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ProductCart Version 5.5

ProductCart v5.5 is finally here and providing a number of helpful features and added security that will advance your store in the right direction! Versions 5.2.1 and higher are compatible with this upgrade.

What's New in Version 5.5?

ProductCart v5.5 is the next update from v5.4.1 and includes the following updates:

IMPORTANT NOTE : The enhancements listed above are NOT optional.

Why is this being done this way?

This is because many of the past integrations have been or will be sunset by companies that provide those services. It is our goal to make these important services forward compatible into the foreseeable future without interruption to our merchants.

There are major changes to the following:

  • PayPal Commerce Platform and Authorize API capture and process credit cards differently compared to the previous legacy solutions. This is due to PCI compliance, security and gateway requirements. The legacy PayPal and Authorize gateway integrations will no longer be supported.
  • USPS shipping integration requires you to create an Enterprise Payment System (EPS) account at USPS to successfully return rates. This process takes 2-3 days, so make sure you do this before upgrading if you use USPS! It also involves 
  • PayPal, Authorize.net, UPS OAuth 2, and USPS require onboarding after installation.
  • Database Requirements. You must use SQL Server 2016 or newer for v5.5 to work.

Please read related support articles linked in the above list, search our knowledgebase, or reach out to ProductCart support with any questions.

Are There Install Instructions to Version 5.5?

If you are ready to move forward with the installation of v5.5, keep scrolling down to the Installing ProductCart Version 5.5 section below or click here!

Why Upgrade to ProductCart Version 5.5?

The biggest reason you'd want to upgrade you is for the latest Payment Gateway and Shipping Integrations, as well as, some key security updates. These items can be upgraded individually through our library of past updates, but upgrading to ProductCart v5.5 will ensure you get every critical upgrade since v5.4.1 PLUS any bug fixes and improvements we've made along the way.

1. The Older Payment Gateways Are Legacy

Our version 5.5 payment integrations with PayPal and Authorize.net are programmed around the newest standards which are recommended by both companies. This was needed as the previous gateway versions are either losing support or will be deprecated in the future. In addition, using the new standards ensures maximum security when customers pay at checkout.

2. The Older Shipping Services Have Sunset

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced the retirement of its legacy Web Tools API platform, which includes various online shipping integrations. The official sunset date for these services is January 25, 2026. It is best to read line up all the necessary IDs and keys before installing v5.5 to ensure no break in service, as the EPS can take 2-3 days to set up.

The Traditional UPS Online Tools has been phased out and transitioned back on June 2024 to the current  OAuth 2.0 authentication integration. This means if you decide to use UPS for shipping or continue using UPS, you need this update. 

3. Google Analytics 4 is the New Standard

Since July 2023, Google has sunset Universal Analytics and fully transitioned to using Google Analytics 4. In ProductCart v5.5, you can input your Google Analytics Measurement ID directly into the Store Settings and begin tracking both traffic stats and ecommerce events like Purchases, Revenue, Products Viewed, and Checkout Interactions. These events can be seen automatically without any additional code added to your ProductCart store. However, if you want more control over your events, or, wish to incorporate Google Ads into your advertising, Google Tag Manager works just as good for tracking Google Analytics with the proper GA4 tags added.

4. Faceted Search Helps Customers Find Products

This update give the ability for any Apparel Module stores to turn on a visual search filter where customer can search products by using category and attribute tags. For example, if you sell shoes which have categories like "Boots, Dress, Running, and Sandals" which come in different attributes like "sizes" and "colors," you could use Faceted Search to allow customers to search "Dress" and "Running" shoes which are both in the color "black" and in sizes 9 and 10. This tool helps customer more quickly find the exact products they are looking for, saving them time and creating more selling opportunities for your products.

Where Can I Find Version 5.5 Upgrade?

 All ProductCart clients who have the Support & Updates Plan will see the this upgrade through the Control Panel main navigation under HELP > Check for Updates. You can then download the files and choose the appropriate file set (according to your version) to upgrade your store.

Will This Upgrade Delete Past Updates?

If your ProductCart store is either v5.2.1, v5.3 or v5.4, the ProductCart v5.5 upgrade will not delete or negate any previous updates released by our ProductCart team through the Support and Updates Plan. However, we do not guarantee custom modifications to the code will maintain functionality or upgrade with our install set error free. We recommend if you have custom modifications to your ProductCart store, to please consult with a knowledgeable person or agency which can handle this for you.

INSTALLING PRODUCTCART VERSION 5.5

How To Upgrade Your ProductCart to v5.5

NOTE: As a precaution, we recommend that you back up your SQL Database and website prior to its installation.

REQUIREMENTS BEFORE INSTALLING v5.5.0

  • You must have v5.2.1 or higher installed prior.
  • You must use SQL Server 2016 or newer.
  • PayPal & Authorize gateways have significant changes and require onboarding again. Read support articles for all precautions to take.
  • USPS shipping integration requires you to create an Enterprise Payment System (EPS) account at USPS to successfully return rates.

INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Unzip the v5.5 install set.
  2. Copy its contents over the same contents in your ProductCart site.
  3. Copy the contents of the 'pcadmin' folder into the renamed (if applicable) admin folder of your site.
  4. Sign in to your Control Panel and you will be automatically routed to the v5.5.0 upgrade page (see screenshot below).
  5. Ensure you read all of the major change items before checking them. The following are the support articles about major changes to your integrations. If you have any of the following installed, they will continue to function without any issue.
    1. PayPal Commerce Platform
    2. Authorize.net API 
    3. USPS Shipping 
    4. UPS OAuth 2.0 
    5. Faceted Search 

v5-5-Checklist-Install-Screen

When all items have been checked and you see all green checkmarks at the bottom, you may click the "Start the Upgrade" button to complete the installation.

If you have any questions or would like a quote on upgrading to ProductCart v5.5, please email us at help@productcart.com.