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VDM Scheduler Setup and Configuration Guide

Garrick Guillory
Updated

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Article Goal

This guide walks through the complete process of configuring the VDM Scheduler using a SQL database backend. It follows BridgeWorks' recommended setup path and outlines all required steps for installation, configuration, and service setup.

Why Use a SQL-Backed Scheduler?

Using SQL for your scheduler database allows:

  • Editing calendar jobs without restarting the VDM service

  • More robust job tracking and centralized data management

  • Better compatibility with enterprise environments

Note: If you already have an existing SQL Server and login with the correct permissions, skip to Main Step 4.

Main Step 1: Install SQL Express & SSMS

This step installs the database tools that power the Scheduler backend.

 

 

  • Select Basic install

 

  • Accept the license terms

 

  • Set the install location and click Install

 

  • Wait for install to complete

 

  • Click Install SSMS when prompted

 

  • Click Download SQL Server Management Studio 22 installer.

 

  • Run the SSMS installer

 

  • Choose install location and click Install

 

  • Wait for the installation to complete.

 

  • Once the Setup is complete, you may close this window.

 

Main Step 2: Create the Scheduler Database

The scheduler database stores jobs, appointments, execution history, and more.

 

  • Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

 

  • Log in using Windows Authentication (Copy the server's name (e.g., MYSERVER\SQLEXPRESS) for use later.)

 

 

  • Right-click your SQL instance and then Properties

 

  • Go to Security

  • Enable SQL Server and Windows Authentication Mode

 

  • Click OK

 

  • Right-click instance again

  • Click Restart

 

  • After restart, expand your SQL instance

  • Right-click Databases and then New Database

 

  • Enter Scheduler as the database name, click OK (Save this name—you’ll use it in your VDM profile settings.)

Main Step 3: Create a SQL User Login for Scheduler

 

  • In SSMS, expand Security > Logins

  • Right-click on New Login

 

  • Enter a Login Name (e.g., SchedulerAccount). (You will need to reference this later.)

 

  • Choose SQL Authentication

 

  • Set a secure password. (Do NOT use / \ { } ; in the password—these break appsettings.json. You will need to reference this later.)

 

  • Uncheck: Enforce password expiration / User must change password at next login

 

  • Go to User Mapping

 

  • Select the Scheduler database

 

  • Select the following roles.

    • db_datareader
    • db_datawriter
    • db_owner
    • db_securityadmin

 

  • Click OK to finish.

Main Step 4: Create Scheduler Profile in VDM

 

  • Open VDM

  •  Go to Settings (bottom tab)

mceclip5.png

 

  • Click Profiles

mceclip4.png

 

  • Click Scheduler (under the “Finished Reports” section)

mceclip3.png

 

  • Fill in: Server\Instance + Database + Username + Password

mceclip0.png

 

  • Click Test Connection (If the database doesn’t exist, VDM will prompt to create it)

mceclip1.png

 

mceclip0.png

 

  • If successful, click Save, and name the profile Scheduler

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Main Step 5: Update VDM Global Settings

Tell VDM to use SQL for scheduling.

 

  • In VDM, open User Options

    • Set Use SQL Database = True

    • Set SQL Connection = Scheduler

 

  • Open Global Options (must Run as Admin)

    • Set Use SQL Database = True

    • Set SQL Connection = Scheduler

 

  • Open Service Options (also requires Admin)

    • Set Use SQL Database = True

    • Set SQL Connection = Scheduler

Note: To access Global/Service settings, right-click the VDM shortcut and choose Run As Administrator.

Main Step 6: Setup the VDM Scheduler Service

This enables automated execution of jobs.

 

  • Open Windows Services (Search “Services” in Start menu)

 

  • Find BridgeWorks VDM Scheduler

  • Right-click on Properties

 

  • Go to Log On tab

  • Click This Account

  • Click Browse

 

  • Enter the Windows account that has permission to access views, paths, and exports

  • Click Check Names

  • Click OK

 

  • Enter the account password

  • Click Apply

 

  • Back in the services list: Right-click BridgeWorks VDM Scheduler

  •  Click Start

Note: Ensure the selected account has access to all folders used in the scheduler (e.g., Documents, Export paths)

 

  • Find BridgeWorks VDM Scheduler

  • Right-click on Properties

  • Set Startup Type to Automatic

 

  • Stop the service once more.
  • Reopen VDM with administrator privileges.

Note for admins: You should now have access to Start, Stop, and Restart controls for the service within the Scheduler in VDM. Going forward, manager the service exclusively through VDM.

Note for users: See the article on Controlling Scheduler Service Without Admin Privileges

Article Summary

Setting up VDM’s Scheduler with SQL provides a powerful, reliable, and maintainable automation solution. This complete walkthrough:

  • Installs SQL Express & SSMS

  • Creates the necessary database and user login

  • Connects VDM to SQL via profiles

  • Configures global settings and service permissions

  • Ensures scheduler automation starts successfully

Once complete, you can build Jobs and Appointments with confidence—knowing your VDM reports will run on schedule without manual effort.

 

 

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