Instructions for Migrating CAREWare to a New Server

Jennifer Eggerton

Sep 29, 2026

4022

Purpose	Move the CAREWare database and Business Tier settings to a new server, and then install CAREWare.
Who should do this	IT staff who manage CAREWare servers and SQL Server.
Use this guide when you need to	Migrate an existing CAREWare installation to a new server.
Main warning	Keep the database backup and a copy of businesstiersettings.xml for the migration.

Quick path
Back up and move the data and settings → install SQL Server and restore the database → install CAREWare and update the connection string.

Important: Make a backup of the current database, as well as a copy of the businesstiersettings.xml file for the current installation. Retain these files for the migration process.

Before you begin

Migrating CAREWare to a new server requires moving a backup file of the CAREWare data and the business tier settings to the new server, installing a SQL Server Database instance, restoring the database using that backup, and then installing CAREWare on that server.

Here are some things to consider when installing CAREWare on a new server.

We recommend installing the latest version of SQL Server. CAREWare is compatible with the latest version of Windows Server.

Migrate CAREWare to the new server

Step 1. Create a backup.

Step 2. Move the backup file to the new server.

Step 3. Move a copy of the businesstiersettings.xml from the CAREWare Business Tier folder to the new server.

Step 4. Install the SQL Server Instance.

Step 5. Run the queries here to create the CAREWare database.

Step 6. Restore the CAREWare database using the backup.

Step 7. Set cwbt as the database owner by running the query: Exec sp_changedbowner cwbt.

Step 8. Install CAREWare on the new server by running the installation files here.

Step 9. Stop the CAREWare Business Tier service under local services.

Step 10. Copy the businesstiersettings.xml file into the CAREWare Business Tier folder on the new server.

Step 11. Update the database connection string by following the instructions here.

Step 12. Once CAREWare is connected to the database follow the instructions here to complete the installation process starting with step 6.

If you use attachments or SQL PDI

If users attach documents in CAREWare, follow the instructions here to migrate those attachments to the new server.

If users use the SQL PDI in CAREWare, follow the instructions here to migrate the SQL PDI database to the new server.

Related References

Document	Use it for
Considerations When Upgrading CAREWare	Review considerations before installing CAREWare on a new server.
Installing and Maintaining SQL Server	Install the SQL Server instance for CAREWare.
Windows Server	View Microsoft Windows Server information.
Managing CAREWare Data	Create a backup of the CAREWare database.
Create Database Queries	Run the queries to create the CAREWare database.
CAREWare Installation Files	Download the installation files for the new server.
Database Connection String	Update the database connection string.
Installing CAREWare 6	Complete the installation process, starting with step 6.
Restoring Attachments After Migrating the Database	Migrate document attachments to the new server.
Restoring SQL PDI Functionality After Migrating CAREWare	Migrate the SQL PDI database to the new server.

Tags

Attachments