Software Upgrades Required from SYSPRO 8 2023 Onwards

The following requirements must be met for the user performing the software upgrades:

• Administrative access with elevated access permissions

  Administrative access grants the necessary permissions to modify critical system files and settings. Without elevated access, the update process may encounter issues or fail to complete.

This administrative access is required only during the update process and does not need to be permanently assigned to the user. Once the update is successfully installed, standard user permissions can be resumed.

• Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8

From SYSPRO 8 2023, its essential to have Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 installed, which replaces the previous requirement of Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6. This new framework version ensures optimal performance and compatibility.

In addition, the latest version of the SYSPRO Installer Application (i.e. 1.0.0.59) requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 as part of its prerequisites.

Therefore, please ensure that your system meets this requirement before running the latest version of the SYSPRO Installer Application (version 1.0.0.59) or attempting to update to SYSPRO 8 2023 (or later).

The install and use of the SYSPRO Additional Reporting Software is dependent on your installed version of SYSPRO 8:

• Additional Reporting Software 2013 (i.e. SAP Crystal Reports 2013):

  Applies to SYSPRO 8 2020 R1 and prior versions.

  Due to SAP Crystal Reports 2013 having reached the end of its life cycle, the Additional Reporting Software 2013 is no longer available for new installations from January 2024.

• Additional Reporting Software 2016 (i.e. SAP Crystal Reports 2016):

  Applies to SYSPRO 8 2020 R2, SYSPRO 8 2021 R1 and SYSPRO 8 2021 R2.

  Due to SAP Crystal Reports 2016 having reached the end of its life cycle, the Additional Reporting Software 2016 is no longer available for new installations from January 2024.

• Additional Reporting Software 2020 (i.e. SAP Crystal Reports 2020):

  Applies to SYSPRO 8 2021 R2 and later versions.

  From January 2024, the Additional Reporting Software 2020 is the only SAP Crystal Reports version available for new installations.

Additional Reporting Software 2020 is now required for the SYSPRO Client when using SYSPRO 8 2023 and later versions.

The following indicates the prerequisites for Additional Reporting Software 2020:

Operating System Requirements

Only 64-bit operating systems are supported from SYSPRO 8 2021 R2 onwards (particularly for the SYSPRO 8 Reporting Host Service and Additional Reporting Software 2020).

The following indicates the lowest OS supported for SYSPRO 8 2021 R2 and later releases:

• Windows Server 2012 R2

• Windows Server 2016

• Windows Server 2019

• Windows 8.1

• Windows 10

• Windows 11

Technology Requirements

• Server Side Software:

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8

  • SAP Crystal Reports Server 2020

  • SYSPRO 8 Runtime

  • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Host Service

• Client-Side Software:

  Requirements to print SYSPRO reports using the SRS technology, via client-side:

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8

  • SAP Crystal Reports Runtime Engine

  • SYSPRO 8 Runtime

  • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Components

• Designer Software:

  Requirements to change the standard SYSPRO SRS reports or design your own reports / documents, via client-side:

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8

  • SAP Crystal Reports Runtime Engine

  • SYSPRO 8 Runtime

  • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Components

  • SAP Crystal Reports 2020 SP2

  • BusinessObjects .NET SDK 64bit 4.3 SP2

  • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Designer Addin

• Evaluate how the release update will affect specific machines and their locations.

  Identify the users associated with these machines and their roles.

• If client-side reporting is used, determine if any users can afford to be unavailable for a period of time.

  Prioritize these users to minimize disruption.

• If any SYSPRO Application servers provide additional services other than SYSPRO (e.g. an online shopping cart), plan for an ideal time to apply the SYSPRO update and to reboot these servers.

  This may involve coordinating the reboot of multiple servers simultaneously.

• If you have any third-party COBOL applications integrated with SYSPRO, consider that they may require recompiling.

  Make appropriate plans for recompiling these applications to ensure compatibility with the latest version.

• Updating the runtime is a significant step for SYSPRO to introduce new functionality and support newer operating systems in SYSPRO 8 2023.

• For large sites with distributed client machines, careful planning is required to tackle the task effectively.

  If the new runtime has not been deployed to client machines, users will be unable to use the SYSPRO 8 2023 client until the task is completed.

• If your site utilizes client-side reporting, then you must ensure that you are using Additional Reporting Software 2020 (i.e. SAP Crystal Reports 2020).

  Therefore, if you currently use Additional Reporting Software 2013 or Additional Reporting Software 2016, this will need to be upgraded before you can update to SYSPRO 8 2023.

