Tip of the Month for: June 2011

Windows 7 compatibility (32-bit and 64-bit)

We have received many questions and concerns over the compatibility between Answers and Windows 7 and also on the different versions of Windows 7 (32-bit versus 64-bit).  We realize we may have already addressed these questions with some of you on a one-on-one basis, but felt, that since it has become so common, to address it here for everyone's benefit.

Yes, Answers is compatible with Windows 7.  And Yes it will work with either the 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows 7.  However there are some things to consider if you are thinking about purchasing some new P/C's or upgrading some existing P/C's and which version of Windows to purchase.

• Windows 7 does require a newer version of the AcuCobol Runtime than Windows XP/2003/2000 did.
  • The AcuCobol Runtime is the software that runs all Answers programs.  Think of it as the "middle-man" between Windows and Answers programs such as Order Entry, Inventory Inquiry, Customer Inquiry, etc.  This runtime keeps Answers from having to worry about all of the different versions of Windows and hardware and allows the development of it to concentrate on features helpful to it's users.  Windows 7 requires at least AcuCobol Runtime version 8.0.0 and version 8.1.2 is recommended.  You can check your current version by clicking on Help-->Client Info from the main Answers Menu program's pull-down menu bar.
  • If you have a version older than the ones listed above and are going to Windows 7, then you need to request an upgrade to the newest runtime to insure compatibility.  The good news is the upgrade is free from the developers of the AcuCorp products MicroFocus.  The only expense to you would be the installation time that would be incurred when we install it on your server for you.  But this usually only takes about 1/2 hour.  In order to request an upgrade to your runtime, we need your current version # and serial #.  The serial # is also shown in the same "Client Info" window mentioned above where you can check your current version.  These upgrades normally take 1-2 business days to process.  The actual software can be down-loaded but we need new license codes in order to install the new version of the runtime on your server.

• We have also received many questions on which version of Windows to purchase (32-bit or 64-bit).  Unless you specifically need 64-bit for some reason, such as another software package that is 64-bit, then we recommend sticking with 32-bit.
  • Granted most hardware these days is 64-bit compatible, but while this means your P/C hardware can run the 64-bit version of Windows, it does not mean you have to.  You can still purchase or install a 32-bit version of Windows on it.
  • The AcuCobol Runtime is 32-bit and will receive no benefit from a 64-bit version of Windows.  Also, Answers' system related files such as scanner drivers, emailing, PDF conversion, graphs, etc. are all 32-bit and will work in a 64-bit environment in most cases we have seen, but there is no performance benefit.
  • And in fact, it can sometimes be harder and require some manual work in order to install Answers on a 64-bit version of Windows.  So, while it can be made to work on either, unless you need 64-bit for some reason, then it is normally an easier installation path to go with 32-bit.
  • 64-bit hardware and operating systems is more than likely the wave of the future, but there is still a lot of software out there that is 32-bit and will see no benefit from a 64-bit operating system or hardware.  One of the advantages of 64-bit is that it allows over 4GB of RAM (memory), but unless you really need this much RAM for some of your other programs, 4GB is plenty in most business class computers.  And there are other advantages of 64-bit also, but again, in a business class computer, most of these are rarely needed from what we have seen in dealing with our customers.

     

• Another consideration in the 32-bit versus 64-bit decision is related to the ODBC capabilities of Answers.  If the new P/C needs access to Answers data via ODBC such as through Excel, Access, Word, Crystal Reports, etc., then you need to compare which version of Windows you are getting against which ODBC product you have from AcuCorp.
  • The older AcuODBC products are not compatible with 64-bit versions of Windows.  AcuODBC will run on 32-bit versions of Windows only and will not even install on a 64-bit version.
  • In order to have ODBC access on a 64-bit version of Windows, you must be running AcuXDBC which is the newer ODBC product from AcuCorp that replaced AcuODBC several years ago.
  • AcuXDBC will install on 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows, but is a little tricky in getting to work on 64-bit, but can be done.
  • Unfortunately, upgrading from AcuODBC to AcuXDBC is not free and AcuXDBC must be purchased.  We can order this software from AcuCorp and MicroFocus for you, and the cost is $399 per user.  These normally take 1-3 business days to process.
  • Do not confuse the benefits of AcuODBC and AcuXDBC in that they allow retrieving data out of Answers data files in queries initiated by another program such as Excel, with the Answers programs that allow data to be exported into Excel.  These exports included within Answers programs to Excel do not require either of the above mentioned products.

We hope that the above information will answer many of the questions that have risen recently regarding Windows 7 and also the 32-bit/64-bit issues.