When a practice is having a new server computer installed, their practice data and server content will need to be transferred.

If you are in the initial stages of designing the new server computer, please view the EXACT system requirements.

You can access support from within EXACT, click Live Chat to get in touch with our friendly support team or ask our support bot to search for help articles from the EXACT help centre.

Upgrading to a newer version of EXACT

If the version of EXACT being installed on the new server is higher than the version installed on the original EXACT server, please ensure you have a backup of your EXACT data before proceeding.

• Locating and moving the EXACT data
• Installation and configuration of EXACT server
• Final checks

Locating and moving the EXACT data

1. Ensure all users are logged out of EXACT.
2. On the original/current server, stop all SOE services from services.msc.
   
3. Copy the EXACT data folder (location is shown by opening this file C:\Program Files (x86)\Software Of Excellence\Exact Server\Databases.ini).
4. Move the data to the new server, this can be over the network or external hard drive, this is up to you/your IT. (We recommend the data be located on a separate drive to the program files, i.e D drive).
   • Remember to copy the X-rays folder over too if this is located in a separate location
   • If you are a Scottish NHS practice (eDental) please contact the EXACT support team as there will be an additional SQL database that requires copying to the new server:
     The data is commonly located here (Contact SOE if unsure): C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA
5. Uninstall EXACT server from the server's programs and features as soon as the users have logged out for the last time to prevent the data from continuing to send/receive communications and receive online bookings and payments.
6. Share the EXACT data folder over the network with full permissions with the share name EXACTData.

Installation and configuration of EXACT server

1. Uninstall EXACT Server from the old server (as already mentioned).
2. The next step is to install EXACT on the new server.
   
   • If you require a version of EXACT older than our current release, please see Installing a specific (older) EXACT version, this is only recommended if you have been advised by a member of the EXACT support team.
   • Download the latest version of EXACT.
   • Follow the install wizard through to completion, leaving the program files and default data path as they are, you will update the path later.
   • Change the databases.ini file located on the server in C:\Program Files (x86)\Software Of Excellence\Exact Server (open in notepad) to the path of where the current practice data is stored. i.e Practice=D:\Exactwin\Data.
3. If you use EXAMINE Pro please contact the EXACT support team to speak with the digital imaging team to confirm where the X-rays are stored, as these will need to be moved over. If using 3rd party software speak to your software provider to find out where the X-rays are and the best process for moving and configuring on a new server computer.
4. Right-click the EXACT server administrator then stop database server or restart the SOE DB Toggler Service in Service.msc.
   • Wait a few seconds, then right-click and "start database server". This will refresh the data paths and shares/permissions you have applied to the data.
   • Double click "EXACT Server Administrator" on the desktop to get the system tray icon to appear if it is not already running.
5. Attempt to log into EXACT on the server and accept the prompt to upgrade the data if asked. (a server EXACT licence is not required to perform this action). Once logged in/data has finished upgrading you can then install the additional software or drivers for any other modules the practice may use. i.e Clinipad, Examine Pro, Online booking.
6. To install EXACT on new workstations find the shared server folder called "EXACT Resources" then open the "Workstation Installer" folder then double click "Install Exact Workstation.exe".
   File location: {server}\exactresources\workstationinstaller (Change {server} to your server name.)
7. If you are replacing any workstations, you will see one of two prompts.
   • If on a newer version, you will be prompted upon login to transfer the license to the new computer.
   • If using an older version of EXACT, an admin user should navigate to Configure - License Manager then delicense any workstation to be replaced.
8. Enter the windows network credentials if required to access the servers shared folders.
9. Follow the install wizard through to completion.
10. Double click the EXACT Dental shortcut to confirm EXACT is launching ok (confirm the EXACT version number and current server machine name stated here are correct). If prompted with an error, select the new server from the dropdown, if available.
11. If any issues, you may need to edit the Login.ini file to set the new server name. Located at C:\ProgramData\SOEI\EXACT.
12. Open the file and edit/add the line starting “CurrentServer=” to include the correct server name. (e.g CurrentServer=Server) Do not use IP addresses as some EXACT features will not function correctly unless a machine name is specified. If it struggles to save then save the file to desktop then copy and paste it back into the folder (C:\ProgramData\SOEI\EXACT) and it will overwrite the current Login.ini file.
13. Launch EXACT again to make sure it’s now working OK.

Final checks

Additional modules requiring the EXACT support team to re-install or re-configure after moving to a new server. Failing to contact the team will result in these modules failing to be operational within the practice.

• Online Booking
• Patient Portal
• EXACT Automatic Updates
• MPC (cloud reporting)
• Clinipad
• EXAMINE Pro
• eDental (NHS Scotland)

Please also make sure that you add Anti Virus exceptions on all computers to reduce the chances of performance issues or EXACT/EXAMINE Pro being quarantined.
The exclusions can be found in the EXACT & EXAMINE Pro Anti Virus / Firewall Exceptions help article.