• Large sites can adopt various methodologies, or a combination thereof, to achieve the desired outcome:

  • Running the SYSPRO Installer Application on each client machine

  • Utilizing Windows PowerShell scripts

• Depending on your approach, it might be possible to update the SYSPRO Runtime and Additional Reporting Software without necessarily updating the entire SYSPRO Client software.

• The SYSPRO Client software consists of two or three parts, depending on your usage of client-side reporting:

  • Runtime

  • SYSPRO Client Software

  • Crystal Reporting (If you use Additional Reporting Software earlier than 2020)

The big bang approach aims to achieve a comprehensive update by addressing multiple components simultaneously. It streamlines the process but requires careful planning and execution to minimize any potential impact on business operations.

This approach involves the following steps for Server and Client Updates:

1. Uninstall previous software

   • Uninstall the existing runtime and, if applicable, older versions of Additional Reporting Software.

2. Install Runtime and Reporting Software

   • Install the newer runtime and Additional Reporting Software 2020 software.

3. Update to SYSPRO 8 2023

   • Update the SYSPRO Application server to SYSPRO 8 2023.

   • Update the SYSPRO Client software on each client machine to SYSPRO 8 2023.

The gradual approach is well-suited for sites where some client machines are remote and may require on-site personnel to facilitate the update process.

The gradual approach looks at the following two different methods, however its up to you to determine the route that suits you best with the least impact:

Scenario 1

This optimal approach involves the following steps:

1. Update to SYSPRO 8 2021 R2 or SYSPRO 8 2022

   • Updating to SYSPRO 8 2021 R2 or SYSPRO 8 2022 allows older versions of the SYSPRO Reporting Software to continue functioning.

   • This step ensures compatibility while preparing for the eventual update to the latest SYSPRO 8 version.

2. Gradual Client-side Reporting Update

   • Gradually update all client machines that use client-side reporting to Additional Reporting Software 2020 over a period of time.

   • This gradual approach minimizes disruption by spreading out the updates across multiple intervals.

3. Update the SYSPRO Application Server

   • Update the SYSPRO Application server to SYSPRO 8 2023.

4. Deploy the New Runtime

   • Deploy the new runtime on each client machine by uninstalling the old runtime and installing the new one.

5. Self-Healing of SYSPRO 8 Client 2023

   • Once the server is updated to SYSPRO 8 2023, the SYSPRO 8 Client will self-heal upon user logon.

   • This ensures a seamless transition for users and minimizes additional manual steps.

It's important to note that in this gradual approach, only two software components (the SYSPRO runtime and Reporting Software) are updated on the client machines.

Scenario 2

Another route to consider for sites that have client machines using Additional Reporting Software 2013 would be as follows:

1. Deploy the New Runtime

   • Deploy the new runtime on each client machine by uninstalling the old runtime and installing the new one.

2. Update the SYSPRO Application Server

   • Update the SYSPRO Application server to SYSPRO 8 2023.

3. Self-Healing of SYSPRO 8 Client 2023

   • Once the server is updated to SYSPRO 8 2023, the SYSPRO 8 Client will self-heal upon user logon.

   • This ensures a seamless transition for users and minimizes additional manual steps.

4. Client-side Reporting Update

   • Once the server is updated to SYSPRO 8 2023, update all client machines that use client-side reporting to Additional Reporting Software 2020.

By adopting the Gradual Approach, sites can achieve the necessary updates while managing potential disruptions and ensuring smooth compatibility throughout the transition.

• It's crucial to avoid deploying both the Additional Reporting Software 2020 and new SYSPRO runtime together on the client over a gradual period.

  The reason for this is that older versions of SYSPRO are incompatible with this combination, leading to reporting failures. Instead, address the outstanding software on the client machines on the day of the server update.

• If the SYSPRO Application server has been updated, its crucial to update the SYSPRO runtime on the client machine as a minimum requirement. This enables SYSPRO 8 client users to continue transacting and carry out their day-to-day tasks effectively. However, its important to note that those users won't be able to access printing and reporting functionality until you perform the reporting software update to Additional Reporting Software 2020.

• If you have a website residing on a server that has SYSPRO software, there is a chance that this server would require a reboot to release any locked runtime files.

  Therefore, it’s important that you consider other software running on the machine and any impact it may have if rebooted (e.g. sales portal).

• Due to SAP Crystal Reports 2013 and SAP Crystal Reports 2016 having reached the end of their life cycles, Additional Reporting Software 2013 and Additional Reporting Software 2016 are no longer available for new installations from January 2024.

