Before your scheduled Informant implementation/"go-live" date, it's important that you or your IT personnel prepare a few things in advance. What you'll need to do will vary depending on what features you have in your purchased edition of Informant.


1. Designate an Informant server machine


  • Applies To: All editions


Designate one server or desktop computer to be your Informant server. Check the "Server requirements" section on our system requirements page for details on what is required/recommended for your Informant server machine.


If you only have one computer, it can be used as your Informant server.


2. Purchase and set up barcode scanner(s) for ID Card Reader and/or Evidence Manager


  • Applies To: All editions


If you plan to use the ID Card Reader feature to scan driver's licenses or state IDs or if you have Enterprise edition and want to use the barcode-scanning features in Evidence Manager, you'll need to purchase one or more compatible barcode scanners from us or a third-party vendor.


Check Supported additional hardware for which barcode scanners we officially support.


We also offer hardware bundles for barcode scanners and other accessories. Contact us for more information.


Follow the steps outlined in Setting up a barcode scanner to pair your scanner(s) with any computers or devices that will be used to scan barcodes.


3. Purchase and set up a label printer for ID Card Reader and/or Evidence Manager


  • Applies To: Enterprise


If you plan to use Evidence Manager's barcoding features, you'll need a compatible barcode label printer to print evidence and evidence location barcode labels, along with compatible label rolls. You can purchase these from us or from a third-party vendor.


Check Supported additional hardware for which label printer and paper we officially support.


We also offer hardware bundles for label printers and other accessories. Contact us for more information.


Follow the steps outlined in How to set up the Brother QL-820NWB label printer in Windows for detailed instructions for setting up a label printer.


4. Prepare your server for OnPatrol (if applicable)


  • Applies To: Elite, Enterprise


If you have the Elite or Enterprise edition, you also have Informant's remote access solution (OnPatrol). For the OnPatrol software to work properly, you or your IT provider will need to configure a few things ahead of the implementation date.


  1.  Get a public static IP address for your router/modem: You will need to request that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) provide a static public IP address to the router used to connect to the Internet. OnPatrol requires a public static IP address that remote clients will use to connect to Informant from outside of your department's local area network.
  2. Assign a permanent DHCP lease to your Informant server:  You or your IT provider will also need to assign a private static IP address to your Informant server by assigning a permanent DHCP lease to your Informant server machine via your router or designated DHCP server's DHCP settings. Consult your router's documentation or your Internet provider for help with this step.
  3. Set up port forwarding for OnPatrol: You will need to either enable UPnP in your router or manually set up a port forwarding rule in your router that forwards incoming TCP/IP traffic on port 11000 to your Informant server's private IP address on port 11000. See Set up port forwarding for OnPatrol Server for additional details.


5. Prepare your server for LEJIS (if applicable)


  • Applies To: Elite, Enterprise


If you have the Elite or Enterprise edition and your agency is in Pennsylvania, you have access to Informant's integration with the state's LEJIS data-sharing network. You'll need to complete the following steps to be able to use LEJIS (i.e. searching and sharing data):


  1. Get JNET user IDs for your officers: Ensure that each officer that will need to search LEJIS has a JNET user ID and that their JNET user ID has the necessary permission JNET to search the LEJIS system. Contact JNET for assistance with this step if your officers do not already have JNET user IDs.
  2. Get and install a LEJIS certificate on your Informant server: To search and share data with LEJIS, your agency will need a LEJIS certificate file and a certificate password from SAIC, the company that manages LEJIS. This certificate will need to be installed on your Informant server. See How to get and install a LEJIS certificate for detailed instructions.


6. Notify our team when you're done to schedule an implementation session


When you've completed the necessary pre-implementation steps relevant to your edition, email us prior to your scheduled implementation date to let us know you've completed these steps.


In your email, be sure to provide a contact name and number that we can call on the date of implementation. 


Note: If we don't hear from you before the implementation date or if some of these steps haven't been completed prior to your implementation date, we may need to reschedule your implementation.


7. Be ready on the implementation date


Once everything is confirmed, ensure that you and your IT provider are available on the scheduled date and time for your implementation.


Who needs to be present for the implementation?


For a server migration, the following people should be present on the date and time of the migration:


  • An IT person with administrator access to your designated Informant server: If you need to schedule an IT person to be on-site, make sure they will be present for the migration.
  • Someone from your department/agency that will be the main administrator for Informant: At the end of the implementation process, we will have this person log into Informant and walk them through some of the initial setup of the system.


What to expect during implementation?


An Informant Support Team member will call you and connect remotely to the Informant server with your or your IT provider's assistance using ConnectWise (ScreenConnect), our remote assistance software.


Our team will install and set up SQL Server, an Informant database, and Informant software on your designated Informant server.


We will also install SQL Server Management Studio and allow you or your IT provider to set up your own "sa" password in SQL Server that can be used to automate database backups and other database maintenance tasks.


How long does an implementation take?


An implementation typically takes 1 to 2 hours.


Reboots and server downtime


An implementation may require the Informant server to be rebooted, so your agency should be prepared for this and any operational contingencies that may need to be in place during the implementation process.


Windows administrator access will be needed


The server migration process will require someone on the other end of the remote connection to remain available to enter Windows administrator passwords and click through Windows UAC prompts when needed, as the process involves installing software packages.


Post-implementation steps


After implementation, our team will confirm the Informant server is properly configured before disconnecting. At this point, you or your IT can then perform the following tasks.


1. Optional: Install the Informant client software on other computers


After implementation, you will have a fully working Informant installation on your Informant server machine. If you want to give users access to Informant from other computers, the client software will need to be installed on those computers. Installing Informant on additional computers is handled by you or your IT provider after implementation:



2. Recommended: Set up a backup process


We highly recommend using a third-party cloud backup provider that supports SQL Server and configuring it to back up the "Informant20" database that will be installed on your Informant server.


You can also manually back up the database periodically by following the steps here: Backing up your Informant database


3. Recommended: Use the Informant Help Center to get things set up in Informant


Use the Informant Help Center to assist with learning and getting familiar with Informant, which can be accessed from Informant by clicking Help > Informant Help Center.


In particular, review the "Administrator quick setup" page in the "Administration" guide (accessible from the Informant Help Center home page) for help in setting up Informant for first-time use, such as creating user accounts, setting up permissions, and customizing the software for your needs.


You can also reach out to our Support Team if you need additional help.


4. Recommended: Schedule user training


If you or your department staff are not yet familiar with Informant, we highly recommend scheduling a user training session with our team. This session will provide an overview of the software and demonstrate how to effectively use its features to meet your department's needs.