When Macrium Reflect takes an image, it invokes Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS). This is a Microsoft component which takes a point-in-time snapshot of your file system. This then remains active until the imaging is complete. For the majority of data this is enough to create a backup that results in a consistent system when restored.
However, database engines cache transactions for performance purposes. It is important to force the engine to ensure that everything is on disk and coherent before the snapshot is taken.
MS SQL Server includes a VSS writer and automatically creates a coherent point-in-time snapshot. However, for databases that don't ship with a VSS writer, you need to make an extra step when configuring the backup.
Create the following batch file (replace <XML File Name> with the name of your XML definition file):
<XML File Name>_before_snapshot_wait.bat
Save the file in the same folder as the backup XML file and make sure it contains the command(s) to stop the db service.
Create the following batch file
<XML File Name> _after_snapshot _wait.bat
Save the file in the same folder as the backup XML file and make sure it contains the command(s) to start the db service.
This ensures that the db service is stopped for the duration of the snapshot creation phase, usually less than a minute.