Blog

Blesta 5.0 Released

January 13, 2021 | Posted by Paul


Blesta 5.0 is now available! This major release includes upgrades to Bootstrap, jQuery, Font Awesome, and many other libraries, and significantly increases the system requirements. Also included is a new navigation editor, logo uploader, VAT VIES integration, system wide support for emoji’s, improved staff area for mobile devices, and much more. This release paves the way for the next generation of updates.

Download 5.0

SHA256 Sum

2dce90f6543299de5c2b290f4b5dfe43ceaea359b990be56157205e89d2fa1a3

Version 5 is a major release. Check the system requirements before upgrading. If you are using any 3rd party extensions, check that they are compatible with v5 before upgrading. The upgrade process may take several minutes or more, please be patient. If you have SSH access, upgrade via CLI if possible. If upgrading via your browser, you may wish to extend your web server timeout to give the upgrade enough time to complete. BACKUP YOUR FILES + DATABASE PRIOR TO UPGRADING.

See the documentation for details on how to install or upgrade.

What’s new in 5.0?

  • Bootstrap v4, jQuery 3.5, Font Awesome 5, and updates to many other libraries.
  • Blesta now requires PHP 7.2+ (7.2 or 7.3 recommended), and MySQL 5.6.0 or MariaDB 10.0.5+.
  • The staff area is now responsive for better support on mobile devices.
  • Added a new Navigation Editor. The staff, client, and public navigation menus are fully editable.
  • Added a new Logo Uploader. Replacing the logo in the staff and client areas is super simple.
  • Added support for VAT verification through the EU VIES system.
  • Added emoji support system-wide, updating the database collation from utf8 to utf8mb4.
  • Table rows that can be expanded now include an expand icon in the client and staff interfaces.
  • Session names can now be defined in the config file, useful for several installs on the same domain.
  • Order Received email templates now include tags for all address fields.
  • File based monologs generated by the cron are now named differently to avoid permissions issues.
  • Ticket searches now include all ticket replies and notes.
  • Order forms can now be sorted on the order form listing page.
  • Updated the PostalMethods integration to use their new API for postal delivery of invoices.
  • Added the noVNC console to SolusVM.

See our beta announcement for more and the release notes for everything.

Developers

If you are a developer, you should review the version 5 Migration Guide and update your extensions if necessary.

Sponsored development is a good way to support Blesta and get a shout out for your company! Interested? Reach out and say hello.

Stay Connected!

Like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group and Subreddit, follow us on Twitter, and join us in Discord.

Tags:

Feature Highlight - Changing the Logo

January 7, 2021 | Posted by Paul


How do I upload my logo? Like editing the navigation, this too has become any increasingly common question. With version 5, changing the logo is really simple.

To change the logo in Blesta version 4.12 and older you must export the default theme, import it, then edit it to set the URL to your logo (which, by the way, you have to upload somewhere first). In Blesta version 5, changing the logo is incredibly simple. You can set the URL or relative path to your logo, or you can upload your logo directly through Blesta, and preview it before you save.

How does it work?

Watch the short video below!

  1. Visit Settings > Company > Look and Feel > Customize.
  2. Select the Client or Staff tab to change the respective logo.
  3. Enter the URL to your logo, or upload your logo and save.

Tip! To revert to the default Blesta logo, just change the theme to another and back.

Have you installed the 5.0 beta yet?

The ability to upload your logo was added in Blesta 5.0 (currently in beta as of this post), but you can install the beta and give it a try!

Feature Highlight - Navigation Editor

December 30, 2020 | Posted by Paul


How do I edit the navigation? This question has become increasingly common, so we implemented a new navigation editor.

In Blesta version 5 (currently in beta as of this post), you can create, delete, and sort navigation items for the staff, client, and public areas. Previously you had to either edit a template file, write your own plugin, or use a third party CMS plugin. Editing the navigation now is super simple and requires no code.

How does it work?

Watch the short video below!

  1. Visit Settings > Company > Look and Feel > Navigation.
  2. Create your own Actions (Navigation links) for the staff, client, or public navigation.
  3. Click to add or remove, and drag & drop to sort navigation links.

