Re: [Q] Client/Server Report Writers

In article <4pr5g3$bfu@cssun.mathcs.emory.edu>, Billy Wheeler <billy.wheeler@pixie.co.za> writes >Dear All, > >I have some questions regarding report writers for MS Windows. I would >prefer feedback from users. And in order to minimise bandwidth consumtion >you might want to e-mail me and if there's sufficient interest I'll post a >summary. > >1. Has anybody used Brio? If so, any problems/highlights? > Never tryied it. >2. Have you used any other reportwriters (IQ, Crystal, etc.) If so, any >problems/highlights. > At my current company we are dropping IQ as it is too complicated to configure. I have tried Crystal Reports verison 3 and Access version ?? (not the latest ones - about a year ago) and they were OK for simple reports but if you cannot define the bulk of the report in one SQL statement then it gets difficult. The latest report writer I have seen is GQL and it appears better than the others as you can create a true diagram of your database tables. E.g. Job / \\ / \\ Client Order \\ \\ Supplier etc. You get the idea. You can import a list of tables from a database and then just define the links. You can also give database columns meaningful names i.e. change ship_date into "Date the Order was Shipped". All of this can be setup using GQL Admin and then the model can be given to users for them to produce there own reports. You can then double click on each table to get a list of columns and define your search criteria. Finally you can convert the results into a report and also use the optional charting/graphing module to produce fancy graphics. Reports definitions can be saved and reused i.e. given to normal users and 'power users' can create their own reports quite easily with a liitle training. GQL is the easiest to use report writer I have found so me. E-mail me if you want further details e.g. a contact number for GQL. >3. Any comparisons between report writers would also be appreciated. > >TIA. > >Hasta la vista! > >-- > >billy.wheeler@pixie.co.za > -- David Williams