--- sourceDocument: zurich Combined Product Files sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/delta-yokohama-zurich Release : - zurich ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - zurich Combined Product Files ft:clusterId : - delta3zy bundleId : - delta3zy --- # Combined Employee Center release notes for upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich # Combined Employee Center release notes for upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Zurich Updated October 8, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 8 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Combined Employee Center Release Notes for Upgrades from Yokohama to Zurich This consolidated release note page helps ServiceNow customers prepare for upgrading Employee Center from Yokohama to Zurich. It provides a comprehensive summary of new features, changes, activation steps, and key enhancements introduced across these releases to streamline upgrade planning and execution. Show full answer Show less ## New Features * **Yokohama Enhancements:** * Favoriting topic pages for quick access to frequently used topics. * Single-click taxonomy synchronization across Advanced Portal Navigation hierarchies. * Guided Self-Service improvements including rich media support, editable responses, and AI-powered search. * Employee Center Pro additions such as AI-driven search for authorized apps, appointment booking with HR, and advanced content authoring tools with Rich Content Editor and portal shortcuts. * Integrated experience and service feedback automation with task generation, email notifications, and analytics dashboard. * Live company event hosting with streamlined communications and drag-and-drop content creation. * Improved topic search ranking based on user behavior. * Quick start tests to verify functionality post-upgrade or deployment. * **Zurich Enhancements:** * Company News and Events AI Agent accessible via Now Assist in Virtual Agent for up-to-date employee information. * ServiceNow Otto for Employee Experience plugin enabling conversational task approvals and resolutions within Virtual Agent and Microsoft Teams. * Browser Extension for Employee Center to manage content and resources efficiently from Chrome or Edge browsers. * Enhanced My Requests experience with advanced filtering, segmentation, and keyword search for better request management. * Portal performance optimizations including deferred and lazy loading for faster content display. * Features supporting high-traffic scenarios with user notifications and faster mega menu loading. * Taxonomy cleanup and syncing improvements to maintain portal quality with less admin effort. * Quick start tests continued to ensure stability after upgrades or customizations. ## Changes * **Zurich:** The new **Coral theme** is now the default look for portals and mobile experiences with Next Experience or Core UI enabled, featuring brand-neutral illustrations and a dark mode option, enhancing user interface aesthetics and usability. ## Activation and Requirements * Employee Center is installed by requesting the plugin from the ServiceNow Store for both Yokohama and Zurich releases. * Browser Extension functionality is limited to Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers. ## Key Outcomes for ServiceNow Customers * Streamlined upgrade process with consolidated release notes and quick start tests to validate system functionality post-upgrade. * Enhanced employee self-service experiences through AI-powered search, richer content, and improved interaction options including live events and appointment booking. * Improved portal performance and usability with new themes, lazy loading, and better content management tools. * Greater integration with Virtual Agent and Microsoft Teams via ServiceNow Otto, enabling conversational approvals and task management. * Advanced feedback mechanisms and analytics to monitor and improve employee satisfaction and portal effectiveness. Consolidated page of all release notes for Employee Center from Yokohama to Zurich. ## How to use this page To help you prepare for your upgrade, we have combined the cross-family Employee Center release notes onto one page. Read this summary of the new features, changes, and updated information for your product from Yokohama to Zurich. Tip: If there were no updates for a release notes section in a certain family release, we included a short note for your reference. For example, if a product did not have any updates in Tokyo, the row says "No updates for this release." ## Important information for upgrading Employee Center to Zurich Before you upgrade to Zurich, review these pre- and post-upgrade tasks and complete the tasks as needed. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__2} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## New features Between your current release family and Zurich, new features were introduced for Employee Center. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__8} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | [Favoriting topic pages](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=app-launcher-usability&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Enable one-click access for employees to their most frequently accessed topics through topic pages added to the Favorites widget. [Single-click taxonomy sync](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=config-adv-portal-nav-as-menu&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Sync taxonomy updates across Advanced Portal Navigation hierarchy levels with one click. [Guided Self-Service enhancements](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=gss-guided-self-service-overview&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : * Admins can provide more detailed answers or guidance to a Guided Self-Service response by adding rich media, including images and videos and formatted text. * Employees can review and edit their previous responses. * Employees can search for and discover Guided Self-Service processes using AI-powered search. [Enhanced apps discovery and visibility preferences (Employee Center Pro)](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=applauncher-enable-availability&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Employees can search for authorized work applications using the AI-powered global search bar. [Appointment booking with HR representative (Employee Center Pro)](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=appointment-booking&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Employees