We're happy to introduce one of the most anticipated updates to the Layerise platform. This release touches upon the many requests you guys have provided and covers everything from small enhancements to power-user features. For the October update, we are introducing major enhancements to our Editor, increasing file size support, Markdown and more.

## Improved Editor
Your feedback and suggestions will help us shape the great features we want to build. And when it comes to our Editor your ideas and requests are crucial. Over the last couple of months, we have been working on updating our Editor to include features and updates that will make your daily work easier and more effective. 

#### Markdown support
With this release, we are now supporting Markdown syntax. The biggest benefits of using Markdown is the focus on creating great content, as it strips out the need for an interface to change markup and the need to use the mouse. 

__Super easy to use!__
You use symbols like 2 stars wrapped around a word or sentences to let the editor know you want to **bold** something, or just a dash per line to start an unnumbered list. Furthermore, we support all standard markdown command including the new table feature and the Layerise components. 

To create a Layerise Attention component write
- *::: attention*

To create a Layerise Tip component write
- *::: tip*

Over the next couple of months, we will be adding new useful components to the editor which also will be made available in the Markdown.  

__New to Markdown?__
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that you can use to add formatting elements to plaintext text documents. Created by John Gruber in 2004, Markdown is now one of the world’s most popular markup languages. Using Markdown is different than using a WYSIWYG editor. The difference is that it’s simpler than HTML, meaning you don’t have to think about opening and closing tags or worry about style. With Markdown, to format text, you use punctuation and characters you’re already familiar with. 

#### Table support
You have been asking for it and now it's here. With this release, we finally support tables. With tables, you can easily convert your static product spec sheets, material overview and much more with smart dynamic table content.

![tables](//images.ctfassets.net/scrf7o05zai3/5xBvhaMvH9OYaCxAPmxRUo/86e47c00078ddd47adb51fc82f8b4910/table.png)

To create a table go to the editor and use the table icon for importing your grid. The same can be done by using Markdown. 

#### Additional editor enhancements
For this update, we are also changing our Topic format from HTML to JSON. This allows for a much better native API support and helps us create unique components dynamic and smart components that we are going to release soon. Also, we have polished the Editor layout with improved iconisation and toolbar.  

## Faster and easier video upload 
With this release, we are removing one hurdle that you guys have been pointing out for some time. While many of you see the benefits of adding videos directly from YouTube or Vimeo to your Product Assistants, the large majority of you have been asking for local video upload and native video playback support. Also covered by this release, we are enabling you to upload your videos directly from your local drives and provide native video playback controls on any device. But there is more - look 👇 

## LARGER files
We now empower you to utilise your content without constraints we are now supporting file sizes up to 100mb for all media files.  

## Zapier
Don't miss out. Last month we released an integration to Zapier which is now globally available in our [App store](https://www.layerise.com/apps/zapier "Zapier") but can also be found directly on [Zapier](https://zapier.com/apps/layerise/integrations "Zapier"). 

__Need an introduction to Zapier?__
If you need a quick introduction to Zapier read the full release notes from our September product update [here](https://www.layerise.com/resources/blog/post/september20-product-announcements "Zapier"). 

## Release date
We will be rolling out this release on Friday the 30th of October 2020. All features, mentioned in this post, will be available for all plans.

We're proud of this release and we're looking forward to your feedback. Bonus info, at Layerise we write all our product updates and articles are written in Markdown. 

October'20 Product Announcements

It's September and we're ready for yet another exciting product update. While the summer weather is slowly fading away we have been cooking some interesting new features and updates for you. This month we're happy to announce another big addition to our integration repository and supporting a language spoken by nearly 700 million people. 

## Zapier Integration
If you haven't already heard about Zapier you have been missing out. Zapier is a middleware service that allows you to connect your data flows with more than 2000+ platforms. Zapier lets you build workflows that do certain actions, this could be everytime you get a new customer it triggers a workflow that will send a Slack notification with your customer data. 

![Zapier apps](//images.ctfassets.net/scrf7o05zai3/4tiNXoZ6j5P2xCvcTiT1UG/b010b2b00a6e288882b92afa94f5915e/zapier_apps.jpg)

Zapier has many use-cases but we have highlighted a few interesting cases here:
### Automate manual tasks 
- Send customer data between Layerise and your favorite newsletter tool.
- Forward critical feedback from Layerise to your favorite support tool.
- Notifiy your team on your communication platform everytime a new Product Assistant is created.

