Install OwnFMS.works on your own server.

Installation video

From creating the server to a finished install, in about 11 minutes. Captions are available: press CC in the player. Server addresses, e-mail addresses and secrets are hidden in the video.

• 0:00Opening
• 0:19What you need
• 2:02Create the server
• 3:45Create a setup key
• 4:45Open the installer
• 5:56Install
• 7:26Sign in and look around
• 8:02Add your people
• 8:50Lock it down
• 9:38Keep it current
• 10:12Where to go next

Chapter links open the video on Vimeo at that point.

Written steps

Before you start: use a server dedicated to this, and take a backup first (a snapshot from your host is enough). The starter is tested on Corteza 2024.9.1 on Elestio. Other hosts running that version over https should work but are untested.

1. Create a Corteza server. On Elestio, choose New service, search for Corteza, select version 2024.9.1 and the smallest size, name it and press Create service. When it shows Running, press Display Admin UI for the server address and the administrator login. Keep both private.
2. Create a setup key. Open your server address followed by /admin and sign in. Go to System > Auth Clients > New Auth Client. Name it (for example OwnFMS setup), choose the machine option (grant type client_credentials), leave the access boxes ticked and press Submit. Copy the client ID and the secret now, because the secret is shown only once. The client ID is a number of about 18 digits, such as 123456789012345678. It is the last part of the page address, and it appears before the colon in the Example cURL box.
3. Open the installer at ownfms-works.github.io/installer. Paste the server address, client ID and secret, then press Test connection. This only reads, so it is safe.
4. Install. Keep Load the sample data on for a first install. Confirm that the server is dedicated to this and that you accept the software is provided as is. Keep Revoke this setup key when the install finishes ticked and press Install. It takes a couple of minutes, runs its own checks (expect no failures) and then revokes the setup key.
5. Look around. Open your server address followed by /compose/ns/OWNFMS/. The three sample sign-ins (Staff, Manager and Demo Viewer) are optional, and each needs a password you choose.
6. Lock it down. If you kept the box ticked, the setup key is already revoked, and Auth Clients no longer lists it. In your first week: change the administrator password and turn on multi-factor authentication (your server address followed by /auth/security); create a user for each person under Admin > Users with the Staff or Manager role, and share the administrator login with nobody; and confirm that your host's backups are on. The README's Your first week section has the full list and the reasons.
7. Keep it current (optional). A small job, run_jobs.py, fills in automatic reference numbers, due flags, budget status, the payments check and each grant's History tab. It should run every few minutes, and the README's Keeping it up to date section explains how to schedule it.

The secret you paste into the installer goes only to your own server and is not stored. Use at your own risk: the software is provided as is, without warranty.

Need a hand?

Stuck on a step, or prefer to have the install done for you? OwnFMS.works comes from Value Stream Consulting, who help grantmakers streamline their processes and put grant management technology in place. We can run a private trial, install it with your records, or adapt it to the way you work. Help is optional: any consultant who knows Corteza can do the same.

• 30-minute consultation
  30 minutes, by video callPrice to be decidedBook
• 1-hour consultation
  60 minutes, by video callPrice to be decidedBook

Consultations are optional. The software is free, and any consultant who knows the platform can help too.