI Agent" button has been removed. Results are now automatically evaluated and classified in the background. Separate use of the AI ​​agent is therefore no longer necessary. This results in faster and seamless evaluation of results within the search. At the same time, you retain full control over the final classification, as all ratings can still be manually reviewed and adjusted at any time.

2. CSV download for risk assessments
From now on, a CSV file can be exported for all files, containing both the individual risk calculation scores and the overall score. The previous evaluation using Excel is no longer necessary, making analysis significantly simpler and more efficient.

3. Correct company name spelling analogous to D&B register
The name display in connection with the D&B register has been adjusted. If the company name in a file – referring to the "Primary Name" – differs from the "Registered Name," the "Registered Name" will now be displayed. This ensures the correct spelling of the company name.

4. Various bug fixes
In addition, various bug fixes and minor optimizations were implemented to further improve the stability and user-friendliness of the application.

1. Moody's registry documents: new live search
If register documents are not directly available, a live search is now available in addition to the existing index search. The index search is very fast (approx. 200–400 ms) using a data index; if a company is not listed there, the live search directly in the register can be used as an alternative (higher chance of a match, but slower – approx. 2–4 s).

2. Name Screening: Redesign & enhanced search/filter logic
The name screening feature has been redesigned: Order button at the top, modernized results overview including status (results available / already rated), and detailed view for each result including comparison data. Additionally, you can now specify whether an existing birthdate is included in the search or ignored; furthermore, the filter options for PeP results have been expanded to include "Former PePs" and "Relatives." To activate the new name screening feature, please send us a brief email to tech-support@kycnow.de

New: File grouping and group outreach (UI & API)

New: Outreach Overview (UI & API)

• Central overview of all outreaches per tenant: All outreach activities are clearly summarized in a UI view, provided the outreach module is activated and the corresponding forms are stored.
• Status information with timestamps: The following statuses are available for each outreach: Created at (time of creation), Updated at (time of last update), Completed at (time of completion)
• Flexible filter options: The overview can be filtered by the timestamps of the three statuses. This allows you to quickly and efficiently identify open, overdue, or recently completed outreaches.
• CSV export for reporting and auditing: The currently filtered outreach overview can be exported as a CSV file, for example for internal reporting, audits or for further processing in your systems.
• Targeted retrieval of individual outreaches: Status information for an individual outreach can be queried via a dedicated endpoint using the Outreach Process ID.

General (UI & API) 

• Data update directly in the frontend: Master data or interlink data can now be triggered for updating directly from the UI if information is incorrect. 

• Various UI improvements: Numerous display optimizations have been implemented. Among other things, the following are now available: Name Screening Buttons are displayed more clearly and consistently. 

Media Screening (UI & API) 

• Customer-specific search terms: Media screening now also allows the use of customer-specific search terms. These terms can be selected upon request. provided by Customer Support. 

• Searches are now in German and English language is possible. 

• Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. affiliated intermediate companies and historical company names are now being considered in the media screening. 

Transparency Register (UI & API) 

• Stability adjustments: Due to further updates to the transparency register, the technical processing of discrepancy reports was adjusted to ensure long-term stability. 

• Improved comparison page: The comparison view for the discrepancy report has been revised so that deviations between register data and one's own information can be better understood. 

Personnel file (UI & API) 

• When creating a personal file, the date of birth is no longer a mandatory field. 

• The Automated risk assessment via the AFC index This can now also be done for personal files. 

Name Screening (UI & API) 

• The examination now also includes the respective Parent companies included. 

Research (UI) 

• The selection of legal forms has been revised. An optimized sorting and search function ensures a significantly more intuitive selection process and prevents incorrect entries. 

Outlook: Individual risk calculation 

A new, expanded tool for individual risk assessment in the area of ​​the AFC index is currently being tested.

• Risk types can be defined and weighted according to customer specifications (e.g. country risk, credit risk, ESG ratio, sanctions, negative media reports, industry risk…). 

• For risk calculation, all available data from the file as well as optional additional values ​​from user-defined fields (Custom Fields) are used. 

