PKP Releases OJS, OMP, and OPS 3.5.0

PKP releases OJS, OMP, and OPS 3.5 with major feature enhancements, setting the stage for the upcoming Long-Term Support (LTS) version.

PKP is pleased to announce the release of OJS, OMP, and OPS 3.5.0, the latest step in our ongoing mission to make scholarly publishing more equitable, efficient, and accessible. This release introduces significant usability and editorial workflow improvements and paves the way toward the upcoming Long-Term Support (LTS) version expected in the following months.

What's new in 3.5?

This version includes many feature enhancements, but here are three major highlights:

1. A redesigned editorial dashboard
   A cleaner, more usable interface helps editors navigate the submission workflow more efficiently. Customize your view, apply new filters, and track submissions more clearly.
   
2. User invitation workflow
   You can now send invitations to users without pre-assigning roles or making decisions on their behalf. This improves the transparency of editorial operations and supports GDPR compliance.
   
3. JATS XML integration inside the workflow
   Journals that publish in XML can now access a JATS preview directly within the production interface — streamlining production and improving quality assurance.
   

All updates were guided by community feedback and testing, and designed with our community's needs in mind.

 Why Upgrade to 3.5?

• Easier task and user management
• Enhanced editorial usability
• GDPR-aligned workflows
• Better support for multilingual journals

This release aligns with our broader goals: to improve the quality, discoverability, and integrity of scholarly publishing around the world.

Download 3.5.0

• https://pkp.sfu.ca/software/ojs/download/
• https://pkp.sfu.ca/software/omp/download/
• https://pkp.sfu.ca/software/ops/download/

Share Your Feedback

If you're upgrading to OJS, OMP, and OMP 3.5, your insights will help us improve the experience for the whole community and inform the development of the LTS version. Submit your feedback or questions through the PKP Community Forum.

Looking Ahead

We know that many institutions wait for Long-Term Support (LTS) versions before upgrading. While OJS, OMP, and OMP 3.5 are fully stable and ready to use, they will serve as the foundation for the LTS version expected in Q3 or Q4 2025.

If your technical team has capacity, we encourage you to upgrade to 3.5 now and help shape the LTS version by providing feedback from your experience.

Resources and Training

To support your transition:

• Release notes are already available at https://github.com/pkp/ojs/blob/stable-3_5_0/docs/release-notes/README-3.5.0
  
• Learning OJS 3.5 guides, created for every role, are now available at our Docs Hub:
  • About OJS 3.5 – Learn the basics about OJS, including the new features added in 3.5. Recommended as the starting point for all users.
  • Learning OJS 3.5 for Journal Managers – Learn how to configure and prepare a journal to publish from start to finish as a Journal Manager.
  • Learning OJS 3.5: The Editorial Workflow – Learn how to take a submission through review, copyediting, production, and publication. Recommended for Editors, Copyeditors, and Layout Designers.
  • Learning OJS 3.5 for Reviewers – Learn how to respond to a review request and complete a review in OJS as a Reviewer.
  • Learning OJS 3.5 for Authors – Learn how to make a submission to an OJS journal and respond to requests for revisions as an Author.
    
    
• PKP School modules for 3.5 are in development and will launch in the Fall of 2025
  
• Additional documentation, webinars, and training events are coming soon
  

Stay tuned for updates via the PKP Docs Hub and community announcements.

Thank You

This release would not have been possible without the incredible work of:

• The PKP Development team
  
• Our technical and financial partners and sustainers
  
• Our global community of testers, translators, and contributors

3.5.0 is a community-built release that reflects our shared commitment to open infrastructure and independent scholarly publishing.

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