* SQL express is the free entry-level version of SQL server, and is a good option for non-production environments.

Activate requires that all communication is done via SSL and therefore a validate certificate is required. 

The installation process will generate a self-signed certificate that is suitable for testing but cannot be used in Production.

The self-signed certificate must be installed in the Trusted Root to work.

Activate supports all major web browsers:


We recommend using the most up-to-date browser that's compatible with your operating system.

Platform Governance and Operations

System Requirements

Microsoft’s cloud platform providing infrastructure, networking, storage, and application services. In Activate, it’s used as the hosting environment or for integration with Microsoft 365 and Entra ID services.

Azure

DotNetVersion

Microsoft Entra Connect (formerly Azure AD Connect) is a tool that syncs on-premises Active Directory identities with Microsoft Entra ID, enabling hybrid identity and seamless access to cloud resources.

Microsoft_Entra_Connect

Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft’s directory service that stores and manages user accounts, devices, and permissions, enabling secure authentication and centralized access control within a Windows network.

Active_Directory

ActivateJobService

ActivateAdministrator

SupportedPowerShellVersions

SupportedOSVersions

SupportedSQLVersions

Name that identifies the instance of Activate.  This is only used by Administrators and isn't displayed to end users.

instance_name

An installation type of Activate where there is no local domain connection, all authentication, authorisation and identity management is handled by Entra ID.

Cloud_Only

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is Microsoft’s cloud-based identity and access management service, providing secure authentication, user lifecycle management, and access control for Microsoft 365 and other apps.

Microsoft_Entra_ID

A software switch that enables or disables functionality at runtime without redeploying code. In Activate, they are configured under //Resources/Configuration/FeatureFlags.

feature_flag

Microsoft module for managing Exchange Online, using modern authentication and REST API–based cmdlets for faster, more reliable automation of mailboxes, compliance, and organisation settings.

EXO_V3_PowerShell_Module

An Organizational Unit (OU) is a container in Active Directory used to organise users, groups, computers, and other objects within a domain. OUs help structure resources logically and apply group policies for easier management and administration.

A User Type is a template in Activate that defines rules, attributes, and behaviours for a category of users (e.g., Employee, Contractor), ensuring consistent user account setup and configuration.

User_Type

A resource object in Activate representing a physical or virtual Exchange Server

Exchange_Server_Resource

Defines the object type that the resource will emulate or operate as.

Class_parameter

Clonesthe selected inherited parameter to make a local copy to override the value

Override

Runs the Activate Provisioning Server and performs actions across target systems.

Orchestrator_Account

A complete, immutable log of identity-related events, including provisioning actions, access approvals, and policy evaluations.

Audit_Trail

An integration module that enables Activate to read/write data from external systems (e.g., provisioning accounts in Azure AD).

Connector

A periodic process where managers or data owners validate that users still require their existing access — critical for compliance.

Access_Certification_and_Review

A user-initiated process to gain access to new systems or roles, often requiring manager or system owner approval.

Access_Request

Any downstream application or service where identities need access (e.g., Active Directory, Okta, Salesforce).

Target_System

The authoritative system from which identity data is imported (e.g., HRIS like Workday or SAP SuccessFactors).

Identity_Source

An access control model that uses user, resource, or environment attributes (e.g., department = "HR", location = "US") to make access decisions dynamically.

ABAC_Attribute-Based_Access_Control

An access control model where users receive permissions based on assigned roles. This model helps enforce least privilege.

RBAC_Role-Based_Access_Control

A collection of entitlements assigned based on a user’s job function or department. Roles simplify access management and are often tied to policies (e.g., "Finance Analyst Role").

Role

A specific access right or permission within a system (e.g., "Read-only access to Salesforce Reports"). Entitlements can be grouped into roles.

Entitlement

The removal or disabling of user accounts and access when they are no longer required — for example, when an employee leaves the organization.

Deprovisioning

The automated process of creating accounts and granting access to systems or applications based on a user’s role or attributes.

Provisioning

A digital representation of a user (employee, contractor, service account, etc.) within an organization. Each identity is typically linked to a unique identifier, such as an email address or employee ID.

Identity

This is the process of bringing on a new user

Onboarding

Hierarchical Role-Based Provisioning automates user access by assigning roles based on organisational structure, ensuring users inherit the correct permissions and resources aligned to their position or function.

Hierarchical_Role-Based_Provisioning

A group email address that automatically forwards messages to all its members, allowing you to send emails to multiple recipients at once.