• Customers can define their own risk scales and weightings, including rules for determining overall risk (e.g., "high credit rating = high overall risk"). 

• The solution is generally implemented as part of an individual project and not simply activated (setup and coordination are required). 

General (UI & API)

• Simplified company search in the UI: The search can now be started from as few as one character (previously from three characters). 
• API cleanup: The endpoints "SubmitUnknownCompanyResearch" and "UploadUnknownCompanyResearchDocuments" are being deactivated. Please use the successor endpoints listed in the API documentation. 

Transparency Register – Discrepancy Reports (UI & API) 

• Due to changes to the transparency register, the endpoint “OrderTransparencyDiscrepancies” has been changed. 
• New input form for reporting discrepancies in the UI: Reasons for the report are entered via selection fields (missing information and/or differing beneficial owners). Free text fields allow for a description of the discrepancy. The source of the differing data must be specified (registry data or internal documents) and is entered via a selection field. 

Research (UI) 

• Standardized legal form specification: When submitting a search request, the legal form must now be selected from a drop-down list; free text entries are no longer possible. The search function supports abbreviated forms of legal forms. 
• Error handling: Failed searches can be restarted directly in the UI. 

Intermediate companies (screening) 

• Expanded scope of audit: All intermediate companies are now screened – even if no beneficial owner (UBO) is assigned. The feature can be activated upon request. 
  • Intermediary company: between company and UBO 
  • Affiliated intermediary company: between company and parent company (even without UBO)
• Data maintenance: Users can add their own intermediary companies and edit existing entries. 

Name Screening 

• Additional screening categories: Affiliated intermediate companies and historical company names can now also be considered in the name screening. 

New: Personnel file (UI & API) 

• Administration of natural persons: Private individuals can be created as separate files and checked via name screening. Relevant personal documents can be uploaded; additional data such as email address and postal address can be recorded. 

Custom Data Fields (UI & API) 

• Custom fields: Customer-configurable data fields are available and can be used in the UI and API. Initial setup is currently handled by support. 

Improvements to the KYCnow platform (UI)

• Optimized address display: The master data view has been revised so that addresses are now displayed in a clearer and more readable manner.
• Improved document downloads: When downloading all documents as a ZIP file, the file name is now used as the file name – similar to the file PDF.
• Enhanced search: Industry codes and communication data can now be entered directly into the search.
• Fine-tuning of the rights and roles concept: Further adjustments for even more precise control of user rights.
• Custom lists for name screening: Company-specific lists can now be used for name screening upon request. Matches from these lists will be displayed in the respective file.

Blank file (“Custom Record”) (UI & API)

• Easier creation: Empty files can now be created with minimal data – similar to a research project.
• Change company status flexibly: You can adjust the status of the empty file yourself.
• Provider selection for Core Data: Core data can be ordered from SCHUFA and D&B, and the provider can be specifically selected.
• Direct creation in the web portal: Empty files can now be conveniently created in the frontend and subsequently assigned to a search if required.

Improved “Suggested Provider” endpoint (API): The “Suggested Provider” endpoint is now available in an improved version 2 and delivers even more relevant results.

Improved company search (SCHUFA)

• Increased relevance of headquarters data: A company's headquarters is given greater weight in the search results.
• Improved results for special characters and spaces: The search logic has been optimized to deliver better results even with incorrect input.

New status page & RSS feed: You can now access our status page via the URL statuspage.kycnow.de and the RSS feed via https://statuspage.kycnow.de/feed.rss . There you can always track the current status of the KYCnow modules.

1. New Status Pages for Video Identification and Group Outreach (UI & API)

Two new overview pages are now available under “Process Status”: The Video Ident status page displays all Video Ident processes initiated within the respective tenant, including their status and additional information. Results can be filtered by status, provider, person type and the period in which the Video Identification process was initiated.

The Group Outreach status page provides a central overview of all initiated Group Outreaches and the individual Outreaches created from them. The management type filter can be used to distinguish whether the individual outreaches were handled by the original user or delegated to other users. The page is available to customers with Group Outreach enabled.

Both overviews can also be accessed via the API. The corresponding endpoints are available in the API documentation.

