Opinion on SQL SRS use with Macola

[NEmacGuy]

I have been doing more and more with SQL reporting services and less and less with crystal. I was just looking what others in the community thought about SRS and how wide spread the use was.

 

[crystalreporting]

Still using Crystal, though using it more and more with SQL commands or stored procedures rather than building the query in the report designer.

Can you add SRS reports to the ES menu like you can with Crystal Reports?

Peter Shirley
Macola Consultant, PA and surrounding states.

http://www.erpessentials.com

 

[dgillz]

It works. I have written several reports. And since it is free with SQL 2005 and newer, I suspect we'll find a lot more call for SRS. I personally like crystal better, and IMHO they have no functional equivalent to Crystal reports server, but the price is hard to argue with.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, Synergy, and Crystal Reports. Check out our Macola tools:

http://www.gainfocus.biz/exceladdin.html

 

[jbelk11]

We use SQL Reporting Services for all of our reporting needs. In fact, there are only a handful of canned reports that we continue to use within ES. We have cut down on the number of trees we sacrifice by using our own reports (only display the necessary info)....plus we have eliminated the god-awful slowness of using the Crystal reports in Macola.

The one thing to consider is how to deliver the reports to the end user. We have accomplished this by building a custom reporting page on our intranet/extranet web sites. Basically, the portals are a front-end to the user so they only see the reports they have access to. The necessary parameters are displayed and validated prior to running the report. Once displayed, you can export, print etc.

There are some limitations to the package....but then again, all packages have limitations. Crystal definitely has the upper hand when it comes to the maturity of the product...but you certainly cannot beat the price.

Jen

 

[NEmacGuy]

JBelk11,
When it come to delivery,I love scheduleing the reports and either emailing them from SRS on dropping them into a directory on a scheduled basis, and it could not be simpler. I would agree crystal is more mature, and you can bang out a report a lot quicker, but I do like the reporting structure, and built in security.

 

[dgillz]

Yeah the speed of Macola ES crystal reports is ridiculous. Peter Shirley rewrote the AP and AR agings for speed and it is amazing - less than 5 seconds. I don't know why Exact cannot do this.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, Synergy, and Crystal Reports. Check out our Macola tools:

http://www.gainfocus.biz/exceladdin.html