Hmmmm, We spent 3 years developing a product (CrystalLynx) that allowed us to work with Crystal - it automatically "normalized" the data for you, so I think it would be fair to say that "we used it for a while" - and you are right, I don't want to go back (to Crystal).
Typical square peg/round hole stuff, because it DIDN'T understand mv all that well - or maybe it was just us ! and I surely didn't like ODBC performance (and reliability on D3 platforms). CR is obviously a good product - #1 in it's field, but these days there ARE products available that work with mv data in a native format, and give CR a good run for it's money ! Ross Ferris Stamina Software Visage – an Evolution in Software Development >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >Behalf Of Mike Randall >Sent: Saturday, 17 April 2004 5:41 AM >To: 'U2 Users Discussion List' >Subject: RE: Crystal Reports > >Crystal is indeed a very fine product. It is a banded report writer with a >multitude of programmability. Multivalued data is indeed a pain in the >neck. Normalize the data 1st and you'll find Crystal a joy to use with >output, features and polish that MV can't come close to. The 'problems' >that your users are facing can be addressed with Crystal code (VB syntax or >Crystal's scripting syntax). After using it a while, you'll never want to >go back... > >Mike R. > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >Behalf Of Mark Johnson >Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 2:51 PM >To: U2 Users Discussion List >Subject: Crystal Reports > >One of my clients wants to connect Crystal Reports to their UD database to >apparently give greater access to the data that they sometimes deem as >hidden and only accessable through me. > >This client converted to Great Plains 6 weeks ago (SQL based) and their CR >experts were struggling with duplicating some of the more mundane reports >that already exist in UD. A monthly sales tax summary (by jurisdiction) >took >the GP guy 3 days futzing with CR using GP's data. > >How much trouble are they going to get in trying to use MV'd data from the >UD system (ODBC) if they have so much trouble with more 'normalized' data. >Everyone seems to think that CR is a magic pill and once attached to a SQL >database, the sophisticated reports simply roll off. > >I'm trying to strongly propose a data warehouse concept whereby the day's >sales data gets exported and updated into their prior application for the >sake of the multitude of existing, proven reports in MV. If these guys took >3 days for a simple tax report, how can CR fabricate temporary tables for >the sake of these consolidated sophisticated MV reports? > >I'm just interested in hearing of some experiences. This client is too >stubborn to go back from GP and may even disregard their entire MV system >completely. I really have nothing to lose if I insult them. > >Thanks in advance. > >-- >u2-users mailing list >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >http://www.oliver.com/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > >-- >u2-users mailing list >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >http://www.oliver.com/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > > >--- >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.658 / Virus Database: 421 - Release Date: 9/04/2004 > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.658 / Virus Database: 421 - Release Date: 9/04/2004 -- u2-users mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.oliver.com/mailman/listinfo/u2-users
