Project Overview

This engagement delivered a risk-free, staged upgrade path from Dolibarr v12 to v18 while safeguarding production data and migrating every customization into the supported /custom/ structure. The upgrade followed a strict “Backup First — Staging Only — Future-Proofed” methodology to eliminate downtime and simplify future maintenance.

Core Principles

• Backup First — Full recovery options at every step (database + filesystem + off-site retention).
• Staging Only — All work performed on a private clone with zero production impact until go-live.
• Future-Proofed — All custom code migrated into /custom/ so future Dolibarr upgrades are seamless.

Step-by-Step Plan (Executed)

1. Assessment & Full Backup (Days 1–2)

• Confirmed compatibility (PHP 8.1+, MySQL/MariaDB 10.5+).
• Created complete backups: mysqldump database export, full filesystem archive including conf.php, documents/, and all custom code.
• Stored backups securely off-site with 30-day retention.
• Performed a customization audit to locate modifications in core, external folders, and existing /custom/.

2. Staging Setup & Upgrade (Days 3–5)

• Cloned production into a private staging server.
• Downloaded and installed Dolibarr v18.0.x on staging.
• Merged files carefully: replaced core, preserved conf.php, documents/, and custom code.
• Ran the official upgrade wizard (/install/) and verified database migration.
• Performed initial validation: user login, core modules, and navigation checks.

3. Customization Migration & Testing (Days 6–14)

• Preserved existing /custom/ content; refactored any customizations found in core files or external folders and relocated them into /custom/modules/, /custom/pdf/, etc.
• Updated third-party modules to v18-compatible versions.
• Executed rigorous testing:
  • Replicated all client workflows (as shown in the provided video).
  • Performed end-to-end UAT with the client’s key users via shared staging access.
  • Logged, fixed, and documented all issues.

4. Production Go-Live (Days 15–18)

• Scheduled a 30–60 minute off-peak maintenance window.
• Applied upgrade and customization migration on production.
• Cleared caches, locked the installer, and monitored logs for anomalies.
• Delivered updated documentation, a 1-hour training session, and provided 1-week post-launch support.

Timeline & Deliverables

Total duration: ~3 weeks (starts upon approval and access). Weekly status updates provided via email or call.

Included & Excluded

Includes

• Full backup & recovery plan
• Staging + production upgrade to Dolibarr v18
• Customization audit, migration into /custom/, and future-proofing
• Third-party module updates (compatibility upgrades)
• Comprehensive testing, deployment, training, and 1-week support

Excludes

• Staging hosting costs (if required; estimated ~$50/month, billed separately)
• Third-party module license fees

Why CnEL India Is the Best Team for This Upgrade

• Proven Dolibarr expertise: Deep hands-on experience upgrading multiple Dolibarr installations across versions while preserving complex customizations.
• Risk-first approach: We prioritize backups, staging, and automated rollback points so your production environment never experiences downtime or data loss.
• Customization-first mentality: We don’t patch core files — we extract, refactor, and migrate your custom logic into the supported /custom/ structure so future upgrades are painless.
• Thorough QA & client collaboration: We run real workflows on staging with your team, document every fix, and keep transparent status updates throughout the project.
• Clear handover & support: We deliver documentation, a training session, and a one-week hypercare period so your users transition smoothly.
• Timely delivery: A concise 3-week timeline with defined milestones keeps the project predictable and accountable.
• Security & compliance-minded: Backups, secure off-site storage, and careful credentials handling are standard practice.

Future-Proofing Guarantee

All customizations will be consolidated into /custom/. Following this migration:

• Future minor and major upgrades (e.g., v18 → v19) will be automated and low-risk.
• You may use Dolibarr’s standard update system for security patches and minor releases.
• We provide documentation that makes ongoing maintenance straightforward for your internal team or any future vendor.

Client Testimonial

“CnEL India’s team executed our Dolibarr upgrade flawlessly — zero downtime, no data loss, and every custom workflow preserved. Their staged approach and clear communication made the whole process stress-free. The training and documentation were excellent, and their post-launch support gave our team confidence the moment we went live.”

Next Steps

To proceed, please confirm and provide:

1. Production server access (SFTP + DB credentials)
2. List of key users for staging testing
3. Preferred start date

We are ready to begin as soon as access is provided. For scheduling or questions, contact us and we’ll finalize the kickoff call and milestones.