2. Delete Outreaches Directly from the Overview (UI & API)

Outreach processes can now also be deleted directly from the Outreach status page. After switching to edit mode, one or more Outreaches can be selected and permanently removed following an additional confirmation.

Please note: This is a permanent deletion. The entire outreach process and all associated data will be removed. The Outreach link will no longer be accessible, and the deleted data cannot be restored. The function is currently not restricted to administrators.

A corresponding API endpoint is also available.

3. Improved Tenant Information and Navigation (UI)

The tenant name, the remaining time until automatic logout and the logout button are now displayed in the top-right corner. Links to Help, System Status and Release Notes have been moved to the bottom-left section of the navigation.

4. Name Screening Monitoring in Closed Records (UI)

Hits from Name Screening Monitoring can now also be assessed in closed records without reopening the record first. Notifications indicate when a relevant hit is likely to require further review or when an assessment may affect the AFC Index.

The AFC Index is updated after the record has been reopened and accessed again. Company matching, the use of configured screening lists and other parts of the hit-processing logic have also been improved.

5. Further Improvements to Records and Monitoring (UI)

The closed-record overview now also displays the Risk Assessment and AFC Index. If enhanced due diligence measures apply, a corresponding indicator is shown next to the AFC Index within the record.

The company name is now consistently displayed in the subheader. If it differs from the record name, this is indicated directly next to the record name. Navigation within the Monitoring result cards and further aspects of the user interface have also been improved.

6. Various optimizations and bug fixes

Several smaller issues have also been resolved and additional adjustments have been made. These include improvements to the Linkage Graph, risk-calculation translations, Name Screening matching and the display of screening details. Information and settings that are no longer required have been removed, and various terms used throughout the application have been standardized.

1. New: Name Screening Monitoring (UI & API)
   Continuous name screening monitoring for companies, intermediate entities, beneficial owners, and first- and second-level management against all PEP, sanctions, watch, and warning lists used in name screening. When lists are updated or new entries are added, the flagged names are automatically rechecked; the results are documented in the respective KYC file, displayed in the frontend, and made available via the API.
2. WZ2025 now available (UI & API):
   These will be issued in addition to WZ 08 until further notice. Updates to existing files (for German companies) will only occur when the master data is reordered.
3. New “Delete Outreach” endpoint (API):
   Individual outreaches can now be deleted via this endpoint. This deletes the entire process; the action cannot be undone.

1. UI Update: Greater Consistency and Improved Usability
The user interface has been comprehensively redesigned in this release. Numerous adjustments to the design, navigation, and button logic ensure a more consistent and user-friendly experience.

2. Name Screening (UI): Optimized Display and Improved Navigation
Various improvements have been implemented in Name Screening. These include a more consistent display of the list selection, the correct display of incomplete birth dates, improved match accuracy for person records, and the ability to access closed files and view results in Monitoring.

3. Outreach Process (UI): Expanded Filters and Full CSV Export
The Outreach Process has been functionally expanded. The videoIdent status is now visible, additional filtering options facilitate evaluation, and the CSV download now includes all pages of the selected filter results.

4. Documents and Reports (UI): New Features in the Viewer and Additional Report
The Document Viewer has been enhanced and now supports, among other things, rotation, zooming, and, in certain cases, searching within documents. Additionally, the Record PDF is now available in English. Another new feature is the BIR (Business Information Report), which is available for all D&B files in addition to the Comprehensive Report.

5. Further improvements to master data, configuration, and usability (UI)
In addition, various optimizations have been implemented in master data, configuration, and usability, including new information in the group overview, revised dropdown menus, improvements to custom fields, additional data information, and various bug fixes.

1. Media Screening: AI classification integrated directly into the search
Media Screening has been further improved: Classification by the AI ​​agent is now integrated directly into the search. The previous “AI Agent” button is no longer needed. Results are now automatically evaluated and classified in the background. Separate use of the AI ​​agent is therefore no longer necessary. This allows for faster and seamless evaluation of results within the search. At the same time, you retain full control over the final classification, as all evaluations can still be manually reviewed and adjusted at any time.