To uninstall the previous SYSPRO runtime and reinstall the latest, proceed as follows:

1. Using the Windows Services program:

   Ensure that all SYSPRO services and any other applications utilizing the SYSPRO runtime are stopped.

   This helps minimize file locks.

2. From the Windows Control Panel:

   Uninstall the following components:

   • Micro Focus COBOL Server

   • Micro Focus License Manager

   Ensure to reboot your system once these components have been removed.

3. Utilizing the SYSPRO Installer Application:

   Perform a system update to SYSPRO 8 2023.

   This process will automatically deploy the latest SYSPRO runtime during the update.

For efficient software deployment, larger sites can use Group Policy or Microsoft System Center to roll out the latest software. Whereas, other sites might benefit from using Windows PowerShell scripting to aid deployment, rather than go to each machine and run the SYSPRO Installer Application.

Exporting the .BAT file via the SYSPRO Installer Application

The SYSPRO Installer Application offers an effective method to deploy the software by generating a .BAT file.

This file can be used to extract the information required for integration with Microsoft System Center or group policy, simplifying the deployment process. By leveraging the .BAT file, users gain the ability to install individual components or deploy the entire suite, based on their specific requirements.

SYSPRO Installation programs are designed to be easily deployed in silent mode or with a basic user interface (UI). However, it is important to be familiar with the properties that can be passed to each installation and their respective format to ensure accurate deployment.

Sample .BAT file

The following sample file reflects 2 installation files and their properties: cs_80.exe and cs_80_pu05_318643.exe.

Typically, the installation of the runtime is commented out in the .BAT file. However, for new clients, it is essential to uncomment this section to ensure a successful installation.

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Sample .BAT file

::SYSPRO RUNTIME
::To install the SYSPRO Runtime, uncomment the lines below.
::\\{MachineName}\SYSPRODeploy\syspro-8-2023\8.0.00189\cs_80.exe -skipsafenet /Quiet /NoRestart
::SYSPRO RUNTIME PATCH
::To install the SYSPRO Runtime Patch, uncomment the lines below.
::\\ {MachineName}\SYSPRODeploy\syspro-8-2023\8.0.00189\cs_80_pu05_318643.exe /Quiet /NoRestart

These files can be downloaded prior to your update and placed in a location of your choice.

Use the Product File Downloads function within the app to speed up the installation process by first downloading the installation files to a folder that the SYSPRO Installer Application can use.

Utilizing Windows PowerShell, you can script the uninstall and reinstall procedures to install new SYSPRO clients and update existing ones, as per the following examples:

Previous Runtime Uninstall

Depending on how the runtime was initially installed, the Micro Focus License Manager might also be present.

Therefore, the following Windows PowerShell commands will uninstall the previous SYSPRO Runtime components:

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PowerShell Script: Component Uninstall

$Manager = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product -Filter “Name = 'Micro Focus License Manager'"
$Manager.Uninstall()

start-process "C:\{Folderwhere the file resides}\cs_30.exe" -arg "-uninstall -quiet" -Wait

New Runtime Install

Following the uninstallation of the previous components, you can proceed with the installation of the new SYSPRO runtime and license manager using Windows PowerShell.

The script provided below exemplifies the installation process:

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PowerShell Script: Component Install

start-process "{Folder where the file resides}\cs_80.exe" -arg "-skipsafenet -quiet" -Wait

Executing the above script will install the newer SYSPRO Runtime components silently and wait for the installation process to be completed.

SYSPRO 8 2023 Install: New SYSPRO Client

To install a new SYSPRO client, you can utilize the following Windows PowerShell script.

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PowerShell Script: Install New SYSPRO Client

$params = '/i', "{PathTomsi}\SYSPRO.8.Client.msi", 'GROUPID="{GroupIDGuid}"', 'RELEASEID="{ReleaseIDGUID}"', 'CONTACTID={ContactID}', 'CUSTOMERCODE={AccountCode}', ' MEDIASHAREFOLDER=\\{MachineName}\SYSPRODeploy\',’ WCFINSTANCE={ServerInstance}’, ‘HOSTNAME={SYSPROAppServer}’, ‘SYSPROCOMMSPORT={SYSPROPort}’,'UNINSTALLSYSPRO7=0' ,'INSTALLDIR="C:\SYSPROClient"', 'ACCEPTULA=Yes', '/qb!'
$p = Start-Process 'msiexec.exe' -ArgumentList $params -NoNewWindow -Wait -PassThru
$p.ExitCode  

Executing the above script will install the new SYSPRO client with the specified parameters, ensuring a successful installation of SYSPRO 8 2023.

