Feature Set ComparisonCrystal Reports for Visual Studio .NET and Crystal Reports 9

Feature Set Comparison Crystal Reports for Visual Studio .NET and Crystal Reports 9

Crystal Reports 9 extends the power of Crystal Reports Visual Studio .NET. Although Visual Studio .NET integrates a custom version of Crystal Reports that includes many powerful tools, you can also benefit from standalone report design capabilities, faster deployment, and maximum developer efficiency by extending your .NET applications with the additional report creation tools found in Crystal Reports 9 Advanced edition (see Hour 2 for an overview of the various editions available for Crystal Reports 9). Table A.1 displays a reference to many common reporting features and how these two unique versions of Crystal Reports compare.

Table A.1. A Feature Comparison of Crystal Reports 9 and Crystal Reports for Visual Studio .NET

Product

Crystal Reports Visual Studio .NET

Crystal Reports 9 Advanced Edition

Rapid Report Design

Standalone Designer

No (integrated designer)

Yes

Business Intelligence Web Services

Yes

No

Database Connectivity

Microsoft data sources

Full suite of data sources

OLAP (multidimensional) Reports

No

Yes

Microsoft Excel and Access Add-ins

No

Yes

Report Component Repository

No

Yes

Customizable Report Templates

No

Yes

Unlimited SQL Commands

No

Yes

Custom Functions for sharing formulas

No

Yes

High-Performance Web Reporting

Out-of-the-Box Web interface for on-demand report access

No

Yes

Report access via WML, RIM, and iPAQ devices

No

Yes

ASP.NET Support

Yes

No

ADO.NET Support

Yes

No

Java Report Viewer

No

Yes

Netscape Viewer plug-in

No

Yes

Comprehensive Formatting and Design Control

Guidelines and vertical rulers

No

Yes

Integrated geographic mapping

No

Yes

Interactive Analysis Tools

Report Alerts

No

Yes

Fully customizable runtime Preview Window

Yes

Yes

Export Formats

Export to XML

No

Yes

Export to PDF

Yes

Yes

Export to DHTML (HTML 4.0)

Yes

Yes

Export to HTML

Yes

Yes

Export to Microsoft Word and Excel

Yes

Yes

Export to RTF

Yes

Yes

Export to character-separated values, CSV, record style (columns of values), report definition, tab-separated text and values

No

Yes

Report Creation API

No

Yes

Report Integration and Delivery

Seamless deployment with Crystal Enterprise

Limited

Yes

Easily leverage advanced Crystal Enterprise services

Limited

Yes

Ten Reasons to Upgrade to Crystal Reports 9 Advanced from the Crystal Reports for Visual Studio .NET version

Crystal Reports 9 takes reporting in Visual Studio .NET to the next level with innovative new technology for faster report design and enhanced web integration. Here are 10 distinct reasons to upgrade to the Advanced edition:

  • Report Application Server with .NET, Java, and COM SDKs Tightly integrate content into enterprise-wide Web applications without the need for heavy coding of complex data access and formatting routines.

  • Runtime report creation and modification Advanced server-based Java and DHTML viewers let business users view, drill-down, and navigate reports, as well as export, search, and modify reports at runtime.

  • Enhanced support for Microsoft Office and mobile users Let business users easily extract charts, tables, and other report objects from reports and directly insert them into Microsoft Outlook, Word, or Excel documents. With support for Microsoft Smart Tags in Office XP, business users can view, share, and refresh report objects right from within documents. Deliver existing report components via wireless devices including WML phones, RIM, and iPAQ devices using new Report Parts. Reports don't have to be recreated specifically for use within wireless and portal environments.

  • Component reuse for faster report design Design reports faster by storing key report objects including text objects, SQL commands, bitmaps, and custom functions in a central library. Objects can be reused, shared, and updated from a single place for faster report design and maintenance.

  • Unlimited SQL control Edit SQL directly for unlimited control over database connectivity. Specify the database connection and create parameterized SQL commands to perform any query your database supports.

  • Additional data connectivity and export capabilities By upgrading to Crystal Reports 9 Advanced edition, you can connect to almost any data, including enterprise data sources (Oracle, IBM DB2, Sybase, Informix, and others), XML, custom JavaBean and COM data providers, and export reports to additional formats such as Excel, Word, XML, Lotus, Text, and others.

  • Customizable report preview at design time Preview reports directly within the designer for faster and more accurate report creation.

  • More report design choice Additional report design and formatting options include Gantt and Gage charts, OLAP reporting, Geographic mapping, and the Formula Wizard.

  • Standalone report designer Separate development from report design to make maintaining reports easier and application integration faster.

  • Special Upgrade Pricing Take advantage of the additional features and enhancements in Crystal Reports 9 with an extra incentive for Microsoft Visual Studio .NET customers. Learn how you can upgrade to Crystal Reports 9 Advanced Edition by visiting the Crystal Decisions Web site at http://www.crystaldecisions.com/tycr/products/crystalreports/.



Sams Teach Yourself Crystal Reports 9 in 24 Hours
Sams Teach Yourself Crystal Reports 9 in 24 Hours
ISBN: B003D7JUVW
EAN: N/A
Year: 2005
Pages: 230

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