--- title: "Install and set up portier Vision 5" description: "How to install portier Vision 5, connect the database in the Companion and activate your licence." url: https://help.portiervision.com/en/articles/110-install-and-set-up-portier-vision-5 collection: "Integrations & IT Setup" updated: 2026-10-22 language: en alternates: [de, fr] --- # Install and set up portier Vision 5 How to install portier Vision 5, connect the database in the Companion and activate your licence. This guide runs from the downloaded setup file to your first sign-in. It describes a first installation on a workstation. **Have these ready** \* Administrator rights on the machine. \* The roles `db_datareader`, `db_datawriter` and `db_ddladmin` on the database. `db_owner` is not required. \* Your licence data from our email. ## Download the setup - [portier Vision full version](https://apps.portier.de/portier-software-releases/vision/setup-portier-vision5.zip) for a fresh installation - [portier Vision update](https://apps.portier.de/portier-software-releases/vision/Update_PortierVision5_latest.zip) for an existing installation Unpack the archive and run the setup file as administrator. ## Installing from version 5.5.0 From version 5.5.0 Vision ships as a signed MSI package. The setup shows a single page with the licence terms, the checkbox **I agree to the license terms and conditions** and the checkbox **Install Microsoft ODBC Driver 18 for SQL Server (recommended)**. Then click **Install**. The driver is ticked because the Vision desktop needs it to reach Microsoft SQL Server. On a Firebird site, untick it. Your choice is remembered and also applies to later automatic updates. If an equal or newer driver is already on the machine, the setup skips this step. **There is no component selection any more.** The MSI installs every component per machine into `C:\Program Files (x86)\portier\Vision`. The setup no longer asks for an installation folder either. On an update, Vision stays in the folder it already uses, even when that folder comes from an older installation. Vision starts by itself once the setup finishes. On a new machine the database connection is not set yet, so Vision cannot do any work. Close the window and set the connection up in the next section. For an unattended rollout through GPO, Intune or SCCM, read _MSI Silent Installation, Update and Uninstallation_. ### Setups before version 5.5.0 Older setups are NSIS installers and behave differently. After the licence they show a component window where you pick the program, Firebird and the reports. You then choose the installation folder, usually `C:\Portier\Vision5` or `D:\Portier\Vision5`. For a fresh installation, use 5.5.0 or newer. ![The component window in the old NSIS setup, with the program, Firebird 4.0 and the reports.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/g/ZeoZmGmrkqwt50cudY1BP9fZBRuLrYOkrYXlTjHBjzWTgbRH3GGV9EPw4HBtPRk11MopEPsfbPe.png) _The component window in the old NSIS setup, with the program, Firebird 4.0 and the reports._ ![The old setup asking for the target folder, here c:\\portier\\vision5.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/g/O6EnL5SSKgRfRq8eELyYYPlMmvGdyGxfrEcjY3HFax2Fg5GlVowhR2v58z4bMnefrFhquCoEcKd.png) _The old setup asking for the target folder, here c:\\portier\\vision5._ ![The same window with the target folder on drive D.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/g/phnP49BaVuVBOFAEf6T9EYqjaFm2ZG1w0P2Bw4t4NpXOgp8oDLjwvZnzWaHVA4l9itLuuzS8E3H.png) _The same window with the target folder on drive D._ ## Set up the database connection The database connection is configured in portier Vision Companion, not in Vision itself. Open the installation folder and start `portierVisionCompanion.exe`. On first start the Companion welcomes you. Pick the language and click **Continue**. ![The Companion welcome screen with the language picker.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p69f19d405a24ffe33e3bc1d5/zygPmTMWtik7rIFr3XyJ2Dtu2oD0c28eXOlmSyPB8nRQPd2WLcVFkpsGujrt0HJkT9Fk0j8Rv1n.png) _The Companion welcome screen with the language picker._ The sign-in screen comes next. It asks for the **User ID** and **Password** you use in Vision. Those users live in the database, and the database is not connected yet. That is why **Open database configurator** sits at the bottom and works before you sign in. Click it. ![The sign-in screen. Open database configurator at the bottom works without signing in.