What's changing
From 12 October, we're introducing a clearer two-tier release structure:
- Preview releases – New features and updates every 3 weeks, tested in the real-world by a group of Preview users so that they can be refined and made more stable for the next Core release.
- Core releases – Released every quarter, this is where everything from the preceding Preview releases reaches every venue in the Community.
Development itself continues every 3 weeks, exactly as it does now. Nothing about how often we build and release new work is changing. What is changing is how it's packaged and communicated, and how much real-world usage a feature gets before it reaches most venues.
Do I need to do anything
No action is required. Current Beta users are automatically moved onto the Preview release schedule. Everyone else defaults to the standard Core release schedule. Preview is entirely opt-in if you'd like to join later.
Why we're making this change
Previously, every feature was fully tested, but often against a tight deadline (just 1 week) right before release. Under the new structure, features get much more time to be monitored, refined and iterated before they reach a Core release. Major work is undertaken early in the cycle, giving big features more time to be refined during preview releases.
In practice, this means each Core release arrives more stable and refined than any release we've shipped before, having had a full quarter of real-world use and fine-tuning behind it.
What this means for your venue
If you're not a Preview user: nothing changes about how you use CultureSuite day to day. Your dashboard and email updates continue exactly as they do now, every 3 weeks, so you'll always know what's coming and when, via the Preview release notes. The only difference is timing: new features become usable for you once they reach the quarterly Core release.
If you're a Preview user: you get to use new features as soon as they're built, every 3 weeks. Because Preview releases haven't yet had a full quarter of real-world use across the Community, you may occasionally spot the odd rough edge. But you also get to play an active role in the development of the CultureSuite platform by providing feedback and suggesting improvements when you’re trying out new features.
Becoming a Preview user
Any venue can become a Preview user. Get in touch with our Customer Success team to express interest.
Being a Preview user isn't a commitment to test or report anything, though we'd genuinely welcome your feedback. If you spot a bug or have an idea for how a feature could be refined, telling us directly shapes what is in the following Core release.
You don't have to commit permanently. If you're only interested in early access to one particular feature, you can join at Preview 1 and receive Preview 2 and 3 too, then drop back to the standard Core release schedule. The one thing to know: joining and leaving can only happen at a Core release, not partway through a cycle.
Key dates
- 12 October 2026: the final release under the current structure
- 2 November 2026: the first Preview release under the new structure, followed by two further Preview releases every 3 weeks
- 4 January 2027: the first Core release under the new structure, bringing everything from the preceding Preview releases to the whole Community
Release numbering
Nothing changes about the underlying release numbers. They continue in the same whole-number sequence as today, regardless of release type (e.g. Release 235, 236, 237, 238...), and this number remains visible on your Dashboard.
For clarity in Release notes, each release is also labelled with its type and position in the quarter, for example:
Release | Label |
238 | Q4 Preview 1 |
239 | Q4 Preview 2 |
240 | Q4 Preview 3 |
241 | Q4 Core |
Frequently asked questions
Is a Preview release the same as beta testing?
Not quite. Everything is fully tested internally before it reaches anyone, Preview or Core. The real difference is time in the real world: Preview releases haven't had the benefit of a full quarter's use across the Community yet, so you might occasionally spot a rough edge that only shows up once a feature's being used in different ways, in different venues. It's not formal testing, you're never obligated to report anything, but real-world feedback from Preview users genuinely shapes what is in the Core release.
Am I missing out on anything if I'm not a Preview user?
Not on information. You'll see every feature in the Preview release notes as it's announced, same as everyone else. The only difference is timing: Preview users get to use new features as they are released, whereas everyone else gets them all together in the quarterly Core release.
What about urgent bug fixes?
These are deployed continuously and are never held back for either release type, regardless of what schedule your venue is on.
Can I see what's coming before the next Core release?
Yes. Everyone receives the Preview release notes every 3 weeks, whether you're a Preview user or not, so you'll always know what's coming and when.
Questions about the new schedule? Contact your Customer Success team
Related articles
