Releasing New Product Updates
Many products periodically require updates of some kind. These updates can be for the purpose of addressing issues, preserving functionality, or improving the product. In any case, issuing new updates is a very important and common practice.
The recommend method for managing different updates to your product is Product Versioning. Product versions allow creators to name and number every single update and keep those updates organized.
This is beneficial because:
- You can more easily organize the files you have attached to a product
- Customers can easily select the version they need without having to wade through unrelated files
- Files pertaining to a particular release are grouped within their version, assuring customers don't inadvertently use the wrong files
- It is easier to ensure customers seeking support are running the latest version
- Notes from your changelog will be shown to existing customers on their receipt page and to prospective buyers on the product page
- With Support Periods enabled, customers will need to continue supporting you in order to access new versions
- Customers who configure Superhive as a remote repository will be able to see available updates within Blender and install them with a single click
When using product versions, customers who have connected their Blender instance to their Superhive account will see new versions show as available updates:
In terms of customer communication, creators are encouraged to make use of creator emails to inform past customers of new product updates. Customers appreciate learning when new versions are or will be available and what those changes contain.