 NOTE: This product was retired from sale and support as of 30 September 2021. Please refer to our communication for more information. If you have not already done so, please contact your Sage Business Partner to review alternative solutions. If you do not have a Sage Business Partner who supported you with this solution and would like to hear about available alternatives, please contact 0191 479 5988.
Installing SQL Express 2005 for use with Sage 50 Manufacturing
Microsoft SQL Server is used to store the Sage 50 Manufacturing database. It must be installed on a server and be accessible from all computers on your network where you intend to install the Manufacturing software. Sage 50 Manufacturing cannot be used without it.
This article provides guidance in installing Microsoft SQL Server Express 2005, for use with Sage 50 Manufacturing products (Bill of Materials, Batch Controller, Job Controller or Manufacturing Controller).
Your physical server may host several SQL Servers, known as 'Instances of SQL', each known by a unique name such as SQLEXPRESS or a name of your choice. It is recommended that Sage 50 Manufacturing is installed on its own instance of SQL, rather than sharing a server with other applications. Failure to do so will potentially result in difficulties in using the software or data discrepancies.
A copy of SQL Express 2005 is provided free on your Manufacturing installation disk. Sage 50 Manufacturing also works with other variants of SQL server. If you want to use your own copy of SQL server or you have any questions regarding this please contact your Technical Support Provider.
NOTE: Sage 50 Manufacturing is not compatible with any other database platforms such as MySQL or Oracle.
Before you begin
You must ensure:
- The settings applied to SQL are suitable to the environment where the software will be used and that it meets business requirements.
- No IT security issues are presented by installing SQL server in the manner described in this document.
If you require assistance with this please contact Sage Technical Support or your IT personnel.
To install SQL Express 2005
- Insert the Sage 50 Manufacturing CD into your computer CD drive. After a few moments, the CD will autorun. Refer to the section What if the installation CD does not start automatically?’ if it does not.
You are presented with the following screen.
- Click Optional Tools to display the choice of optional tools to install.
- Select SQL Server and click Yes to install this tool.
A small screen appears while the installation prepares to begin.
This can remain on screen for some time, depending on computer specifications.
The Microsoft Licence Agreement is displayed.
- Read and agree to this before continuing with the installation. Select ‘I accept the licensing terms and conditions’ and click Next.
Some setup files are installed.
The installation of SQL Server now begins.
A system configuration check is made to ensure your server meets the required specifications for SQL to be installed and run properly.
This screen shows a fully functioning server.
Any issues that show up on the screen should be rectified before continuing with the installation. Contact your IT support provider if you require further assistance.
- Click Next to enter registration information.
- Enter your name and company name.
Ensure that you clear the check box ‘Hide advanced configuration options’. If you don’t clear this check box, you will see different screens from those shown in the remainder of this article. - Click Next to select the features you want to install.
- Ensure the installation is for at least Database Services and Client Components. There is no need for the Software Development Kit.
- Click Next to enter the Instance Name.
- We recommend that you select ‘Named instance’.
You can click ‘Installed instances’ to check the names of all instances currently installed on your server. This helps you to choose a unique name for your Manufacturing instance of SQL.
If SQL Express has never been installed on the server, then SQLEXPRESS is fine and you can accept the default name. If you are unsure, you could call it SAGESQL. If components of SQL are already installed on the server, the following screen appears.
You can click Details for further explanation if you want. You do not need to do anything with this screen.
- Click Next to enter service account details.
If components of SQL are not already installed on the server, the Service Account screen appears.
- This lets you control how Manufacturing will log on to SQL. Do not alter the default settings unless you or your IT personnel have a specific reason to do so. Click Next to enter authentication details.
- Select Mixed Mode and enter an SA password.
NOTE: If you do not enter the settings correctly, you may be prevented from accessing the program, or receive error messages when you attempt to do so. Please remember your password because Sage cannot change it if you forget it. - Click Next to enter collation settings.
- Select collation settings as shown in the screen above, and click Next to enter configuration options.
NOTE: Collation settings define sorting behaviour for your server. They must be set correctly or you might experience SQL related errors when using Sage 50 Manufacturing. You may not be able to set up Sage 50 Manufacturing correctly if the collation settings are not as shown above. 
- Select both options, unless you have a specific reason not to and click Next to enter error and usage settings.
NOTE: Configuration settings control how Windows Administrator accounts control SQL. They are either directly relevant to how Sage 50 Manufacturing may perform (especially in relation to Windows Vista machines) or how future instances of SQL may be handled. 
These settings are clear by default. You can select them or leave them clear. They make no difference to how SQL operates and will not affect using Sage 50 Manufacturing.
- Select or leave clear these settings and click Next.
Once installation is complete, read the article, ‘Configuring SQL Express 2005 for use with Sage 50 Manufacturing’.
Potential ErrorsSecurity Warning
Depending on operating system and security configuration settings, you may experience this warning at the beginning of the installation. Windows is trying to confirm that you want to carry on with the installation. Select Run and then continue as described in ‘To install SQL Express 2005’.
32 Bit / 64 Bit installations
The supplied (and supported) version of Microsoft SQL Server Express 2005 is intended for use on a 32 Bit Operating System. If you are installing on a 64 bit Operating System such as Windows Vista 64 Bit, you will experience the above error message. The solution is to install SQL on a 32 bit operating system or to use a 64 bit compatible version of SQL Server which can be obtained from the Microsoft website.
Duplicate instance name
This error message might occur following the option to specify a Named Instance, as documented in the ‘To install SQL Express 2005’ section of this article.
The error message suggests that an instance already exists with the same name as the one you intend to use, and that all the features you are trying to install also already exist on your server.
You can:
- Check that SQL has not already been installed on your server, for use with Sage 50 Manufacturing.
- If SQL server has already been installed, it is likely it is being used by another application. Change the name of the instance and continue with the installation.
NOTE: We recommend that Sage 50 Manufacturing is used with its own instance of SQL server.
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