What is the problem with updates?
With software hosted on your own server, a new release often means a ZIP file, an FTP client and someone who knows which directories not to overwrite. Someone needs server access and time to do it. The company is waiting for a suitable time, so the update gets postponed. In the meantime, a newer release may come out than the one installed at the company.
In Task Manager, the administrator installs new releases from the settings panel, usually without FTP. You only need manual file uploads for the first installation, and technical support only when the hosting doesn't allow the program to overwrite its own files.
What happens when you click “Install”?
The administrator handles updates in Settings → Updates. The program checks for new releases after logging in, periodically while the app is open, and when returning to the browser tab. When a new release appears, the administrator sees a red dot on the gear icon and next to the Updates tab. They also get a single notification per version. Other users don't see the dot or the message.
The tab shows the installed version, the code version and newer releases with their changelogs. Versions must be installed in order: only the next version’s button is active. After clicking Download, the programme displays a warning to back up the database and the uploads/ folder. You need to confirm it. The server downloads the package and checks its SHA-256 checksum.
After clicking Install, the progress bar shows database migrations, file copying and finalisation. The installer skips includes/config.php, uploads/, storage/ and logs/. At the end, the button changes to Refresh application.
What do you gain?
You don't have to arrange for someone with server access for every new release. You can choose an update time that fits your team's rhythm instead of waiting for an external person's free slot. Technical support is only needed once the hosting doesn't let the program overwrite its own files.
Before updating, you can check what the new release changes and decide whether it’s a good time to install it. You can put off the update if you’d rather do it at another time.
An everyday example
A design company has eight employees and uses the programme on its own server. The owner, who configured the programme previously, is the administrator.
On Wednesday morning, the owner sees a dot next to the cog icon. They read the changelog but put off the update: the team is deploying a project for a client that day. They return to it on Friday after 5 pm. They click Download, confirm the backup warning and back up the database and attachments folder. Then they click Install. The progress bar shows the migrations and file copying, and Refresh application appears at the end. They didn’t have to give anyone the server password.
A few months later, the company moves the program to a different hosting provider. There, the first update stops with a message about write permissions, because the new hosting doesn't let the program overwrite its own files. The owner asks the hosting company to fix the permissions and retries the update the next day.
Frequently asked questions
Does updating require FTP access to the server?
Usually not. After clicking Download, Task Manager downloads the package to the server and checks it, and after clicking Install it replaces the files. You'll need a technical person's help when the hosting doesn't allow the program to overwrite its own files. If the downloaded package has no auto-installer, the browser will save it to your disk and the program will show instructions for uploading via FTP.
Will the update delete my data and configuration?
The installer skips includes/config.php and the uploads/, storage/ and logs/ directories. It makes database changes itself through migrations. Before downloading the package, the program reminds you to back up the database and the attachments folder.
Can I skip straight to the latest version?
No. Task Manager releases must be installed in order. Only the next version’s button is active; subsequent versions are unlocked after the previous one has been installed.
Do I need a valid licence to update?
Yes. You can only download the new version's package with an active licence, and the update server only provides the release list for the key assigned to your installation's domain. Once the update entitlement stored in the key expires, the new version button shows a "Locked" state, and its tooltip gives the reason.
Do I have to pay for updates?
The first 12 months of updates are included in the price of the licence. After that, the annual renewal of access to new versions is optional - the program keeps working without it. Excl. VAT amounts are listed in the pricing.
Who in the team can see information about a new version?
Only Task Manager administrators can see information about a new release. They receive a notification and see a red dot on the cog icon. Other users won’t see these messages.