| PublicationDate: 8/31/98 Summary: Tip of the Week -- 32-Bit SSCR Author: CPS - Central Processing System (CPS) Posted August 31, 1998 TO: All EDExpress Users FROM: CPS Customer Service RE: Tip of the Week -- 32-Bit SSCR This week's tip highlights the availability and benefits of using the 32-bit SSCR software. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently released the standalone 32-bit SSCR software to schools on a request-only basis. Although it is not required, we strongly encourage users to begin using SSCR-32 now to familiarize themselves with the 32-bit processing environment and capabilities. This will better prepare users for the 1999-2000 version of EDExpress, which will also be a 32-bit product. The 32-bit SSCR software has numerous advantages over 16-bit EDExpress in terms of SSCR processing. The software executes much faster than the current product. Benchmarking results indicate file imports from a network execute approximately 50 times faster then the current EDExpress product. The software performs with greater speed in a standalone environment as well. Moving to the 32-bit environment has allowed for enhanced grid capability. Users can size grids, hide columns, sort or filter within grids, print grids, and export from grids. The query component has been completely redesigned to give users access to predefined queries and allow users to run parameter queries, to modify queries, and to build advanced parenthetical queries. The batch number has been modified to contain the full 8-digit OPE ID. This is a major benefit to users who process multiple campuses within one database. Students can be tracked within the system under multiple OPE ID codes. Institutions must begin using the SSCR-32 software for the 1999-2000 processing cycle, as SSCR functionality will not be included in the 1999-2000 version of EDExpress for Windows. Users may continue to use EDExpress version 4.2 to conduct SSCR processing for the remainder of 1998 if they wish. However, the actual SSCR reporting and processing cycle has not been changed for SSCR-32, which eases the transition from one product to another. The file formats that are received from NSLDS and sent to NSLDS are identical to the 16-bit product. The file formats for external import change and external export have been modified. A complete SSCR technical reference is distributed with SSCR-32. To order a copy call the TIVWAN Voice Processing System (VPS) at 1-800-615-1189 and follow these steps: 1) Dial the 800-615-1189 phone number. 2) Press option 1 if you have a touch tone phone or stay on the line if you have a rotary phone. (!!THE REMAINING STEPS WILL ASSUME YOU HAVE A TOUCH TONE PHONE!!) 3) Enter the last five digits of your user ID (TGXXXXX) 4) Press option #8 5) Press option #2 6) At the tone type in the quantity requested followed by the # sign. (Note: The first copy of SSCR-32 is provided for free by the Department but additional copies must be paid for by the user. See the billing section of the Title IV WAN User's Guide for details.) 7) Press option #1 to confirm. If you have any questions about the SSCR-32 software, please contact CPS Customer Service at 1-800-330-5947, option 8, then option 4, or via e-mail at CPS@NCS.COM. |