Every software product or its version has a lifecycle, beginning at its release and ending at the end of its availability (the “Recommended Age”). This page describes the Tekla Software Lifecycle Policy (the “Policy”) giving general information on the basic principles for maintaining commercial Tekla software versions and Recommended Age in production use. The policy shall not be considered as any kind of supplement to any existing agreements or be taken as a guarantee of availability and/or the exact length of the lifecycle of each software and/or its version. Trimble may change the principles from time to time at its sole discretion and will post updates to the Policy as necessary. In addition to this Policy, Trimble publishes End of Life Announcements well in advance for major software versions, related online services or similar. Current announcements with an upcoming end of life date are available on the End of Life Announcement page. Also targeted communication directly via product, online service or email can be done when feasible.
Tekla products, commonly used as locally installed desktop software, are closely connected and dependent on various Trimble online services and external technology providers. Like for any other software, an increased need to maintain data security, a large number of dependencies and many other factors mean that there is a recommended lifecycle and retirement for software versions. If using old versions beyond Recommended Age, data might be exposed to risks or other sudden problems might occur. Providing support and proper solutions to problems might not be possible and Trimble guides the use of newer versions.
It is recommended to use the latest Tekla product versions and install service packs or other possible security updates to utilize the benefits and ensure the reliability and security. Trimble shall not be liable for any claims or damages related to the use of a product after its Recommended Age.
Tekla teams are available to help and support in version update or upgrade related topics.
Currently maintained versions
The latest maintained and supported Tekla product versions are listed below. These latest main versions typically receive updates (Service Packs) periodically or as needed based on Trimble’s discretion. In accordance with the Tekla Software Lifecycle Policy, older versions might only get security or other critical updates if needed and limited support is available. The versions not listed are not maintained or supported anymore. Version upgrade is highly recommended.
| | Maintained versions |
| Tekla Structures | Tekla Structures 2024 Tekla Structures 2023 (Extended) Tekla Structures 2022 (Extended, only critical security updates if needed) Tekla Structures 2021 (Extended, only critical security updates if needed)
|
| Tekla Structural Designer | Tekla Structural Designer 2024
Tekla Structural Designer 2023 - 2021 (Extended, only critical security updates if needed)
|
| Tekla Tedds | Tekla Tedds 2024
Tekla Tedds 2023 - 2021 (Extended, only critical security updates if needed)
|
| Tekla EPM / PowerFab | Tekla PowerFab 2024 Tekla EPM 2023i - 2021 (Extended, only critical security updates if needed) |
Lifecycle Policy
| Years since main version release | Software Maintenance | Compatibility with Tekla and Trimble core online services maintained | Customer support provided |
| < 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1 - 4 | Extended | Yes | Yes |
| 4 - 6 | No | Extended* | Extended |
| 6 + | No | Not compatible or maintained* | No |
*Compatibility exists as long as it is recognized to be secure, is feasible to maintain and 3rd party technology used allows it.
Software Maintenance
Tekla software product maintenance is typically about security updates, corrections commonly known as 'fixes', and improvements. These can be released via software updates which are typically available for a main version for one year after its release.
After the first year the main version goes to an extended maintenance phase up to four years and only critical corrections and cyber security related changes might be released as needed by Trimble’s sole discretion. Read more about cyber security in Tekla security white papers.
Tekla products also depend on software by other software providers. It is advisable to follow the recommendations and lifecycle policies of these software providers, especially for operating systems and web browsers. When a software provider ends maintaining their software it also means that Tekla products and services are no longer maintained, supported or compatible. It might also happen that some technology or component Tekla software uses becomes unavailable, unsupported or insecure. These situations are aimed to be solved for the maintained Tekla versions but for older versions it may not even be possible. This means that using older Tekla versions not maintained anymore might suddenly become for example unsafe. Using maintained versions is a very highly recommended practice.
See also the ‘hardware recommendations’ pages in Tekla User Assistance which are updated and available for each main version.
Compatibility with Tekla and Trimble core online services
Compatibility with Tekla and Trimble core online services such as Trimble Identity is maintained up to four years after a main version release. Being compatible might mean taking new software updates in use. Older software versions may experience incompatibilities with online services.
Tekla Model Sharing
There are two main things to take into account regarding Tekla Structures versions when using Tekla Model Sharing Service:
- The Tekla Structures version used needs to be compatible with the Tekla Model Sharing Service
- The users of the same shared model need to have the same Tekla Structures main version, and using the same service pack is recommended.
In accordance with the Tekla Software Lifecycle Policy, aim is to keep at least four latest main versions compatible with the Tekla Model Sharing Service. Up to date information is found in Tekla Model Sharing Management Console for company admin users and in End of Life announcements. Tekla Model Sharing Management Console helps admin users to manage the projects and also see the end dates for older Tekla Structures main versions becoming incompatible with the service. It is also essential to understand that Tekla Model Sharing is not meant for archiving and accessing old projects (read Tekla User Assistance for more information).
Customer support
Local customer support services include handling support requests, basically aiming to find answers to questions and solutions to problem situations. Trimble shall provide the customer with information when new updates are available. In a few cases, support may be restricted by the ability of Trimble to reproduce a specific error in its environment, which in many cases cannot include the exact hardware or software technologies the customer is using, or by the ability of the customer to provide Trimble access to the customer hardware/software environment.
Trimble is dedicated to providing exceptional customer support, however, for older software versions that are no longer actively maintained, very limited support might be available. Also the delivery of corrections via software updates is not available or might be very limited for older versions as described above. Trimble Customer support encourages and helps customers with older product versions to take newer versions in use.
Online services like Tekla User Assistance and Tekla Discussion Forum are available 24/7 to provide support in Tekla product use and learning.