Tip! Drag items into a primary navigation item to make it a sub-navigation item.

Have you installed the 5.0 beta yet?

The Navigation Editor was added in Blesta 5.0 (currently in beta as of this post), but you can install the beta and give it a try!

Blesta 5.0 Beta Released

December 23, 2020 | Posted by Paul


We are pleased to announce that Blesta 5.0.0 BETA 1 has been released!

Can I participate in the beta?

If you have an owned or monthly license with us directly, you may download blesta-5.0.0-b1.zip in the client area now (Login Required). If you obtained your license from a reseller or distributor, you may be able to participate. Contact your reseller to find out. As with any beta, this release is for non-production use only and is unsupported. DO NOT UPGRADE YOUR PRODUCTION. During installation, choose to start a free trial, open a ticket to request a trial key, or use your dev license if you have one.

Once you are up and running, head to the forums to report any issues and let us know what you think! If you have a license and are verified or become verified on our Discord chat, you’ll have access to a license holder only beta forum.

Visit the Beta Forums! Visit Discord Chat!

New Navigation editor lets you drag & drop sort, remove items, and add your own nav elements.

(Caption: New Navigation editor lets you drag & drop sort, remove items, and add your own nav elements.)

So what is new in 5.0?

Blesta version 5.0 paves the way for the next generation of updates, increasing system requirements and removing deprecated code and superfluous libraries. It also includes new features like Bootstrap 4, a Staff, Client & Public Navigation Editor, improved staff area for mobile, emoji support system-wide, and more.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum system requirements were increased to the following:

  • PHP 7.2+ (7.2 or 7.3 recommended)
  • MySQL 5.6.0, or MariaDB 10.0.5+ (full-text index + utf8mb4 collation support required)
  • Ioncube loaders 10.1+ (Blesta no longer ships with hotfixes for older, now unsupported versions)

Updated Extensions

  • All extensions updated to support Bootstrap 4 and Font Awesome 5.
  • Order Manager updated to allow sorting of order forms, in addition to packages and package groups.
  • Support Manager ticket search now includes all replies and notes.
  • Support Manager ticket system and knowledge base now include support for emoji’s.
  • Twilio updated to use the latest SDK.
  • SolusVM updated to add support for noVNC console.
  • ISPManager updated to no longer require usernames start with a letter.
  • Square updated for compatibility with their latest API.
  • GoCardless updated to add support for USD and CAD.
  • 2Checkout renamed for compatibility with modern versions of composer.

Changes to the Core

  • Upgraded Bootstrap v3 to Bootstrap v4.
  • Added a new Navigation Editor. Staff, Client, and public navigation items can be sorted and created.
  • Added support for uploading a logo for use in the Staff and Client areas.
  • The Staff area was improved for mobile devices.
  • Added support for VAT verification through VIES.
  • Added emoji support system-wide, updating the character set from utf8 to utf8mb4.
  • Session names can now be renamed in the config file. Useful for multiple installs on the same domain.
  • Order Received and Order Received (Mobile) email templates now include additional tags for Address 2, City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code, and Country.
  • File based monologs generated by the cron are now named differently.

Changes for Developers

  • All deprecated code and libraries have been removed.
  • Bootstrap, jQuery, Font Awesome, and other libraries have been updated.
  • System Requirements have been increased.

Client Template Changes

  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/_404.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_accounts.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_accounts_add.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_accounts_cc_info.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_accounts_editach.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_accounts_editcc.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_contacts.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_contacts_add.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_contacts_contact_info.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_contacts_edit.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_contacts_phone_numbers.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_dialog_confirm.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_dialog_password.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_emails.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_invoices.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_invoices_applied.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_login.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_login_confirmreset.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_login_forgot.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_login_otp.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_login_reset.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_main_card.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_main_edit.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_main_getcurrencyamounts.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_main_invoicemethod.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_main_myinfo.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_maintenance.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_pay.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_pay_confirm.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_pay_method.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_pay_multiple_invoices.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_addaddon.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_addons.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_cancel.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_changeterm.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_configure_addon.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_manageoptions.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_package_options.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_review.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_service_infobox.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_serviceinfo.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_tabs.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_totals.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_services_upgrade.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/client_transactions_applied.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/message.pdt updated
  • /app/views/client/bootstrap/structure.pdt updated

