How do Clients open RPTs for viewing using Crystal Reports 8 ?

[Ajith2002]

Hello,
> >
> > 1) How does the end users open the RPTs from their
> > system ??
> > 2) Do they've to install Crystal Reports on their
> > sys ?? If so, is there any
> > client software, which lets them to open the RPTs.
> > Do we have to get
> > separate license for that ?
> > 3) How do they open RPTs other than using web
> > browsers ? These RPTs contain
> > parameters which has to be entered while viewing
> the
> > reports.
> >
> > I am working in a big company where they use
> Crystal
> > Reports 8 for reports
> > development. I am the only developer there who
> > develops all the RPTs. How do
> > I let the users to open it from their system other
> > than from a Web browser ?
> > There are around 30-50 users. If we install
> Crystal
> > Reports on the end user
> > systems, it'll let them to modify the RPTs. I dont
> > want that to happen.
> >
> > So what are the possible solutions for this ? Pls
> > help.

 

[dgillz]

You can compile the reports into an .exe file, and then the people can run them even without having crystal installed on their workstation. You will need the developer's version of crystal to do this, and you need to go to the Crystal Decisions website to download the compiling and distribution tool. Here's the link:

http://support.crystaldecisions.com/communityCS/FilesAndUpdates/scr8_distr_expert.exe.asp

Software Training and Support for Macola, Crystal Reports and Goldmine
714-348-0964
dgilsdorf@mchsi.com

 

[Ajith2002]

Thanks for ur response.
I dont want to compile each and every report and run the exe from the client system.
Is there any other option to accomplish this ?
In simple words,

I've Crystal Reports 8

I am the only CR developer

There are 30 users in the same network

How do they open the reports which i deveoped from their system, other than from a Web Browser ?

What Crystal software has to be installed on their system inorder to 'view' the reports ?

All these reports has got parameters that has to be selected while viewing the reports.


If it's not possible with CR8, what are the other options i can go for ??

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[dgillz]

>>How do they open the reports which i deveoped from >>their system, other than from a Web Browser ?

A compiled report, or a 3rd party report viewer such as crystal desk, hammerlaunch, etc. There is a cost to the latter, and none to the former, except your time.

>>What Crystal software has to be installed on their system
>>in order to 'view' the reports ?

None, and compiled reports are the way to go.

>>All these reports has got parameters that has to be
>>selected while viewing the reports

All of the above options support paramter fields.

>>If it's not possible with CR8, what are the other options
>>i can go for ??

I gave you a CR8 option, and you rejected it. Why don't you want to compile the reports? This takes about 15 econds per report. A 3rd party report viewer is the only other viable option that will keep the users from modifying your reports.

Let me know if you have any questions.








Software Training and Support for Macola, Crystal Reports and Goldmine
714-348-0964
dgilsdorf@mchsi.com

 

[Ajith2002]

Thanks very much for the detailed reply and your patience. ;-)

I downloaded the software from the above link u sent me and i've installed it on my system. I was able to compile one report. And it created a set of dlls and an exe file for just one report which i selected. So for each RPT do we have to give a set of dlls n setup file to the client(users) ??

If am wrong, could you pls give me the steps involved in the compiling and deploying of rpts ?

 

[dataprincess]

I use Crystal Reports and the Report Distribution Expert on a daily basis. It is a wonderful thing.

I would suggest the following before using the Report Distribution Expert.

1. Setup a shared network directory that you and all end users have permissions to read/write to.
2. Create the following directories
a. Source (contain all your master reports)
b. Setup (where you compile all your reports to and run installations from)
c. Runtime (where your end users will run their executable files)

You may want to create several sub-directories within your setup and/or runtime depending on the specific reports each group may run (ie Accounting, Marketing, Risk Mgmt, etc)

Remember each time you run the compile and create a setup you over-write the previous if you use the same directory each time. This can be a time-consuming event if you are supporting several end users with different reporting needs. This is the reason for the suggestion of subdirectories.

Once you have your directory structure setup and permissions set you can compile several reports at one time for each group by “Adding to” the list shown at the top of the first screen of the Distribution Expert.

After you have compiled all your reports then you will need to run the installation one time on each end users machine (or you can create documentation and a link for them to do it themselves, but I am a control freak so I would rather do it myself).

From that point on, all you should have to do is update the “runtime” directory with the latest version of your Crystal Report and the next time they run the report they will see the latest version.

There have been occasions where I’ve had to recompile files, but after all the users are set up initially I only have to run the setup on my computer and point it to the corresponding “runtime” directory and it updated all the files.

I hope this has helped.

Susan Ard
Qualified Crystal Report Developer
Certified Microsoft Office User Specialist