Challenges Ahead

Upgrading projects from TYPO3 v7 to v8 is already much easier than an upgrade of older versions, but our aim is to improve this process even further. An upgrade to the latest LTS version should always be as simple as possible with a minimum of effort. TYPO3 developers have already created some nice features and useful extensions to detect and report if specific actions are required. The new extension scanner, which is already part of the new system maintenance area (formerly known as Install Tool) in TYPO3 v9, provides a detailed overview what needs to be done to accomplish a successful migration to the next version of TYPO3.

We understand that TYPO3 still lacks functionality to support web developers to launch new websites with ease in a modern way. Two features worth mentioning are frontend editing and speaking URLs out-of-the-box. Both should be TYPO3 core features, rather than added by extensions.

The TYPO3 backend should also focus more on the target audience, namely editors, integrators and site administrators. On one hand it‘s beneficial to keep elements positioned where they have been for the last decade in order to make it easy for users to work with new versions. On the other hand, web technologies are continuously evolving and modern concepts often improve usability. We aim to continue balancing these two conflicting needs in TYPO3 v9.

These facts are convincing enough to set a high priority on making life easier for integrators and site administrators. No matter if the installation they are responsible for is small or big.

That’s why a focus for TYPO3 v9 is making the upgrade process easy and straightforward and to simplify the processes to set up new sites and maintain existing installations.

Let’s discuss these points in a little bit more detail.