Historically Access Database Engines (ADE) have been used OUS & Promis.e CONNECT for connecting with different MDB files like PartsDatabase.mdb, Multi-Language_UI.mdb, Catalog.mdb, device.mdb and ECADProject.mdb. Hence ADE was essential for version until OUS U13& Promis.e CONNECT U11. The latest being ADE 2016. Below are the details of the above mentioned mdb for reference.
Description
MDB File
PartsDatabase.mdb
This MDB file is used to store Part Number information. User may have Part Number stored SQL Database or MDB file. The user can find location of the file from Configuration Variable "ELEC_ACTIVEPARTSDATABASE"
Multi-Language_UI.mdb
This MDB file is used to store Symbol Attributes, Information about different Modes and Language Phrases for Multi Language Text. The user can find location of the file from Configuration Variable "ELEC_LANGUAGE_DB_PATH"
Catalog.mdb
This MDB file is specific to a Catalog. This Catalog.mdb is used to store meta data information about Symbol, Title Block, Family and Macros that are saved in that Catalog. The user can find the file inside the Catalog folder according to the path in Configuration Variable "ELE_CATALOG_PATH"
Device.mdb
This MDB file is a Per User Application on user’s local machine used by Promis.e / OUS for internal system operation of the application. The file can be usually found in "C:\Users\Current Username \AppData\Local\Bentley\Substation\10.0.0\"
ECADProject.mdb
This MDB file is usually found inside the Project Backup file (*.prj). This MDB file is used to store all the backup of data from the Project Database associated with the Project so that it can be used when restoring the Project.
Hence there are situation where the user machine would have ADE 2016 or older version and MS Office 365. Microsoft does not recommend installing Office 2016 and Office 365 applications on the same machine. Due to this whenever there is an update to MS Office 365 it would affect the ADE installation which in turn would affect the operation of OUS & Promis.e. When the user would start the application, they would get Error Message. For details click the below links.
Microsoft Link
Wiki Link for Error Message resolution
To resolve the issue the latest version of OUS U14 & Promis.e CE U12 will be compatible with MS Office 365. Below are the recommendations depending on the user environment.
If the user is using MS Office 365 then it is recommended that they use uninstall existing version of Access Database Engine on their machine when using Promis.e U12 or OUS U14 or higher in future. MS Office 365 version Compatibility with Promis.e CE or OUS.
OUS U14/Promis.e CE U12
Microsoft Office version
Microsoft 365 (Version = 2211) 15831.20208
Yes
Microsoft 365 (Version = 2210) 15726.20262
Microsoft 365 (Version = 2209) 15629.20298
If the user already has a version of MS Office 365 which is older than the above versions they will get the below Error Message when they install Promis.e CE or OUS indicating that they are running an older version and they to upgrade the version to more latest or compatible version.Note: Before Uninstalling Access Database Engine from your machine please confirm with IT Department if it would impact any other existing applications on the machine.
When the user does not have any MS Office version installed the user can install the “Microsoft 365 Access Runtime” and uninstall any existing version of Access Database Engine. Link to Download Microsoft 365 Access RuntimeNote: Before Uninstalling Access Database Engine from your machine please confirm with IT Department if it would impact any other existing applications on the machine.If the user tries to install OUS or Promis.e CE with no Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 Access Runtime they will get below error message.
When the user has Microsoft Office 2016 or older version installed it is recommended as a Best Practice to install “Microsoft 365 Access Runtime” and uninstall Access Database Engine until the Microsoft Office version is updated to MS Office 365. Link to Download Microsoft 365 Access Runtime