Tool for emailing reports 1

[Charliy]

Crystal 11

I'm looking for something that will let me schedule a report, then run it several times with different parameters, export the results as a PDF, and email the PDF to different addresses. So basically it needs to have a table with the parameters and the corresponding email address.

Suggestions?

 

[PeterDimitrov]

You can check Ken's website for schedulers comparisons:

http://kenhamady.com/cru/comparisons/desktop-scheduling-engines

http://kenhamady.com/desktopschedulers.pdf

The scenario described by you is supported by 3 schedulers: cViewManager, R-Tag Report Manager and Report Runner Batch.

http://www.R-Tag.com

Viewer and Scheduler for Crystal reports and SSRS.

 

[pmax9999]

Another 3rd party product that will do what you want is VisualCut from Millet Software, which I have used and happily recommend. It is also in Ken Hamady's list.

Cheers
Pete

 

[PeterDimitrov]

Pete, @Charliy is asking for multi-run not for 1-pass bursting.

Multi-run
Retrieve a list of records and run one or more reports for each record in the list
Supported by: cViewManager, R-Tag Report Manager, Report Runner Batch.

1-pass bursting
Run a report with at least one group, and burst each item from the first group in a separate file
Supported by: R-Tag Report Manager, VisualCut

http://www.R-Tag.com

Viewer and Scheduler for Crystal reports and SSRS.

 

[IdoMillet]

Actually, Visual CUT supports both dynamic 1-pass bursting as well as Multi-run bursting. In 1-pass bursting, it automatically detects the grouping at level 1, exports each group to a dynamically named (based on fields/formulas in the report) files, and using report fields/formulas providing the email address(es) associated with each group (or the path to distribution lists, or a dynamic SQL query returning email addresses), it emails the content of each group to its associated email addresses. It can also use the group information to embed dynamic content in the email message body (as TEXT or HTML).

Multi-run bursting is a slower and less elegant solution so, once users realize that a dynamic 1-pass bursting is possible, they typically gravitate towards that approach. However, in cases where a Multi-run approach is desired, Visual CUT can use a "Master" report with 1 record/group per desired bursting step, and using After_Burst_Batch or After_Success_Batch option run a "Slave" report, passing dynamic parameters and other directives to the slave report processing. In other words, the user doesn't need to set up SQL queries or static lists. Instead, they use a Crystal report to drive the multi-step process.

Sorry for the length of this message but, since I'm the developer of Visual CUT, I felt compelled to set the record straight.

Again, in most cases, once users understand what dynamic 1-pass bursting offers, they tend to prefer that approach over multi-run bursting.

For a good comparison of 3rd-party Crystal Reports tools, I suggest you visit

http://kenhamady.com/bookmarks.html

hth,
- Ido

view, export, burst, email, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[Charliy]

Thanks for the responses. As Ido said, I didn't realize that 1-pass burst was an option. This would make more sense as it would not send an email to the groups with no results.

 

[kenhamady]

Charliy asked for one feature (parameter value lists), and has learned that there is another feature (bursting) that works better in his situation. But there are actually 4 different similar features here that need to be clearly defined or people will be talking at cross-purposes. The terms One-Pass and Multi-Run (as related to bursting) and Parameter Value Lists are all my own terms, created and defined as part of my scheduler comparisons.

Bursting is taking single grouped report and turning it into lots of smaller pieces. Some vendors can do this in "one-pass" to the database while others have to make repeated passes to the database, which I called "multi-run". So the term "multi-run bursting" has nothing to do with filling in a parameter. Repeatedly filling in a parameter is a feature that I included for the first time in my most recent comparison of server-based schedulers (May 2013). It will probably also be included in the 2014 comparison of desktop-based schedulers which are the ones mentioned above. Here is how I named and defined these features:

Parameter Value Lists - Entry:
When you schedule a report with a single value parameter you are allowed to schedule it with a list of
parameter values. The values are passed to the parameter one at a time so that each value generates a
separate instance of the output.

Parameter Value Lists - Query:
When you schedule a report with a single value parameter you are allowed to schedule it with a SQL
Query. The results of the query are passed to the parameter one at a time so that each value generates
a separate instance of the output.

Because this was the first time these features were included the definitions might evolve based on feedback from different vendors.

Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guides to Formulas, Parameters, Subreports, Cross-tabs, VB, Tips and Tricks

http://www.kenhamady.com/