can schedule in-person or virtual appointments to get help through a quick link in the Mega Menu or Quick links widget. [Rich Content Editor updates (Employee Center Pro)](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ec-rich-content&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Build more visually engaging content in microsites and news through additional formatting elements including bulleted and numbered lists, table or grid layouts, and accordion lists. [Portal shortcuts for content authoring (Employee Center Pro)](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ec-create-content-widgets&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Content authors can now easily edit or create news articles and banners using shortcuts in the Content Experiences or News widgets. The system auto-generates publishing plans, streamlining content delivery to the selected widget and reducing the effort needed for configuration. [Integrated experience and service feedback](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ex-fdback-ovrvw&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) (Employee Center Pro) : * Set a rating threshold that automatically generates a feedback task. * Receive feedback tasks from negative feedback submitted through Now Mobile®. * Receive automated email notifications when feedback tasks are completed. * Track your feedback responses through the Feedback Analytics dashboard for portal, email, Virtual Agent, kiosks, and Now Mobile®. [Live company events hosting and communications framework (Employee Center Pro)](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ec-company-events&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : Live company events can now be hosted directly in the Employee Center Pro portal, with prebuilt configurations to streamline the pre-event communications and handle traffic surges. Content authors can easily create and share event content using the drag-and-drop Rich Content Editor, combined with mass-publishing capabilities similar to news articles. [Improved topic search ranking](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=config-topic-search-relevance&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : The Topic content search widget now ranks topics based on user clicks, improving the relevance of search results and making it easier for employees to find their frequently used topics. [Quick start tests for Employee Center](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=quick-start-tests-employee-center&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) : After upgrades and deployments of new applications or integrations, run quick start tests to verify that Employee Center works as expected. If you customized Employee Center, copy the quick start tests and configure them for your customizations. | | Zurich | [Check latest company news and events](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=check-company-newsevent-ai-agent-for-emp-exp&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Use the Company News and Events AI Agent to enable employees to check their company-related news and any upcoming events using the Now Assist in Virtual Agent. [ServiceNow Otto for Employee Experience Summarization skill](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=activate-now-assist-skills-uex&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Enable a summary of the request, requested item, or case for approval task using ServiceNow Otto for Employee Experience. The skill provides a summary of the selected item from the available list that you want to work on. [ServiceNow Otto for Employee Experience plugin](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=now-assisit-employee-exp&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Enable employees to resolve and approve tasks easily through chat conversation using the ServiceNow Otto for Employee Experience plugin with Now Assist in Virtual Agent. [Browser Extension for Employee Center](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ecbe-intro&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : View and manage content and other company resources through the Browser Extension for Employee Center. Access the extension as a pop-up window, or select the Browser Extension for Employee Center icon on the portal to open it in a new page. [Enhanced Requests Experience](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=my-requests-update-intro&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Enhance the My Requests experience with features like easy segmentation, filtering, and keyword search. These features create a dynamic and scalable experience on the Employee Center portal for your admins, service, process, and experience owners. [Portal performance optimization](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ec-load-experience-optimization&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Control how your portal pages load, such as all at once or as needed, by using the new deferred and lazy load preferences. Lazy loading is enabled by default and displays content dynamically, reducing page load time. [High-traffic experience](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=ec-load-high-traffic&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Communicate the information about heavy usage and slower network conditions during high usage scenarios, such as live events and major announcements. [Taxonomy and connected content](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=track-new-content&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Streamline the cleanup and syncing of outdated or invalid content, helping admins maintain a high-quality, well-performing portal with less manual effort. [Mega menu load](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=config-mega-menu-async-load&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Load the Mega Menu in the background to speed up home page interactivity and enable your users to engage with visible content faster during first-time visits. [Notifications for Employee Center enhancements](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=notifications-ec&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : Get Notifications for Employee Center in Content engagement that is available with Employee Center Pro. For more information, see [Employee Center Pro release notes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=employee-center-pro-rn&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US). [Quick start tests for Employee Center](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=quick-start-tests-employee-center&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) : After upgrades and deployments of new applications or integrations, run quick start tests to verify that Employee Center works as expected. If you customized Employee Center, copy the quick start tests and configure them for your customizations. | [ ] ## Changes Between your current release family and Zurich, some changes were made to existing Employee Center features. