Custom Report Writing Session 70, Jamie Caples, Synergy Resources

Custom Report Writing Session 70, Jamie Caples, Synergy Resources

Session Background Description - So, you need a custom report? Should you modify an existing QRP, write a Crystal Report, a report in MS Access, or Reporting Services? This session will discuss various report writing options and discuss the pros and cons of each method. It will also cover report writing basics and database connectivity. The impact of the new VISUAL 7.1.X and 8.X schema will also be discussed. Track Data Extraction Audience Report Writers and IT personnel Skill Level - Intermediate Room Info Room 2

Presenter Background Synergy Resources Data Migration, Custom Report Writing, Application Development, Macros, Database Development 10+ years

Session Outcomes What will the outcomes of the session be? Explore various options for custom reporting. Identify benefits of one approach over another and what types of reports are best used be each approach. Skill level needed for one approach over another.

Factors to consider Report writing tools Gupta/Unify Report Builder Microsoft (Excel, Access, SSRS) Crystal Reports Other considerations Distribution/Deployment Ease of Use/Skill Level required Cost Recommendations for Use Agenda

Factors To Consider Is generation of the report directly related to a Visual document ID (i.e. Order ID, Packlist ID, PO ID, etc.) Does the report need to be sent as a formal document to a Customer/Vendor? How often does the report need to be run? What reporting tools do you already own? What is your skill level in using reporting tools? How good is your understanding of the Visual tables? Does the user need the ability to sort the results and potentially change or perform analysis on the data? How many users need access to this report?

Gupta/Unify Report Builder Method/About Standard report writer for Visual reports Each report is based on a predetermined definition of key data Customs limited to hooking up to a place in Visual Distribution/Deployment GOOD Built into Visual modules Ease of Use/Skill Level EASY to INTERMEDIATE Learning curve to use some of the unique features Extended queries a bit more involved Cost LOW You already own it by virtue of owning Visual Recommendations for Use Good for document based reports like variations on Order Acknowledgements, Purchase Orders, or Packlists Not good for custom analysis type reports or reports that are needed for any sort of auto distribution

Gupta/Unify Report Builder DEMO Overrides Extended Queries User Defined forms

Microsoft Excel Method/About Simplest form - ODBC connection from Excel to the database A bit more complex - Excel based macros (xlsm) Advanced -.NET Application utilizing Excel object Distribution/Deployment - GOOD Xlsm - Integration to Visual via a macro Can pass an ID field as a parameter Can store xlsm on network in shared folder marked as Read Only.NET Application Local client install accessing server Ease of Use/Skill level INTERMEDIATE to ADVANCED Dependent on method but xlsm and.net App require some programming xlsm VBscript and.net App more advanced Cost - LOW You most likely own it already if you use Microsoft Office Recommendations for Use Use when user requests end result in Excel format Use when do not have access to a tool like Crystal Reports and need to create a standardized form where a QRP from Report Builder does not work

Microsoft Excel DEMO Excel based macro (xlsm) simple result set Excel based macro (xlsm) link from Visual Excel dynamic generation from a.net application

Microsoft Access Method/About Ability to create forms with Vbscript Link to Visual tables using an ODBC connection Distribution/Deployment OK to LIMITED Some possible corruption issues when multiple users share the same Access database used for more than just reporting Ease of Use/Skill Level - INTERMEDIATE Some understanding of the Database Schema of Visual tables is needed Cost MEDIUM If you have a version of Office that includes an Access license or if you have to purchase separate Recommendations for Use Good for building solutions for groups of reports with one interface and some logic through the use of Access forms Can be used as a full development solution with reports, custom tables, Vbscripting, etc. when knowledge or skill to use a.net application is not available

Microsoft Access DEMO Database connection Linked Table Manager A simple report from the wizard A more complex report from a command button on a Form

Microsoft SSRS Method/About SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) Part of your SQL 2005, 2008, 2008R2, or 2012 server Configuration of a web based method to share reports Design in Visual Studio Integration to Visual using.vmx files Subscriptions use for automated delivery of reports Distribution/Deployment VERY GOOD If you have a web browser you can have users access the reports No client install for viewing reports Ease of Use/Skill Level required - INTERMEDIATE Cost LOW Part of SQL Server license Recommendations for Use Good for interactive type reports with drill downs and groups to expand and contract

Microsoft SSRS DEMO Report design environment using Visual Studio Deploying reports to the server Accessing reports via a web browser Drill down into Visual

Crystal Reports Method/About Full scale report writer utilizing data connection directly to the database Distribution/Deployment - OK Use Synergy s Launchpad utility Or, Crystal s Web Server Free viewers like Crystal Corral (others available) Moving a report from one design environment to another can prove difficult if Version control is not monitored and data connection is not managed Ease of Use/Skill Level - INTERMEDIATE Some database schema familiarization is needed Sometimes it makes more sense to build a SQL view of the contents needed for the report and design the report based off of the view Cost - HIGH Some of the free viewers available do not allow for parameter passing Additional design seats can be expensive Recommendations for Use Can do most any type of report from analysis type reports to document deliverable ones

Crystal Reports DEMO Database connection New Report Wizard Adjusting Data Source Using a Free Viewer Using Launchpad

Other Products For Reporting Launchpad (Synergy Resources) Web integration for Crystal Reports Visual interface plug in Allows for easy report deployment Optional Scheduler for auto distribution Smart Views (Synergy Resources) Robust BI tool Excel like feel Comes with canned Visual based views that are customizable Synoptix (Compusoft Development) Java based Excel like feel Integrated to Visual database schema with use of spheres Optional Scheduler for auto distribution

Summary Many different options and different methods and techniques with each Dependent on comfort level with using each tool For almost all options some understanding of the Visual database schema is needed Database connections are similar but vary a bit for each method Always try to get a full scope of the report need from the user(s) requesting it

Questions and Follow Up Jamie Caples jcaples@synergyresources.net

Thank You for Attending! Thank you for attending this session and making VISUAL Focus all about you the customer! We look forward to hearing all the great feedback about the sessions and how to make your next session and next years conference even better! Feedback can be submitted via the conference schedule website by navigating to the event on either your computer or mobile phone at: https://visualfocus2017.sched.com/ Look for the Session Feedback section on the session