CANCDTGEN 001/14

Canadian Cadet General Order (CANCDTGEN)

Migration from Cadetnet to MS Outlook 2010

1. For the past 15 years, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have relied on CadetNet as the electronic communication and collaboration tool to link cadet corps/squadron staff with that of RCSUs, detachments, CSTCs and the Directorate of Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (D Cdts & JCR). The introduction of this multi-purpose tool has allowed the CAF to modernize the administration of the Canadian Cadet Organizations (CCO) with the widespread use of email, bulletin boards (conferences/forums) and electronic forms, to name a few. What was then cutting-edge software has become outdated and no longer meets CAF and user requirements and expectations. To correct this situation, the Information Management Group at National Defence Headquarters will be replacing CadetNet with Microsoft Outlook 2010 over the next few months.


2. With this tool, users will gain access to a modern, versatile and reliable software application to manage email, contacts, calendar events and tasks directly from the CCO Network (CCO Net).  Users will be able to access Outlook from a CCO Net computer directly or from a personal, public or Defence Wide Area Network (DWAN) computer through the CCO Net Web Access.


3. Given the large number of CadetNet users, it will be necessary to conduct the migration in two phases as follows:
   
   
   1. CSTC Staff Phase. In June 2014, users selected to serve at a CSTC, including RCSU staff with an immediate requirement, will be migrated first in order to ensure that internal CSTC communications are conducted using the same software application; and
   
   
   2. Cadet Corps/Squadron Staff Phase. Remaining CadetNet users will be migrated early in the new training year.
      
      Note. Regional IT Service Desks, in consultation with their RCSU, may choose to migrate cadet corps/squadron staff earlier, based upon availability and resources to do this in an efficient and effective manner.
   
   
4. Identifying which users are to be migrated in either phase is an RCSU’s responsibility. This information must be provided to the CCO Network Operations Centre in Winnipeg as quickly as possible. Detailed instructions to that effect will be forwarded under separate correspondence.


5. Shortly before they are migrated to Outlook, users will receive an email at their CadetNet address advising them of this upcoming change. They will also receive an email once they have been migrated. From that moment on, users must only use Outlook since some emails will no longer be delivered to CadetNet. Except for incoming email received since early May 2014, nothing else from CadetNet (outgoing email, calendar events, documents posted in conferences/forums, etc.) will have been automatically migrated. As a result, users may wish/need to save these before the migration. 


6. With regards to individual user email addresses (e.g. JOHN.SMITH@cadets.gc.ca) and generic cadet corps and squadrons email addresses (e.g. 99sea@cadets.gc.ca), these will remain unchanged with one exception. Instead of being assigned to a single user (the CO), email sent/received to the generic address will be accessible by all Cadet Corps/Squadron staff. As for positional email addresses (e.g. CO.99sea@cadets.gc.ca), these will be discontinued.


7. For those CadetNet users unfamiliar with Outlook, easy to understand quick reference guides are available on the CCO Extranet.


8. In addition to getting Outlook, cadet corps/squadrons, RCSUs, CSTCs and D Cdts & JCR will each be provided with disk space on CCO Net servers in the form of unit-specific network drives. This will provide units with a new location in which to save/post electronic documents currently found in CadetNet conferences/forums. CCO Net users will all have access to the national-level drive, their home RCSU’s drive and their unit’s drive. In addition, users serving at a CSTC will be provided access to that unit’s drive for the duration of their period of service.


9. As for electronic forms and applications currently found in CadetNet, these will be analysed and, if applicable, converted and placed on the CCO’s Intranet or Extranet in the near future. Work to that effect has already started and should lead to the definition of a global strategy on the integrated management of computer processes, electronic information and internal communications.


10. It is critical that all users pay close attention to these changes as they take place over the next few months.  A great number of processes incorporate the use of CadetNet and its retirement, if not prepared correctly, could cause some disruptions. It is important that CCO operations not be negatively affected as a result of these changes. We should also use this opportunity to revisit what we do and how we do it. These new tools, if used efficiently, can provide great advantages and help us bring the CCO into the 21st century.  I expect everyone in the CCO Chain of Command to give this initiative the highest priority and support, so that we can complete this transition in minimum time and with minimum disruption.


11. For more information about the migration from CadetNet to Outlook, an information document is available on the CCO Extranet. CadetNet users may also contact their regional IT Service Desk for clarification or if they encounter any technical problems.