Best practice: ProCall 8 Enterprise upgrade – process for major release changes
March 2024
Introduction
This manual describes the essential steps and important notes for a smooth transition from previous ProCall Enterprise versions to ProCall 7 Enterprise, in order to make the new functions and enhancements available without loss of accessibility or data.
This guide basically describes the recommended process for updating an existing installation.
This Best Practice Guide is directed exclusively at experienced administrators, ideally estos certified and trained partners. Upgrading ProCall Enterprise in the event of a major release change requires detailed knowledge and authorization.
Before performing an upgrade, check the system requirements.
Notes before installation
Licenses
Please note that when upgrading from previous ProCall Enterprise versions to 8.x, a new online licensing procedure takes effect.
The license is entered and checked via UCConnect as of ProCall 8 Enterprise version 8.0. Therefore, the UCServer requires a permanently stable internet connection to UCConnect.
UCConnect and internet connection
Information about the corresponding ports and network shares can be found here:
Release ports for estos products – which network interfaces are used?
Compare client and UCServer versions
Before upgrading, please note that ProCall clients and apps must also be upgraded to the version corresponding to the current version of the UCServer. UCServer and clients are usually only compatible with each other in the same major release variant. For example, clients with version 6.x cannot access UCServer 8.x.
For a transition period, ProCall 7 Enterprise clients can connect to a UCServer 8.x, but this is not recommended for permanent production use.
Migrating data stocks
Schedule sufficient time for the migration of large data sets for the transfer of previous chats, for example.
Ensure compatibility of estos product combinations
Please note that when using several estos products in combination, the respective product versions (major releases) must be compatible and may have to be upgraded as well. New licenses or upgrade licenses may also be required here.
Please note the respective system requirements.
In the respective current Release Notes you will find which estos products are compatible with ProCall 8 Enterprise as a product combination.
Recommended order
You should first upgrade the server installation and then promptly upgrade the client versions and apps.
After updating the ProCall Enterprise clients to version 7, they can no longer be operated with an older UCServer version.
Preparations
Update software
An upgrade to ProCall version 7.x can only be made from the previous version 6.x.
Note the upgrade order for older ProCall versions
There is no direct upgrade path from older versions. Older versions must first be updated to the latest version (last service release) within a major release. To upgrade, you must first perform all upgrade steps of the versions in between, e.g. upgrade from ProCall 4 Enterprise to ProCall 5 Enterprise, followed by an upgrade from ProCall 5 Enterprise to ProCall 6 Enterprise. Only then can you upgrade to the major release 7.x.
Update von ProCall 7 Enterprise
Update your installation to the latest version (last service release) of ProCall 7 Enterprise (min. 7.5.3).
The latest version 7.6.3.xxxx can be downloaded from the Download area at estos.
Update from ProCall 6 Enterprise (EOL)
Update your installation to the latest version (last service release) of ProCall 6 Enterprise (at least 6.4.21.4987).
The latest version 6.4.x.xxxx can be downloaded from the Download area at estos.
Update from ProCall 5 Enterprise (EOL)
Update your installation to the latest version (last service release) of ProCall 5 Enterprise (at least 5.1.113.47026). You can download version 5.1.150.1846 under this URL from the archive in the Download area at estos.
Update from ProCall 4 Enterprise (EOL)
Update your installation to the latest version of ProCall 4 Enterprise (at least 4.1.40.37636). You can download version 4.1.40.37636 under this URL from the archive in the Download area at estos.
Back up data
Before you start the upgrade of the installation, please make sure to export all data in the UCServer under File >> Data export and, if possible, make a backup of the existing installation. If you operate the UCServer with a Microsoft SQL Server database connection, it is recommended that you create a backup of the database first.
See also: Best Practice: ProCall 8 Enterprise Upgrade-Verfahren bei Major Release Wechsel
Prepare user administration
Internal user administration
If you use the internal user administration on the UCServer, no special preparations are necessary for the update.
Active Directory/Schema extension
If you want to continue to use Active Directory as a data source for users, groups and computers, and a schema extension has been made, you only need to extend it if a schema extension older than that used by ProCall 6 is currently in use.
