From concept to creation
Noteworthy news articles about Structured Software Systems Limited (3SL) , Cradle, or related customer / industry stories.
The following installation videos for Windows have been updated for Cradle-8 and uploaded to our YouTube channel:
The following installation videos for Linux have been updated for Cradle-8 and uploaded to our YouTube channel:
We have also updated the Cradle Deployment video:
Cradle-8.0 is now available for download from the downloads section of the 3SL website. This is the latest version of Cradle.
3SL customers with active maintenance have been sent an e-mail notification, and details of which of their enhancement requests and bug reports are included in this new release. This is a significant Cradle release that increments the Cradle version number from 7.7 to 8.0 . This means that the Security Codes for Cradle-7.7 or earlier will not work with this new Cradle-8.0 release. Therefore, if you want to upgrade to the new Cradle-8.0 then you must contact 3SL Support and request a new Cradle-8.0 Security Code since your existing Cradle-7.7 or earlier Security Codes will not work with this new release.
Cradle-8.0 can be run in any mixture of Windows and Linux environments:
Please note as of Cradle-8.0 we no longer support 32-bit Linux installations.
Oracle libraries have been updated to support minimum version of 19c and the third party libraries have been updated on Windows.
We also support the following Microsoft Office versions:
Please note we do NOT support UWP versions of Office, such as Office 365 on demand from the Microsoft store.
This release contains a range of new capabilities and a collection of enhancements and bugs for the existing Cradle components.
There are also many new minor features. These are covered in the Release Notes but some examples are:
The Cradle installer has been updated to create a new look and feel. An example is shown below:
Note that the Cradle installer now allows a 32-bit Toolsuite installation to work with a 64-bit Cradle installation.
The Cradle-8 user interface has a new modern/updated look. An example of WorkBench is shown below:
You can also choose a theme for the WorkBench interface as one of:
An example of the Dark theme is shown below:
The theme is set in User Preferences. You also have the option to set the text and icon sizes.
Please note if any of these options are changed you will need to restart the tool for the change to take affect.
The Web Access interface has also been updated. An example of Web Access is shown below:
There are only two themes available for Web Access (Dark or Light). This is set in the cws_config file.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is now supported in WorkBench, Web Access, Project Manager, Web Services Interface, the API and the Toolsuite applications.
This is setup in a new 2fa_config file.
There is also a new email template called web_auth.eml. This template is used to create an email that is sent to a Cradle user when Web Access is configured to use 2FA sent over SMTP.
Definitions have had a major update in Cradle-8.0 including a new Definitions Chooser and updates to the Definitions Manager.
The Definitions Chooser provides the ability to select, sort and display extra information for Cradle definition files. You can choose how to group the definitions and you can set a filter. An example of the Definitions Chooser is shown below:
You can now display a Summary sidebar in the Definitions Manager which displays summary information for the selected definition:
You can now rename definitions using the Definitions Manager and ReqIF import and export exchanges are also available.
Other updates include:
There have been many enhancements to the Test Execution and Recording implemented in the Cradle-8 release.
Please note that due to new categories and calculations relating to Test Execution and Recording, if you are upgrading from a version prior to Cradle-8 and testing was previously enabled, when you open Project Setup and select Testing you will see the following dialog:
The enhancements to Test Execution and Recording include:
There have been many enhancements to alerts in Cradle-8. These include:
An example of the Alerts sidebar with the Alerts tab open is shown below:
As you can see from the example above there is a red dot on the Alerts sidebar button. This indicates there are unread alerts.
From the Alerts sidebar you can:
From the Alerts tab you can:
Cradle-8.0 also includes a small number of performance improvements:
You must contact 3SL for new Security Code(s) for Cradle-8.0. Cradle-8.0 will not accept Security Codes from Cradle-7.7 or any previous release.
Cradle clients (WorkBench, Web Access, Document Publisher for instance) and server (CDS) versions cannot be mixed. Therefore, you must upgrade all Cradle installations to 8.0.
Cradle-8.0 databases do have the same format as Cradle-7.7 databases. Hence the Cradle-8.0 release doesn’t include a database converter for the transition from Cradle-7.7 to Cradle-8.0. Full details are available in the 8.0 Release Notes, and updated manuals in addition you can always contact support@threesl.com .
Please note that there are no maintenance services for single-user Cradle products. Therefore, if you have purchased any of the single-user Cradle-7.7 products:
then you will not be able to request a new Cradle-8.0 Security Code. If you want to update your single-user Cradle system to the new Cradle-8.0 release, then you must buy the new Cradle-8.0 release.
In conclusion, we’re both pleased and proud with the new capabilities in Cradle-8.0 and most importantly hope you will benefit by upgrading. If you are not already a customer and would like more information about Cradle, you can download the software and a free evaluation licence, find more on our website, or request a webinar.
3SL are offering a number of Cradle public training courses in 2026.
Public courses are ideal for companies:
These courses are an alternative to the tailored, industry/implementation specific consultancy and training offered by 3SL. This makes for a cost effective solution, where you’ll benefit from all the normal learning, with the advantage that a public course will have the chance to network and share with other virtual attendees from other industries.
