It’s been a while since the last big upgrade so decisioning time is here again and as usual it’s a bit of a mine field.

Since there are a number of core changes and a few template changes in the 1.3.9a upgrade, research and preparation is definitely key to a smooth and successful upgrade.

First of all, templates: have you made changes to the login_default or shopping cart templates? Those are the most likely sources of problems with the templates but there are changed to 10 main templates and 8 sidebox templates.  One important template changes is the common/htm_header.php template.  It’s rare to change that template but whatever changes might have occurred in the file are going to be very important to your site (or should be).

So if you’ve done the template overrides correctly, your changed templates will not be upgraded and you could find things no longer work (that shopping cart change is important folks) or your site may be left vulnerable.

Once you’ve checked those templates, look at what mods you have installed. Any of the SEO url mods will not work. Someone is going to have to upgrade those but upgrades may be a long time coming. Decide now whether you want to keep them or not.  If you do, stop reading now!

Using any of the Fast and Easy  Login or Checkout Modules? He’s not supporting any checkout but the paid Ajax version so those are highly unlikely to get upgraded.  (He still lists the FE login on his site but do not know his plans to upgrade that one.)

He has already upgraded his paid Ajax version – I suspect spending the money for that is worth it at this point.  I like the mod but find few clients who will pay the $75.  http://www.numinix.com/zen-cart-modules/template-modifications/fast-and-easy-ajax-checkout-for-zen-cart

The offline credit card payment module has been removed in this version in a stab at PCI compliance.  So if you install the new version and not upgrade, it’s gone. There is a mod for that however! And using this mod does work for pci compliance.  If you have to explain it to your merchant processor, be sure to let them know that the full credit card number is not stored anywhere on your site nor is it sent thru email.  Ceon Manual Card: http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=product_contrib_info&products_id=1277  (I don’t know if it works with this version but I’m expecting it to.)

If you are upgrading only, your offline credit card will still be there. Test it out to be sure it still works properly.  If not or if you develop problems with it, install the Ceon Manual Card instead.

One little extra piece of advice: cleanup! The upgrade does away with the old patch files for the last version.  There are blank files included in the upgrade by the same name but  delete them instead.  Tidy up!

Here’s the full change log for this version: http://zencart.deliawilsondesign.com/changelog-v1-3-9.html

Stay tuned.  More information for this Zen Cart upgrade is coming!

Leave a reply »