Pulling data from Sybase-Use Infomaker or something else?

[Tragdor]

We currently have a poor way of running reports here. Someone uses Crystal Reports to pull raw data from a Sybase database, and then formats the data in Excel. Crystal reports is rather expensive for this little task (about $900), and I here that Infomaker is a better bet. But I'm not a DBA so I haven't used that or anything else. Is there a better and cheaper product?

Here's what I need:
For now, we need to find something that will pull the raw data from Sybase. I want the user to do this from his workstation (not by using the server and then sending the data to his PC). For now, the reports will still be created in Excel, but I would like a product that can generate the reports itself. Ideally, in a GUI or wizard format. We don't have anyone to code this thing.

Any info would be a huge help. Thanks in advance!

 

[Croitoru]

Why don't you try Sybase InfoMaker which is included in Sybase SQL Anywhere Studio?

 

[JMCraig]

Hi,

There's some confusing stuff in your question:

For now, we need to find something that will pull the raw data from Sybase.

There's any number of product options. I've used ReportSmith on and off over the years and it works pretty well.

I want the user to do this from his workstation (not by using the server and then sending the data to his PC).

I'm assuming what you mean is you don't want the data file created on the server and then transferred manually to the PC--since clearly, if the data is coming from the DB and landing on the PC, this transfer has to happen, right? I'm assuming you want it to happen in one step. ReportSmith does this very nicely. I'm very surprised Crystal Reports won't do it for you--or do you have that running on the server rather than the PC?

For now, the reports will still be created in Excel, but I would like a product that can generate the reports itself.

Sorry, I'm missing something here. Do you mean until you get another program you'll continue doing what you are doing?

Ideally, in a GUI or wizard format. We don't have anyone to code this thing.

The InfoMaker suggestion is probably a good one. You might check out ReportSmith. I think they have a try-and-buy option. (Although it's not cheap either: $500 or something of the like.) I've only found a couple of sites that sell it and the cheapest is Programmer's Paradise--but they don't currently show it as in stock; you're supposed to call (what a pain). There's one other site that sells it and I can't recall the name, but they're a sponsored link on google.com so if you do a search, they'll likely be first on the list.

BOL,

JMC J M Craig
Alpha-G Consulting, LLC

http://alphagconsulting.bizhosting.com

nsjmcraig@netscape.net