For almost all software, there is an end-of-life (EOL) moment: the point at which support and security updates cease. But what concrete consequences does this actually have for your webshop, and what choices will you face in this regard?
What is end-of-life software and what are the consequences for your webshop?
When software reaches end-of-life, the supplier no longer releases official updates, patches, or bug fixes. In other words: it marks the end of user support. For Sana 9.3, this moment will be at the end of 2025, according to the
announcement by Sana Commerce. We have previously written about end-of-life for
Magento and
Shopware.
At first glance, this may not seem like a major problem: if the software works well, you might not miss new features or improvements. Yet, there are more problems associated with this than you might think. For instance, outdated features can cause your webshop to become slow, and eventually, it will no longer be compatible with new technologies, browsers, and operating systems that are continuously being developed. This leads to functionality problems and a poor user experience, both backend and for the customer. That would be a shame.
Moreover: when software becomes end-of-life, it also means that no more security upgrades will follow. This makes your webshop more vulnerable to threats such as data breaches. This can have significant consequences for both your data and that of your customers.
End-of-life in SaaS
If you use SaaS (Software as a Service), the end-of-life scenario is slightly different. With traditional software, you often purchase a specific version that reaches its end-of-life moment over time. Because you use software via a subscription with SaaS platforms such as CloudSuite, the provider keeps the product up to date. Thus, as a user, you deal with end-of-life and its associated problems and concerns less often or not at all.
However, an end-of-life moment can also occur with SaaS, for example, if the provider decides to terminate the service or to no longer support a specific version of the software. Specific features within the software may also be replaced or removed. SaaS providers often announce this well in advance and communicate transition strategies. This gives you as a user ample time to prepare.
In short: it is essential to take into account the end-of-life moment of your provider. But when that moment comes, what do you do?
What choices do you have?
When it is announced that your current software has an end-of-life, there are several ways to deal with this. We list a few for you:
- Upgrading to the latest version: In many cases, software becomes end-of-life because the supplier releases a new version. If you are satisfied with your provider and the product, upgrading is then the most obvious choice. This way, you maintain access to support, updates, and new functionalities. The switch to a new version is not always easy. With SaaS solutions, the provider often facilitates the transition to a version, making migration much smoother.
- Replatforming: If upgrading to a new version is not possible, or if the software does not meet your needs, you can also choose to switch to another eCommerce platform such as CloudSuite. With replatforming, you need to consider potential migration challenges. Switching to other software takes time and internal resources, but brings long-term benefits for your webshop. Therefore, it is often more than worth the investment.
- Accepting Risk: Lastly, you can of course choose to do nothing and continue using the end-of-life software. This carries significant risks for both the use and operation as well as for the security of your data. We strongly advise against this option.
When making a choice, it's important to consider various factors, such as the costs of an upgrade or migration, the feasibility thereof, the impact on your business processes, and the security risks. Additionally, you can also take into account the long-term vision and strategy of your webshop, and of course the needs and expectations of your customers.
Making Your Webshop Future Proof
To make your webshop
future proof, it's important to prepare in time for the end-of-life moment of your eCommerce version. Establishing a plan and strategy for this ensures that the transition to a new version or a different provider goes as smoothly as possible, and that the impact on your webshop remains minimal.
In this strategy, you should include regularly updating your software and exploring alternative providers. In doing so, also make the following considerations:
- Open source platforms offer more control and customizability, but require more technical knowledge and maintenance. With SaaS, you get convenience and support, but have less customization options.
- With a best of breed strategy, you use software from multiple providers, so you have the best solution for every specialty. Think of eCommerce, PIM systems, or Digital Asset systems. Monolithic systems, on the other hand, are simpler to implement and manage, but less flexible. We will delve into this in a future blog.
You will face many choices when your eCommerce version reaches the end-of-life phase. Therefore, it's good to think about this in time: what are the current wishes of your company and your customers, and on which future trends and needs can you anticipate? With a clear strategy, you simplify the decision-making process and ensure that your webshop keeps running when the life cycle of your eCommerce version ends.
EN
Nederlands 
