Switching CAD Systems: Complete Migration Guide

Switching CAD systems goes best in four phases: write down everything the old system holds, set up the new one alongside it, test with a few staff, then move everyone over on a set date. Keep the old system readable until the new one has run a full week, so nothing you forgot to copy is lost.

Phase 1: Pre-Migration Planning

Before touching any technical settings, take inventory of what you have. Document your current departmental structure, including all departments, ranks, and permissions. Export or screenshot your penal codes, ten codes, and any custom configurations. Make a list of all active integrations, including Discord bots, FiveM resources, and webhooks. This documentation becomes your migration roadmap. Export before you stop paying for the old CAD, because some providers clear data on a timer: SonoranCAD's pricing FAQ says a lapsed community is downgraded to the free version, and one with no logins for 30 days is removed.

Set a migration timeline that accounts for your community's schedule. Avoid switching during peak activity periods or major community events. Most successful migrations happen over a weekend, giving you a full day for setup and configuration, and another day for testing and fine-tuning before the next active period begins. Communicate the plan to your staff and members in advance so everyone knows what to expect.

Phase 2: Setting Up CDE CAD

With your documentation ready, setting up CDE CAD is straightforward. Create your account and community, then begin configuring departments to match your existing structure. CDE CAD's admin panel makes this process intuitive, with clear interfaces for creating departments, defining ranks, and setting permissions.

Department Setup

Create departments matching your existing structure. Define ranks within each department and assign permissions that mirror your current access controls.

Penal Code Import

Configure your penal codes with charges, fine amounts, and severity levels. CDE CAD supports detailed charge categories that match any legal framework.

Discord Integration

Connect Discord OAuth for member authentication. Configure role synchronization so existing Discord roles automatically map to CAD permissions.

FiveM Connection

Set up the FiveM integration resource to connect your game server with CDE CAD. Configure 911 calls, unit tracking, and other live features.

Phase 3: Testing and Validation

Before going live, run your staff through the new system. Have dispatchers create test calls, officers run test lookups, and administrators verify permissions are correct. This testing phase catches configuration issues before they impact your community. CDE CAD's demo mode is ideal for this purpose, allowing you to test every feature without affecting live data.

Create a brief training document or video for your staff highlighting the differences between the old and new systems. Most CDE CAD features are intuitive, but pointing out where commonly used functions are located saves questions during the first few days of live use.

Phase 4: Going Live

When you are confident in the setup, make the switch. Update your community announcements with the new CAD URL, redirect any bookmarks or quick links, and have your staff available to help members who need assistance logging in for the first time. Discord OAuth makes this process smooth since members authenticate with their existing Discord accounts.

Keep your old CAD system accessible in read-only mode for a transition period. This allows officers to reference historical records while the new system builds its database. Most communities find that within one to two weeks, all operations have fully transitioned and the old system can be decommissioned.

Post-Migration Optimization

After going live, monitor usage patterns and gather feedback from your staff and members. CDE CAD offers features your previous system may not have had, so take time to explore and enable additional capabilities. Set up webhook notifications for Discord channels, configure advanced dispatch features, and explore the reporting and analytics tools to gain insights into your community's activity patterns.