Error: You must install SQL server client tools before you can run the Upgrade

Error: You must install SQL server client tools before you can run the upgrade.

Resolution: Install the 2019 SQL database engine. Validate this is installed (or if unsure, go ahead and install it), and then test again to confirm the error is no longer present.

Overview of resolution

All client tools must b installed on the app server where the upgrade is performed (the App Server where the iMIS Service page runs). The client tools must be installed separately from the SSMS download.

Download the client tools using the following link: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2142258

The following must be installed on the app server and the path where the upgrade runs:

• OSQL.EXE (required) - Not installed by default with SSMS 18.x, which is why SSMS 17.x is required to be installed. The dependency on OSQL is being removed currently, and some future version (post 20.3.131) will no longer require this.
• SQLCMD.EXE
• BCP.EXE

Important SQL server version notes

SQL Server 2019

SQL Server 2019 has performance enhancements and new features that iMIS benefits from, making it the base level of supported SQL Server for iMIS 20/20 Advanced (on-premise). ASI is in the process of transitioning all of its internal development and support up to SQL Server 2019, but this is an ongoing process.

SQL Server 2016

SQL Server 2016 is out of mainstream support as of July 2021. iMIS currently works on SQL Server 2016 but will not for much longer.

SQL Server 2012 or 2014

iMIS 20/20 Advanced is not compatible with SQL Server 2012 or 2014, because it uses features specific to 2016+.