Sage 100 Contractor System Requirements version 25.3
Description
Cause
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1. Architectural summary

Sage 100 Contractor uses traditional client/server architecture, which enables multiple people to use the same accounting data from multiple computers.

The Sage 100 Contractor application runs most business processing on client machines, known as workstations.

The Database Administration application performs all server functions, such as data backups and restoration, on the server.

All data is stored in SQL databases and file shares, which are located on the server.

For a single-user office, you can install Sage 100 Contractor and Database Administration on a single machine.

2. Server requirements

Sage recommends that your server is a machine dedicated to Sage 100 Contractor. (A new computer that can perform this function can cost you less than USD $1,000.)

Avoid changing the server environment. Sage 100 Contractor is tested against basic operating system (OS) installations. Many seemingly harmless changes to the server can cause Sage 100 Contractor or some of its advanced features to malfunction.

Server hardware requirements

Hardware

Minimum

Recommended

CPU type

Intel® 2nd generation Core™ or AMD equivalent

Intel® 8th generation core or better, or AMD equivalent)

CPU speed

4 execution threads at 2.3 GHz

≥ 8 execution threads at ≥ 2.3 GHz

RAM

8 GB, with 4 GB available for SQL Server

≥ 16 GB with ≥ 8 GB available for SQL Server

Disk type

SATA II solid-state drive

One redundant solid-state drive for the OS and applications

One redundant NVMe solid-state drive for production data

One redundant drive, NAS, or offsite drive for data backups

Free disk space

100 GB (for company nightly backups)

≥ 500 GB (for company nightly backups)

Disk speed

200 MB/s sustained read/write speeds

≥ 1.5 GB/s sustained read/write speeds for production data

Network type

Ethernet

Ethernet

Network speed

100 Mbps full duplex

≥ 1 Gbps full duplex

Screen resolution

1024 × 768

≥ 1280 × 1024

UPS

Not required

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) sufficient for a safe shutdown during an extended power failure.


Server software requirements

Software

Minimum

Recommended

OS version

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 or Windows 10

Microsoft Windows Server 2022

OS edition

No Home Editions. Desktop Experience required.

Essentials, Standard, or Enterprise. Desktop Experience required.

OS address width

64-bit

64-bit

PowerShell

Required

Required

SQL server version

SQL Server 2014*

SQL Server 2019

SQL server edition

Express

Express, Standard, or Enterprise

SQL address width

64-bit

64-bit

Email server

Not required

Twilio SendGrid account


* SQL Server 2014 is not supported on Windows Server 2022.

3. Workstation requirements [HIDDEN]

Workstation hardware requirements

 

Workstation software requirements

 

3. Workstation requirements [modified in committee]

Workstation hardware requirements

Hardware

Minimum

CPU type

Intel® 2nd generation core (or AMD equivalent)

CPU speed

4 execution threads at 2.0 GHz

RAM

4 GB (with 1.4 GB available)

Free disk space

2 GB

Network type

Ethernet

Screen resolution

1280 × 1024


Workstation software requirements

Software

Minimum

OS version

Microsoft Windows 10

OS edition

Professional or Enterprise (recommended)

OS address width

64-bit


4. Additional considerations

Outbound email

Users can set up Sage 100 Contractor to send emails automatically. Users can also schedule emails to be sent automatically.

Most email providers are constantly improving security measures, specifically to prevent unattended or automated emails. Often, these improvements interfere with the email capabilities of Sage 100 Contractor.

Sage strongly recommends getting a Twilio account for sending emails from within Sage 100 Contractor.

Sage 100 Contractor needs two pieces of information to use a Twilio account: a Twilio Sender ID (for example, “[email protected]”) and a Twilio SendGrid API Key (typically, about 70 characters starting with “SG.”).


Small business configuration options

A small office (less than 5 workstations) can potentially save money by using:

  • Windows 10 Professional or Windows 11 Professional for the server operating system
  • SQL Server Express Edition, which is free from Microsoft
  • Workgroups instead of a domain controller
  • A free Twilio account for up to 100 outbound emails a day


SQL Server editions

There are 5 editions of Microsoft SQL Server: Express, Standard, Web, Enterprise, and Developer.

Enterprise and Developer include all features.

Web and Standard include a subset of features.

Express has a limited set of features but is free for commercial use.

If SQL Server has not been installed on the server, Database Administration offers to install and configure a free Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express Edition automatically.

SQL Server Express has a 10 GB per database limit. Sage 100 Contractor automatically warns users when an Express database is ≥ 80% full.

Standard and Enterprise editions have no size limit and can more efficiently use all your computer’s CPU and memory.


Operating system editions

Installing Sage 100 Contractor server software and SQL Server on a non-server operating system is suitable only for small offices (less than 5 workstations).

For the server operating system, Personal and Home Editions of Microsoft Windows do not work because they use Simple File Sharing.


Domain membership

Sage 100 Contractor works in workgroup environments and does not require a domain controller. In workgroup environments, each user needs a local machine account on both the server and their workstation. Furthermore, usernames and passwords for each user need to be synchronized manually between the workstation and the server.

For a small office with a handful of workstations, a workgroup configuration is sufficient.


Domain controllers and SQL Server

Although SQL Server can be installed on a domain controller, Microsoft does not recommend it.

For more information, see Installing Sage 100 Contractor (SQL) version 20.4 and later to a domain controller


Ethernet versus Wi-Fi

Sage strongly recommends that customers use Ethernet (wired) networking. Intermittent network connectivity between workstations and the server can cause problems with Sage 100 Contractor.


Microsoft Office versions (optional)

Microsoft Office integration requires Office 2010, or later. Office can be 32-bit or 64-bit.


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