How do I upgrade my software and company data to the current version of Sage 100 Contractor?

Please follow these steps in order.

Part 1: Upgrade the server

1. Important: Before installing a software upgrade, please check the system requirements to verify you are using a supported operating system. Do not install the update if your system does not meet the minimum system requirements for both server and client machines, as the program will not function.  System Requirements for Sage 100 Contractor version 25
2. Have all users log out of Sage 100 Contractor.
3. For each company in Database Administration, make a current backup.
   Note: If you have archived companies in other locations, make sure you keep each company’s ZIP file. (Even if you no longer update those companies, it’s recommended to store two copies of each ZIP file in two different locations.)
4. Download the latest installation file from the Customer Portal at support.na.sage.com. Upgrade file names have the format Sage100Contractor2NNNNN_Setup.exe, where the 2NN section is the version number.
5. Copy this file to a network drive; you will also use it to update the workstations.
6. Disable your anti-virus software.
7. Sign onto the server as the server’s administrator OR the person who installed Sage 100 Contractor.
8. Right-click on the setup file and choose Run as administrator.
9. An installation wizard appears. When you see Select installation options, choose Sage 100 Contractor, License Administration, and Database Administration.

Note: You must have Sage 100 Contractor client software installed on the server that hosts the SQL instance and databases. On a terminal server that is not the Sage 100 Contractor server, be sure to install only the client (workstation) software.

Part 2: Upgrade your company database(s)

1. Open Database Administration. When the Connect to SQL Server dialog appears, choose Connect.
   Note: Skip this step if you chose to start Database Administration at the end of the server installation.
2. On the left, choose Upgrade Company Databases.
   Note: The current database version appears above the company list, and the current software version appears on the right side of the top border. These do not usually match; see DocLink: Why does the Sage 100 Contractor Installation Version not match the Database Version? What is my build version?
3. You will have one of two options:
   • Be able to select all the companies (or just one at a time) and click Upgrade Databases
   • Be unable to select any companies; this means that your companies are already on the most recent database version
     Note: if this is the case, company names will appear in gray and your cursor may seem to slide off the checkboxes
4. When the upgrade process is complete, test the upgrade by opening Sage 100 Contractor on the server and then opening companies.
5. If you disabled anti-virus software, re-activate it.

Notes:

Once you have upgraded the companies, workstations will need the latest software version in order to open them.

To minimize downtime, upgrade frequently-used databases first. Your colleagues can return to work while you upgrade the archived companies.

Part 3: Upgrade the client workstation(s)

If you have many workstations to update, we recommend the automatic update.

Manual

On each workstation:

1. Browse to the folder that contains the setup file.
   Note: You can copy this file onto the workstation, but that is not required.
2. Temporarily disable the workstation’s anti-virus software, if any.
3. Right click the setup.exe file and choose Run as administrator.
4. An installation wizard appears. When you see Select installation options, choose ONLY Sage 100 Contractor itself.
5. When the upgrade finishes, test it by opening Sage 100 Contractor and then opening a current company.
6. If you disabled Anti-virus software, re-activate it.

Automatic

Important: Before you follow these steps, ensure the server and company databases are all on the most recent versions.

After you follow these steps, Sage 100 Contractor will prompt everyone who opens it to run the upgrade wizard themselves.

1. Locate the Sage100Contractor2NNNNN_Setup.exe file (used in Step 1).
2. Copy the Setup.exe file onto the sever in this directory: [Data_drive_letter] \Sage100Con\Common\Installation.
   Notes: The SQL instance name is at the root of the drive. If you did not choose the suggested default, Sage100Con, then substitute the name you chose.
   This Installation directory also contains an HTML file with these steps.
3. If a Sage100Contractor_Setup.exe file is already present in this directory, delete it.
4. Rename the current Setup.exe by removing the version number. The file’s name will then be Sage100Contractor_Setup.exe.
   Note: On the File Explorer - View menu or toolbar, choose File name extensions. You can then see EXE at the end of the setup file, so that you do not add it again.

With this method:

• The next time anyone opens Sage 100 Contractor and chooses Connect, a dialog will prompt them to update
• When they click Yes the installation wizard will run
• Select installation options will pre-select Sage 100 Contractor (and not the server tools)

When the installation finishes, they can reopen Sage 100 Contractor and log in. The new version number appears when they choose Home and Resources - About Sage 100 Contractor.