When managing a powerful digital experience platform like Pimcore–you tend to focus on your daily tasks rather than regular system upgrades.
However, as someone who has worked on several Pimcore projects, I’ve seen firsthand the risks of delaying updates. And the benefits of staying current.
In this post, I’ll share real-life experiences to illustrate why upgrading Pimcore is essential, whether you’re a project manager or a decision-maker evaluating the cost and effort.
This guide will help you understand the importance of regular updates—and how we can support you through the process.
Why Should You Upgrade?
Upgrading Pimcore is about more than just getting the latest bells and whistles. Here are the top reasons why it’s worth the effort:
Access to new possibilities
Depending on older versions prevents you from taking advantage of Pimcore's new features and developments. In 2021, Bernhard Rusch, a Pimcore member, announced the end of life for Pimcore 5 and older versions in a GitHub conversation, further stating that Pimcore has decided to shut down the update servers for those versions, effective September 10, 2021.
Better Security
Pimcore implemented CSP as a default setting in version 11 to ensure solid protection from security risks. Using older versions of Pimcore doesn't automatically mean you are at risk of security vulnerabilities. But upgrading your version brings with it added security measures.
Improved Performance
Modern versions use optimized technologies for faster performance, smoother operations, and better scalability.
Think of upgrades as regular maintenance on your car. Skipping them might save time now, but the costs—and risks—can escalate dramatically over time.
Better User Experience
The latest versions of Pimcore focus on improving user experience and allowing users to pick and choose whatever features they need without losing core functionalities. This new architecture can be compared to the composable commerce approach.
What many once regarded as a monolithic all-in-one suite is now more flexible and fine-tunable to various needs.
What Happens When You Delay?
Here are a couple of stories from my own experience that highlight the challenges of postponing upgrades.
The Case of the Expanding Codebase
One client decided to delay upgrading their Pimcore instance, preferring to focus on adding custom features.
Over time, their codebase grew more complex, integrating third-party APIs and bespoke workflows.
When they finally decided to upgrade, the process turned into a massive project. We had to:
Refactor custom code to align with updated APIs.
Address conflicts with deprecated functionalities.
Conduct comprehensive testing to ensure stability.
The delayed upgrade, combined with the added complexity, required a lot of time and budget—far more than if we had updated incrementally.
The PHP-to-Twig Migration
In another project, we built a custom print feature using PHP templates. At the time, Pimcore supported PHP, but a later version introduced Twig as the standard templating engine.
Unfortunately, the client chose to delay their upgrade, which meant:
We had to rewrite the print templates in Twig to maintain compatibility.
The project timeline increased as we retested the entire feature for bugs.
Had they upgraded earlier, this migration would have been simpler and less expensive.
Unseen Risks of Staying on Older Versions
Sometimes, the cost of not upgrading isn’t immediately obvious. Over time, I’ve noticed certain issues crop up in projects where clients stuck to older Pimcore versions:
Browser Compatibility Issues: Features like the grid view and GraphQL editor started breaking due to browser updates. Modern browsers blocked older JavaScript frameworks, leaving clients with buggy interfaces.
Outdated Integrations: Third-party tools and APIs often discontinue support for older versions, creating roadblocks for businesses that rely on them.
In almost every case, these problems were resolved by upgrading to the latest Pimcore version.
What If Upgrading Isn’t Feasible Right Now?
I get it—sometimes upgrades aren’t immediately possible. Whether it’s budget constraints, tight deadlines, or complex dependencies, some businesses find themselves stuck. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Here’s where we come in:
Custom Solutions: If a critical feature is missing or a bug remains unresolved in your version, we can step in to build a bespoke solution or patch.
Feature Compatibility: Need a new Pimcore feature but can’t upgrade yet? We can integrate similar functionality into your existing setup.
Upgrade Planning: If you’re ready to upgrade but unsure how to proceed, we’ll guide you step-by-step, minimizing disruptions and ensuring a smooth transition.
Why Upgrading Saves Time and Money
Upgrading Pimcore on a regular basis is the most cost-effective way to maintain your digital platform. Here’s why:
Smaller Changes, Easier Implementation: Incremental and iterative updates are far less disruptive than tackling a major upgrade after several years.
Lower Costs: By avoiding large-scale migrations, you save on development and testing expenses.
Future-Proofing: Regular upgrades keep your system aligned with modern standards, ensuring compatibility with browsers, APIs, and third-party tools.
3 Ways to Upgrade Your Pimcore Installation
Here are three ways you can upgrade your Pimcore version:
In-place Production Server Upgrade
This method upgrades Pimcore directly on the production server, modifying the existing code and data structure without needing additional infrastructure. While this method won't cost as much, it potentially involves risks like data integrity issues and longer application downtime. To avoid complications, I recommend carefully backing up your data and testing extensively in a staging environment.
Local Upgrade with Data Transfer to Production
The upgrade is performed first on a local (non-production) environment, after which the updated database is uploaded to the production server. This method reduces the risk of database corruption.
However, this process also involves a longer application downtime as it is necessary to shut down the production environment during the upgrade.
Exporting Data from old to new versions
In this method, the update is done by transferring data between systems using files. Here, the application is updated directly from the old to the new version (e.g., from v5 to v10) instead of incrementally.
This approach will benefit small and simple projects, but not very much for larger projects due to the time-consuming nature of importing and exporting data.
Let’s Talk About Your Pimcore Needs
The good news is that you don't have to perform any of the steps in the previous section. This is where we step in!
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your Pimcore instance or need help implementing an important feature, we’re here to help.
From custom development to upgrade planning, we have the expertise to ensure your Pimcore system is up-to-date and meets your business goals.
Get in touch today to discuss your next steps. Let’s make your Pimcore project faster, more secure, and ready for the future.
