On January 1, 2024, we will stop supporting CS-Cart older than 4.12.x. We know the change can be tough, but we want to assure you that we made this decision with careful consideration for the best of all our users in the long run.
Why the change?
Think of CS-Cart software like a car. When you first get a car, it works great, and you get regular maintenance and updates to its firmware that improve the car’s performance, safety, and features. But over time, it becomes more challenging to keep the older car running smoothly and safely because:
- Safety: Just like a car’s safety features become outdated, older software versions may have vulnerabilities that we can’t address effectively, making them susceptible to security risks.
- Efficiency: Maintaining many older versions is like trying to keep numerous old cars running. It takes time away from delivering prompt and effective support, bug fixes, and updates to ensure a smoother user experience.
- Innovation: We want to focus on introducing new, exciting features, much like releasing new car models with advanced capabilities. Streamlining support allows us to dedicate more energy to innovation.
- Compatibility: Older cars may face compatibility issues with newer parts and technologies, which complicates repairs and adaptability to different needs and environments. Similarly, older CS-Cart versions may not work well with the latest server environment and third-party services. Focusing on the latest versions ensures that CS-Cart stays current with the ever-changing tech landscape.
What to expect?
We understand that this decision may cause inconvenience, but we want to offer you a smooth transition and support during this period of change. Here’s what we are doing to help you adapt:
- Extended transition period. We understand the need for a smooth shift, so we won’t discontinue support for older versions immediately. The support for versions older than 4.12.x will end on January 1, 2024. For versions from 4.0.x up to 4.12.x we will continue security maintenance till July 1, 2024.
- Migration assistance and technical support. We’ll provide you with the affordable Upgrade Kit, which includes technical support and the upgrade subscription to update your CS-Cart to the latest version. The Upgrade Kit will be available with a big discount during this Black Friday.
What options?
If your software version is no longer supported, you have two choices:
1. Continue using the current version without support and updates:
- Pros: You can carry on with your usual work without any changes.
- Cons: This approach carries certain risks, such as the possibility of hosting providers disabling outdated PHP versions, third-party service integrations becoming outdated, and the potential discovery of new security vulnerabilities.
2. Update to a supported version:
- Pros: By updating, you will have access to the latest version of CS-Cart, complete with all the latest integrations, new features, security patches, and support.
- Cons: This option does require some effort and investment on your part.
To make this transition smoother and more cost-effective, we have created a special bundle for users with older versions—The Upgrade Kit. This bundle includes one year of customer care and an upgrade subscription, all at a special price. What’s more, during our upcoming Black Friday sale, you can enjoy an additional discount on this bundle.
Thank you for understanding and trusting CS-Cart over the years. We’re excited to provide you with even better products and support in the future. These changes are all about making your software experience safe, efficient, and packed with cool features.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team. We are here to assist you through this transition and beyond.
FAQ
What to do if my store or marketplace is heavily customized?
Our partners can help you migrate all your modifications to the latest version. Find them on the CS-Cart Add-on Market.
Can you provide specific examples of security risks associated with using older versions?
There could be various issues with payment and shipping service integrations and security. For example, in August 2023, we closed a security vulnerability for version 4.3.1 and newer that could potentially allow access to the admin panel, although there were no use cases thanks to a quick patch release.
How does streamlining support lead to better efficiency and innovation? Can you provide specific examples?
By streamlining support, we are able to focus our resources on improvements and anticipated features, and release them faster. For example, we’re now focusing our energy on refactoring the entire Admin Panel to make it more convenient and easier to use, in line with user trends and expectations. And by streamlining our operations, we’ll be able to release it faster.
What’s the timeline for the extended transition period?
On January 1, 2024, we will discontinue support for all CS-Cart versions below 4.12.x. For versions from 4.0.x up to 4.12.x, we will continue security maintenance until July 1, 2024, and then discontinue support as well.
What kind of migration assistance will be offered? Are there step-by-step guides or tools to help?
We update your CS-Cart to the latest version available to you. First, we do it on a test installation to avoid unexpected failures. Then we check if everything works fine after the update. We also update all add-ons that can be updated through the Upgrade Center.
What steps can I take to ensure a smooth transition to the latest version?
No need to do anything on your part. Just contact our customer care team and we’ll guide you through.
Where can I find resources and updates related to the transition?
You can familiarize yourself with the transition, outdated CS-Cart versions, and dates on our website. Also, keep an eye on our blog.
Can you provide more details on potential compatibility issues I might face when switching to the latest version?
The main problem is possible incompatibility with third-party add-ons and themes. You can fix such problems by updating these third-party applications. If you have modified the CS-Cart core, you may need to modify your changes again to make them compatible with the latest version.
Are there any training resources available to help us with the learning curve?
Of course, you can familiarize yourself with the latest version by watching video tutorials on our YouTube channel and reading the documentation.
What’s the cost of the bundle, and how does it compare to renewing support and purchasing an upgrade separately?
The Upgrade Kit includes one year of the customer care service of your choice + the upgrade subscription to migrate your store to the latest version. The discount for this package equals the cost of the upgrade subscription, which varies from $160 to $385. Plus, you’ll get an additional discount on the bundle this Black Friday—extra 27%.
What’s the best way to contact your support team if I have questions or need assistance?
The best and the fastest way to contact our customer care team is messaging us in the Help Desk or emailing.