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Platform Release Notes 2.8.0 (2025-08)

Platform Release Notes 2.8.0 (2025-08)

[ 1 🔦 Key Points ] [ 2 Bundled Modules ] [ 3 Database Changes ] [ 4 👷 Contributors ] [ 5 🔦 Highlights for Implementers ] [ 6 📸 Example Visual Changes ] [ 7 🔍 Detailed Changelog ]

🔦 Key Points

  • 📆 Release Date: Aug 15, 2025

  • Release Manager: @SSEBAANA Suubi Joshua

  • Key Features:

    • Cloud/Scaling Support: Create a new storage service. TRUNK-6300, TRUNK-6301, TRUNK-6302.

    • Hibernate Upgrade: Upgrade Hibernate Search to 6.2.4. TRUNK-6316

    • Java Upgrade: Add support for Java 21, 24 TRUNK-6311

    • ProviderRole in Core: Migrate Provider role functionality from the Provider Management Module. TRUNK-6354

    • Install Wizard UI: Modernize OpenMRS installation wizard UI to match the current OpenMRS branding. TRUNK-6329

    • Security Fixes from Library Upgrades: Upgrade a number of underlying library dependencies to take advantage of security vulnerability fixes.

    • Support Postgres in Setup: Add Simple Installation Method for PosgreSQL. TRUNK-6343

    • SDK Improvements by enabling Docker build specification of a node version compatible with the bundled GCC version. SDK-381

Bundled Modules

Database Changes

  • Adding unique index on location_tag name column for improved query performance

  • Adding optional property 'view_privilege' to 'global_property' table for granular access control

  • Adding optional property 'edit_privilege' to 'global_property' table for enhanced security

  • Adding optional property 'delete_privilege' to 'global_property' table for complete CRUD permissions

  • Soundex extension implementation for PostgreSQL with MySQL compatibility layer

  • UUID function extensions for PostgreSQL with MySQL-compatible aliases

  • Creating 'concept_reference_range' table for enhanced clinical decision support

  • Creating 'obs_reference_range' table for observation validation and alerts

  • Storage service metadata tables for cloud file management

  • ElasticSearch configuration and index management tables

👷 Contributors

Special thanks to the following community contributors:

DIGI: @Ian Bacher
OpenMRS: @Daniel Kayiwa , @Wikum Weerakutti , @herman muhereza , @Rafal Korytkowski
PIH: @Mark Goodrich

Thank you so much to the following contributors - you make releases like this possible!

  • OpenMRS Support: @Daniel Kayiwa @Wikum Weerakutti @herman muhereza @Rafal Korytkowski @Nathan Ruhanga

  • Palladium-Kenya: @Kennedy Makombe

  • PIH: @Mark Goodrich @Mike Seaton

  • Mekom: @Emmanuel Nyachoke

  • UW ITECH DIGI: @Ian Bacher

  • GSOC: @Mutagubya Jonathan @Manoj Rathnapriya

  • Independent Contributors: @Ryan McCauley , @Bhargav Kodali, @Mikko Suniala , @hith3sh , @Mujuzi Moses , @jayg , @Deborah Nakamatte , @backloguy , @Olara Moses , @jay-oao

Contributor Metrics

image-20250820-053056.png
By counting PRs, the % of contributions from different groups to this release. (Source)

 

# PRs included: 77+

# of Orgs involved: 5

% from OpenMRS Inc. Global Support: 62%

🔦 Highlights for Implementers

Cloud-Ready Architecture

OpenMRS 2.8.0 introduces production-ready cloud scaling capabilities with S3 storage, distributed caching, and ElasticSearch integration, enabling modern deployment patterns and improved performance at scale.

Enhanced Provider Management

ProviderRole functionality is now part of core OpenMRS, eliminating the need for the separate Provider Management module and providing more robust APIs for healthcare worker management.

PostgreSQL Production Support

Full PostgreSQL support with feature parity to MySQL, including specialized functions and optimizations, providing implementers with more database options for their deployments.

Improved Security Posture

Comprehensive security updates across all dependencies, addressing multiple vulnerabilities and strengthening the overall security framework of the platform.

Modern Installation Experience

Completely redesigned installation wizard with improved user experience, clearer guidance, and better error handling for both new and existing deployments.

📸 Example Visual Changes

image-20250813-202944.png
The updated Installation Wizard (1/2)
image-20250813-204414.png
The updated Installation Wizard (2/2)

 

🔍 Detailed Changelog

Change Log

Code:

Platform

System Requirements:

  • Java: OpenJDK 8+ (Java 21 recommended for optimal performance)

  • Database: MySQL 5.7+ or PostgreSQL 10+

  • Application Server: Tomcat 8.5+ (Tomcat 10.x supported)

  • Memory: Minimum 2GB RAM (4GB recommended for production)