2. CSV Download for Risk Assessments
Effective immediately, a CSV file can be exported for all files, containing both the individual scores from the risk calculation and the overall score. The previous evaluation via Excel is no longer necessary, and the analysis becomes significantly simpler and more efficient.

3. Correct company spelling in accordance with the D&B Register
The display of names in connection with the D&B Register has been adjusted. If the company name in a file—based on the “Primary Name”—differs from the value of the “Registered Name,” the “Registered Name” will be displayed in the future. This ensures the correct spelling of the company name.

4. Various bug fixes
In addition, various bug fixes and minor optimizations have been implemented to further improve the application's stability and user-friendliness.

1. Moody's registry documents: new live search
If registry documents are not directly available, a live search is now available in addition to the previous index search. The index search is very fast (approx. 200–400 ms) via a data index; if a company is not included there, the live search can be used directly in the registry as an alternative (higher chance of finding a match, but slower – approx. 2-4 s).

2. Name screening: redesign & expanded search/filter logic
Name screening has been revised: order button at the top, modernized hit overview including status (hits available/already evaluated) and detailed view for each hit including comparison data. In addition, when ordering, you can control whether an existing date of birth is included or ignored in the search; furthermore, the filter options for PeP hits have been expanded to include “Ex-PePs” and “Relatives.” To activate the new name screening, please send us a short email to tech-support@kycnow.de.

New: File grouping and group outreach (UI & API)

With the new “file grouping” feature in the Outreach module, files can be grouped together to represent, for example, corporations or company structures in KYCnow. Groups are created, edited, and removed via a new group page in the KYCnow menu. Files can be assigned to a group both on the group page and directly from the file.

The detailed view of a group displays all files it contains, including relevant information, and the group can also be edited there. In addition, documents that are valid for the entire group can be uploaded once at the group level; These then appear both in the group and in the associated files.

For files within a group, a group outreach can be initiated to a central contact person. This person receives a single link, logs in once, and can review and supplement the information for all files. If necessary, they can forward the outreach for individual files to other people by entering their email addresses in the group outreach.

The prerequisite is that the customer uses the outreach module. The group outreach form can be customized to the customer's specifications, similar to the existing outreach; in addition, an individual form can be selected for each file within the group to specify which information is collected. Both features work in the UI as well as via API.

New: Outreach Overview (UI + API)

The new Outreach Overview provides a complete overview of all ongoing and completed outreach processes. You can see at a glance where you stand.
The most important functions at a glance:

• Central overview of all outreach activities per tenant: All outreach activities are clearly displayed in a single view, provided that the outreach module is activated and the relevant forms are stored.
• Status information with timestamps: The following statuses are available for each outreach activity: Created at (time of creation), Updated at (time of last update), Completed at (time of completion)
• Flexible filter options: The overview can be filtered specifically according to the timestamps of the three statuses. This allows you to quickly and efficiently identify open, overdue, or recently completed outreach activities.
• CSV export for reporting and auditing: The currently filtered outreach overview can be exported as a CSV file, for example for internal reporting, audits, or further processing in your systems.
• Targeted retrieval of individual outreaches: Status information on an individual outreach can be queried using the outreach process ID via a dedicated endpoint.

General (UI & API)

• Data updates directly in the front end: Master data or interdependency data can now be updated directly from the UI if information is incorrect.
• Various UI improvements: Numerous display optimizations have been implemented. Among other things, name screening buttons are now displayed more clearly and consistently.

Media screening (UI & API)

• Customer-specific search terms: Customer-specific search terms can now also be used in media screening. The terms can be stored by customer support on request.
• Searches are now possible in German and English.
• Affiliated intermediate companies and historical company names are now also included in media screening.

Transparency Register (UI & API)

• Stability adjustments: Due to further updates to the Transparency Register, the technical processing of discrepancy reports has been adjusted to ensure long-term stability.
• Improved comparison page: The comparison view for discrepancy reports has been revised so that discrepancies between register data and your own information can be better understood.

Personal files (UI & API)

• When creating a personal file, the date of birth is no longer a mandatory field.
• Automated risk assessment using the AFC index can now also be performed for personal files.