SYSPRO 8 2023 Install: Update for Existing SYSPRO Client

To update an existing SYSPRO client, you can use the following Windows PowerShell script:

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PowerShell Script: Update Existing SYSPRO Client

$params = '/i', "{PathTomsi}\SYSPRO.8.Client.msi", 'REINSTALLMODE="vamus"', 'REINSTALL="ALL"' , '/qb!'
$p = Start-Process 'msiexec.exe' -ArgumentList $params -NoNewWindow -Wait -PassThru
$p.ExitCode 

Running the above script will update the existing SYSPRO client, applying any necessary modifications.

Using the SYSPRO Installer Application, you can perform an export of the SYSPRO Client to a .BAT file and obtain the GroupID, ReleaseID and other values.

The following benchmark times are based on our internal testing and provide an indication of how long each of these processes can take:

Uninstall Processes:

• Uninstall of previous SYSPRO Runtime, directly followed by newer runtime install:

  +- 5 minutes

• Uninstall of previous Client-side Reporting Software 2013 and its associated components:

  +- 10 minutes

• Uninstall of previous Client-side Reporting Software 2016 and its associated components:

  +- 15 minutes

• Uninstall of previous Designer Reporting Software 2013 and its associated components:

  +- 25 minutes

• Uninstall of previous Designer Reporting Software 2016 and its associated components:

  +- 30 minutes

Install Processes:

• Install Client-side Reporting Software 2020 and its associated components:

  +- 5 minutes

• Install Designer Reporting Software 2020 and its associated components:

  +- 20 minutes

The SYSPRO software requires elevation to install. Therefore, depending on your deployment method, you might require some remote access software, or a person on-site when managing your remote users.

The following .config files are related:

• SYSPROReportViewer2020.exe.config

• SYSPROReportingServices2020.exe.config

• SYSPRODocumentArchiving2020.exe.config

• SysproClient2020.exe.config

• Syspro2020.exe.config

• SRSServerThemeDesigner2020.exe.config

When you select to uninstall any version of the Additional Reporting Software, the application uninstalls all SAP Crystal products installed. This ensures that the uninstall process is performed in the correct order and without any components incorrectly being left behind.

The following process occurs when uninstalling Additional Reporting Software using the SYSPRO Installer Application:

1. The following services are stopped:

   • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Host Service

   • SYSPRO 8 RAS Management Service

   • SYSPRO 8 Report Print Service

     i.e. BOEXI40CrystalReportApplicationServer(1)

   • SYSPRO 8 Document Print Service

     i.e. BOEXI40CrystalReportApplicationServer(2)

   • All SRS RAS Server Services using a port number >= 20150

     i.e. BOEXI40CrystalReportApplicationServer20150 and greater than 20150

2. The following services are disabled:

   • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Host Service

   • SYSPRO 8 RAS Management Service

   • SYSPRO 8 Report Print Service

   • SYSPRO 8 Document Print Service

   • All SRS RAS Server Services using a port number >= 20150

     i.e. BOEXI40CrystalReportApplicationServer20150 and greater than 20150

3. The following services are deleted:

   • BOEXI40CrystalReportApplicationServer20150 and greater than 20150

     i.e. All SRS RAS Server Services using a port number >= 20150

4. The following products are uninstalled:

   Additional Reporting Software 2020:

   • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Components

   • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Designer Addin

   • SAP Crystal Reports 2020 SP2

   • BusinessObjects.NET SDK 64bit 4.3 SP2

   • SAP Crystal Reports Server 2020

   • SAP Crystal Reports runtime engine

   Additional Reporting Software 2016:

   • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Designer

   • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Components

   • SAP Crystal Reports 2016 SP8

   • Business Objects Runtime x86

   • SAP Crystal Reports Server 2016 SP8

   • Business Objects Runtime x64

   Additional Reporting Software 2013:

   • Business Objects Runtime x64

   • SAP Crystal Reports runtime engine

   • SAP Crystal Reports 2013 SP8 update

   • SAP Crystal Reports Server 2013 SP8

   • SAP Crystal Reports 2013 SP6

   • BI platform .NET SDK Redistributable

   • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Components

   • SYSPRO 8 Reporting Designer

Considerations:

• Rebooting your machine after the above processes have completed is highly recommended.

• Due to SAP Crystal Reports 2013 and SAP Crystal Reports 2016 having reached the end of their life cycles:

  You will not be able to perform a reinstall of either Additional Reporting Software 2013 or Additional Reporting Software 2016 after removing them.