Upgrade questions

[SteveeF]

I am running version Zen Cart 1.3.8a
Is there a real need to upgrade to the latest version? I understand its better security wise but are there any other benefits?
Also how long does it take to install by a competant person?
many thanks
Ste

[kobra]

Is there a real need to upgrade to the latest version?

YES - there are too many vulnerabilities in the version your are using

I understand its better security wise but are there any other benefits?

What more are you wanting??
Security of your business and your customers is paramount or should be

Also how long does it take to install by a competant person?

Fully depends upon the number of addons and/or customization you have

[SteveeF]

OK so which version is the most stable to upgrade to?
I have two add ons currently and am using the standard template with my own colour choices, banner and side box selections, so if somebody can tell me the time it should take an experienced person to update Id be more than grateful as I have been quoted what seems like a lot of money to do this and dont really want to get ripped off!
Ste

[kobra]

so which version is the most stable to upgrade to?

Version 1.3.9h

I have two add ons currently and am using the standard template with my own colour choices

Depends upon what add ons you have

[kuroi]

The current version is 1.3.9h which is stable. There is a beta release for 1.5, but you shouldn't use that on a live site.

When Kobra said that the effort to upgrade would depend on the number of add-ons, he didn't mean that the cost is a multiple of them. So it would also depend on what they were and any custom changes, and on how thoroughly the upgrade process is followed.

At one end of the scale there are people who will do a near forensic examination of your site, cleaning up any problems found as they go and setting up before and after sites for you to examine the work and sign off.

And at the other there are people who will quote you a fixed price without even knowing what add-ons you have.

You need to find the right balance between speed, quality and cost. The questions to consider are how much does your site make for you. If it's not a lot, then cheap and quick might be the right answer for you. If you have a dozen people processing orders and make several million a year from it, then you'll probably want a more thorough job done.

[SteveeF]

Makes sense, although its hard to know how thorough the upgrader will be at the start!
Much food for thought though.
Ste

[kuroi]

It is, especially since you're employing them as you're not claiming to be an expert yourself.

I'd ask questions. How many upgrades have they done? What's their process? How do they test that everything's working afterwards? How long after will they be available to fix any problems?

And look at what they ask you too. Are they asking about your add-ons and custom changes or quoting you a price without knowing? If it's the latter, odds are they're just going to slap the new files over the top of the old ones without caring whether that would break anything.

[SteveeF]

I have hired somebody through Odesk they seem technologically knowledgeable so we`ll see what happens.:-)
Ste