| DCLPublicationDate: 10/1/95 DCLID: GEN-95-51 AwardYear: 1995-1996 Summary: This Action Letter introduces a Windows version of EDExpress, the software designed to help institutions manage student aid data. 95-96 Action Letter #14 Student Aid Delivery System GEN- 95-51 October 1995 SUMMARY: This Action Letter introduces a Windows version of EDExpress, the software designed to help institutions manage student aid data. Dear Colleague: The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is pleased to announce EDExpress for Windows, a version of EDExpress to run in a Windows environment. This separate version of EDExpress is for use on personal computers running Microsoft Windows. ED's objective is to provide users of the current DOS version a more intuitive, graphically rich environment, and an easy to use Windows format with which to manage Federal student financial aid data. A beta test version of the application processing function of EDExpress for Windows is now available to institutions participating in the Electronic Data Exchange (EDE). In late November ED will distribute the remaining components of the Windows product (packaging and Direct Loans), also in a beta test version. These beta test versions can be used for production if your school chooses. To receive a copy of the application processing functions in Windows, you must already have enrolled in Title IV WAN and received your Title IV WAN User ID. Then just call to order the software at 1-800-615- 1189. The Department has tested its Windows version using Windows for Workgroups, and is currently testing using Windows 95. After successful testing using Windows 95, an announcement will be published with the results. EDExpress for Windows has the same functionality as EDExpress for DOS. The Windows product will contain conversion utilities to convert the current DOS databases to the Windows product database system which is Microsoft's ACCESS system. Requirements for such functions as import and export, file formats, data entry edits, end-of-entry edits, the packaging algorithm, Direct Loan origination editing, and output reports will remain unchanged and users will be able to perform all of the tasks that are accomplished with the DOS version. The following are the system requirements for the DOS- based version of EDExpress: Processor 80486 DOS Version 6.2 or higher Hard Disk 80MB or more depending on volume Printer Impact or laser printer Memory 16MB The Windows version has this same minimum requirement with the addition of: Microsoft Windows Version 3.1 or 3.11 VGA Mouse We are planning to support the application processing functions of EDExpress in both DOS and Windows environments in 1996-97, but will support only Windows for the remaining functionality of EDExpress (packaging and Direct Loans). We are excited about our Windows product, and look forward to working with you to continue to improve our software products. Sincerely, Leo Kornfeld Senior Adviser to the Secretary |