As the adoption of 64-bit architecture increases, in general for Windows servers and in particular for database systems, you should assess whether upgrading to 64-bit arcplan will make sense to you. In general, the 64-bit platform can provide performance improvements mainly based on higher user scalability. The following 3 questions are critical in your decision process:

1. Are you upgrading your backend system to 64-bit?

2. Does the backend system provide a 64-bit client?

3. How can the 32-bit client be used to connect?

First, upgrading your backend server to 64-bit is the perfect time to evaluate 64-bit arcplan as well. Especially when you are running memory-intensive or high-concurrency applications, the 64-bit platform can easily address capacity or scalability issues. Second, most vendors have released 64-bit clients of their latest versions that can leverage the advantages of the new architecture. Third, in some instances where there is only a 32-bit client version available, you can use the arcplan Communication Manager to bridge the communication to the 64-bit arcplan server.

Here are a few installation hints to help you in your transition to 64-bit Windows

1. Be aware of different program directories

• 32-bit applications are installed to C:\Program Files(x86)
• applies to arcplan Application Designer, Administration Console and 32-bit client components
• 64-bit applications are installed to C:\Program Files
• applies to arcplan server and 64-bit client components

2. Be aware of different system directories

• 32-bit application space is %WINDIR%\SysWOW64
• 64-bit application space is %WINDIR%\System32

This sounds counterintuitive, but Microsoft implemented this concept for backwards compatibility.

3. Be aware of different ODBC interfaces

• 32-bit Data Source Administrator is located in %WINDIR%\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe
• 64-bit Data Source Administrator is located in %WINDIR%\System32\odbcad32.exe

You would need two DSN entries if you run 64-bit arcplan server and arcplan Application Designer on the same server.

4. Be aware of environment variable PATH

When arcplan loads a third party component, it will first refer to the directories listed in the PATH variable. If multiple client versions are installed, arcplan will load the first accessible components. Make sure the respective release and 32-bit/64-bit version is listed first.

Please contact your arcplan support center (EMEA/AP team, Americas team) if you have any questions regarding the 64-bit arcplan version.