Salesforce summer sandboxThe salesforce.com Summer ‘14 release is quickly approaching and soon you'll be able to take advantage of exciting new features and functionality. If you are a Sandbox customer, you have the opportunity to get early access to Summer ‘14 in your Sandbox and test new customizations and features before your production organization is upgraded.

The Sandbox Preview window for Summer ‘14 is scheduled to begin June 6, 2014. If you would like your Sandbox organization to take part in the Summer ‘14 Preview, your Sandbox must be active on a preview instance by June 6, 2014 to take part in an overall instance upgrade.

Please read carefully and follow the instructions in the next section for specific information on how to handle each of your Sandboxes.  In most cases, you will not need to do anything because your Sandbox is already on a preview instance.  However, you may need to take action by May 30, 2014 in order for your Sandbox to take part in the Summer ‘14 Preview.

General Information about the Sandbox Service

NOTE:  Wait for your production instance to be upgraded to Spring '14 before taking action

From the time your production org is updated to Spring '14 until May 30th, all Sandbox creation and refresh requests will be routed to a Sandbox instance that will be upgraded for the preview.  Starting May 31, 2014, all creation and refresh requests will be routed to non-preview instances until your production instance is upgraded to Summer ‘14.

You have from now until May 30, 2014 to decide if you would like your Sandbox to take part in the Summer ‘14 Preview. Follow the steps below for each Sandbox org that you have.

Note: If you have a full Sandbox, be mindful of the 29-day refresh policy and plan accordingly.

Learn more: Sandbox Preview Window FAQ

I need to create a new Sandbox – What are my options?

NOTE:  Wait for your production instance to be upgraded to Spring '14 before taking action

sandbox preview

I have an existing Sandbox – What are my options?

1. Determine your Sandbox instance

To determine which instance your Sandbox is on, log into your production org and navigate to your Sandbox List page (Search “Sandbox” in the Quick Find bar on the Setup Home Page).

Salesforce Sandboxes

Determine your Sandbox instance by using the Location column above.

2. Refresh or Don’t Refresh? Or Do Nothing?

Once you have located the instance that your Sandbox is on, use the chart below to determine if, when, and what action you should take on your Sandbox.

Screen Shot 2014-05-15 at 2.52.16 PM

Important: 

  • The May 30, 2014 deadline is to ensure that all requested refreshes are complete by the time the Sandbox instance is upgraded on June 6, 2014. If you have a large Sandbox, please keep in mind how much time it takes to complete your Sandbox refresh to ensure your copy is completed by June 6, 2014. This may mean that you need to request your refresh in advance of the May 30, 2014 deadline to ensure it completes by June 6, 2014.

  • If you are refreshing onto a preview instance, do not refresh after you activate the Sandbox on your preview instance.  If you do, you will be refreshed to a non-preview instance.  Between May 30, 2014 and the date in which your production org is upgraded to Summer ‘14, all Sandbox refreshes will be directed to non-preview instances.  We cannot perform a refresh to a preview instance between those dates.
  • If you decide to stay on the current Spring ‘14 release, your Sandbox will not be upgraded to Summer ‘14 until July 19, 2014.

AppExchange Preview Instructions

NOTE:  Wait for your production instance to be upgraded to Spring '14 before taking action

If you plan to upload and/or install one or more AppExchange packages using your Sandboxes during the Sandbox Preview Window, you should use the chart below to determine your course of action.

If you have additional questions about your Sandbox options in conjunction with the Summer ‘14 release, please contact salesforce.com Customer Support

Understanding the Preview Window Schedule

NOTE:  Wait for your production instance to be upgraded to Spring '14 before taking action

In addition to the steps above, use the following graphic to understand what will happen to your Sandbox if you request a new sandbox or refresh an existing sandbox.  For example, if your Sandbox is on CS12 and you refresh it after 12 AM PST on May 31, 2014, it will be moved to a non-preview Instance.

Screen Shot 2014-05-15 at 2.53.01 PM

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