Issue
The Sigma Web Client uses an ActiveX interface, which is only compatible with specific versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). Later versions of IE and other modern browsers (e.g., Edge, Chrome, Firefox) do not support ActiveX, leading to display or functionality issues.
Product Line
Satchwell BAS & Sigma
Environment
Sigma 4.3 and later
Cause
ActiveX is a legacy technology supported only by Internet Explorer. As Microsoft phases out IE in favor of Edge and Chromium-based browsers, compatibility issues arise when accessing Sigma Web Client interfaces.
Resolution
Sigma 4.3 introduced the ActiveX-based web client. The following table outlines compatibility between Sigma versions and Internet Explorer across various Windows operating systems:
| Operating System/Sigma Version | 4.08 | 4.07 | 4.06 | 4.05 | 4.04 | 4.03 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft ® Windows 2000 | IE6 IE7 |
IE6 IE7 |
||||
| Microsoft ®Windows XP | IE7 IE8 |
IE7 IE8 |
IE7 IE8 |
IE6 SP3 IE7 IE8 |
IE6 IE7 |
IE6 IE7 |
| Microsoft ® Windows Server 2003 | IE7 IE8 |
IE7 IE8 |
IE7 IE8 |
IE6 SP3 IE7 IE8 |
IE6 IE7 |
IE6 IE7 |
| Microsoft ® Windows 7 | IE8 IE9 |
IE8 | IE8 | IE8 | ||
| Microsoft ® Server 2008 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: Later versions of Internet Explorer may work in Compatibility View, but are not officially supported.
Recommendations for Later Operating Systems (Windows 10/11)
-
Use Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge:
- Microsoft Edge (Chromium) includes an IE Mode that supports legacy ActiveX controls.
- To enable IE Mode:
- Open Edge and go to Settings > Default Browser.
- Enable Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode.
- Restart Edge and reload the Sigma Web Client in IE Mode.
-
Virtual Machine Workaround:
- If IE Mode is not viable, consider running a virtual machine with Windows 7 or Windows XP and a compatible version of IE.
-
Long-Term Strategy:
- Consider migrating to newer platforms or interfaces that do not rely on ActiveX, as support for IE and ActiveX is being deprecated across the industry.
Additional Notes
- ActiveX is not supported in Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
- Ensure that ActiveX controls are enabled in IE security settings.
- Compatibility View may help with rendering issues in newer IE versions.
