Project Objective

• Upgrade Dolibarr from v12 to v18.0.x without data loss
• Ensure zero impact on the live production environment
• Audit, migrate, and future-proof all customizations into the /custom/ directory
• Deliver a stable, fully tested system with post-go-live support

Why CnEL India Was the Right Partner

• Deep Dolibarr Expertise: Proven experience across multiple major-version Dolibarr upgrades.
• Upgrade-First Architecture: Strong focus on Dolibarr best practices, especially strict separation of core and custom code.
• Risk-Free Methodology: Backup-driven, staging-only execution ensured complete production safety.
• Future-Proof Mindset: Every customization was refactored to survive future upgrades (v18 → v19+).
• Transparent Communication: Weekly status updates and collaborative testing with the client team.

Solution Strategy & Execution

Phase 1: Assessment & Full Backup (Days 1–2)

• Verified server compatibility (PHP 8.1+, MySQL/MariaDB 10.5+)
• Executed full database and file system backups
• Secured off-site backup storage with 30-day retention
• Conducted a comprehensive customization audit across core, external folders, and /custom/

Phase 2: Staging Setup & Initial Upgrade (Days 3–5)

• Cloned production into a private staging environment
• Installed Dolibarr v18.0.x
• Merged core files while preserving conf.php, documents, and custom code
• Executed the official upgrade wizard for automatic database migration
• Performed initial validation of login, modules, and navigation

Phase 3: Customization Migration & Testing (Days 6–14)

• Migrated all custom code into appropriate /custom/ subdirectories
• Refactored legacy core modifications into upgrade-safe modules
• Updated all third-party modules to v18-compatible versions
• Executed rigorous end-to-end testing based on real workflows
• Resolved and documented all identified issues

Phase 4: Production Go-Live (Days 15–18)

• Scheduled a short off-peak maintenance window
• Applied the tested upgrade process to production
• Cleared caches, locked the installer, and monitored logs
• Delivered updated documentation, training, and support

Future-Proofing Guarantee

Post-upgrade, all customizations now reside exclusively in the /custom/ directory. This ensures:

• Safe and automated future upgrades (v18 → v19+)
• Use of Dolibarr’s built-in update system for patches
• Reduced long-term maintenance costs and risks

Project Timeline

Week	Focus
Week 1	Backup, audit, staging setup, initial upgrade
Week 2	Customization migration, module updates, testing
Week 3	Final validation and production go-live

What Was Included

• Full backup and recovery plan
• Staging and production upgrades
• Customization audit and future-proof migration
• Third-party module updates
• Comprehensive testing and validation
• Training and one-week post-launch support

Client Testimonial

“CnEL India handled our Dolibarr upgrade with exceptional professionalism. The entire process was transparent, secure, and stress-free. All our custom workflows work perfectly on v18, and we finally feel confident about future upgrades. This is exactly the kind of technical partner every growing business needs.”

Conclusion

This project demonstrates CnEL India’s ability to deliver complex ERP upgrades with zero downtime, zero data loss, and long-term scalability. By combining technical depth with a disciplined, future-focused approach, CnEL India ensured a smooth transition and a system ready for years of growth.