Design Suggestions for a Crystal Rpt Front End 1

[bluecjh]

Our organisation use Crystal and Enterprise XI

Currently we use asp/aspx pages to allow
users to enter Report Parameter values in
text or combo boxes which are driven by
'in - line' sql to the database. the chosen parameters
are then added to the url calling the report in
e.g.

Response.Redirect("http:..reportviewers115/viewrpt.aspx?init=actX:connect&id=" + rptID + "&APSToken=" + APSToken + "&Param1 = ....
etc...


A face lift/redesign is in order.



I looked at XI 'Infoview' but this specifically does not seem to cater for
the above parameter issues.

I'm wondering what's the way to go... build a new .net application afresh,
what about recoding Infoview (launching parameter selection pages from within Infoview.
but i'm not a c# programmer)

I'm wondering what off the shelf products already exist? other people must
have gone down this route?

Is there any other product that can be easily customised but looks good?

are there some particularly good links re these types of
application?

Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks.

BlueCJH

 

[synapsevampire]

I think that Infoview does handle your requirements insofar as allowing for dynamic parameters, that feature was added in CR XI.

When you say "I looked at XI 'Infoview' but this specifically does not seem to cater for
the above parameter issues.", what exactly does it not cater to?

Using combo boxes or?

There are different viewers available in Crystal Reports Server, and most shops find that writing code is more expensive long term than taking the hit and buying the product and living with the canned interface, perhaps with some minimal customization.

-k

 

[bluecjh]

Well,

supposing a user was to required to provide
a Parameter report value for say a branch bank name,
they require a drop down list of all those branches
so they may select from the complete universe.

Furthermore it is not actually the branch name i want
to pass to the report, instead the associated code
for that branch, this value can be passed to the report and then on to the underlying stored procedure in SQl Server. But the users can't understand codes they must selct from a list of names.

So for a given report can Infoview offer the complete universe to select from and pass the associated code..., surely not without some re programming?
thanks.


BlueCJH

 

[synapsevampire]

Well I try to avoid using Universes due to their proprietary nature, but they can be used as well.

Crystal XI does allow you to dynamically build out picklists, which have a value and a description, and you can elect to display the description rather than the value.

Check out:

http://support.businessobjects.com/communityCS/TechnicalPapers/cr_xi_dynamic_cascading_prompting.pdf

-k

 

[bluecjh]

will investigate...

BlueCJH

 

[synapsevampire]

There are reasons why people elect to write code instead, generally cosmetic ones.

I try to minimize custom codng, and if you can live with the interfaces provided, you'll free up time for non cosmetic issues.

-k

 

[bluecjh]

synapsevampire,
When I used the word universe i was not referring
to 'InfoView Universes' (wich i know nothing about) are you suggesting that
these might be a route to persue?

BlueCJH

 

[bluecjh]

synapsevampire,
Universes? is this not a 'Web Intelligence' related
feature. I can't see how these can be used to
support directly a Crystal Report that is functioning.

I have literally hundreds of Crystal Reports in situ for
which paramters must be supplied. Somehow users must have
the facility to choose a value from the complete list etc..

Can yo explain how 'Universes' might fulfill this?

Thanks

BlueCJH

 

[synapsevampire]

You don't need to use Universes, I don't for this same functionality.

Use a Command Object or point ot the tables directly.

Did you read the whitepaper and test?

I suggest you learn how to create dynamic parameters in Crystal (note you can create hierarchical parameters as well, whcih you custom front end probably doesn't), then try it and see what you think of the Crystal designed parameter population and collection methods, then post back with questions.

As I previously stated, I don't use Universes, however many do to filter data, etc.

-k

 

[bluecjh]

Yes that paper looks interesting
i'm playng with Business Views
which i thnk will give me my report pick lists.


I havn't got as far the Command Object? ...

C.

BlueCJH

 

[synapsevampire]

You don't neede Business Views, you can use the tables directly or a Command Object.

Sselect Add Command below you datasource to paste in SQL.

You're adding a proprietary layer which should be avoided unless requried.

-k

 

[bluecjh]

This is interesting... will follow
this up asap... but i may have questions k
c.

BlueCJH

 

[bluecjh]

k,

Example:

I have a report which is linked to a stored proc
for results.

the stored proc has a 'branch' parameter.

Can i create a command (in addition to my stored proc)
which just creates a list of values for this parameter
for use by users making their selection.

many thanks

BlueCJH

 

[bluecjh]

this is a bit of a struggle, created
a Command, but i can't see how to
implement this with a pre-existing parameter
the help files... go round and round...

Is this a service pack issue???

No idea how to create a list of values either?

thanks for any help.

BlueCJH

 

[bluecjh]

synapse vampire,
you have helped me a great deal, however..
I've had some success using a commmand for
a parameter selection where the report linked direct
to a table.

but scenario 2.
report linked to stored proc, procedure has one parameter.
i made a command to use for this parameter but when
i edit the parameter in Crystal i can't seem to assign the
command to it? any ideas?

thanks

BlueCJH

 

[bluecjh]

solved that, I can make a dynamic parameter but...

1. Enterprise won't load it. "Failed to read the parameter"
error. Any report with Dynamic Parameter and whooops!

tried 'service packs' and 'hot fixes' on enterprise and Crystal... no good.

2. If i convert the stored proc parameter (as represented in crystal) into a dynamic parameter then the user gets prompted twice to enter a value. which wouldn't be acceptable.

Exhausted. Can anyone help?

BlueCJH

 

[bluecjh]

Only By reinstalling enterprise XI got it to load a report
with Dynamic parameters, it seems that if Crystal and BOE
are on the same machine they have to be installed in the correct order Crystal 1st, BOE 2nd.

Now to find answer to :


2. If i convert the stored proc 'parameter' (as represented in crystal) into a dynamic parameter then the user gets prompted twice to enter a value. How can i stop this?

BlueCJH