Name screening (UI & API)

• The respective parent companies are now also included in the check.

Research (UI)

• The selection of legal forms has been revised. An optimized sorting and search function ensures a much more intuitive selection and prevents incorrect entries.

Outlook: Individual risk calculation

A new, enhanced tool for individual risk assessment in the AFC Index area is currently being tested.

• Risk types can be defined and weighted on a customer-specific basis (eg, country risk, credit risk, ESG ratio, sanctions, negative media reports, industry risk, etc.).
• All available data from the file as well as optional additional values ​​from user-defined fields (custom fields) are used for the risk calculation.
• Customers can store their own risk scales and weightings, including rules for determining overall risk (eg, “high credit rating = high overall risk”).
• The solution is always implemented as part of an individual project and is not simply activated (setup and coordination required).

General (UI & API)

• Simplified company search in the UI: The search can now be started with just one character (previously three characters).
• API cleanup: The endpoints “SubmitUnkownCompanyResearch” and “UploadUnkownCompanyResearchDocuments” will be deactivated. Please use the successor endpoints listed in the API documentation.

Transparency register – discrepancy reports (UI & API)

• Due to changes in the transparency register, the endpoint “OrderTransparencyDiscrepancies” has been changed.
• New input mask for discrepancy reports in the UI: Reasons for the report are recorded via selection fields (missing information and/or deviating beneficial owners). Free text fields allow the discrepancy to be described. The origin of the deviating data must be specified (register data or own documents) and is recorded via a selection field.

Search (UI)

• Standardized legal form specification: When submitting a search, the legal form must now be selected from a drop-down list; free entries are no longer possible. The search supports abbreviated forms of legal forms.
• Error handling: Failed searches can be restarted directly in the UI.

Intermediate companies (screening)

• Extended scope of verification: All intermediate companies are now screened – even if no beneficial owner (UBO) is assigned. The feature can be activated on request.
  • Intermediate company: between company and UBO
  • Affiliated intermediate company: between company and parent company (even without UBO)
• Data maintenance: You can add your own intermediate companies and edit existing entries.

Name screening

• Additional check categories: Affiliated intermediate companies and historical company names can now also be included in name screening.

New: Personal files (UI & API)

• Management of natural persons: Private individuals can be created as separate files and checked in name screening. Relevant personal documents can be uploaded; additional data such as email address and postal address can be recorded.

User-defined data fields (UI & API)

• Individual fields: Customer-configurable data fields are available and can be used in the UI and API. Initial creation is currently carried out by support.

Improvements to the KYCnow platform (UI)

• Optimized address display: The master data view has been redesigned so that addresses are now displayed in a clearer and more readable format.
• Improved document downloads: When downloading all documents as a ZIP file, the file name is now used as the file name – similar to the file PDF.
• Advanced search: Industry codes and communication data can now be stored directly in the search.
• Fine-tuning of the rights and roles concept: Further adjustments for even more precise control of user rights.
• Customer-specific lists in name screening: On request, company-specific lists can now also be stored for name screening. Hits from these lists are displayed in the respective file.

Empty file (“Custom Record”) (UI & API)

• Easier creation: Empty files can now be created with minimal data – similar to a search.
• Flexibly change company status: You can adjust the status of the empty file yourself.
• Provider selection for core data: With SCHUFA and D&B, core data can be ordered and the provider can be specifically selected.
• Direct creation in the web portal: Blank files can now be conveniently created in the front end and assigned to a search later if necessary.

Improved “Suggested Provider” endpoint (API): The “Suggested Provider” endpoint is now available in an improved version 2 and delivers even more relevant results.

Improved company search (SCHUFA)

• Higher relevance of headquarters data: The headquarters of a company is given greater weight in the hit list.
• Better results for special characters & spaces: The search logic has been optimized to deliver better results even with incorrect entries.

New status page & RSS feed : You can now access our status page via the URL s tatuspage.kycnow.de and the RSS feed via https://statuspage.kycnow.de/feed.rss . There you can always check the current status of the KYCnow modules.