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Crystal Reports, ODBC & Access >> Crystal Reports General Issues >> Which version of CR???
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Message started by kkmfg on 01/25/07 at 04:49:11

Title: Which version of CR???
Post by kkmfg on 01/25/07 at 04:49:11

We're interested in trying out Crystal Reports. They've got multiple versions on their website. It would appear that either the Standard edition or Pro would be needed but I don't know if there is a reason to go for Pro or not? I suppose I could look on Ebay but the same thing applies: Go Pro or use Standard?

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by GasGiant on 01/25/07 at 05:56:45

You need at least Pro if you will be using ODBC. We went with the Developer edition so that we can build reports into small apps.

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by David Waldmann on 01/25/07 at 09:29:19

GasGiant wrote:

You need at least Pro if you will be using ODBC.

Which is not required, but I would highly recommend it - ODBC is often MUCH faster at data access.

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by kevind on 01/25/07 at 11:50:52

Accessing your DBA data through ODBC uses the Relational side of the Pervasive Server
(pushes some processing to the relational engine.)

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by kkmfg on 01/26/07 at 04:34:36

Thanks all of the info. I'll look into getting the developer or pro version of CR.

I've never liked Pervasive (which should be really obvious reading my posts) and the fact that there are two seperate engines and not one, merged transaction capable relational engine troubles me. It makes me wonder why anyone would pay Pervasive a dime for their cut rate garbage when you can get something better (postgresql, firebird, probably even mysql) for free. But I suppose that's a topic for another day....

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by Dawn on 08/23/07 at 12:51:35

I have been checking into which type of Crystal Reports to get Pro or Devloper and I can't seem to find the answer I need in all their liturature.

I want to have one person write the reports but management have the ability to refresh the data daily or when ever they want. Which version is best?

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by dameng on 08/23/07 at 15:40:50

you buy the crystal reports program so that you can design and publish your reports. you could install that single copy on everyone's computer, but if you didn't buy that many licenses....... also if you did, everyone would be able to alter existing reports or design their own.

i suggest you buy the one copy for the inhouse report designer, either the professional or developer. then for the users to open and refresh the reports on their computers, i reccommend an inexpensive crystal report viewer. like Cview from Chelsea Technologies.

for info visit: http://www.chelseatech.co.nz/cv.htm

hth,

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by Dawn on 08/24/07 at 06:02:42

Thanks I will definetly check this out. 8-)

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by kevind on 08/24/07 at 07:53:32

I tried out THIS (http://www.milletsoftware.com/DataLink_Viewer.htm) viewer and it works great!

Very reasonably priced.

It also supports a command line mode. This allows it to be run right from the DBA menu shell.

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by fast on 08/24/07 at 08:54:07

kevind wrote:

How would this be added to the DBA Menu?

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by kevind on 08/24/07 at 10:29:23

It is my understanding that in EVO, you can launch any program from the Menu.

In Classic, using this DBA utility for running Non-DBA Programs (http://www.evoerpwiki.com/index.php/USER_Contributions#DBA_utility_for_running_Non-DBA_Programs) , you can create a .RUN program that executes a command line program.
Since this view supports command line arguments, it can be run from the Classic Menu using THIS (http://www.evoerpwiki.com/index.php/USER_Contributions#DBA_utility_for_running_Non-DBA_Programs) utility.
It works pretty well, but I wish it allowed a longer field for the program name and command line.

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by dameng on 08/24/07 at 13:57:38

or, rather than creating a menu in EVO for just the Report Viewer, you might want to create an EVO menu for just your Crystal Reports. I tend to have a directory under the DBAMFG or EVOERP for Crystal Reports, then more directories to categorize my reports, Accounting, Sales, Purchasing, Work Orders, Inventory, hence your shortcut in the EVO menu only needs the path extension, not the complete path.

but that's a lot of work. just easier to have people use windows explorer and double click on the report they want, then if the Cview or other Crystal Report viewer is installed locally, the program will automatically fire up!

hth

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by David Waldmann on 08/27/07 at 11:05:48

Do any of these viewers allow the viewee to refresh the report with current data or to input parameters?

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by kevind on 08/27/07 at 14:25:24

Yes. THIS (http://www.milletsoftware.com/DataLink_Viewer.htm) one is really nice because you can view, print or export. It connects to live data and has it's own 'menu' type interface so that you can (optionally) populate it with the reports that you want a person to be able to run. They don't have to browse through multiple levels of folders to find the report they want.

It also has it's own 'dynamic parameter' function. I believe that CR V11 supports dynamic parameters directly. The method built into this viewer would let you have dynamic parameters for other versions of CR.

1 license is $25. A pack of 5 licenses is $100.

Title: Re: Which version of CR???
Post by David Waldmann on 08/28/07 at 04:44:36

Sounds like it might be a good solution. I'll check it out.

Thanks!