Staff Template Changes

  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_billing.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_billing_invoiceapplied.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_billing_printqueue.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_billing_services.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_billing_transactionapplied.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_add.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_addcontact.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_addnote.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_addservice_basic.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_createinvoice.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_edit.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_editcontact.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_editinvoice.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_editnote.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_editrecurinvoice.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_editservice_basic.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_editserviceaddons.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_email.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_emails.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_invoiceapplied.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_invoices.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_makepaymentamount.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_notes.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_packages.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_phones.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_recordpayment.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_serviceinfo.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_services.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_stickynote_list.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_stickynotes.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_transactionapplied.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_transactions.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_clients_view.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_automation.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_billing_addcoupon.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_billing_coupons.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_billing_customization.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_billing_editcoupon.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_billing_notices_form.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_client_options_addcustomfield.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_client_options_customfields.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_client_options_editcustomfield.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_currencies_active.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_emails_addsignature.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_emails_editsignature.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_emails_edittemplate.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_emails_signatures.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_emails_templates.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_gateways_available.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_gateways_installed.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_general_contacttypes.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_general_humanverification.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_groups.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_groups_add.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_groups_edit.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_lookandfeel_actions.pdt new
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_lookandfeel_addaction.pdt new
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_lookandfeel_customize.pdt new
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_lookandfeel_editaction.pdt new
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_lookandfeel_layout.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_lookandfeel_layout_tab.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_lookandfeel_navigation.pdt new
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_messengers_available.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_messengers_installed.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_modules_addgroup.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_modules_available.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_modules_editgroup.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_modules_installed.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_plugins_available.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_plugins_installed.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_plugins_settings_actions.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_taxes_basic.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_taxes_rules.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_company_themes.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_main.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_main_calendar.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_myinfo.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages_options_add.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages_options_addgroup.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages_options_edit.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages_options_editgroup.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages_add.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages_addgroup.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages_edit.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages_editgroup.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_packages_groups.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_reports_customize.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_settings_company.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_settings_system.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_api.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_automation.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_companies.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_general_basic.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_general_geoip.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_general_paymenttypes.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_help.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_staff_add.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_staff_addgroup.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_staff_edit.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_staff_editgroup.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_staff_groups.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_system_staff_manage.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_tools_gatewayloglist.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_tools_logemail.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/admin_tools_moduleloglist.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/config.json updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/message.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/settings_leftnav.pdt updated
  • /app/views/admin/default/structure.pdt updated

Note Regarding Hotfixes

Blesta no longer supports versions older than PHP 7.2, so there is no longer a need to ship hotfixes.

See the release notes for more details on this release.

Is there something you want to see in Blesta? Create a new feature request or upvote an existing one!

When is the final release?

Version 5.0 will be officially released after the beta phase has completed, which we expect to happen soon. Once we deem 5.0 stable for production, a final release will be issued. You can help speed things along by participating in the beta!

Blesta 4.12.3 Patch Released

November 19, 2020 | Posted by Paul


We are pleased to announce the released of Blesta 4.12.3, which addresses bugs discovered in the 4.12.0 branch. A big thanks to everyone who participated in helping to make Blesta better by reporting and confirming bugs on our forums and discord chat, we appreciate your help!

The release notes are available at https://docs.blesta.com/display/support/4.12.3.

Always run /admin/upgrade in your browser after patching or upgrading your installation. Patch releases may only be applied to the minor release to which it belongs. Only apply the patch if you are running 4.12.0, 4.12.1, or 4.12.2. If you are running an earlier version, you must download the full release.

Download 4.12.3 Patch Download 4.12.3 Full

SHA256 Sum

% blesta-4.12.3.zip
49a79ff9811b64bcc4d70608c1f2635c12e8843693ade410fc0a04d991139d51

% blesta-4.12.0-4.12.3.zip
7ba76b074353f6e0b043279bb5da9b07f0d3e124f968c05923a0c35cda48a9ed

To patch your installation, please follow the instructions for Patching an Existing Install from our user manual.