Following feedback our online courses have been split into smaller part day sections (a two day course will now be delivered over four ½ days). This will allow candidates a longer break from training screens and more of an opportunity to put in practice some of the topics covered. When returning to the following session any questions can then be resolved.
This calendar is subject to change. Courses may be added removed or altered depending on demand. Booking will become available through the website shop for credit/debit card transactions prior to each course. For purchase orders and transfer payments please contact 3SL.
Please note that all courses are presented in the latest Cradle release.
| Date | Subject | Venue | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January – 20th to 21st | Introduction | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | introduction-course-january-2026 |
| February – 16th to 19th | Requirements Management | Online learning tutored course. 4 * ½ days. | £675+VAT | requirements-management-february-2026 |
| March – 16th to 19th | Document Publisher | Online learning tutored course. 4 * ½ days. | £675+VAT | document-publisher-march-2026 |
| April – 14th to 15th | Risk Management | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | risk-management-april-2026 |
| May – 26th to 27th | Test Execution | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | test-execution-may-2026 |
| June- 16th to 17th | Configuration Management | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | configuration-management-june-2026 |
| July- 14th to 15th | Project Administration | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | project-administration-july-2026 |
| July- 21st to 22nd | Introduction | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | introduction-course-july-2026 |
| August – 17th to 20th | Requirements Management | Online learning tutored course. 4 * ½ days. | £675+VAT | requirements-management-august-2026 |
| September – 14th to 17th | Document Publisher | Online learning tutored course. 4 * ½ days. | £675+VAT | document-publisher-september-2026 |
| October- 20th to 21st | Risk Management | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | risk-management-october-2026 |
| November – 17th to 18th | Test Execution | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | test-execution-november-2026 |
| December – 8th to 9th | Configuration Management | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | configuration-management-december-2026 |
If you would like to be kept in touch with the details for Cradle public training courses 2026, please send an email to salesdetails@threesl.com.
All courses are available for direct purchase online. Buy Now!
The first test training this year is – Test Execution course May 2026.
“A great opportunity for small teams, or a couple of new team members to get started with automated test execution and Cradle”
Businesses that are introducing Cradle and full Requirements Management processes into their operations, can book training for all aspects of the roll-out, from the basics through to specialist administration courses.
If, however, you have one or two people new to a project or only have a very small team, this may not be a viable solution. With 3SL’s public online courses, you’ll benefit from all the normal learning, but will have the chance to network and share with other virtual attendees from other industries. This can be a cost effective solution to get you up to speed with Cradle and Requirements Management. This course is ideal for getting a team up and running.
| Date | Subject | Venue | Cost | Pre-Requisites | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 26th to 27th 2026 | Test Execution | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | PC/Laptop – internet browser & Cradle installed ** | Soft copy course materials, and printed certificate |
If you would like to be kept in touch with the details for this Training Course – Test Execution May 2026 please send an email to salesdetails@threesl.com.
All courses are available for direct purchase online. Buy Now!
Continue reading “Public Online Training Course – Test Execution May 2026”
The first scheduled project administration course of 2026. Learn how to setup and manage projects to provide the best base for your users with this year’s – Project Administration course July 2026.
“A great opportunity for project managers to understand their schemas”
Businesses that have selected Cradle for their Requirements Management or Systems Engineering process can benefit from an in depth understanding on managing their installation.
The Project Administration course is designed for project team leaders or managers who administer and manage Cradle projects. It will cover user and project administration. It will also include setting up project schemas helping your users to hit the ground running. Most industries have only a few people that act as project administrators, therefore the public course is ideal.
| Date | Subject | Venue | Cost | Pre-Requisites | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 14th – 15th 2026 | Project Administration | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | PC/Laptop – internet browser & Cradle installed ** | Soft copy course materials, and printed certificate |
If you would like to be kept in touch with the details for this Training Course – Project Administration July 14th – 15th 2026 please send an email to salesdetails@threesl.com.
All courses are available for direct purchase online. Buy Now!
Continue reading “Public Online Training Course – Project Administration July 2026”
The first RM training this year is – Requirements Management course February 2026.
“A great opportunity for small teams, or a couple of new team members to get started with RM and Cradle”
Businesses that are introducing Cradle and full Requirements Management processes into their operations, can book training for all aspects of the roll-out, from the basics through to specialist administration courses.
If, however, you have one or two people new to a project or only have a very small team, this may not be a viable solution. With 3SL’s public online courses, you’ll benefit from all the normal learning, but will have the chance to network and share with other virtual attendees from other industries. This can be a cost effective solution to get you up to speed with Cradle and Requirements Management. This course is ideal for getting a team up and running.
| Date | Subject | Venue | Cost | Pre-Requisites | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 16th to 19th 2026 | Requirements Management | Online learning tutored course. 4 * ½ days. | £675+VAT | PC/Laptop – internet browser & Cradle installed ** | Soft copy course materials, and printed certificate |
If you would like to be kept in touch with the details for this Training Course – Requirements Management February 2026 please send an email to salesdetails@threesl.com.
All courses are available for direct purchase online. Buy Now!
