Has anyone used Pentaho?

[JasonL99]

My company is looking to upgrade from Crystal Reports 8.5 and we were going to go with Business Objects XI until we found out how expensive it would be. Has anybody used Pentaho for their reporting needs? The price seems much more reasonable, especially for all of the tools it offers. I am just not sure if it has all of the features of Crystal Reports, especially since it is a relatively new product.

 

[DataDog]

A Mack Truck is more expensive than a Yugo too! But which one will get you to your destination under all circumstances? I can't believe someone would want to go away from Crystal (or BOXIr2) because of price. The beauty of Crystal is that you can take data from ANYWHERE and get a good report out. And what about the cost of re-training your personnel? Just don't believe the Pentaho salesman. (Or any johnny-come-lately company) You can tell when they're lying. It's when their lips move.

DataDog
"Failure Is Not An Option'

 

[dgillz]

What is so expensive about Crystal XI?

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
" - unknown

 

[JasonL99]

We use crystal as the reporting tool for our web based ERP system. The CPU license for Business Objects Enterprise is fairly high, even if you only want the Crystal Reports functionality. It gets even higher if you want additional features such as OLAP tools, Office add-ins, dashboards, etc.

I am happy with Crystal Reports and its level of funtionality. I am just frustrated with the high extra costs for added features, lack of quality support, and various other technical issues I have had to deal with.

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
If Crystal Reporting is all that is needed, then the full BOE XI may not be needed, look at the features of the Crystal Reports Server XI product from them as a lower cost alternative.

As to lack of quality support, your experience may vary, but I have had nothing but fast, professional response from them...







To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[JasonL99]

Licensing is the issue with Crystal Reports Server XI. I was orignally going to use it but once I started talking with the Sales Rep at Business Objects they said I need the BOE CPU license.

 

[synapsevampire]

I think that the only real challenger to crystal right now is MS Reporting Services, and it's still a bit immature.

follow Turk's advice, look at CR XI and Crystal Reports Server, but we really can't advise you as you haven't stated any requirements.

Since you already have Crystal implemented, I'd guess that the cost of redeveloping based on the guess that another tool will work is optimistic.

-k

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
Never ( at least mostly never) let a salesperson advise you on what you need..

There is a Max of 20 Concurrent users with CR server XI, so if the need is larger than that, a BOE CPU license may be the only option.

But, if your system is unlikely to have more than 20 simultaneous connections staying connected for extended amounts of time, 20 may be enough - (perhaps an occasional wait for the 21st user who tries to connect)






To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[JasonL99]

I would rather not rely on a salesperson for advice but one of my biggest issues with Business Objects is the lack of reliable information. I have asked the same licensing question to many people (sales reps, managers, technical experts, etc) and never get the same answer.

Our system is an enterprise ERP with 300+ users so 20 concurrent licenses probably won't be enough, especially if the 21st user is a VP.

We have Crystal implemented but it is version 8.5 and we don't use the Enterprise environment. In order to get the full functionality of XI I will need to redevelop all of my reports. Since I use stored procedures as data sources I cut down on some of the rework, even if I don't pick Crystal (as long as it supports MS SQL Stored Procedures).

 

[elsenorjose]

Looks like the answer to your question is 'no, no one has ever used Pentaho'

: )

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
Given that

Our system is an enterprise ERP with 300+ users so 20 concurrent licenses probably won't be enough, especially if the 21st user is a VP.

It appears that BOE XI CPU would be the way you would have to go..
also,

We have Crystal implemented but it is version 8.5 and we don't use the Enterprise environment.

Not a lot of reworking is needed to handle a basic move to BOE ( the 8.5 reports will publish to the XI system without change, in most cases ..But developing the User Interface ( or using BOE's default InfoView) will add to the task and the user's learning curve..




To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."