WorkPlace Tech Editor Ribbon Fails to Load When Launching WorkStation or WorkPlace Tech

[RandyDavis]

Issue

When launching WorkPlace Tech or the WorkPlace Tech Editor inside EcoStruxure Building Operation (EBO), the WorkPlace Tech ribbon does not appear or displays an error indicating that the COM add‑in failed to execute.

Product Line

TAC IA Series, EcoStruxure Building Operation

Environment

• Building Operation Workstation (Workplace Tech Editor)
• I/A Series WorkPlace Tech

Cause

Smartware Studio 360 release 5.1.540 and later contains a 64-bit version of the Microsoft Access database.  It was modified to allow for installation with either Office 32-bit or 64-bit. 

Prior to EBO 7.0.2, WorkPlace Tech Editor required 32‑bit Visio, and Microsoft generally blocks mixed‑bit Office components on the same PC.
This mismatch could cause the WorkPlace Tech ribbon’s COM add‑in to fail to load at startup.

WorkPlace Tech 5.11 and EBO 7.0.2, WorkPlace Tech Editor now supports both 32‑bit and 64‑bit Visio. However:

• Systems running WorkPlace Tech versions prior to 5.10 or EBO versions prior to 7.0.2 still require 32‑bit Visio
• Installing or retaining a mismatched Access Database Engine can still cause COM add‑in load failures

Resolution

For EBO 7.0.2 and later

1. Ensure your installed version of Visio (32‑bit or 64‑bit) is supported.
   • EBO 7.0.2 WorkPlace Tech Editor automatically detects bitness and configures accordingly.
2. If the ribbon still fails to load:
   • Uninstall conflicting or leftover Microsoft Access Database Engine entries from Programs and Features

     

   • Reinstall the Access Database Engine bundled with Smartware Studio 360
3. Restart WorkStation and verify the WPT Editor ribbon loads correctly.

For EBO versions prior to 7.0.2

1. Confirm that 32‑bit Visio is installed.
   • 64‑bit Visio is not supported for older WPT Editor versions.
2. Uninstall the 64‑bit Microsoft Access Database Engine if present.
3. Reinstall Smartware Studio 360’s required components.
4. Relaunch WorkPlace Tech or WorkStation.

Notes (Important from EBO 7.0.2 Release Notes)

• EBO WorkPlace Tech Editor 7.0.2 now supports 64‑bit Visio, including Visio 2024.
• Both standalone WorkPlace Tech 5.11 and EBO WorkPlace Tech Editor 7.0.2 can be upgraded to 64‑bit Visio.
• Installation of WorkStation with WPT Editor will auto-detect whether Visio is 32‑bit or 64‑bit and adjust accordingly.
• PCs requiring prior versions of EBO WorkPlace Tech Editor must continue using 32-bit Visio.