I have a VFP app that produces documents under OLE automation. Currently it instantiates Word as required, releasing the copy when the documents have been printed. Recently the client moved the app to Terminal Server and added additional users. Shortly afterward, users began to complain that document preparation had slowed down. They have beefed up TS and added more RAM and that has helped. I know that instantiating Word is a slow process. Would it be practical to instantiate a copy of Word as the VFP app loads and have it ready when needed? Would that increase the number of Microsoft licenses they need?

The other task that is really slow is changing printer drivers in Word but I don't see any way to improve that.