Migrate from CDK Global to Nutshell

CDK Data Export Tools use SFTP batches, not a real-time API — export scheduling affects migration timing

CDK Global does not expose a real-time REST or GraphQL API for live data extraction. Instead, CDK's Data Export Tools deliver predefined data bundles to an SFTP folder on a scheduled basis (daily by default). This means the export window must be aligned with the migration window — if the last CDK export ran before the migration cutover, recent deals or service records created after that export may not be captured. We address this by requesting an on-demand export trigger from CDK (if available for your plan) and running a supplemental delta export before committing the full migration load to Nutshell. Dealers on CDK's lower tiers without SFTP export access may need manual CSV exports, which extend the timeline.

Vehicle and F&I data require custom field creation in Nutshell before data can be imported

CDK's DMS data model includes vehicle inventory units (VIN, stock number, make/model/year, mileage) and an F&I product module (GAP, tire protection, service contracts, backend reserves) that have no equivalent in Nutshell's CRM object model. Nutshell's standard Deal object has no vehicle-specific fields. Before CDK data can land in Nutshell, custom fields for VIN, stock number, vehicle year/make/model/mileage/color, and up to five F&I product slots (product name, price, backend reserve) must be created in Nutshell's field management UI. We deliver a custom field creation checklist before the migration runs so the Nutshell account is field-ready. If your CDK setup uses more than five F&I products per deal, additional fields or a notes-based approach is needed.

CDK multi-location dealer groups map to multiple Nutshell accounts or require location tagging

CDK Global is commonly deployed across multi-location dealership groups where one DMS instance manages several franchise or independent locations. Nutshell's standard account model does not have a native multi-location or multi-entity hierarchy. Dealers migrating from CDK with multiple locations have two options: create a separate Nutshell account per location (each with its own user seats and pipeline), or consolidate into a single Nutshell account and use custom fields or tags to distinguish locations. We surface this decision early because it affects user-seat billing, pipeline configuration, and reporting. The choice is made by the dealer's admin before migration validation begins.

CDK parts inventory and accounting data have no Nutshell destination — those modules must be retired separately

CDK's Fixed Operations module tracks parts inventory with bin locations, part numbers, and reorder points. CDK's accounting module holds the general ledger, accounts payable, and financial reporting for the dealership. Nutshell is a CRM with no inventory, parts, or accounting capabilities. These datasets are not migrated into Nutshell because they have no home object. We export CDK parts and accounting data as CSV files for the dealer's reference and recommend a separate migration path to a dedicated inventory or accounting tool. Failing to address this upfront means the dealer may lose access to historical parts cost data and financial reports after CDK is decommissioned.

CDK service records and repair orders migrate as notes, losing structured field relationships

CDK Fixed Operations stores repair orders (RO) with structured fields: RO number, vehicle at service, service advisor, labor hours, parts used, and total RO value. Nutshell has no service module and no structured repair-order object. We attach service history to the Nutshell Person or Company record as formatted notes or custom long-text fields. The structured relationship between RO number, advisor, and parts used is flattened into a text block. For dealerships that rely on service history for customer retention and service bay utilization reporting, this loss of structure in Nutshell means service analytics must be rebuilt using a separate reporting tool or a dedicated fixed-ops platform.