Client app installation
Download client app
On a PC already running the Crows Nest desktop client:
Open Crows Nest and inspect the lower left corner of the window.
Take note of the server URL, port number and database name.
Open Settings > Options and take note of the Install File Location.
Download the installation file CrowsNestSetup.msi from your local file system and open it to begin installation.
Although not recommended for an established customer, installation files can also be downloaded from the Crows Nest website here. Choose either current version or pre-release version.
If your company is not currently using either of these versions, the installation will be incompatible with your database.
Install client app
Crows Nest Setup will now launch. Click Next to begin the installation.
You will now see the End-User License Agreement window. Please read the license agreement, and if you agree with the terms, click the checkbox to accept the terms.
Next, you will see the Custom Setup window. If you are installing Crows Nest on your server, make sure that DB utility is included, and if you plan to use the Email Service, make sure it is included as well. If you are installing Crows Nest on a client PC and plan to use the Timeclock feature, make sure Timeclock is selected. Once you have the appropriate features selected, press Next.
You are now ready to install Crows Nest. Click Install to begin the installation. Windows will prompt you with a UAC warning. Click Yes to allow, as Crows Nest requires administrator privileges to run properly.
Crows Nest will install now.
Once installation is finished, you can click Finish to close Crows Nest Setup. Click the checkbox to launch Crows Nest.
If this is your first time installing Crows Nest, you'll need to configure the Crows Nest Database Utility before you can login to Crows Nest.
If you have already configured the Database utility, skip down to Configuring the Crows Nest Login window.
Configure the Crows Nest Database Utility
Open the Crows Nest Database Utility through the Start Menu or the shortcut. First, fill in the path of the Server in the Server box. Note: This should be the same server you configured with SQL. Next, make sure the Database is correct. After that, check the box for Use Current Windows Login to use your current Windows credentials or enter in the credentials you use for the SQL server in the Login and Password boxes.
Next, under backup file location, click the button and specify a backup location. We recommend the SQL Express backup path at C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL14.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\Backup\
Click Save once you have specified the desired location of the backup.
Next, Click the Update Database button. You'll be prompted to back up the Database. Click Yes. The Database will back up. Click OK.
You'll then see this warning screen. Click OK to begin updating the Database.
Crows Nest will go through the update process.
Once the update is done, you'll hear the Windows notification chime alerting you that the update is complete. You can now exit the Crows Nest Database Utility.
Find more details here: https://crowsnest.atlassian.net/l/c/auU1gPY0
Configure the Crows Nest Login Window
You'll now be presented with the Crows Nest Login window. Click Connections.
Now you'll see the Connections pop-out window. Right-Click the Default connection and click Edit.
The Connection window will pop up. Make sure the Server is the path for your SQL server, and that Database is the correct name for your Crows Nest Database. You can leave Name default or change it so you can more easily identify the connection. Click Save to exit the window.
Next, you'll need to enter your License Key in the License Key box. Your License Key should have been provided to you already. If you don't have one, please contact support. Once you have entered your License Key, click Register Machine License.
If you entered your License Key correctly, you should get a message similar to the image below. Note: the dates will be different depending on your licensing agreement.
Click the Connections button again to minimize the Connections pop-out. Enter your User name and Password. Click Login to login to Crows Nest. Note: if you are logging in for the first time, you'll need to use the Admin login. The username is Admin and the default password is 1234.
If all configurations are correct, you'll now be logged in to Crows Nest.