Distribution_List

An expression is a conditional statement using Activate expression syntax.

expression

AzureProductName

Activate Application Server Azure Requirements

Activate Knowledge Centre

For Engineers

For Architects

For Service Desk

For C-Suite and Decision Makers

For Partners & Analysts

Welcome to Activate Knowledge Centre

What is Activate?

Key terms

System Overview

Solution Architecture Overview

Areas of Automation

How Activate License Counts Are Calculated

Activate Identity Licence Types

Overview

Key Components

Deployment Models

Security Architecture Overview

Azure/EntraID and Activate

Workflow Designer

Core Architecture

Deployment Infrastructure

High Availability Introduction

High Availability Architecture Strategies

Capacity Planning & Sizing

Scalability & Availability

Supported Identity Providers

Supported Integrations

Integrations

Architecture

8.4.6

8.4.5

8.4.4

8.4.3

8.4.2

8.4.1

8.4.0

8.3.16

8.3.15

8.3.14

8.3.13

8.3.12

8.3.11

8.3.10

8.3.9

8.3.8

8.3.7

8.3.6

8.3.5

8.3.4

8.3.3

8.3.2

8.3.1

8.3.0

8.2.9

8.2.8

8.2.7

8.2.6

8.2.5

8.2.4

8.2.3

8.2.2

8.2.1

8.2.0

8.1.8

8.1.7

8.1.6

8.1.5

8.1.4

8.1.3

8.1.2

8.1.1

8.1.0

8.0.2

8.0.1

8.0.0 Previous Releases

Release Notes

Introduction

Features

Identity Manager

Capabilities

Distribution List Manager

Supported Deployment Models

Shared Mailbox Manager

Privileged Access Manager

Automated Provisioning

Service Management

Microsoft Teams Manager

How To

Role Manager

Folder Manager

Currently Supported Providers

Connection Integration

ITSM Service Desk Integrations Manager

Asset and License Manager

Security Group Compliance Manager

Security Group Manager

Password Policy & Reset Manager

Hosting Models

Identity and Infrastructure Deployment Models

SQL Server Requirements

Exchange Requirements

Network Requirements

Service Accounts and Groups

Active Directory Permissions

Anywhere Standalone Server Requirements

Azure SQL Database Requirements

Getting Started

Prepare for Installation

Provision Activate Server

Install Activate

Install Anywhere

Test

Installation

Unable to grant Database admin rights

Adjust Anywhere Target Server

Legacy mailboxes displayed in Outlook even after permissions removed

Error During Activate Installation: Access is Denied

Activate install wizard cannot find the domain

Error  Common Language Runtime detected an invalid program.

Browser prompts for Username/Password

Write Access Denied on new install

Troubleshooting

Installation & Setup

Required Software	Supported Options
Operating System	Windows Server 2019, 2022, 2025
Database	Microsoft SQL Server 2017, 2019, 2022 *
Development Framework	.NET Core 8, Windows Hosting Bundle and .NET Desktop Runtime
PowerShell	Windows PowerShell 3.0+ (WinRM / OS baseline) and PowerShell 7.x (the .NET integration runtime that Activate uses to run PowerShell)
IIS	Basic features, Windows Authentication, Web Sockets
Web View	Microsoft WebView2
Optional Tools
Diff Tool	WinMerge

Installation Scenario	Deployment Type and Scale	RAM	Processor	Hard Disk Space
Single server with a local SQL Database or single server that uses Remote SQL Server	Development or evaluation installation of Activate	16GB	64-bit 2 cores	80 GB for system drive
Single server with a local SQL Database or single server that uses Remote SQL Server	Small installation supporting less than 1,500 users	16GB	64-bit 2 cores	80 GB for system drive
Single Server with Remote SQL Server	Medium installation supporting 1,500-4,000 users	16GB	64-bit 4 cores	80 GB for system drive
Single Server with Remote SQL Server	Large installation supporting 4,000-10,000 users	32GB	64-bit 8 cores	80 GB for system drive
Separate Web and Orchestration (Job) Server	Large Enterprise > 10,000 users	64GB	64-bit 16 cores	80 GB for system drive
Externally Facing Web Server - Activate Anywhere	Web Server for hosting the Activate Anywhere Server and\or the External Password Reset Website	32GB	64-bit 4 cores	80 GB for system drive

Browser	Supported Version
Microsoft Edge	Latest stable version
Chrome	Latest stable version
Firefox	Latest stable version
Safari	Latest stable version on latest OS release.

System Requirements

Software Requirements

Server Requirements

SSL Certificate

Browser Support

System Requirements

Software Requirements

Server Requirements

﻿

SSL Certificate

Browser Support