Our Magento Versions & Patch Upgrade Process (& Why it Matters)

In the fast-paced world of eCommerce, keeping pace with technology is key to success. As an eCommerce agency, we’ve been developing and supporting Magento sites for over ten years, and we know why so many online shops choose it: Magento is powerful, flexible, and can grow with your business.

But with great power comes a certain level of complexity. So when it comes to keeping up to date with Magento versions and patches, there are some common pitfalls you need to be aware of that can cause unexpected issues. Compatibility with existing plugins, performance issues and even security problems can all impact your business, which is why having a plan for updating Magento is essential.

Remember – updating Magento isn’t always about having the newest version; it’s about making sure your online store is safe, runs smoothly, and keeps up with the competition. A good update plan helps you get the most out of Magento.

To ensure you know what to expect when working with us, we want to share our policy for updating Magento versions and patches. Coming up, we’ll explain how we take care of Magento updates and why it matters for your eCommerce business.

Our proactive Magento upgrade policy

As part of our commitment to ensuring the best possible performance and security for your Magento-powered eCommerce store, we’ve established a proactive upgrade policy for our retainer clients. Understanding the different types of Magento versions and patch updates is crucial for maintaining an efficient, secure, and up-to-date website.

Here’s how we categorise Magento updates:

1. Patches: These are small updates, typically released to fix specific issues or vulnerabilities. They are crucial for maintaining the security and stability of your site.
2. Major Releases: These updates are significant. They often introduce new features, major changes to the platform, and substantial security enhancements. While they can offer exciting new capabilities, they also require careful planning and testing to integrate successfully.
3. Minor Releases: These are less extensive than major releases but more significant than patches. Minor releases usually include minor feature improvements and fixes to enhance the platform’s performance and security.

We recommend updating all Magento sites to the latest stable version as soon as it’s feasible. Staying current with these updates ensures your site remains secure, efficient, and competitive. Delaying updates, especially over several versions, can lead to complex challenges.

When a site jumps multiple versions, it often faces more significant complications and requires extra time and preparation for a smooth transition.

Our approach emphasises timely updates, with careful planning and testing to minimise disruptions. This proactive strategy not only keeps your site secure but also takes advantage of the latest features and improvements Magento has to offer, ensuring your eCommerce business stays at the forefront of technology and market trends.

Magento patches (minor updates)

Magento patches, often referred to as minor updates, play a vital role in maintaining the health and security of your Magento website. These updates are primarily focused on:

• Bug Fixes: Addressing specific issues within the platform to enhance overall functionality and user experience.
• Security Fixes: Strengthening the platform against vulnerabilities, ensuring your site remains safe from potential security threats.
• Smaller, Focused Changes: Unlike major releases, these updates are more contained, focusing on specific areas of improvement.

Patches are generally considered low risk due to their targeted nature. They typically involve an append to the version number, for example, updating from 4.3.1 to 4.3.1-P1, indicating a specific patch has been applied.

Rixxo Policy

• Timely Application: We aim to apply Magento patches to all customer sites within 3 months of their release. This timeframe allows us to ensure the patch is stable and to plan its integration seamlessly with minimal disruption.
• Focus on Security and Stability: As these patches often address urgent security vulnerabilities and critical bugs, their timely application is crucial for maintaining the integrity and performance of your site.
• Covered Under Retainer: To ensure ongoing protection and optimisation of your Magento store, these patch updates are included within our retainer services, offering peace of mind and convenience.

Magento releases (minor)

Minor releases in Magento are a step above patches, bringing more significant updates to the platform. These releases typically include:

• Bug and security fixes: Similar to patches, minor releases address bugs and security concerns, enhancing the stability and safety of your Magento site.
• Introduction of new features: Occasionally, minor releases introduce new functionalities, adding value to your eCommerce platform.
• Improvements to existing features: These updates often refine and improve current features, enhancing the overall user experience and performance of the site.
• More extensive changes: Minor releases encompass broader changes compared to patches, affecting more aspects of the platform.

These updates come with a medium level of risk due to their broader scope and impact on the platform. They usually result in a change in the end of the version number, for instance, updating from 4.3.1 to 4.3.2.

Rixxo policy

At Rixxo, we approach Magento minor releases with a structured and thoughtful strategy:

• Timely update schedule: Our goal is to apply minor releases to all customer sites within 6 months of their release. This period allows us sufficient time to thoroughly assess the update and plan its implementation effectively.
• Risk assessment: Given the medium risk associated with these updates, we conduct a case-by-case assessment to identify any potential risks or challenges.
• Inclusion in support retainer: If the assessment reveals no major risks, the update process will be covered within our support retainer. This ensures that our clients can benefit from the latest improvements and features without additional stress or complexity.

Magento releases (major)

Major releases in Magento represent significant updates, often bringing transformative changes to the platform. These updates usually include:

• Bug and security fixes: Addressing critical vulnerabilities and bugs to enhance the security and stability of Magento.
• New features: Introducing substantial new functionalities that can significantly enhance the capabilities of your eCommerce platform.
• Improvements to other features: Refining and enhancing existing features for better performance and user experience.
• Lots of changes: Major releases involve comprehensive changes that affect various aspects of Magento.

These updates are classified as high risk due to their extensive nature and potential impact on the existing system. Typically, a major release will change the version number significantly, such as from 4.3.5 to 4.4.1.

Rixxo policy

Our approach to Magento major releases at Rixxo is strategic and careful:

• Timely implementation: We aim to apply major releases to all customer sites within a year of their release. This timeframe allows for in-depth analysis, thorough planning, and effective implementation.
• Case-by-case assessment: Given the high-risk nature of major releases, each update is assessed individually. This assessment helps determine the specific requirements and potential challenges for each client’s site.
• Potential for a separate project: Depending on the severity and implications of the release, a major update may require a separate project to be signed off. This ensures that significant changes are managed effectively and with the necessary attention to detail.

Magento versions & patch updates done for you: We’ve got you covered

A balanced and proactive upgrade policy for Magento versions and patch upgrades cannot be overstated. It’s not just about keeping your online store updated; it’s about strategically aligning these updates with your business goals and operational needs. This approach ensures that your eCommerce platform remains secure, efficient, and ahead of the competition.

Key benefits of our upgrade process for Magento retainer clients include:

1. Enhanced security: By staying current with the latest patches, minor, and major releases, we ensure your site is fortified against security threats, safeguarding both your business and customer data.
2. Optimal performance: Regular updates mean your Magento site benefits from the latest features and improvements, leading to a smoother, faster, and more reliable online shopping experience for your customers.
3. Minimised risks: Our approach to applying updates within specific timeframes—3 months for patches, 6 months for minor releases, and a year for major releases—reduces the risk of complications that can arise from outdated software or jumping multiple versions at once.
4. Tailored strategy: Understanding that each Magento site is unique, our case-by-case assessment of updates ensures that each upgrade aligns with your specific site’s setup and business requirements.
5. Peace of mind: With updates included in our retainer services, you can rest assured that your Magento site is in expert hands, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

In conclusion, our proactive Magento upgrade policy is designed to keep your online store at the cutting edge of eCommerce technology, providing a secure, efficient, and user-friendly shopping experience that drives business success.

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