How can I set up scheduled database backups for the Track-It! 20.xx database using SSMS?
A full backup is needed in the event that the system experiences a hardware failure or a data corruption event. In addition, if a transaction log backup is never done, the database is never purged of the transaction log data, which can lead to slow performance and will gradually use more disk space.

NOTE: The following only applies to a full installation (Standard, Enterprise, etc.) of SQL Server. SQL Server Express does not include some features that are mentioned below. Following steps shall assist with determining the SQL version:

• Log into SSMS.
• Once logged in, right-click on the SQL Server Name on the top-left under Object Explorer and use the New Query option.
• Type/Paste the following query into the window in the middle of the screen:

• Hit F5 or the Execute button above the Object Explorer on the top-left. The results window at the bottom will return the version.

If you're unsure about the SQL Server details for the Track-It! Database, refer How to check the Database name and SQL Server/Instance name for Track-It! 20.xx.

Instructions:

1. On the database server, open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
2. Login using SysAdmin (SA) or equivalent account.
3. Under the database server name from the Object explorer on the top-left, expand the Databases folder.
4. Right-click the Track-It! database and then click Properties.
5. Select the Options page and make sure the Recovery Model is set to "Full". NOTE: You may choose the "Simple" recovery model, however, you will not be able to setup scheduled backups of the Transaction log as instructed below.
6. Click Ok if any changes had been made.
7. Next, under the database server name expand the Management folder.
8. Right-click Maintenance Plans and then select Maintenance Plan Wizard. You also need to make sure the SQL Server Agent windows Service is up and running.
9. When the SQL Server Maintenance Plan Wizard appears, click Next.
10. Enter a name for the plan and description if desired (eg: Track-It! DB Backups).
11. At the bottom, enable the 'Separate schedules for each task' option (unless the database is running in Simple recovery mode and you will only be doing a full backup). click Next.
12. Enable the Back Up Database (Full) and Back Up Database (Transaction Log) options and then click Next.
13. On the 'Select Maintenance Tasks Order' window click Next again.
14. Select the database that you would like to backup, i.e., the Track-It! 20.xx database, and, if desired, specify a location, using the Destination tab, other than the default path for where the backup will be saved. Additional settings can be configured using the Options tab.
15. At the bottom, under Schedule click the Change button and select the frequency that you would like the full backup to run.
16. Once the schedule has been set, click OK.
17. Click Next to go to the next task (Transaction Log backup).
18. Once again, select the database that you would like to backup and, if desired, specify a location other than the default path for where the transaction log backup will be saved. NOTE: Only databases running in Full recovery mode will appear in the list.
19. At the bottom, under Schedule click the Change button and select the frequency that you would like the transaction log backup to run. For example, set it to run the backup every four hours or more.
20. Once the schedule has been set, click OK.
21. Click Next, select the location where a backup report file will be created and then click Next.
22. Click Finish to complete the wizard.

A maintenance plan has now been created to create a full database backup as well as frequent transaction log backups that can be used to recover the database if needed. Make sure to monitor the jobs to make sure the backups are being created as expected.