Background Q. Our organization does not Q. Is there a steep learning curve to own a copy of the SQL Server using the 2008 version? Historically Mun-Ease has used the database. Do we need to A. Borland Database Engine (BDE) to purchase a copy of the SQL No. The user interface and the store data. The BDE is a multi-user Server database before we report formats of both versions database that allows users to store install the 2008 version of Mun-Ease are exactly data in several different formats. of Mun-Ease? the same. M These database formats include Paradox, Dbase, and Access as A. No. Microsoft provides a free Q. Are there advantages to using U well as enterprise databases of SQL version of SQL Server (SQL SQL Server over the BDE? Server Express) that can be N Server, DB2, and Oracle. The BDE A. Most large organizations in used in environments with 4 - is able to store data to enterprise government and industry have or fewer users. Our CD will databases using a Borland standardized on either SQL E include a copy of SQL Server developed technology called Server or Oracle. Thus there is a A Express that you can install in “SQL Links.” greater likelihood that your I.T. your organization. S department will have people The Mun-Ease single-user and E Q. Our organization is running an knowledgeable with SQL Server. workgroup versions previously SQL Server is also compatible stored data through the BDE in a older version of SQL Server (SQL Server 2000). Is the 2008 with Microsoft’s .NET technolo- Q Paradox format. The enterprise gy. Borland is not updating the U version of Mun-Ease also used the version of Mun-Ease backward compatible with the SQL BDE to take advantage of .NET. E BDE to store data in both SQL Server and Paradox formats. Server 2000? S Q. What other new features are (Data on the server was stored A. Yes. Our 2008 release is included in 2008 version? T in a SQL Server format while backward compatible with A. We have also added several I temporary data was stored in a SQL Server 2000. Paradox format on the user’s PC.) new features to our 2008 O Q. Will we need to go through a release. They are: N Mun-Ease 2008 conversion to use the 2008 (a) a new feature to import current S version of Mun-Ease? municipal bond interest rates The 2008 release of Mun-Ease and prices/yields for open stores data only in a SQL Server A. When you install the 2008 market investments from the format. We no longer use the BDE. version, we place a conversion Wall Street Journal, Instead, we use a Microsoft icon within the Mun-Ease (b) changes to arbitrage calculations developed technology called program group. This icon / tax forms that reflect the new “Active Data Objects” (ADO). While initiates a program that will IRS proposed rules issued in our 2008 release officially uses SQL allow you to move data back September 2007, Server, we will continue to main- and forth (upload and (c) four new arbitrage spenddown tain and update the BDE version download) between the BDE reports that show the issuer’s for the foreseeable future. and SQL Server. The conversion compliance of spenddown takes about 1-2 minutes. requirements in each period in the 18-month / 24-month Q. Is there an additional cost to Q. Will we be able to run both the spending timeframe, upgrade to the Mun-Ease SQL BDE versions and the SQL Server (d) new reports in the Stand-Alone Server version? versions at the same time? Reporting module, A. No. The SQL Server version is (e) an increase in the size of the A. Yes. The conversion program bond ID from 17 characters to shipped along with a new set can upload and/or download of manuals free-of-charge to 20 characters and an increase data from the BDE. Thus, you in the size of the lookup those customers who are can run both versions of current with their maintenance codes from 8 characters to Mun-Ease at the same time. 10 characters. and support. We are providing this capability for users who may want to gradually transition to the 2008 version..