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p69f19d405a24ffe33e3bc1d5/GCMiGrYiy7s6IMbz6J4L5DNQ0lxo8ATEEvxItnyRy3gO0n7Qj4UTzv1Cntzf27mmdrHahNjNSS6.png) _The sign-in screen. Open database configurator at the bottom works without signing in._ The **Database Configuration** tab opens. **Database Type** offers three options. ### Microsoft SQL Server Choose **Microsoft SQL Server - Normal Auth** and fill in **Basic Configuration**: - **Host**: name or IP address of the database server. Append a non-default port after a comma, for example `PT-SRV-SQL-01, 1433`. - **Database Name**: usually `portier`. - **Schema**: `dbo`. - **Username** and **Password** of the SQL Server login. Turn on **SSL/TLS Connection** under **Advanced Configuration** only if a valid certificate is installed on the SQL Server. ![Database configuration for Microsoft SQL Server with normal authentication.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p69f19d405a24ffe33e3bc1d5/GJWHWjtlFWLngboF7K3yys89Njz3QoYxUvSSpDmeMrd5J4QqURDDcElehxlYKAK5u5Dga95kHa7.png) _Database configuration for Microsoft SQL Server with normal authentication._ **Microsoft SQL Server - Windows Login** needs no username and password. The setup is described in [Database sign-in without a stored password](https://help.portiervision.com/en/articles/124-database-sign-in-without-a-stored-password-windows-integrated-authentication.md). The Companion connects to SQL Server directly. It needs no ODBC driver and no DSN. ODBC Driver 18 from the setup belongs to the Vision desktop. ### Firebird For **Firebird** the fields are prefilled. **Host** reads `localhost`. If the database sits on a network server, enter its name or IP address. Pick the **Database Path** with **Browse**. Firebird needs no ODBC driver on either side. ![Database configuration for Firebird, with config encryption on the right.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/p69f19d405a24ffe33e3bc1d5/HlpkzMsH1ME9rE79bIR00NewDIHVHfP3mZSqP3cJECp926FnqfmNvBXfJJfUXDvEa8aRJJWyiqx.png) _Database configuration for Firebird, with config encryption on the right._ ### Config encryption Under **Advanced Configuration** on the right you decide how the credentials are stored in the `portiervision.ini` file. - **DPAPI** is the default. Windows locks the file to your user and your machine. On another client it is worthless. - **Shared Key** encrypts with AES-GCM. That file can be distributed to further clients. ### Test and save Click **Test Connection**. Once the Companion reports success, store the entries with **Save Config**. If you were signed in, the Companion signs you out so it can restart against the new database. ## Start Vision and activate the licence Start portier Vision from the Start menu shortcut. If Vision asks on first start whether to import the supplied reports into the database, answer **Yes**. If you use your own reports, back them up first. Reports with the same name are overwritten. ![Vision asking on first start whether the new reports should be imported.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/g/5caTfE2Zot4RFlvwuxnHjMQWd2KcVno3iVe0bxh4wn3foV0TiWrRLkdDrnUKG9NKeKkfumtowL7.png) _Vision asking on first start whether the new reports should be imported._ Then enter your licence data. A one-time passcode (OTP) goes to the email address you registered with, and you confirm it. ![The Vision licence registration window with Email ID and Customer ID.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/g/a7v3TEzPZylppDxOkI7S17qr8YgPM1764ByD9n2aBXf7BHTQutMzDjn8ZsIvgVlbZN8FIYoyYTF.png) _The Vision licence registration window with Email ID and Customer ID._ ![The OTP window where you enter the code from the email and confirm with Verify.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/g/YtZjZC2WmY6tcYaBEldeaFNpVSO3D4XghU1Es7fErQ3tomHej7xQPAKGYd3OBqaVkMuzMXzzq1r.png) _The OTP window where you enter the code from the email and confirm with Verify._ So Vision can reach the licence server, allow these domains over port **443**: - `portier.chargebee.com` - `app.eu.chargebee.com` - `api.sendgrid.com` Behind a proxy, or with no connection to the outside at all, our team can issue an offline licence. It has to be renewed every year. Then sign in for the first time: - **Username**: START - **Password**: START (case-sensitive) ![The Vision sign-in screen with the START user.](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/g/N6bSwfN1WMXKWvsNxPfCJWTg5mIOKPfNdy0A3VAxNfwBR9vArUXeXO1UvyXIxe4PW3qu3xaCicl.png) _The Vision sign-in screen with the START user._ **Who installs it?** \* Standard and Plus with Firebird: you can run the installation yourself. \* Plus with SQL Server and Professional: these include the Business Package, so our team handles the installation and the SQL database setup.