TYPO3 upgrade & update

Do you want to upgrade your outdated TYPO3 installation to the latest version? Then you have come to the right place at MaxServ. With over 15 years of experience, you can trust that we will transfer your platform with all the care it deserves. We will extensively test it, and only go live once all and any issues have been taken care of. Would you like to know more about how we do this? You can read all about it on this page.

The benefits of upgrading your TYPO3 installation

Below you will find the benefits of upgrading your TYPO3 platform :

Your platform is provided with the best possible security thanks to the most up-to-date security standards.
Backend improvements with extended functionalities and improved user-friendliness.
Performance of, for instance, the speed and SEO of the platform are improved.
Technical improvements and the latest TYPO3 features .

When do you opt for an upgrade or a new TYPO3 platform?

The choice to upgrade an existing platform or to build a new platform varies per situation. In our experience, it is not always clear which is the best option because there are many reasons for either choice. An example is that problems often occur when transferring content and data to a newly built platform. In that case, an upgrade is often a better choice as long as the foundations of your platform are in order. Is the foundation of your platform not in order? Then a new platform may be the better choice, even though the content and data have to be transferred.

Because there is a lot to consider when making this choice, we advise you to contact us for a consultation. During this conversation we can discuss all requirements, wishes and other points, after which we can provide substantiated advice on the best approach for the situation.

Before a TYPO3 upgrade

Prior to a TYPO3 upgrade, it is important that both parties are well prepared. We don't want to run into problems afterwards or find out that 3rd-party modules are not compatible with your new version. Together with our customer, we ask ourselves the following questions (if applicable). We use this to map the online landscape:

Are there new requirements for the infrastructure?
What impact do the changes have on the rest of the technical landscape?
Are 3rd-party modules already compatible?
Which modules need to be replaced?
Have any modules become redundant?
Can we reduce technical debt?
What risks do we see with this upgrade?
Is there any ongoing work on the platform that will be affected by the upgrade?
Who fulfills which role during the upgrade process?
How does the customer wish to be included in communications and/or reports?
When we upgrade multiple platforms, we also identify synergy opportunities to avoid duplication of work.

After mapping the online landscape, we start working on the upgrade.

Which TYPO3 version should I upgrade to?
A TYPO3 upgrade can have an impact on your online landscape. We are happy to discuss this with you and provide advice. Some clients prefer to switch to the latest version to benefit from the newest features, while others are cautious about potential bugs and choose to upgrade to an older, more stable version.
Why is a TYPO3 upgrade important?
In the TYPO3 roadmap, you can see how long versions are supported with security patches. When your version is no longer supported, vulnerabilities can arise, leading to security risks. For this reason, it is wise to at least use a version that is within TYPO3’s "extended support." When this extended support is nearing its end, upgrading becomes a smart choice.
How does an upgrade work?
How does an upgrade work?
The technical steps during the upgrade project are as follows:
1. Start in a separate "branch" for the project. This ensures that the upgrade work can proceed without interfering with ongoing development in the current project.
2. Adjust the project’s base structure as needed. This could include changes required for a new TYPO3 version or adjustments to the underlying infrastructure.
3. Begin the basic TYPO3 upgrade by loading the new TYPO3 version via Composer, along with extensions already available for the new TYPO3 version.
4. Perform the first database upgrade, based on an automated process where we create a Shell script to run necessary commands and TYPO3 upgrade wizards. This script ensures the process can be repeated easily without missing any manual steps.
5. TYPO3 provides upgrade wizards to facilitate upgrading between two versions, allowing for direct upgrades, such as from version 10 to 12. If multiple versions are skipped, we ensure the wizards from previous versions are included as well.
6. Next, upgrade the extensions that weren’t initially available for the new TYPO3 version. In every project, this includes at least the "Site Package" extension, which is unique for each installation. We use the TYPO3 Rector tool for basic adjustments, reducing manual work and allowing us to focus on customized functionality or specific configuration/template changes in the extensions. The Shell script is expanded with custom upgrade wizards as needed for extensions.
7. Each component is reviewed internally by multiple team members to assess the quality of the upgrade.
8. Once all components are complete, we have a fully working version in the upgrade branch. At this stage, any changes made to the current/old TYPO3 version during the upgrade process are reviewed and incorporated into the new version if necessary.
9. The updated code is then deployed to an environment for testing. During the deployment, the current production database undergoes the automated upgrade process, ensuring that the most up-to-date data is used.
10. After approval of the upgrade, the upgrade branch is merged into the main branch (the normal OTAP pipeline), and the go-live can be scheduled.
How long does upgrading a TYPO3 platform take?
The duration of an upgrade depends heavily on the following factors:
- How large is the platform?
- How many extensions does the platform contain?
- How many of the extensions are already compatible with the new version?
- How many of the extensions are custom-made?
- How many of them need to be completely rebuilt or replaced with new functionality?
- How many versions are being upgraded (the more versions in between, the more likely there will be significant changes)?
- Does the infrastructure require significant adjustments?
For example, we've had upgrades that took up to three quarters of a year before the platform could go live, but also platforms that were nearly ready for launch within two weeks.
Are there risks associated with an upgrade?
Upgrades often come with challenges. By conducting thorough testing, we mitigate risks and ensure that nothing goes live that doesn’t work. Additionally, with over 15 years of TYPO3 experience, we have gained extensive knowledge and expertise, allowing us to always identify and solve any issues that arise.
What are the costs of a TYPO3 upgrade?
Just like the project duration, the costs are highly dependent on the size of the platform and the amount of extensions and custom work involved. We can only provide an accurate answer after we have assessed the platform.