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__14} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | Coral theme : Coral is now the default theme for new portal, web, and mobile experiences with Next Experience or Core UI enabled. This theme provides a fresh look and feel, featuring brand-neutral illustrations to enhance your user experience. A dark theme option is available for web and mobile experiences. | [ ] ## Removed Between your current release family and Zurich, some Employee Center features or functionality were removed. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__20} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Deprecations Between your current release family and Zurich, some Employee Center features or functionality were deprecated. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__26} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Activation information Review information on how to activate Employee Center. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__32} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | Activation information : Install the Employee Center plugin by requesting it from the ServiceNow Store. Visit the [ServiceNow Store](https://store.servicenow.com/sn_appstore_store.do#!/store/home) website to view all the available apps and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the [ServiceNow Store version history release notes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=sn-store-release-notes&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US). Important: Employee Center is available in the ServiceNow Store. For details, see the "Activation information" section of these release notes. | | Zurich | Activation information : Install Employee Center by requesting it from the ServiceNow Store. Visit the [ServiceNow Store](https://store.servicenow.com/sn_appstore_store.do#!/store/home) website to view all the available apps and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the [ServiceNow Store version history release notes](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=sn-store-release-notes&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US). Important: Employee Center is available in the ServiceNow Store. For details, see the "Activation information" section of these release notes. | [ ] ## Additional requirements If any additional requirements were introduced or changed for Employee Center we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__38} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Browser requirements If any specific browser requirements were introduced or changed for Employee Center we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__44} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | Browser requirements : The Browser Extension for Employee Center is only available with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers. | [ ] ## Accessibility information Review details on accessibility information for Employee Center, such as specific requirements or compliance levels. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__50} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Localization information If there are specific localization considerations for Employee Center we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__56} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | No updates for this release. | | Zurich | No updates for this release. | [ ] ## Highlight information If there are specific highlight considerations for Employee Center we have noted them here. {#dfrn3-employeecenter-summary__entry__62} | Release | Release notes | |-|-| | Yokohama | * Resolve tasks created from submitted negative feedback with the Integrated experience and service feedback functionality. * Enable employees to seek assistance through virtual or in-person appointments, or by joining walk-up queues for immediate support. * Host live company events seamlessly in the employee portal with streamlined pre-event communications and a drag-and-drop editor for easy content creation. See [Employee Center](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=employee-center-landing-page&family=yokohama&ft:locale=en-US) for more information. | | Zurich | [Zurich Patch 1](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=zurich-patch-1&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) * Enable employees to check their latest company news and upcoming events using Now Assist in Virtual Agent with the Company News \& Events AI Agent in the ServiceNow Otto for Employee Experience. The AI Agent displays a list of all the latest news and planned events in the company. For more information, see [Check latest company news and events](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=check-company-newsevent-ai-agent-for-emp-exp&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US). * Employees can check all their to-do tasks and pending approvals using Now Assist in Virtual Agent for Microsoft Teams. * Enable a summary of the request, requested item, or case for approval task using ServiceNow Otto for Employee Experience. The skill provides a summary of the selected item from the available list that you want to work on. For more information, see [ServiceNow Otto for Employee Experience Summarization skill](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=activate-now-assist-skills-uex&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US). Zurich Early Availability * Use the ServiceNow Otto for Employee Experience application so that your employees can have a seamless conversational interaction with Now Assist in Virtual Agent. * View and manage content and other company resources through the Browser Extension for Employee Center. * Improve the My Requests experience with adoptive and scalable enhancements. See [Employee Center](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=employee-center-landing-page&family=zurich&ft:locale=en-US) for more information. | [ ]