Unit Website Platform

Planning

A multi-tenant, modern web platform designed to provide cadet units with a professional, public-facing digital presence that is easy to manage, consistent in quality, and aligned with the culture and structure of Sea, Army, and Air Cadet organizations.

Next.jsReact + TypeScriptShadCN/UIPostgreSQLMulti-TenantAzure AD B2C
Source Code

Overview

The OakSignal Unit Website Platform is a multi-tenant web platform that delivers branch-themed unit websites powered by a centralized content management system. Each cadet unit is provisioned with its own fully branded website and administrative portal, allowing non-technical staff to publish news, manage events, showcase leadership, share documents, and preserve unit culture without relying on external web developers. Offered as a complementary package alongside SignalsMaster and Quartermaster, the platform serves as the public front door to a unit's operations, recruitment efforts, and community engagement. Each unit operates within its own isolated digital space while benefiting from a shared, secure, and scalable infrastructure.

Problem Domain

The Challenge: Outdated & Fragmented Digital Presence
  • •Units rely on outdated websites that appear unprofessional to parents and the public.
  • •Difficult to update content without technical expertise or web developer support.
  • •Information fragmented across multiple platforms (websites, social media, email).
  • •Websites fail to reflect the structure, leadership, and culture of cadet organizations.
  • •Unnecessary administrative burden on officers and volunteers.
  • •Inconsistent quality and branding across different units.

Our Solution

Our Solution: Centralized Multi-Tenant Platform
  • •Multi-Tenant Architecture: One platform serving many units, each with isolated digital space.
  • •Branch-Themed Templates: Professional designs for Sea, Army, and Air Cadets.
  • •Built-in CMS: Non-technical staff can publish news, manage events, and update content.
  • •Subdomain Routing: Each unit gets their own branded subdomain (e.g., unit-alpha.oaksignal.ca).
  • •Leadership Board: Structured display of officers, staff, and senior cadets with ranks.
  • •Integration Ready: Designed to complement SignalsMaster and Quartermaster systems.

Multi-Tenant Architecture

Isolated Unit Websites
  • Unit: Example Sea Cadets - Website, CMS Access, Events, Leadership Data
  • Platform Level: Shared Infrastructure, Centralized Updates, Security

Technical Architecture

Frontend

Next.js (App Router), React, TypeScript, ShadCN/UI, Tailwind CSS, Framer Motion

Backend

Next.js API Routes / Server Actions

Database

PostgreSQL with multi-tenant schema (unit_id scoping)

Authentication

Azure AD B2C or Auth.js (OAuth) with role-based permissions

Storage

Cloud object storage (S3/Azure Blob/Cloudflare R2) with CDN delivery

Security

Row-level security, subdomain isolation, role-based permissions, signed URLs

Role-Based Access

Public Visitors

View public content, submit inquiries and forms, browse events and news

Unit Staff/Officers

Full CMS access—create content, manage events, update leadership, configure unit settings

Senior Cadets

Limited administrative capabilities for specific content areas under officer supervision

Key Features
  • Branch-Themed Design System
  • Public-Facing Website Pages
  • Leadership Board Display
  • Events and Calendar
  • Forms Integration
  • Culture and History Hub
  • Multi-Tenant CMS
  • Subdomain Routing
Project Timeline

  1. Q1 2026: Planning & Requirements

    • Define core features and user requirements
    • Research branch-specific design guidelines
    • Evaluate multi-tenant architecture patterns
    • Create technical specification document

  2. Q2 2026: Design & Architecture

    • Design branch-themed templates (Sea, Army, Air)
    • Create CMS interface mockups
    • Finalize database schema and API design
    • Validate designs with stakeholders

  3. Q3 2026: Core Development

    • Build multi-tenant infrastructure
    • Implement CMS and content management
    • Develop public-facing website templates
    • Set up subdomain routing and authentication

  4. Q4 2026: Beta Testing & Refinement

    • Internal testing with pilot units
    • Gather feedback and iterate on features
    • Performance optimization and security hardening
    • Documentation and training materials

  5. Q1 2027: Production Launch

    General Availability rollout to cadet units with ongoing support

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