How to Archive Your System and Push Updates to Production
This article explains the process for when you’re preparing for a new season and need to either archive your current production environment or push updates from your pre-production system into the live environment. This walks you through both processes—Archiving and Pushing to Production—and outlines what to expect before, during, and after each step.
📁 Archive Process
Archiving ensures that your current environment is preserved before you clear it for next-season setup.
🗓️ Note: Archive dates must be scheduled in advance with VZ.
✅ What VZ Does:
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Cloning the Production Environment
VisualZen (VZ) clones your current production system and saves it in an offline archive. This archived copy stays accessible for reporting, historical reference, and data retrieval. -
Clearing and Repurposing
After archiving, the production environment is cleared and used to refresh your pre-production environment. -
Temporary Offline Status
Your production URL is taken offline temporarily during this setup phase to ensure a smooth transition. -
Email Notifications
You’ll receive:-
A confirmation email when your archive request is received.
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A completion email when the archive process is done.
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🚀 Push to Production Process
When you're ready to move updates from pre-production into the live environment:
🗓️ Note: Push to Production dates must also be scheduled in advance.
✅ What VZ Does:
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Copy Pre-Production to Production
On your scheduled date, VZ copies the entire contents of your pre-production system into production. After this, the two systems are fully independent. -
Timing Considerations
Your push-to-production date is not your student go-live date. Most clients schedule the push 1–2 weeks prior to launch for final testing and updates. -
Email Notifications
You’ll receive:-
A confirmation email once your push request is received.
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A follow-up once the push is complete.
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⚠️ Important Reminders
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🛑 Both the Archive and Push to Production processes require scheduled dates. These are not automatic. Please coordinate with VZ in advance to confirm availability.
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Do not access your production or pre-production systems on the scheduled date until VZ sends final confirmation.
- Pushing VZ to Production should occur BEFORE you open the system to students so all final testing can be done in Production
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To initiate a request, use the following link:
👉 https://secure.visualzen.com/vzevents/vz/