Prerequisites for upgrading IBM eMessage

Before you upgrade IBM eMessage, confirm that your operating system, hardware and software, and network and database resources meet the current requirements for all installed Unica applications, including the current version of IBM eMessage.

For specific current requirements, see the Recommended Software Environments and Minimum System Requirements document. The IBM eMessage requirements appear in a separate section and might differ from the requirements for the current version of Unica Campaign.

The version of IBM eMessage that you are using determines the upgrade path you must follow.

Upgrading to the latest version of Unica Campaign and IBM eMessage does not affect your hosted email account settings. You can resume mailing after you complete the upgrade.

When changes to the IBM eMessage system tables are part of an upgrade, HCL provides the necessary schema upgrade scripts and procedures.

If you never used IBM eMessage before, the upgrade installs the necessary IBM eMessage files. However, IBM eMessage is not enabled for use. After you run the Unica installer in the upgrade mode, you must complete the pre-deployment configuration steps forIBM eMessage.

To use IBM eMessage to send email, you must contact HCL to purchase a hosted email subscription. For information about how to configure IBM eMessage after you purchase an email subscription, see the IBM eMessage Startup and Administrator's Guide.

Scheduling an IBM eMessage upgrade

To upgrade IBM eMessage you must stop system components and take interfaces offline. An upgrade also interferes with uploading and downloading data from IBM Hosted Services. To avoid issues, schedule the upgrade for a time when there is minimal demand on the system. Use the following guidelines when you upgrade IBM eMessage:
  • Avoid upgrading when marketing users need to update recipient lists and recipient data.
  • Avoid upgrading when marketing users need to run standard mailings or mailings that require close monitoring.
  • Allow enough time to provide advance notice to all users about when you plan to begin the upgrade.
  • Do not upgrade your IBM eMessage installation when scheduled mailings are configured to run.
  • Schedule the upgrade to occur immediately after you upgrade Unica Platform.

Completing recipient list uploads

Running a Unica Campaign flowchart that contains an IBM eMessage process causes Unica Campaign to automatically upload recipient list data as an Output List Table (OLT) to IBM Hosted Services. However, upgrade activities can interfere with OLT uploads.

To avoid OLT upload issues, HCL recommends that you schedule the upgrade for a time when there are no requirements to upload recipient list data. Before you begin the IBM eMessage upgrade, confirm that all Unica Campaign flowcharts that contain an IBM eMessage process have finished running.

To preserve in-progress recipient list configuration work, save your work and back up all local files and databases before starting the upgrade.
Note: Mailing configurations are saved in IBM Hosted services and are unaffected by the upgrade.