NOTE: Running the Host or Application Server as a service allows users to access Sage 100 Advanced or Premium editions without having a user continuously logged into the server to run the Host program. The core of the service is responsible for starting up when the server is started. The service can launch multiple instances of the Host component to allow multiple hosts on a single server.

While the Application Server service components are automatically install when Sage 100 Advanced or Premium edition is installed to the server, the host must still be set up, in order to run as a service.

 NOTE: for information on how to run Sage 100 Application Server as an Application (rather than as a Service) - see Related Solutions.

Application Server - Sage 100 Advanced or Premium edition (versions 4.xx and later)

1. Log on to the server where Sage 100 ERP Advanced or Premium is installed
2. On the Windows Start menu, click All Programs, Sage, Application Server Service Setup
3. • Note: The menu path may vary depending on version and setup.
4. Select the path to ..\MAS90" (where Sage 100 is installed) to be configured as a service and click OK
5. Configure the settings for running the service. Do not use the Local System Account to run the service

Note:  Create a Domain account, with local Admin permissions to run the Sage 100 service. 

• Create a new domain user on the server that has appropriate access rights to run all the functions and features of the Sage 100.  This should include the Modify permission to the application folder, any folders where Sage 100 data is located, the Windows folder, and access to the Registry.  This account must also be granted the Log On as a Service right.

After setup, Application Server settings (such as the port ID) can still be configured in Application Server Configuration.

1. On the Windows Start menu, click All Programs, Sage, Application Server Configuration.
2. Change any options as needed. For more information, review the Installation and System Administrator's Guide (currently "Sage100ERP_Install.pdf", found in the "Documents" folder where the Sage 100 installation files were extracted to after download).

Set up and start Host.

• Set up Host as a service:
1. Log on to the Sage 100 Advanced ERP server
2. On the Windows Start menu, point to Settings, and click Control Panel
3. Select Host Service Manager
4. Click the Add button
5. Enter the following information in the appropriate fields:
• Port ID number
• Host path
6. Click OK.
• Start Host as a service:
1. In Control Panel on the server, click Services
2. Click the Startup button
3. Click the appropriate Startup Type option button to determine how the server starts the Host
• Automatic: Host starts automatically whenever the server is rebooted.
• Manual: Manually start Host when desired
• Disable: Prevents Host from starting
4. Select the System account or a user account to start the service
• The account must have sufficient rights to the ..\Mas90 folder
• Using the System account is not recommended due to various issues, including ODBC access and using alternate directories
• For security reasons, the account should not have administrator rights, because this gives users administrator rights to the server from within Sage 100 Advanced ERP
5. Click the Start button

 Additional information for Crystal Reports:

There may be issues with graphical forms and Crystal Reports if both of the following conditions exist:

• The System account is used to run the Host as a Service
• A UNC is used for the ODBC path during Workstation Setup.

Use the following guidelines to avoid issues with graphical printing:

• When using the System account to run the Host as a service:
  Note: Due to other issues, using the System account is still not recommended.
• Map a drive letter to the server where Sage 100 Advanced ERP is located from the workstation. Run Workstation Setup at every workstation and enter the mapped path in the 'ODBC path' field when prompted.
• Advantages:
• System Account already exists and needs no configuring.
• Host can still be managed while running as a service by selecting 'Allow Interaction with Desktop' in Services 'Startup' options.
• Disadvantages:
• Each workstation must be mapped to the Sage 100 Advanced ERP location. This will take more time and may also lead to mapping inconsistencies.
• When using the UNC as the ODBC path during Workstation Setup:
• Select an existing user account (not System) to run Host.
• Give the user account full rights to the ..\Mas90 folder and to the ..\Crw folder (if Crystal Reports is installed on the network).
• Because Sage 100 Advanced users inherit the permission from the user account while in the program, avoid granting administrator rights to the user account.
• Advantages:
• Mapping from the workstation is not necessary.
• UNC path to Sage 100 Advanced ERP will be the same from every workstation, which avoids inconsistent mapping.
• Disadvantages:
• A user must be set up and configured properly with full rights to the ..\Mas90 and \Crw folders.
• To reconfigure Host at the server, the service must be stopped and Host restarted as a application.
• When using a user account to run Host as a service, and a mapped drive is used in the ODBC path:
• No guidelines are necessary. This method is not generally recommended.
• Advantages:
• None
• Disadvantages:
• A user must be set up and configured properly with full rights to the ..\Mas90 and \Crw folders.
• To reconfigure Host at the server, the service must be stopped and Host restarted as a application.
• Each workstation must be mapped to the Sage 100 Advanced ERP location. This takes more time and may lead to mapping inconsistencies

How to run the Sage 100 Application Server as an application