Continue reading “Public Online Training Course – Requirements Management February 2026”
The second RM training this year is – Requirements Management course August 2026.
“A great opportunity for small teams, or a couple of new team members to get started with RM and Cradle”
Businesses that are introducing Cradle and full Requirements Management processes into their operations, can book training for all aspects of the roll-out, from the basics through to specialist administration courses.
If, however, you have one or two people new to a project or only have a very small team, this may not be a viable solution. With 3SL’s public online courses, you’ll benefit from all the normal learning, but will have the chance to network and share with other virtual attendees from other industries. This can be a cost effective solution to get you up to speed with Cradle and Requirements Management. This course is ideal for getting a team up and running.
| Date | Subject | Venue | Cost | Pre-Requisites | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 17th to 20th 2026 | Requirements Management | Online learning tutored course. 4 * ½ days. | £675+VAT | PC/Laptop – internet browser & Cradle installed ** | Soft copy course materials, and printed certificate |
If you would like to be kept in touch with the details for this Training Course – Requirements Management August 2026 please send an email to salesdetails@threesl.com.
All courses are available for direct purchase online. Buy Now!
Continue reading “Public Online Training Course – Requirements Management August 2026”
The second scheduled publishing course of 2026. Cradle report creation training – Document Publisher course September 2026.
“Once you have managed your requirements and development, producing a comprehensive report based directly on the project data, provides an essential deliverable”
Businesses that have Cradle for their Requirements Management or Systems Engineering process can benefit from additional Cradle tools.
Document Publisher is a Windows® based publishing tool that allows professional documentation to be produced directly from the data within your project’s database. Fully understanding how to configure templates and data manipulation will offer the best output for you to provide to your stakeholders and customers, regulators and other interested parties.
Often the document production task is run by an individual or a very small team. Therefore, this public online course will offer a cost effective way of providing training. You’ll benefit from all the normal learning, but will have the chance to network and share with other virtual attendees from other industries. This will be conducted over four ½ days.
| Date | Subject | Venue | Cost | Pre-Requisites | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 14th – 17th 2026 | Document Publisher | Online learning tutored course. 4 * ½ days. | £675+VAT | PC/Laptop – internet browser & Cradle installed ** | Soft copy course materials, and printed certificate |
If you would like to be kept in touch with the details for this Training Course – Document Publisher September 2026 please send an email to salesdetails@threesl.com.
All courses are available for direct purchase online. Buy Now!
Continue reading “Public Online Training Course – Document Publisher September 2026”
The first scheduled publishing course of 2026. Cradle report creation training – Document Publisher course March 2026.
“Once you have managed your requirements and development, producing a comprehensive report based directly on the project data, provides an essential deliverable”
Businesses that have Cradle for their Requirements Management or Systems Engineering process can benefit from additional Cradle tools.
Document Publisher is a Windows® based publishing tool that allows professional documentation to be produced directly from the data within your project’s database. Fully understanding how to configure templates and data manipulation will offer the best output for you to provide to your stakeholders and customers, regulators and other interested parties.
Often the document production task is run by an individual or a very small team. Therefore, this public online course will offer a cost effective way of providing training. You’ll benefit from all the normal learning, but will have the chance to network and share with other virtual attendees from other industries. This will be conducted over four ½ days.
| Date | Subject | Venue | Cost | Pre-Requisites | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16th – 19th 2026 | Document Publisher | Online learning tutored course. 4 * ½ days. | £675+VAT | PC/Laptop – internet browser & Cradle installed ** | Soft copy course materials, and printed certificate |
If you would like to be kept in touch with the details for this Training Course – Document Publisher March 2026 please send an email to salesdetails@threesl.com.
All courses are available for direct purchase online. Buy Now!
Continue reading “Public Online Training Course – Document Publisher March 2026”
The second scheduled Risk Management course of 2026. Learn how to identify, analyse, evaluate, treat and monitor the risks associated with activities or events within your business with this year’s – Risk Management course October 2026.
“A great opportunity for managers to understand and mitigate risks”
Businesses that have selected Cradle for their Risk Management process can benefit from an in depth understanding on how Cradle can manage your risk process.
The Risk Management course is designed for project team leaders or managers who administer and manage risks.
The Cradle Risk Management course focuses on providing an introduction to Risk Management in Cradle. We will start by setting up the schema for a small example and use this to manage the risks and provide some example reports. In the final module, we provide a worked example.
However, if you have a larger team or wish to cover multiple topics, courses can be tailored and held at your premises / virtually depending on restrictions and requirements or online at a date and time to suit.
| Date | Subject | Venue | Cost | Pre-Requisites | Provision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 20th – 21st 2026 | Risk Management | Online learning tutored course. 2 * ½ days. | £350+VAT | PC/Laptop – internet browser & Cradle installed ** | Soft copy course materials, and printed certificate |
If you would like to be kept in touch with the details for this training course – Risk Management October 20th – 21st 2026 please send an email to salesdetails@threesl.com.
All courses are available for direct purchase online. Buy Now!
Continue reading “Public Online Training Course – Risk Management October 2026”