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Welcome to our Support

Overview

1 Overview

Bright/Relate Software no longer performs server migrations. Your own IT team must complete the move, using the steps and guides below. Allow at least two weeks for planning, implementation, and testing before the old server is taken offline.

2 Backing up the Database

  1. On the existing server create full SQL backups for: https://www.relate-software.com/downloads/Backing%20up%20the%20SQL%20Database.pdf

    • DRIVE

    • Relate Accounts Production

    • Personal Tax

    • Corporation Tax

  2. For Relate Company Secretary copy the Microsoft Access data file and keep it with the SQL backups.

3 Documenting File Paths

Record every UNC or mapped-drive path used by the applications so they can be reproduced (or updated) on the new server.

External storage in DRIVE
DRIVE may store documents outside the database. Check each area below, note the path shown, and copy those folders to the new server:

  • Email Storage – Tools ▸ Settings ▸ SMS/Email Setup

  • Mail-Merge Templates – Word icon ▸ Select Document ▸ Edit

  • Generated Mail-Merges – Tools ▸ Settings ▸ Clients ▸ Document Path

  • Generated Bills / Credit Notes – Tools ▸ Fees Ledger ▸ Bill/Credit Note Setup

  • Bank Rec / VAT Return reports – Tools ▸ Settings ▸ Reports ▸ Setup (bottom two boxes)

  • Bill Templates – Tools ▸ Templates ▸ Bill Template

  • Credit-Note Templates – Tools ▸ Templates ▸ Credit Note Templates

  • Statements – Reports ▸ Fees Reports ▸ Statement (Microsoft Word), then click the blue statement link

  • Scanned Documents – Document Management ▸ Settings (blue monitor icon), check every tab

  • Datamining Results – Marketing ▸ Datamining (blue-screen monitor icon)

  • Documents attached to communications – verify each user’s default save location

If any of these paths will change on the new server, plan to update them inside DRIVE after the move.

4 Install SQL and Products

4.1 Prepare the New Server

  • Install Microsoft SQL Server (version confirmed in Section 4.2).

  • Install DRIVE and any additional Relate products.

  • Replicate Windows and SQL permissions from the old server.

4.2 SQL Edition

  • Check which SQL edition you need by referencing the Product Specifications sheet. https://www.relate-software.com/downloads/SQL%20Product%20Specifications.pdf

  • Standard SQL – must be installed manually with media downloaded from Microsoft.

  • Express SQL – can be installed automatically with the All Products Install package (≈ 2.03 GB) and then any required Relate products. https://www.relate-software.com/downloads/All%20Products%20Install.zip

5 Restoring the SQL Database

  1. Restore each SQL backup to the new SQL instance. https://www.relate-software.com/downloads/Restoring%20SQL%20Database.pdf

  2. Copy the Relate Company Secretary Access file to its new location.

  3. Verify that every file path from Section 3 exists or has been updated inside the software.

6 Test Before Go-Live

  • Log in to each product from at least one workstation.

  • Open recent clients, run sample reports, view scanned documents, and send a test email.

  • Confirm user permissions and that external-storage paths are resolving correctly.

Need help?

The support team can answer procedural questions about these steps and the guides. Email support@relate-software.com with your query; configuration or troubleshooting beyond standard guidance may be chargeable.