Version free variables stable in EPDM 2013?

Just upgraded from EPDM 2011 to 2013.

We want to take advantage of the version free variables for our ECO datacards so users don't have to check-out a files to edit datacard variables.

Is this 2013 functionality stable?

What are the limitations?

To use "version free" variables we need to set-up the following:

1) Make variables version free.

2) Grant groups/users Folder permissions to allow "Edit version free variable data" .

3) Grant groups/users state permissions to allow  "Edit version free variable data".

When I make a variable "version free" I lose the "Attributes",  "block name", "Attirbute name", "file extensions" fields in the Edit Variable dialogue box.

Does this mean that I cannot map "version free" variables to cells in our ECO excel files?

Gary.

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