Release Highlights
The current version of LINKS is version 2.7.8, released July 2025 and is an infrastructure release including:
- Support for current Version of the development environment
- Windows Server 2022
- Microsoft SQL Server 2022 database
- Additional security features for password maintenance
Implementation Considerations
To allow LINKS to operate on the latest version of the development environment (PowerBuilder) we needed to upgrade the LINKS code line. This compilation of the source code will also be required for customer specific customisations (including conversions, enterprise reports, utilities etc.).
The following considerations should be given prior to upgrading to LINKS 2.7.8:
- Plan which versions of the OS and Database you wish to run LINKS on.
- Dataline recommends customers now use the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server as Microsoft no longer supports SQL Server Native Client.
- Customers must plan carefully and give consideration to their own user acceptance testing. Dataline has fully regression tested the core of LINKS, however it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure their solutions operate correctly with all their customisations.
- If customers don’t have test licenses for their LINKS systems they should consider engaging Dataline consulting to assist with user acceptance testing or a license can be purchased.
- Dataline strongly recommends that all customers plan to move to LINKS 2.7.8 in the near term to keep up to date with third party support of the development environment, operating systems and database versions.
- Customers on LINKS 2.7.5 or older should be aware that the development environment used is no longer supported by the third party Powerbuilder Developer. See below statement with regards to LINKS 2.7.5 extended support as of 1st January 2026.
Dataline strongly recommends that all customers should plan to move in the near term to LINKS 2.7.8 if they are currently on LINKS 2.7.5 or older.
As always Dataline professional services team can assist with your upgrade to LINKS 2.7.8 from on-site support to project management. Please contact your account manager for full details.
Upgrade Costs
- The new version of LINKS 2.7.8 comes free under your support contract.
- Recompilation of customised source code comes free under your support contract.
- Where customers choose to have Dataline perform the upgrade or assist with user acceptance testing then additional costs will apply.
LINKS 2.7.8 Supported Platforms
| OS Server Versions | OS Server Versions | Database Version |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 2008/2012/2014/2016/2019/2022 Server | Windows 7/8/10 Professional | MS SQL Server 2008/ 2012/2014/2016/2017/2019/2022 |
For further details, please contact support@dataline.com.au for a copy of the release notes.
Dataline Announces Extended Support of Links Version 2.7.5
As of 1st of January 2026, LINKS Version 2.7.5 will no longer be covered under our general support and maintenance agreement.
We will provide Extended Support for LINKS 2.7.5 for the 24 months period to 31 January 2028, with a view to reviewing at that time. During Extended Support customers receive all benefits provided by their previous support agreement for all Severity 1 & 2 cases, including hot fixes to product defects if necessary. For cases of other severity levels, customers receive best-effort support but no hot fixes.
Extended Support is provided at additional cost. Our policy is if a customer elects to take up Extended Support, the Annual Support Fee for the first year and/or the renewal (second year), shall be an additional 25% of the Annual Support Fee for the current renewal term.
| LINKS Version | General Support | Extended Support |
|---|---|---|
| LINKS 2.7.0 (or earlier) | No longer offered | End of Life |
| LINKS 2.7.1 | No longer offered | End of Extended Support phase (Unless by Arrangement) |
| LINKS 2.7.2 | No longer offered | End of Extended Support phase (Unless by Arrangement) |
| LINKS 2.7.3 | No longer offered | Extended Support Offered |
| LINKS 2.7.4 | Supported | Extended Support Offered |
| LINKS 2.7.5 | Supported | Extended Support Offered |
| LINKS 2.7.6 | Supported | N/A |
| LINKS 2.7.7 | Supported | N/A |
| LINKS 2.7.8 | Supported | N/A |
Will Dataline offer support beyond the Extended Support phase?
Dataline understands that support requirements differ by industry sector and individual customer. Therefore, Dataline offers custom support relationships that go beyond the Extended Support phase. These custom support relationships may include assisted support and hotfix support and may extend beyond 10 years from the date a product becomes generally available. Customers can contact Dataline for more information.
If my LINKS software is currently supported, but my operating system is no longer supported, can I still receive support for LINKS? For example, can I receive support for LINKS 2.7.3 running on Microsoft Windows 2008R2?
If the problem is specific to the LINKS program, Dataline will provide support. If the problem is a result of the combination of the operating system and LINKS, that particular problem will not be supported.
How will Extended Support for LINKS affect me personally?
During the Extended Support phase, customer support options remain the same as they are today, by phone and email. As for defect resolution, all Severity 1& 2 cases, including hot fixes to product defects are provided. For cases of other severity levels, customers receive best-effort support but no hot fixes.
Service Level
| Severity Level | Investigation Period | Rectification Period |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1: The Software is unavailable to be used and is seriously impacting the business of the end user. No practical bypass is available for the problem. | Within 2 hours from Dataline’s receipt of the defect details. | Dataline will make reasonable commercial efforts to rectify the defect within 24 hours. |
| Level 2: The software is not working or is working with reduced functionality. The defect is not seriously impacting the business of the end user because there is a practical bypass. | Within 24 hours from Dataline’s receipt of the defect details. | Dataline will make reasonable commercial efforts to rectify the defect within 7 business days. |
| Level 3: The defect is in a mainstream day to day function that does not render the function unusable but prevents a related function from completing correctly; or the defect is in a non-mainstream day to day function rendering that function unusable. | Within 7 days from Dataline’s receipt of the defect details. | Dataline will make reasonable commercial efforts to rectify the defect with 30 days. |
| Level 4: The defect is in a non-mainstream day to day function that does not render the function unusable but prevents a related function from completing correctly. | Within 30 days from Dataline’s receipt of the defect details. | Dataline will make reasonable commercial efforts to rectify the defect within 90 days. |
The specified response time above assumes that Dataline receives the details of the defects within its business hours and can act upon such details within its business hours.
Customers who have not upgraded to a fully supported version of LINKS will incur the extended support fee. The extended support fee will by charged and prorated to the customers next LINKS support and maintenance anniversary date.
Still have questions or need advice?
- Speak with one of our staff
Call: +61 2 9882 6301 or Email: sales@dataline.com.au
