A timeline is defined to determine the availability of support and maintenance for a specific version of a Movicon software product. This policy is used by customers and partners to plan utilization and upgrade strategies for a software product.
Definition of Terms:
Support is access to product experts that can help end-users troubleshoot and solve problems regarding the application of an Emerson software product.
Maintenance is software releases that include bug fixes and enhancements.
Version is a specific release of a product that uses a numeric designation to identify it as a major release. Currently different schemes are used to designate a major release. The aim is to use the same designation for all MAS software.
Versioning is the sequence of numbers separated by dots to identify any different releases of the software.
Example: Movicon <X>.<Y>.<ZZZ> where:
X = Major Version (usually released every 3-5 years, and generally requires a license upgrade.
Y = Minor Version (usually released every year and is generally free of charge. It includes bug fixes and product improvements.
ZZZ = Build: (usually released 2-3 times a year free-of-charge and includes maintenance bug fixes only)
Software Versions Available for Ordering and Downloading
Only the Active version of a product can be ordered. This is because licenses are backwards compatible, so a license will support the active version at the time of purchase, and all previously released versions. A license upgrade is necessary to move to a higher or more current version.
All active and mature versions are available for download from the Customer Center.
Movicon version release policy
Product Versions
Movicon products use a sequence of numbers separated by dots to distinguish different releases of the software products. Specifically, when a software product has a new release, it will be given a unique sequence of numbers where the first number in the sequence identifies the major version. The second number identifies minor releases, and the third number identifies a simple maintenance update, for that version.
Example: Movicon.NExT 3.2.184
A license upgrade is usually needed to move from one “Major release” to another. License upgrading is to be established according to the corresponding sales policies.
Maintenance Releases for a Version
Each version has maintenance releases, that is identified by a “build” number which is the last number in the versioning number sequence. A maintenance release with bug fixes is made available when necessary, according to the maintenance policy in question. These releases are always free of charge and considered as maintenance releases.
Release Notes
Each version is described in a release note, release notes state and report all the changes made for each version. Any software changes are identified with a case number for product traceability and incompatibility purposes. Customers are strongly advised to read these release notes before installing new versions.
Current Movicon Software Status
Version |
State |
Release Date |
Active End Date |
Supported End Date |
4.0 |
Retired |
June 01, 2020 |
1-Jun-2023 |
1-Jun-2024 |
4.1 |
Retired |
1-Jun-2021 |
15-Sep-2024 |
15-Dec-2024 |
4.2 |
Supported |
15-Sep-2022 |
14-Feb-2026 |
14-Feb-2027 |
4.3 |
Active |
14-Feb-2024 |
30-May-2027 |
30-May-2028 |
4.4 |
Current |
30-May-2025 |
TBD |
TBD |
Lifecycle Definitions
Stato |
Definizione |
Livello di supporto |
Current |
The most recent release. This release is recommended for all new systems and major expansions. This is the version shipping by default for new orders.Once a minor release is issued for the current release, no further patches will be made to any previous minor release for the current release. |
|
Active |
The release replaced by the current release. Once a release becomes active it does not evolve beyond bug fixes. The active release is intended for the expansion of existing systems where the need for consistency at the site outweighs the features, performance, and longer-term potential of the Current release. Likewise, the timing just may not be right for the site to fully upgrade to the Current release.A major/minor release remains Active for 24 months from the date that a new Current release replaces it regardless of the number of patches applied to the version. |
|
Supported |
Once the 24-month period for an Active release expires it transitions to the state Supported. A release remains supported for 12 months after this transition. System lifecycle planning is encouraged at this time meaning customers should plan a time to upgrade to the Current or Active version. |
|
Retired |
Once the supported period expires a version is retired. Retired versions are not available for purchase.Users with an active Support Contract will receive technical support. However, all inquiries will be evaluated using the current version. For users that require full support on a retired version, contact Emerson to evaluate an optional custom/specialized support agreement. |
|
Refer to GFK-3260 for more information on our lifecycle policy.