Database engine is a software used to manage database and store application information. TBM connects to a database engine which, in its turn, processes all requests to read, write, modify and delete information. When application is used in local mode (desktop version), then no database engine is required, as application has embedded engine (SQLite) to work with local databases. In other case, you must have one of supported database engines installed and provide details to TBM to connect to this system. Currently, TBM supports Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL engines. There is an option to add support for more engines - please send us a request if you have individual requirements.

The free edition of Microsoft SQL Server (SQL Server Express) has a limit of database file size, which is set to 10 GB. In most cases, this will be enough, as 10 GB of text information is pretty huge amount of data, an it may take some years to reach this limit. You will then have to switch to paid version of SQL Server (SQL Server Standard).

Another option is PostgreSQL, the free and open-source database engine which offers not only unlimited database size, but can also be installed on servers running on Windows, Linux or Mac. Another advantage of this system is installation file size - it is just only 160 MB, and this package includes database management utility, which can be used, for example, to backup and restore your databases. For example, to get similar GUI tool for SQL Server, you have to download additional large package (greater than 1 GB). With the default installation you only get a command line tool to perform database maintenance operations.

For simplicity, we recommend the use of PostgreSQL, as it provides similar performance as SQL Server, has no limits for database file size, it is free (Standard edition of SQL Server costs several thousands of US dollars), installation is much faster and a server can be installed on any operating system.

Usually it is recommended to install SDL Trados Business Manager and database engine on the same machine, but you can use any approach acceptable in your environment. The only required thing here is that it is mandatory to provide correct connection parameters to TBM so it's able to communicate with database engine, regardless where physically it is installed.

For example, the following options are possible:

1. Use own computer as a server, where you host the application and database. In this case you get URL address, register it and make accessible via Internet.
2. Rent a server in the cloud. For example, in Azure, AWS, etc.