Magento 2.3.3: Key Highlights You Need to Know

After Magento 2.3.2 was released in June 2019, the businesses became curious to know what the next version will bring. 

Obviously, the new features, improvements and patches in the upcoming version to boost the website performance were expected.  And, the wait came to an end in October 2019. Magento has introduced the latest version- Magento Commerce 2.3.3.    

This important release has many significant changes in its pocket. It holds improvements in payments, security and platform, and other crucial updates. 

This major release has brought 75 enhancements in security, and 170 functional fixes in the core platform.  Thanks to the Magento large community, over 200 contributions have been approved and implemented with the latest version. In addition, there are minor core code fixes and even notable advances in GraphQL and Inventory Management.

Note:

Before comprehending the in-depth changes in Magento 2.3.3,  it should be checked that the enhancement is done to the pre-release version 2.3.2-p1 first.  If you already had, then it is advised to update to 2.3.2-p2 quickly if not updating to 2.3.3 because that patch did not incorporate crucial security fixes.  

For more information, you can also check the Magento DevBlog ( Introducing the New Security-only Patch Release). The additional updates (independent one) are; Progressive web application (PWA), Inventory management, page builder. 

Outline of Magento 2.3.3 Changes

# Performance

Magento 2.3.3 improves the overall shopping experience and boosts the efficiency of loading time.  In between the process of loading the web fonts, it displays the text and takes the decisive CSS items to the end of the loading queue.  Because of the improvements in the performance, the Google PageSpeed Insight score can grow upto5 points.

# Security

Magento team is known for providing the best security and for fixing the bugs effectively. Almost a hundred reported fixes are included. Also, Magento has included the modifications to the native payment solutions for authorizing online transactions for European countries.

# Quality

190 product quality enhancements are there in major areas. Checkout, catalog, and sales modules are some of them.

After having the quick outline, let’s get started and envision the highlights of Magento 2.3.3.

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Major Highlights of Magento 2.3.3

1. Considerable security improvements

Find out below the improvements in Magento 2.3.3 security.

  • PSD2 recognition to major payment methods/gateways
  • Fixes for 75 critical security issues
  • It enhances XSS (Cross-Website Scripting), which is a protection for any security breach.  It took many months to reduce the effect of any attack and to secure the enhancements. 

Core payment methods integrations are now compliant with PSD2 regulations

The principal payment gateways now fulfill the PSD2 regulations. European Union (EU) has amended the Payment Services Directive (PSD) regulation with PSD2 (updated version). This amendment has changed most of the payment process, including bank transfers and credit cards. You can check Magento ForumDev Blog (3D Secure 2.0 changes) to make it more understandable. 

Magento 2.3.3 includes the below PSD-related changes:

  • The payment method ‘Braintree’ is now adhered to PSD 2 regulations.  API’s core integration is updated to the new JavaScript SDK v3 API, being a necessity for upholding native  Braintree 3D Secure 2.0 enactment. The verification of these transactions is now done by the native Braintree 3DSecure 2.0 service.
  • Authorize.net uses the cardholder Authentication request field for performing 3D Secure verification via third-party services, like, CardinalCommerce. After the release of Magento 2.3.3, the Authorize.Net started accepting the .js integration via Cardinal Commerce. 
  • The module’s eWay payment and Cybersource are condemned with this release to hold the PSD2 SCA regulation. The official marketplace can be used for the features.

2. Security Improvements and Fixes to Core Code

  • There are 75 security improvements that assist in blocking remote code execution (RCE) and XSS susceptibility and other security concerns. There is no occurrence of any attacks associated with the mentioned issues. Though, some susceptibilities can probably breach the customer information or can infringe the administrator sessions. 
  • The majority of these issues are likely to get authorization to the Admin from an attacker. So, it is advised to take all the crucial steps for Admin security, including, Two-factor authentication, IP whitelisting, VPN usage, using the distinct location that /Admin, and most importantly, a smart password. The exploitable security issues from this release are stored to 2.2.10, 1.14.4.3, and 1.9.4.3, accordingly.

3. Infrastructure Enhancement

Magento considers infrastructure enhancement as the main key point while releasing the new versions. It is because of the fact that it keeps customer retention and satisfaction intact. Including the bug fixes and other essential changes, this release has two striking updates in the infrastructure system.

