Step-by-step installation and configuration
Verify your system meets the minimum requirements
Content Central is Ademero's enterprise document management system designed to centralize, secure, and streamline your organization's document workflows. This comprehensive setup guide walks you through the complete installation and configuration process, from verifying system requirements to importing your first documents.
The installation process typically takes 45-60 minutes and requires administrator access to your server environment. Before beginning, ensure you have obtained your license key from Ademero and have backup access to your SQL Server instance.
This guide is designed for IT administrators and system integrators responsible for deploying Content Central in production environments. If you're looking for cloud-based alternatives, consider our Nucleus One solution which offers simplified deployment with zero infrastructure requirements.
Content Central requires a robust server infrastructure to handle document storage, indexing, and retrieval operations efficiently. The minimum system requirements ensure smooth operation for organizations managing up to 100,000 documents.
Windows Server 2019 or later provides the necessary .NET Framework support and security features required for Content Central. While Windows Server 2016 may work in some configurations, we strongly recommend using the latest server OS for optimal security and performance.
Memory requirements scale with your document volume. While 8GB RAM is the minimum, we recommend 16GB or more for organizations planning to store more than 50,000 documents. Storage should be calculated based on your expected document volume - plan for at least 100GB initially, with expansion capacity for growth.
SQL Server 2017 or later is required for the Content Central metadata database. The database handles all document indexing, search operations, and workflow state management. For high-availability deployments, consider using SQL Server Always On availability groups.
Proper preparation before installation prevents common deployment issues and ensures a smooth setup process. This checklist covers all prerequisite tasks.
Download the latest Content Central installer from your Ademero customer portal. The installer package includes all necessary components, including the web application, Windows services, and database scripts. Verify the installer checksum against the value provided in your download confirmation email.
Contact your Ademero sales representative or support team to obtain your license key. The license key is tied to your server's hardware signature and must be entered during the installation process. Keep this key secure as it will be required for future reinstallations or server migrations.
Create a new SQL Server database for Content Central using SQL Server Management Studio. We recommend using the default collation settings (SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS) unless your organization has specific requirements. Create a dedicated SQL Server login with db_owner permissions on this database for the Content Central application.
Enable IIS on your Windows Server and install the ASP.NET 4.8 role service. Content Central requires Application Pool permissions to write to specific directories. Configure IIS to use integrated pipeline mode for optimal performance. For production deployments, install an SSL certificate and configure HTTPS bindings.
The Content Central installer uses a wizard-based approach to guide you through the setup process. Each step validates your configuration before proceeding to ensure a successful installation.
Right-click the installer executable and select "Run as Administrator" to ensure proper permissions. The installer will first check for prerequisites and prompt you to install any missing components. Accept the license agreement and choose your installation directory - the default location is C:\Program Files\Ademero\Content Central.
When prompted for database settings, enter your SQL Server instance name and the database name you created during pre-installation. Test the connection before proceeding to ensure Content Central can access the database. The installer will automatically create the necessary tables, stored procedures, and indexes.
Content Central runs several Windows services that require appropriate permissions. We recommend creating a dedicated domain service account with permissions to access the installation directory, database, and file storage locations. Avoid using the Local System account in production environments for security reasons.
The installer creates an IIS website for the Content Central web interface. Specify the port number and hostname for your installation. If using HTTPS, select your SSL certificate from the available options. The installer configures all necessary application pool settings automatically.
After installation completes, access the Content Central web interface to perform initial configuration. This step sets up the administrator account and core system settings.
The first time you access Content Central, you'll be prompted to create an administrator account. This account has full system permissions and cannot be deleted. Choose a strong password and store the credentials securely - this account is required for all administrative tasks.
Configure SMTP settings to enable email notifications for workflow events, user invitations, and system alerts. Enter your mail server address, port, and authentication credentials. Send a test email to verify the configuration. For organizations using Office 365, consult our Microsoft 365 integration guide for specific configuration steps.
Enter your organization's name, address, and logo. This information appears in email notifications and system headers. Upload your company logo in PNG or JPEG format with a recommended size of 200x60 pixels for optimal display across all interfaces.
Specify the file storage location where Content Central will save uploaded documents. This can be a local directory or a UNC network path. Ensure the application pool identity has read/write permissions to this location. For organizations requiring cloud storage, Content Central supports integration with Azure Blob Storage and Amazon S3.
Properly configured user accounts and permissions ensure secure document access while maintaining productivity. Content Central supports both local authentication and integration with Active Directory.
Organize users into groups based on department, role, or access level. Groups simplify permission management by allowing you to assign document access and workflow permissions to multiple users simultaneously. Common group configurations include Administrators, Document Managers, Contributors, and Viewers.
Create individual user accounts or import users from Active Directory. Each user receives a unique login and can be assigned to one or more groups. Set password policies to enforce security requirements such as minimum length, complexity, and expiration.
Content Central uses a role-based permission system that controls access to documents, folders, and system features. Permissions can be set at the folder level and inherited by contained documents, or overridden for specific items. Common permissions include View, Edit, Delete, and Share.
Once user accounts are configured, you're ready to start importing documents into Content Central. This section covers folder structure planning and document upload procedures.
Design a logical folder hierarchy that mirrors your organization's document organization needs. Consider creating top-level folders by department, project, or document type. Folder structures can be modified later, but starting with a well-planned organization saves time and improves user adoption.
Content Central offers multiple upload methods including web interface drag-and-drop, bulk upload via network folders, and integration with scanner devices using our CapturePoint solution. For initial migration of existing documents, the bulk upload tool provides the fastest import method.
Enhance document searchability by adding metadata fields such as document type, author, creation date, and custom properties. Content Central automatically extracts metadata from supported file formats, but you can also define custom metadata templates for specific document types. Well-configured metadata dramatically improves search accuracy and document retrieval times.
After uploading test documents, verify that Content Central's full-text search is working correctly. Search for known terms within document content and metadata. If search results are not appearing, check that the indexing service is running and review the indexing logs for errors.
After completing the basic setup, explore Content Central's advanced features to maximize your document management capabilities:
For organizations seeking professional implementation assistance, Ademero offers comprehensive deployment services including planning, installation, configuration, and training. Contact our professional services team to discuss your specific requirements.
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