### Synchronize data
- Sync customers to Layerise from your favorite commerce platform.
- Forward customer feedback emails to your Layerise feedback hub.
- Automatically create Product Assistants everytime you update your inventory mangagement system with a new product.

### Workflows
- Add reminders in your favorite project management tool when customers haven't recieved a response within a certain timespan on Layerise.
- Update spreadsheets based on customer behaviors.
- Automatically invite a new member on Layerise when you add them to your favorite HR tool. 

### Beta rollout
The Zapier integrations allow tons of new capabilities and create new ways to do automated and streamlined post-sale experiences. However due to the size of this integration we're rolling it out in a private beta first. If your are on the Pro plan and is interested in testing and participating in the beta, do not hesistate to reach out. 

## Hindi support
With Hindi support your post-sales experiences now support almost 700 million people in their written or spoken language. While you always have been able to publish your content in 116 different languages, this update enables your Assistants' navigation and interface to be shown in Hindi natively. 

Hindi support is only the beginning, we have a strong commitment to allow you to serve your customers with the best possible post-sale experience and with that comes native language support. Stay tuned for more language support and updates in the future.

## Release date
Starting from today Hindi support is already available for all your customers and Product Assistants. However the Zapier integration will rollout in private beta and will be available for everyone later in October. 

September'20 Product Announcements

- Pre-seed investment, from e.ventures, Heartcore and Ulrik Bo Larsen, will accelerate growth 
- Layerise makes quantifiable improvements to customer post-sales experiences, through smart and customer friendly Product Assistants
- e.ventures Partner Jonathan Becker & Heartcore Partner Jimmy Fussing to join the board 
- Ulrik Bo Larsen, founder and CEO at Falcon.io, appointed as Chair of the Board

__Copenhagen, Denmark (September 15, 2020)__ – Layerise, the world’s innovating post-sales platform, has closed the largest ever pre-seed investment in Denmark from e.ventures, Heartcore and Falcon founder Ulrik Bo Larsen. A €1.05m pre-seed round led by e.ventures will be be used to commercialise the company’s already impressive product innovation and grow the development and commercial teams. 

__Ervin Draganovic, co-founder and CEO of Layerise__ said: “We were a bit unsure about how to raise money when it happened during a global pandemic, but we have experienced great interest. We have been looking for “smart money”, because the investors we get on board now, we have to be with for a very long time, so it has been important that they could contribute to all of our growth trajectories. We are sure that we have achieved this with this group of strong investors."

Layerise fills the gap that exists between the customer and the brand. It provides extra service to the consumer and delivers data on usage and customer behavior to the manufacturer. Layerise acts as a digital assistant for physical products. It allows the customer to find deeper information about the product, be reminded of maintenance, confirm ownership of the product.

Layerise has already helped clients such as Mate.Bike, LTP Group, Aguardio, Stella Fietsen & Oizom Fevo make substantial improvements to the customer product experience.

__Jonathan Becker, Partner at e.ventures__ said: "We firmly believe that companies need to step up their game in creating a great user experience, even after a product is sold. When I first met Ervin and Emil I was very impressed with their vision of redefining how brands interact with their customers driven by a beautifully designed product. I'm really happy they chose e.ventures over the many other investors who knocked on their door."

__Ulrik Bo Larsen, founder and CEO at Falcon.io__ said: 
“I got a deja vu for my own early journey with Falcon.io when I heard about Layerise. Like Falcon.io, they link things that are not linked today. It is a whole new category and no one knows exactly where this will end, but there is a huge potential. 

Ervin and Emil are both extremely savvy and I am impressed with their vision and the customers they have gained and the product they have built in a very short time without funding. 

They should preferably gain at least as much speed out into the world as Falcon.io had in the beginning.

I'm extremely selective with startup investments, probably not going to invest in quite a few things, but this is something I believe in and where I can use my experience from Falcon to help the team navigate their way around the next corner.”

__About Layerise__

Founded in March 2019 by Ervin Draganovic (Weorder, Tattoodo & Tidal) and Emil Forsmann (Weorder & Tattoodo), the Layerise team has a track record of building some of the most used digital products and services. 

Layerise's mission is to impact customer product satisfaction by acting as a digital assistant between the customer and the brand. Layerise is a privately held company with HQ in Copenhagen, Denmark.