Releasing a new product version: changes in files

-- HikaShop version -- : 2.3.5
-- Joomla version -- : 3.3.6
-- PHP version -- : 5.4.36
-- Browser(s) name and version -- : all

Let's say that I am selling a downloadable product.
I want to release the next product version, with lots of new features. Existing customers will have to pay to upgrade.

Here is my problem and my question:
If I merely replace the product file, then the owners of the previous product version will be able to download the new version for free (using the Customer Account > Show the Downloads).
What must I do, in order to make sure that those customers who haven't upgraded will still be able to download the old product version they have paid for?

Thank you
P.

Hello,

What must I do, in order to make sure that those customers who haven't upgraded will still be able to download the old product version they have paid for?

Hi Mohamed; sorry for the delay in getting back.

Thanks for the tip.
Question: what happens with the customers who have already purchased a product, before I created the various variants.
Will they be able to redownload the file the purchased?

Thanks

Jerome,
Can you please elaborate on "maybe some elements in the table "hikashop_download".

That 'maybe' scares me out a bit. The EU is asking us to keep the transactions date stored for 10 years.
I certainly don't want to mess up with the database.

Thank you very much!
P.

Hi Jerome.
I won't touch the "hikashop_download" table since it's been only a few days that I installed Hikashop on my live site.

Unfortunately many things are still not clear in my mind, especially on the Hikashop side (and a few on phpMyAdmin).
I would kindly like to ask you to be much more specific in your reply. since I am completely newbie in using Hikashop.

Here's what I did before I got stuck (for testing purposes I followed these steps for 1 product only):

1. I selected Products > Characteristics and created a new characteristic called 'version'

2. I edited one of my products: I went to 'Characteristics"; I clicked on "Add" and then I added the 'version' characteristic;
I then clicked on 'Manage variants', and clicked on "New" to create a new variant.
I uploaded a new file, I entered a new product code, and finally entered the same name & price as in the main product. I saved the variant.

But now the product page shows this error:
version No values found

What am I doing wrong?

Next:
Let's say that I've corrected the errors above and that I successfully created a new variant for all my products.
Here comes the second part: changing the tables. Can you please be more specific regarding which exact values need be updated and how?
I noticed the column 'order_product_id' in the 'hikashop_order_product' table.
I guess I need to update all values in that column. Where do I retrieve the values from (table / column)?

You also mentioned 'hikashop_order' table in your message. What exact changes need to be made to this table?

Thank you for your patience. Once again, please keep in mind that we are not experts in Hikashop. Any errors made from our side may expose us to our customers. That's why I am asking you to be more specific.

Thank you
Panos

Anyone please?

Nicolas, this is a great solution: simple, easy and to the point.
Thank you very much!