Processors that are 64-bit are becoming the standard for systems that range from servers to desktop computers. The 64-bit systems can use more virtual and physical memory than 32-bit systems. This lets users work with much larger data sets than they could previously, and to analyze and solve large computational problems.

Office 2010 introduces native 64-bit versions of Microsoft Office products to take advantage of this larger capacity.

All of this sounds marvelous for running large reports, but it poses a problem. As 64 and 32-bit applications are totally different architectures,  they are inherently incompatible with each other. Microsoft attempt to get around these problems by using WOW64. WOW64 is the x86 emulator that enables 32-bit Windows-based applications to run on 64-bit Windows systems. In theory, this should allow all of the 32-bit COM add-ins that we are used to, to function fully in Office 2010 64-bit.

Unfortunately the data connection between the current v6 OrderWise database and Excel (The FoxPro ODBC Driver), is one of the applications that will not function under this emulation mode – and as such will only run in the 32-bit version of Office 2010.

This means that if you wish to upgrade to Office 2010, you need to use the 32-bit version if wish to carry on using Orderwise reports. If you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, this is should not be a problem, as the 32-bit installation is the default on every architecture, and Microsoft only recommended installing the 64-bit version of Office if you are needing to regularly work with spreadsheets over 2gb in size.

If you would like more information about Office 2010 32 and 64-bit editions, please see the link below from the Microsoft TechNet Library.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee681792.aspx

We’ve also had a fair few requests for reports which provide some kind of automation, whether that’s printing out picking sheets, or emailing reminders to customers that haven’t ordered for a while.

Perhaps it’s just a case of great minds….?

If you have any report or layout requests, then you can get in touch with the Reports department on 01522 706071 or drop an email to reportsorderwisecouk  (reportsorderwisecouk)