We have mentioned the feature improvements below:

# Support for the advanced PHP versions

To boost the performance, Magento 2.3.3 supports PHP 7.3.x (tested with 7.3.8) and PHP 7.2.x (tested with 7.2.21). 

# Upgrade to Varnish cache 6.2.0

Varnish cache 6.2.0 is the latest version of the Varnish cache. It is also termed as an HTTP reverse proxy. Varnish cache, as the open-source web application accelerator, aids the users for reconfiguration. The process of reconfiguration is helpful in delivering high-performance content. 

# Update to Zend Framework 2

The components of Zend framework 2 are updated to Active/LTS versions. Check out Support and Long Term Support Policies to attain more knowledge about Zend Framework long-term support policy.

4. Performance Boosts

Turning off the automatic URL rewrite generation is possible for the businesses. This URL happens on the product by default when the intended category is saved. The authentic Generate “product/category” URL Rewrites configuration option verifies this behavior. 

After this feature gets enabled, the Magento creates data while saving the category with several assigned products. 

The performance of Magento can get degraded when the data is saved in the rewrite tables.   

The page load speed improves when the insignificant CSS elements are moved to the bottom of the page. It allows the browser to administer and show a storefront page instantly. The setting gets disable by default. To make it enable, you need to make a navigation towards Stores-> Configuration-> Advanced-> Developer->CSS Settings-> Apply CSS critical path. You can check more information on CSS critical path documentation.

The UI/JQuery library is factorized into different widgets. It is done to load just the widgets they require. Because of this amendment, the performance of the important storefront tasks such as configrable home, product, checkout pages, and loading of a category can be improved. 

It is advised to update the custom storefront code to eliminate the UI/JQuery dependency. Contrarily, get ready to see the performance degradation warning message on the console. 

The store pages present the text in the readable system font comparative to the custom fonts.   It enhances the page load speed, respectively. The businesses that use the large CSS files and other fonts can notice the most considerable growth. 

5. Businesses Tool Improvements

For understanding the Admin user experience and for enhancing the product design, Magento has introduced the tracking of events and user actions on the event. After updating to Magento 2.3.3, the one who login first the Admin will be directed to allow Admin usage data collection. 

After the consent of the data collection, the data obtained from the Admin will be sent to Adobe Analytics for reporting and analysis. You can check  Store Admin to receive more information. 

6. GraphQL Support

It is the 2015 Facebook query language and the API technology that permits the internet app to transfer the data from the Magento store via small data packets. It allows the user to request and build fewer API requests when required. GraphQL support provides the tools for growth and acts as a flexible and practical approach. Despite the slow network links, it manages to load quicker than the existing Magento 2 APIs.  We have gathered some of the benefits GraphQL attains:

  • The integration of different programming languages is easy with GraphQL.
  • It builds up requests for reading and writing. Also, it lessens the network transfers and permits the enhanced results with the schema evolution. 
  • GraphQL offers one-endpoint (URL) facilities.

7. Declarative DB Schema

Installing and updating the Magento versions with the statement scheme is an effortless task. Earlier, it was required to write the new version of the Magento database script in PHP. Like; Changing the Magento schema with the upgraded schema and install schema is possible with the recent release of Magento. 

Also, a declarative database schema can be practiced to make improvements. Accordingly, when you are uninstalling the module, you are deleting the information. In addition, it aids you to restructure the database and altering XML so that the prior version becomes easy to abate the module. This process mitigates the bugs, improves the effectiveness and promotes growth.

8. Enhancement in UX and UI

Magento 2.3.3 has brought in enhancements in the UX and UI to the backend for the best admin experience. 

# Gain a real understanding for administrative users

The new release has given a new tool basically for the admins. When the update process is completed, the admin (first) logging to the Admin panel will be directed to Allow Admin usage data collection.    And, when the user clicks on the Allow button, the Adobe Analytics will obtain the data from the Admin activity for reporting and analysis.

