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Note
Please follow the order given below (first database and then deployment) when updating. A different order can lead to incorrect system behaviour after the update.

1) Preparation actions

1.1) Check system requirements

Before you start the update, please check whether the application and database servers still meet the minimum requirements. The most important in brief:

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Info
titleAnnouncement: Java 17

With the second main release in 2022, we will switch the GTC to Java 17. The release is expected to be published in October. This means that Java on the application server will also need to be updated at the same time. 

1.2) Stopping the web application server

  1. Stop the web application server (e.g. Tomcat) in the usual way using either the command line or the Service Manager.
  2. Delete the contents of the “work” directory in the Tomcat installation.

1.3) Performing a database backup

As a first step, you should create a database backup that can be restored (rolled back) if the update fails. For information on how to do this, please refer to the user manual of your database management system.

1.4) Save old deployment

  1. In the subdirectory "\webapps" of the Web Application Server, you can find the deployment installed so far (usually with the name "\gtc" or "\ROOT").
  2. Rename this directory (e.g. "\gtc_<version>_old") and then move it to a directory outside the "\webapps" directory. Under no circumstances may the backuped deployment remain in the "\webapps" directory. This would lead to serious errors later on in the update process. 

1.5) Download the delivery package

Download the installation package via the link given to you in the delivery mail. Place it in a temporary folder. We will provide you with the deployment package as a war file.

If it is necessary to adapt contents in the package, the file must be unpacked with 7-zip beforehand. Alternatively, rename the file gtc.war to gtc.zip, then you can use Windows Explorer for this.

1.6) Update SAPJCO (optional for systems with a RfC connection to SAP)

The GTC is working with a new SAPJCO version. Provided RFC connections are addressed with the GTC, you must perform the following steps when updating to GTC version 20.11.03 or newer:

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If you get any problems with this please contact our hotline.


2) Update deployment

Info
titleAutomatic update

It is also possible to receive a Powershell script from AMANA to automatically update the GTC. The executing user must have administration authorisation.

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If you know of any other modifications to the deployment (e.g. in the "web.xml" file), please copy these too by editing the respective file.

3) Update database

The database update can be done automatically or manually.

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Optionally you'll have the chance to update the database by manually executing scripts against the database. We can create and send the scripts to you if needed. Please see Section 3.2

3.1) Automatic update of the database

Please make sure to have a current database backup at hand, so it can be restored if needed.

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Code Block
languageactionscript3
2021-10-22 15:12:57 [INFO ] ###################### Migration successful ######################
2021-10-22 15:12:57 [INFO ] ScriptLocationPath: C:\Tomcat 9.0_GTC\webapps\ROOT\migration/sql
2021-10-22 15:12:57 [INFO ] ConfigLocationPath: C:\Tomcat 9.0_GTC\webapps\ROOT\migration/flywayConfig.properties
2021-10-22 15:12:57 [INFO ] CSVPlaceholderPath: C:\Tomcat 9.0_GTC\webapps\ROOT\migration/FlywayPlaceholders.csv
2021-10-22 15:12:58 [INFO ] ############################################
2021-10-22 15:12:58 [INFO ] Current version: 20211001100000000_DELETE FROM TFLAGCONFIGURATION
2021-10-22 15:12:58 [INFO ] Pending Scripts: No pending scripts
2021-10-22 15:12:58 [INFO ] ############################################

3.2) Manual update of the database

Warning
titleDatabase permissions

To execute the database scripts use a database user who has full permissions to the database schema. Otherwise, it may happen that database tables cannot be created or updated correctly or that the GTC cannot access the tables properly at runtime.

In any case, check the results in the log files to see if there are any anomalies. If you find any errors, please get in touch with the Hotline GlobalTaxCenter.

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    • 01_MSSQL_8.3.02_8.4.04.sql
    • 02_Insert_Reporting_MSSQL.sql
    • etc.

4) Final steps

  1. Start the Web Application Server as usual from the command line or the Service Manager. Autorun jobs may now be executed when the server is started. These are part of the update and must be executed successfully.


    Warning
    Do not cancel the server start, even if it takes longer than usual. If in doubt, please get in touch with the Hotline GlobalTaxCenter.


  2. After starting the WAS server, test the access to the GlobalTaxCenter or inform your responsible department to have the access tested if you do not have access data for the GTC yourself.
  3. Change (or an authorized representative) in the Masterdata area to the Administration dialogue and there to the Log tab and open the file "gtc_autorun.log". Check whether the autorun jobs have run successfully or whether error messages are displayed. In case of an error, please contact the Hotline GlobalTaxCenter and send the log files "gtc_autorun.log" and "gtc_system.log".
  4. If errors occur in the web application after the update, please also contact the Hotline GlobalTaxCenter and send the log files.

5) Transfer to other instances

If you are working with different instances (development, test, integration, production, ...) please be careful that you are doing the same steps in each instance.

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  1. In the testing and production environment the GTC is installed in version 22.00.01.
  2. Now you update the testing environment with version 22.00.03.
  3. A few weeks later you will receive a new delivery package and update the testing environment. This now has the version 22.00.07.
  4. The production environment still runs with version 22.00.01.
  5. You receive the permission from the business department to update the production system to version 22.00.07.
  6. In any case, you must first import the scripts of version 22.00.03 before you continue with the installation of version 22.00.07. This is the only way to prevent an inconsistency in the database.

6) TransferClient installation and integration into the GTC (optional)

If the GTC (Tax Return module) is also used for electronic transfers to the german tax authorities, the TransferClient (TC) version must also be updated at regular intervals. In this case, the GTC update provides a second installation package for the TC. This package has to be installed according to the instructions. During the installation the Web Service URL should be noted, because it has to be stored/updated in the administration area of the GTC.

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  1. Activate Web Service to TransferClient
  2. Setting up the proxy between GTC and TransferClient (optional)
  3. Testing the connection to the TransferClient
  4. Setting up the proxy between TransferClient and tax authorities (optional)

6.1) Activate Web Service to TransferClient

The following configuration must be carried out so that the Elster transmission is available as a web service. On the administration page, the connection to the TC is added. (The TC must be started as a web service).

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CategoryWebService
Nameeric
Host<http://ipOderDns>
Port<Port>
Parameter 1<"eric...">

6.2) Proxy between GTC and TransferClient

The proxy is maintained as a separate connection parameter on the administration page.

CategoryExternal system
NameatcProxy
Host<http://ipOderDns>
Port<Port>
User<UserName>
Password<Password>

6.3) Connection test to the TransferClient

Now the connection to the TC can be tested by clicking on the gear symbol (in the front of the line). A message is then displayed whether the test was successful or not.

Note

With this test only the connection to the TC is tested. It can still happen that the TC itself cannot establish a connection to the tax administration. For this purpose, a proxy may have to be configured or ports may have to be released (see TC instructions).

6.4) Proxy between TransferClient and tax authorities

The proxy is maintained as a separate connection parameter on the administration page.

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