Schema extension compatibility
The schema extension of ProCall 8 Enterprise is compatible with older versions (at least 5.1.113.47026) of ProCall Enterprise. Parallel operation of different versions on one Active Directory is thus possible. I.e. you can continue to operate your existing installation simultaneously with a version of ProCall 8 Enterprise.
Compare product combinations
If you use ProCall in conjunction with other estos products, you must update them to a version compatible with ProCall 7. For example, ProCall Analytics at least to version 3.0.0,2975, to be able to use it further.
This may require new licenses. Performing an upgrade.
Perform upgrade
Evaluation, reinstallation, incremental migration or upgrade
Without considering special cases, the following graphic shows the recommended procedure for certain upgrade scenarios.
- There is nothing specific to consider in an evaluation.
- Even with a new installation, there is nothing special to consider. You only have to decide whether you also have to perform the schema extension of the Active Directory as described above.
- If you want to perform a step-by-step migration, you must first perform a new installation. Afterwards, you have the possibility to migrate users and user groups step by step.
- When updating the software, all data and settings on the server are automatically transferred or migrated, but this means that all version 6 clients are no longer connected and must be updated immediately.
Server software upgrade
Stop all estos services on the server before updating:
- estos UCServer
- estos UC Web Server
- estos UC Media Server
During the software update, the ProCall Enterprise installation is not functional and cannot be used. Please take all necessary organizational measures for preparation in good time.
Install the UCServer installation package on the same server as your current ProCall Enterprise installation. When updating the software, all data and settings on the server are automatically transferred or migrated.
Database conversion
During the upgrade, the journal and chat database are converted to the new ProCall 8 Enterprise schema and are thus no longer backward compatible with older versions of ProCall Enterprise.
Access database
As of ProCall 8 Enterprise, there is no longer support for using the Access database as a server database. If you are unsure about how to proceed, please consult our support.
Updating the client software
ProCall Enterprise for the Windows workstation
The clients can either be updated manually at each workstation by calling the installation program or rolled out using the UCServer software distribution. If you have installed the automatic client update service in this version, the new client software is installed without any user interaction. All client-specific settings are also applied. The favorites and lines are obtained directly from the server and were already modified when the server was updated.
ProCall mobile – native apps for iOS and Android
For the ProCall mobile apps, you can initiate the update on each mobile device from the App Store ("ProCall mobile") or invite app users via the Configure and invite users function... Send a notification by e-mail in the "Online services" section of the UCServer administration, in which the information for the start of the new mobile app version is made available.
Completing the upgrade
Most settings are either converted and applied directly (in case of an upgrade) or can be exported and re-imported (in case of migration or evaluation on another server).
See also: Best Practice: ProCall 8 Enterprise Upgrade-Verfahren bei Major Release Wechsel
UCServer publication – WebService
In order for the UCServer to be licensed and accessible by clients or mobile apps from outside the network via the Internet, you must enable a connection to UCConnect.
Port releases can be found here:
Release ports for estos products – which network interfaces are used?
MultiLine TSP
If you use the Multiline TSP for Terminal Server to obtain lines from the UCServer, you must also update them to the new version so that these lines are available again after the update.
Calendar replicator
If you use the calendar replicator to synchronize the calendars on the server-side, you must also update the server to the new version.
SIP and XMPP proxy
If you use the SIP or XMPP proxy, you must also update this to the new version.
Individual adjustments via user-defined templates
User-defined templates stored in the "templates" folder in the UCServer program directory may have to be copied manually into the equivalent folder of the UCServer. Please check again that the template works correctly.
Business Process Integration (BPI)
If integrations such as call/communication window extensions or XSLT adjustments have been carried out on the ProCall Enterprise client, these must be checked for functionality after the update, before transitioning to regular operation.
If necessary, please refer to the information under
Starting with ProCall 8 Enterprise, you can also make adjustments to the call window and contact details easily via a web editor:
Management via Microsoft Group Policy
If you manage the UCServer via Microsoft Group Policies, do not forget to also update or check the ADM/ADMX templates for Microsoft Group Policy and Active Directory.
ProCall Enterprise SDK
Customizations with the ProCall Enterprise SDK must also be reactivated and verified.