How to Install Zammad Customer Support System on Windows VPS

Introduction

Zammad is an open-source customer support and ticketing system designed to streamline customer service management. In this guide, we will show you how to install Zammad on a Windows VPS to enhance your support team’s efficiency.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure that you have the following prerequisites:

• A Windows VPS with administrative privileges.
• Windows Server 2016 or later, or Windows 10/11.
• Internet connection to download the necessary packages.
• Basic knowledge of using PowerShell or Command Prompt.

Step 1: Install Dependencies

Zammad requires several dependencies to run. First, install the following software:

• Ruby</>: Zammad is built on Ruby, so you need to install Ruby on your system.
• Node.js</>: For frontend assets and server-side scripting.
• PostgreSQL</>: Zammad uses PostgreSQL as its database management system.
• Elasticsearch</>: A powerful search engine used by Zammad.
• Redis</>: A data structure server for caching.

Download and install the necessary versions of each software from the official websites:

• Ruby Installer
• Node.js
• PostgreSQL
• Elasticsearch
• Redis

Step 2: Install Zammad

After installing all dependencies, you can proceed with the Zammad installation:

1. Download the Zammad installer for Windows from the official Zammad website: Zammad Downloads.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Choose the necessary options based on your configuration preferences. For most installations, the default settings should suffice.
4. Once the installation is complete, Zammad will be installed on your system.

Step 3: Configure Zammad

After installation, you need to configure Zammad to run correctly on your system:

1. Open the Zammad configuration file, located at:

   C:\zammad\config\database.yml

2. Edit the configuration file to set up your database settings. Make sure the PostgreSQL database settings are correctly entered:

production:
  adapter: postgresql
  database: zammad
  host: localhost
  username: zammad_user
  password: your_password
  port: 5432
                

1. Save and close the configuration file.
2. Start the Zammad service by running the following command in PowerShell or Command Prompt:

   net start zammad

Step 4: Set Up Elasticsearch

Zammad uses Elasticsearch to handle search functionality. Follow these steps to set it up:

1. Start Elasticsearch by running the following command:

   net start elasticsearch

2. Ensure that Elasticsearch is running properly by visiting http://localhost:9200/ in a web browser. You should see a JSON response with information about your Elasticsearch instance.

Step 5: Set Up Redis

Redis is used by Zammad for caching. Here’s how to configure it:

1. Start Redis by running the following command:

   net start redis

2. Verify that Redis is running by visiting http://localhost:6379/ in a web browser. You should see a response from Redis indicating that it is working.

Step 6: Access Zammad

After completing the installation and configuration, you can access the Zammad web interface:

1. Open a web browser and go to http://localhost or the IP address of your Windows VPS.
2. You should be prompted with the Zammad login screen. Use the credentials you configured during installation to log in.

Step 7: Configure Email Integration (Optional)

To fully utilize Zammad as a customer support system, you can configure email integration:

1. Go to the “Admin” section in the Zammad web interface.
2. Under “Channels,” click on “Email” to configure your SMTP and IMAP settings.
3. Enter your email server details and test the connection to ensure everything is working.

Step 8: Start Using Zammad

Once you’ve completed all the steps, Zammad is ready to use! You can now start managing customer support tickets, assigning tasks to agents, and more.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured Zammad Customer Support System on your Windows VPS. You can now efficiently manage your customer support operations with this powerful open-source tool.