Are You Prepared for Magento 2.3 End of Life?
Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento Commerce, recently released a new Lifecycle Policy, and with it, an upcoming Magento 2.3 end of life. What exactly does this mean for your ecommerce business and how can you avoid potential problems? We cover everything you need to know here.
It’s out with the old, and in with the new. Magento, now Adobe Commerce, has released a new LifeCycle Policy upgrade along with one of its major new releases that states support for Adobe Commerce 2.3.x officially ends on April 28, 2022.
Software updates are the backbone of a dynamic, safe, and top-of-the-line ecommerce platform. Adobe Commerce knows this. Since its initial release, the open-source software has put out relevant upgrades that keep it running smoothly and securely. The latest version, Adobe Commerce 2.4.x, was released in July 2020. Despite being available for over a year, however, plenty of websites to this day still continue to operate on older versions of the software.
With an updated Lifecycle Policy, Adobe will be withdrawing support for older versions of the software. Starting April 28, 2022, only Adobe Commerce 2.4.x and up will receive updates and support. That means an official end of support for Adobe Commerce versions 2.3.x and below.
The words end of life may seem foreboding, but with the right resources and preparation, businesses will be able to navigate the change without compromising their existing website structure and security.
For those who have upgraded to the 2.4 version of the software, there won’t be a problem as Adobe will continue to offer support and patches until after their next version is released.
Want to understand the risks associated with not upgrading to the latest version? Let’s go over them now:
1) Lack of Updates
The most obvious drawback of running on an obsolete version of Adobe Commerce software is the lack of updates. Not only does this mean no more access to new features and bug repairs, but also compromised security for your customer’s private data. Because older versions will no longer be receiving security updates, your website can become vulnerable to breaches in security. Ecommerce websites can also fall behind official PCI (Payment Card Industry) security standards.
2) Limited Technical Support
Let’s say you choose to stay on 2.3.x of Adobe Commerce and encounter technical errors — the kind that require assistance from the support team over at Adobe. Since they will no longer be working on support tickets for obsolete versions of the software, those technical issues will require outside developers to create a workaround solution.
3) No More Dev Docs
In line with the previous concern, developers will no longer be able to turn to the software documentation of older versions to spot and troubleshoot errors, as end of life inevitably means that those dev docs will be removed. If you frequently rely on developers to fix technical issues, troubleshoot errors, or incorporate new features, this will become an issue, as bugs only become more frequent without consistent support and upgrades from the Adobe Commerce team.
4) Limited Marketplace App Compatibility
Along with the lack of direct updates, obsolete Marketplace extensions — as in those that only support older versions of the software — will be removed, leaving you with fewer options in the app market. As more extensions comply with Adobe’s compatibility standards, eventually you’ll be running out of extensions that still work on versions 2.3.x and below. Without app updates, your store can fall behind the latest ecommerce technology, putting it on the back burner for new customers and potential markets.
Why Should You Upgrade to Adobe Commerce 2.4?
The above examples are just a few of the risks of using an older version of Adobe Commerce. While delaying the upgrade can keep your store running smoothly for a while, eventually you’ll be facing security and usability issues that will not only compromise the quality of your store, but cost you more in the long run.
There’s only one surefire way to avoid these large-scale mishaps, and that’s a Magento 2.3 to Magento 2.4 upgrade.
The benefits of upgrading to Adobe Commerce 2.4.x include:
- Official security upgrades and patches
- Access to the latest features and enhancements
- Better performance
- PCI compliance
- Continued support from the developer team
- Priority support tickets
- Compatibility with new and existing Marketplace extensions
Upgrade from Adobe Commerce 2.3 to 2.4 with Above the Fray
Why should you work with professionals to upgrade your website? It’s simple: you want something done the right way, and you’ll want it done once. Upgrading your platform version can be complex depending on the number of integrations you have in place and the complexity of your code. At Above the Fray, we have extensive experience helping businesses make the leap from Adobe Commerce 2.3 to 2.4. Reach out to us and we’ll help you ensure your website is upgraded successfully.
