Running reports externally for 11i

[modfather]

Ok, I'm a real newbie here, so please be gentle.

We're in the middle of an implementation of Oracle 9i and Oracle Application 11i. There are a few reports such as Invoices, Purchase Orders, AP Checks, etc. that we'd like to do a bit of customization to. We have made small changes using Report Builder, but we'd like something a bit more than Arial font, 10 cpi.

We were considering Evergreen for forms, but they're a bit pricey, so the question is:

Are there options for "dressing up" reports from withing Report Builder (again, I'm very new to Oracle - I have an extensive Progress background, but little Oracle) that are part of 11i, or will we have to find some third party package to handle these reports? Is Crystal Reports an option to build our own? If so, can a report developed by Crystal be integrated into 11i so that users wouldn't have to go out of the appliation to print an Invoice?

I'd appreciate any help VERY much. Any replies will guarantee you a Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa card this year!

Thanks!

 

[modfather]

By the way, I should have mentioned that we have edited existing reports with Oracle Reports 6i. If there's anything else I can provide to get suggestions, I'd be happy to do so.

Thanks.
Steve

 

[nagornyi]

Crystal Reports are not working with Oracle Applications, and to my mind they are less powerful then Oracle Reports.
We were able to modify PO to look almost like preprinted Evergreen form, using Reports 6i Builder. We used lines, rectangles, rounded rectangles, shaded rectangels -- there are ehough graohic capabilities in the Report Builder for the job. We placed all the graphic elements to the Margins section to appear as background on each page.

 

[cruishall]

you can also use third party software that will read the out file of the check you just created, and from that outfile, this software will reformat everything from that page. The software is called OPTIO. I don't know how much it is, but I thing you will be satisfied with it once you get the print check running. I am not of thir tech support though.