The end-of-life for Camunda 7’s Community Edition is on the horizon, and many in the process automation community are planning their next steps. While change can seem daunting, this is a moment of opportunity. It’s a chance to move to a platform that is not only built on the foundation you know and trust but is also actively evolving for the future. That platform is Operaton.
At uubato, we are the dedicated service and support partner for the Operaton open-source project. We regularly speak with users who are concerned about the migration effort, the future of their processes, and the availability of enterprise-level support.
The good news is that migrating from Camunda 7 to Operaton is a remarkably straightforward process. In this guide, we will walk you through the technical steps, explain what to consider, and show how uubato ensures you have the enterprise-grade support you need to operate with confidence.
The ‘Why’ Before the ‘How’: Why is This Migration So Simple?
Before we dive into the technical details, it’s crucial to understand why this transition is more of an update than a rewrite. Operaton is a direct fork of the Camunda 7 engine. This means it shares the same architectural DNA, the same BPMN, CMMN, and DMN standards, and the same core principles. The Operaton development team has made a public commitment to maintaining API stability, meaning your existing business logic, process definitions, and custom code will remain valid.
You are not re-platforming; you are simply pointing your application to a new, actively maintained, and community-driven upstream source.
Pre-Migration Checklist: Preparing for a Smooth Transition
A successful migration always begins with good preparation. Before changing a single line of code, we recommend you take the following preparatory steps to ensure a seamless switch.
First, review your current environment. While Operaton maintains broad compatibility, it is phasing out support for legacy environments to keep the codebase modern and secure. Ensure you are using a recent version of Camunda 7.21 or higher and a compatible Java version (JDK 17 or higher is recommended). Running on an up-to-date foundation will minimize friction.
Second, and most importantly, solidify your testing strategy. The best way to validate a successful migration is to have a comprehensive suite of automated tests for your existing application. If you have robust integration, component, and end-to-end tests that verify your core business processes, you will be able to run this same suite after the migration to confirm that everything works exactly as it did before. This is your safety net and your quality gate.
The Core Migration: A Step-by-Step Technical Guide
Once your preparations are complete, you can begin the core migration. The following steps will guide you through the technical changes required in a typical Maven-based Spring Boot project. The process is similar for Gradle or other setups.
Step 1: Updating Your Dependencies
The main task is to switch your project’s dependencies from Camunda 7 to Operaton. Open your pom.xml file and locate the dependency management section and the dependencies themselves. You will be replacing the Camunda groupId and, in some cases, the artifactId.
Change the groupId from org.camunda.bpm to org.operaton.bpm.
For example, a standard Spring Boot starter dependency will change as follows:
Before:
<dependency>
<groupId>org.camunda.bpm.springboot</groupId>
<artifactId>camunda-bpm-spring-boot-starter</artifactId>
<version>7.21.0</version>
</dependency>
After:
<dependency>
<groupId>org.operaton.bpm.springboot</groupId>
<artifactId>operaton-bpm-spring-boot-starter</artifactId>
<version>1.0.0-beta4</version>
</dependency>
You will need to do this for all Camunda artifacts, such as camunda-engine, camunda-engine-spring, and any others you use. The artifact names have also been streamlined by replacing camunda-bpm with operaton.
Step 2: Adjusting Configuration
Operaton aims for maximum compatibility, so most of your existing application.yaml or application.properties configuration will work without changes.
Step 3: Database Migration
This is often a major point of concern in any migration, but with Operaton, it’s a non-issue. Operaton uses the same database schema as Camunda 7. When you start your application with the new Operaton dependencies for the first time, the engine will automatically detect the existing schema and apply any minor updates or additions required. No complex, manual database migration scripts are necessary. As always, we recommend backing up your database before starting the application for the first time, following standard operational best practices.
Step 4: Validating the Migration
With your dependencies and configuration updated, it’s time to build and run your application. This is the moment of truth where your preparation pays off. Execute your full suite of automated tests. They should all pass without any changes to your test code, proving that your core logic remains intact.
Once your automated tests are successful, perform a quick manual check. Start a new process instance, navigate the user tasks, and open the web applications (Operaton Cockpit and Tasklist). You will find the same familiar and powerful tools, now powered by Operaton.
Beyond the Code: Bridging the Enterprise Gap with uubato
We understand that for many businesses, the “Enterprise” version of Camunda 7 provided more than just a software license; it provided peace of mind through dedicated support and advanced features. This is where uubato seamlessly continues your journey.
Concerns about losing enterprise features or access to expert support are unfounded. uubato was founded to be the enterprise-grade service and support layer for Operaton. We provide comprehensive, commercial support contracts that guarantee, critical bug fixes, and direct access to our team of experts who are core contributors to the Operaton project.
Furthermore, if your application relies on specific features from the old Camunda Enterprise Edition, we have you covered. We offer robust, actively maintained alternatives for advanced Cockpit/Tasklist plugins, performance monitoring, and other enterprise functionalities. The switch to Operaton is not a downgrade in capability; it’s a change in how you source that capability. Instead of a one-size-fits-all license, you get tailored support and solutions directly from the specialists at uubato.
Your Future is Secure with Operaton and uubato
Migrating from Camunda 7 to Operaton is a low-risk, high-reward step that secures the future of your process automation platform. The technical effort is minimal and the path is clear. By following this guide, you can transition your applications with confidence, knowing that your processes will continue to run reliably.
Most importantly, you are not alone on this journey. uubato is here to ensure your success, providing the professional services and enterprise-grade support that your business demands.
Ready to start your migration? Contact us at uubato today for a technical consultation, to discuss our support packages, or to get assistance with your transition.
