With powerful data drivers and flexible ways to access data using Crystal Reports, you can connect to the data you need. Over 35 data source drivers are included for access to virtually any of your relational, OLAP, XML, or custom data sources.
Easily connect to your enterprise data and satisfy your end-user information requests with broad data-access capabilities from Crystal Reports. You can connect to a unique data source or combine multiple data sources in one report. Combine your data from your content management database and inventory control systems in one location for detailed analysis.
You can have as little or as much control over database connectivity as you wish. Query your database using the proven query-generation capabilities of Crystal Reports or write your own SQL for complete control over database connectivity. By using Crystal Reports and Crystal Enterprise together, you can store key report objects in a central location for re-use across multiple projects or build detailed and specific business views to access required data.
Crystal Reports makes designing reports fast and easy. And its flexible design technology gives you complete control over how data is presented to your end users.
Quickly design interactive reports using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and object-oriented explorers. Optional experts and wizards guide novice report developers through common tasks such as connecting to the data source, linking data tables, selecting fields and records, grouping, sorting, summarizing, and formatting.
The extensive formula language of Crystal Reports includes over 160 built-in functions and operators, as well as user-defined functions for complete control over report formatting complex logic, and data selection. It includes a codeless wizard, call stack, and auto complete for faster creation of any formula. You can eliminate redundant formula creation using custom functions—procedures that allow you to share and reuse formula logic across reports. You can also create valuable summary data that might not be present in your database.
Give your report a professional appearance with a complete set of layout and design controls. Create many different report types, including replicas of existing reports and forms, graphical summary reports, cross tabs, Top N or Bottom N reports. Increase the graphical impact of your reports by choosing from more than 20 chart and map types. Create and use customized templates to give all reports a consistent look without having to format them individually.
Crystal Reports gives you the ability to build end-user interactivity into your reports. Let your end users refine their own reports to meet their changing business needs without requesting assistance from IT. Crystal Reports includes more than 100 data presentation and interactivity options, including grouping, sorting, field highlighting, and running totals.
Define specific navigation paths between report objects within the same or different reports for easier end-user navigation. Use hyperlinks to turn reports into interactive web documents that connect to related information, including other reports and web sites. Create reports that let end users drill down on relational and OLAP data to uncover easy-to-miss details.
Provide end users with reports in the formats they want. Export reports to more than ten formats, including PDF, Excel, and Word.
Let end users view the same data in different ways without creating multiple reports. End users can select predefined parameters in a single report to receive a subset of customized data. They can also receive report alerts for when certain data conditions—like an increase in revenue—are met.
The reporting lifecycle is a continuous process. Once reports have been created, the next challenge is to find an effective way to maintain reports and publish them to your end users. Using Crystal Reports in conjunction with Crystal Enterprise provides an effective solution for publishing reports to the web.
Expedite the report maintenance process by storing key report objects, including text objects, SQL commands, bitmaps, and custom functions, in the repository, a central library for component re-use across reports.To create a managed system for report design and maintenance, you can share and secure repository objects with Crystal Enterprise and make them available through the Crystal Reports designer.
You can publish reports over the web using Crystal Enterprise. It has a multi-server architecture that enables you to distribute reports to a large number of users over the web. Use the zero-footprint DHTML Viewer to distribute interactive reports securely via corporate portal, intranet, extranet, and internet applications without plug-ins, downloads, or firewall issues. This gives end users self-service end access to reports, so that they can look at up-to-date information when necessary.
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