1. Architectural summary

1. Sage 100 Contractor uses traditional client/server architecture, which enables multiple people to use the same accounting data from various computers.
2. The Sage 100 Contractor runs most of its application processing on the client machines, known as workstations.
3. The Database Administration for Sage 100 Contractor application, on the file server machine, performs processes such as database creation, renaming, archiving, backing up, and restoring.
4. All company databases are stored in SQL databases and file shares are located on the server.
5. For a single-user office, Sage 100 Contractor and Database Administration for Sage 100 Contractor can be installed on one machine.

2. Server requirements

1. Sage recommends that your server is a machine dedicated to Sage 100 Contractor.
2. 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

Server software requirements

* SQL Server 2016 is not supported on Windows Server 2022. SQL Server 2014 will no longer be supported after July 9^th, 2024.

3. Workstation requirements [modified in committee]

Workstation hardware requirements

Workstation software requirements

4. Additional considerations

Outbound email

1. Users can set up Sage 100 Contractor to send emails automatically. Users can also schedule reports and alerts to be emailed automatically.
2. 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.
3. Sage suggests obtaining a Twilio™ account for sending emails from within Sage 100 Contractor.  Refer to How to set up email in Sage 100 Contractor
4. 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:

1. Windows 10 Professional or Windows 11 Professional for the server operating system
2. SQL Server Express Edition, which is free from Microsoft and can be downloaded from Database Administration for Sage 100 Contractor.
3. Workgroups instead of a domain controller
4. A free Twilio account for up to 100 outbound emails a day

SQL Server editions

1. There are 5 editions of Microsoft SQL Server: Express, Standard, Web, Enterprise, and Developer.
2. Enterprise and Developer include all features.
3. Web and Standard include a subset of features.
4. Express has a limited set of features but is free for commercial use.
5. If SQL Server has not been installed on the server, Database Administration for Sage 100 Contractor offers to install and configure a free Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express Edition automatically.
6. SQL Server Express has a 10 GB per database limit. Sage 100 Contractor automatically warns users when an Express database is ≥ 80% full.
7. Standard and Enterprise editions have no size limit and can more efficiently use all your computer’s CPU and memory.

Operating system editions

1. 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).
2. As of December 2023, Windows Server 2022 Essentials supports up to 25 users and 50 devices.
3. For the server operating system, Personal and Home Editions of Microsoft Windows do not work because they use Simple File Sharing.

Domain membership

1. 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.
2. For a small office with a handful of workstations, a workgroup configuration is sufficient.

Domain controllers and SQL Server

1. Although SQL Server can be installed on a domain controller, Microsoft does not recommend it for security reasons.
2. For more information, refer to 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)

1. Microsoft Office integration requires Office 2016, or later. Office can be 32-bit or 64-bit.
2. Sage 100 Contractor email integration will not work with Microsoft “New Outlook”.