# Remarkable changes to the UI

As there is an improvement in the performance in the core storefront task, the UI/jQuery library will be factorized in different widgets to core module loaded in the chosen widgets only. In addition, there are several amendments to the functionality/designing of the specific tab, such as the Credit Memo page, Category, Catalog, Admin, and Order. 

9. Multi-Source Inventory (MSI)

It was complicated to operate the stock schema before. Therefore, several channel inventories become challenging to handle. 

The new release, Magento 2.3, has come up with the Multi-source inventory function that permits the users to manage the inventory from different sources for yielding the orders. 

It would be beneficial if you will store your products in a different online store. Also, a new table structure from the database permits you to book inventory.

With MSI, you can gain below benefits:

  • Management of inventories on every channel is probable.
  • Assistance in handling the sources in the stock places.
  • Assistance in handling the stocks in the catalog item.

10. Progressive Web App (PWA)

This is an era of mobile eCommerce. We know that eCommerce sales are regularly increasing, and according to the stats, it will increase by 54% by total eCommerce sales till 2021. Most of the online businesses are creating Magento Progressive Web Applications. The PWA is known for providing a secure, sharp, and engaging experience. It holds the contribution of almost 50 % in conversion and in boosting the profits. 

Advanced web apps integrate mobile and web apps to assist the developers in building online shops as PWAs.   These apps work as a web page (operates in offline mode as well). All you need is a camera to get the push notifications. 

The latest internet applications accumulate libraries and instruments, such as ReactJs, webpack, GraphQL and Redux to customize the content and the rapid prototyping, local preferences, useful debugging and enhance productivity.

11. Cache Management ACL

Magento encompasses different cache types that are helpful in preventing the effectiveness of the system from the cache invasion. Additionally, the policy of cache flushing will stop checking your online store from the attacks/ threats. 

The percentage of these attacks has risen from some time because of the extended users. That is why Magento 2.3.3 has introduced cache management ACL. It permits the administrator to manage the Magento Background role permissions.

With the incorporation of this functionality, the administrators can restrict the access and behavior both to the cache kind for the user roles and customers.  This practice is beneficial when you want to restrict the access of some users to manage the system cache.

12. Magento Commerce 2.3.3 Fixed Issues

Magento 2.3.3 has fixed approximately 100 issues. Below are some of them:

  • B2B
  • Bundle Products
  • Cart and Checkout
  • Cache
  • Cart Prices Rules
  • CMS content
  • Clean up and Simple Coding Refactoring
  • Installation, Upgrade, and Deployment
  • Downloadable Products
  • Configurable Products

To know all the fixed issues, you need to check this link.

Release Notes and Download Link

The release notes and the download links for the commerce edition and open source are now accessible for your convenience. 

To download the latest version, you need to click here. 

For more information on the patches, check out this link. 

This release incorporated great security patches and fundamentally acquiescence to PSD2. Therefore, updating to Magento version 2.3.3 is highly recommended. 

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Wrapping Up

Undoubtedly, Magento’s new release has given us powerful features that are more effective and productive than the existing version.  Download the latest version and enjoy the experience. Give the best shopping experience for your potential customers. 

Though the improvement is perpetual, until now, there is no notification regarding Magento 2.3.4.  Have patience and practice Magento 2.3.3. 

Let’s have a look at the crux of the features that Magento 2.3.3 consolidates:

  • Zend Framework 2 Components are updated to the Active/LTS versions.
  • Faster loading time with non-significant CSS elements transferred to the bottom of the page.
  • Page Builder improvements
  • PSD2 consent with core payment plans such as Braintree payment plan
  • Protection of Cross-site scripting for future exploits.
  •  PHP 7.2.x and PHP 7.3.x support
  • Support for Varnish 6.2.0
  • Updation of WYSIWYG editor to TinyMCE v. 4.9.5​.
  • Tracking of user events and actions.
  • Fixing bugs in inventory management
  • Google Shopping ads Channel Marketplace extension applicable as a bundled extension
  • Opens a new merchant developed extension; Yotpo with improvements in dotdigital, Amazon Pay, Vertex and Klarna.

We hope you liked this article. If there are any queries and suggestions related, then do let us know in the comment section below. And, if you have experienced Magento 2.3.3 then share your experience with us. 

Thanks for reading. Have a good day!!