Upgrading to Unite 24.1 from earlier versions

Updating from version older than Unite 23.1

It's not possible to update directly to Unite 24.1 from version older than Unite 23.1, as this version is an important pre-requisite for updating to Unite 24.1.

The supported sequence of updates is the following:

1. Update from Dental Desktop (pre-Unite version) to Unite 21.1 - see this article on how to do it.
2. Update from Unite 21.1 to Unite 23.1 - see this article on how to do it.
3. Update from Unite 23.1 to Unite 24.1 - see below steps. 

Updating from Unite 23.1

About Unite 24.1 - This version of Unite is the workflow software that brings you fully up to date with the latest technology in our workflow software. It brings you cloud storage, a cloud-based app and web portal, and the ability to work from anywhere.

What will happen during the update?

1. Local data from your device is backed up.
2. Licenses are transferred from your dongle to the cloud.
3. Your Data (patients, cases, files and settings) is uploaded to the cloud - if the administrator of your 3Shape Account Company consents to using cloud storage.

These steps are mandatory and cannot be skipped or postponed as 3Shape Unite 24.1 can no longer get licenses for your apps from the dongle and has a new architecture that enables storing data in the cloud.

Note, that only licenses for 3Shape apps in 3Shape Unite will be transferred from the dongle into cloud. Licenses for other 3Shape software (e.g., Dental System, Ortho System etc.) will remain on the dongle.

Changes you will see after the update

Data handling in the cloud

Local data is mirrored to the cloud immediately after login into the updated 3Shape Unite. If there are several devices registered in your 3Shape Account company, all data from all devices will be stored in the cloud. This caters for a disaster recovery scenario. Any data handling (downloading, uploading), state (‘downloaded’ or ‘in progress’) and change (new version of the case), as well as Cloud status for a device is visualized with new icons in 3Shape Unite.

New Licenses page in 3Shape Unite Store

3Shape Unite Store introduces a new page, where you can see all your 3Shaoe app licenses and subscriptions they are included in. Only licenses that are in the cloud (i.e., licenses for 3Shape apps in 3Shape Unite) will be visible on that page. The licenses that remained on the dongle will not be visible.
In 3Shape Unite Store it’s possible to transfer more dongles or retry transferring a dongle that had an issue during the initial transfer. In 3Shape Unite Store it is also possible to activate new cloud-based subscription via activation code.

Preparation checklist

Have you:

• Set aside 1.5 hours?
• Decided on who is the Administrator of all Accounts?
• Checked if you need client server or standalone installation?
• Checked that you have stable internet and meet minimum system requirements?
• Made sure that you perform this during Customer Support hours? 

Update steps

1. Once 3Shape Unite 24.1 is available for your system, we will automatically start downloading the update files in the background. Once the download has finished, click on a pop-up message in the lower-left corner of your screen, informing that a new update is available:

2. You will be redirected to the Unite Store, where you will see that the files for updating your 3Shape Unite and other apps have been downloaded. You can proceed with clicking “Update all”.

3. A pre-update warning that indicates the estimated time this process will take (more than 1 hour) and that user interaction is required throughout the update. Press "Update now” if you are ready to proceed or choose to update later if the time is not convenient or if you have patients scheduled shortly. shortly.

4. The update process will start, you will see a progress bar where you can check the progress.

5. After the update process has finished, 3Shape Unite 24.1 will open automatically and show an information screen about the new cloud features in addition to the existing functionality of 3Shape Unite. It will be shown only once per device after the update. Press “Next” to continue.

6. Once the update process is completed, the administrator of your 3Shape Account Company needs to log in.

7. After logging in, the Administrator will have to choose the storage type (cloud or local) on behalf of the whole company. The software will show as pre-selected the option to “Enable cloud storage” but if you would like to refrain from using it, you can select the option "Disable cloud storage" and store your data locally.

After choosing the storage type, the Administrator will have to accept several more agreements and terms & conditions.

8. Once you have signed the required agreements, 3Shape Unite will finalize setting up after the update. 

9. The next step is to move your licenses from the dongle to the cloud. You will see a window showing the dongle(s) detected in your device and you should press “Move” to start transferring your dongle into cloud. 

10. After the licenses have been successfully moved into the cloud, 3Shape Unite will need a bit more time to finalize the update and prepare the cases to be used in the new software architecture. During this process it's not possible to work in Unite, and it will happen for all users regardless of their choice of storage type - cloud or local. If there is a critical need to scan a patient, it's possible to pause this process to make a scan, and after that the process will resume automatically.

11. Finally, you will be welcomed by the updated 3Shape Unite Help Center where you will have access to the documentation of what's new with Unite 24.1 and other options to get the latest information of your Unite solution.

That’s it! You have now upgraded your system to the latest in our suite, which ensures you are supported and secured and can benefit from recent innovations in digital dentistry.