Understanding Crystal Enterprise Embedded Edition

Crystal Enterprise Embedded edition (the RAS by itself) is used in a standalone mode to deliver Crystal Reports creation, modification, and viewing functionality over the Web. In its simplest description, it can be thought of as an open Report Engine with a published object model and viewer controls. Crystal Enterprise Professional and Premium editions were introduced in Part V, "Web Report DistributionUsing Crystal Enterprise." Each of these advanced editions of Crystal Enterprise can also leverage the powerful report exploration (creation and modification) functionality of the RAS and object model. In these advanced editions, the RAS is effectively plugged into the Crystal Enterprise infrastructure or backbone and managed as any of its other services. Figure 31.1 displays the basic RAS standalone architecture.

Figure 31.1. The RAS architecture provides programmatic access to report creation and modification.

graphics/31fig01.gif


In this standalone case, the installation is limited to a single RAS for the custom applications written to interact with. The RAS accesses reports on the server based on a central location specified in the RAS Configuration tool (see the next section for more detail). You can however have multiple installations of standalone RAS that share a central network location where the reports reside. Keep in mind that it is generally not a good idea to have the report located somewhere other than the RAS serverapplications opening reports on this server require the server components to load the involved report and to create a local copy of it. The network traffic associated with pulling the .rpt file from a location on a different server results in application performance degradation.

Using the Crystal Configuration Manager

The Crystal Configuration Manager (CCM) provides a point of access for setting the different options around the Crystal Enterprise Embedded (or RAS) installation. It is accessed through the Microsoft Start, Programs, Crystal Enterprise menu path and is highlighted in Figure 31.2.

Figure 31.2. The CCM for the RAS provides access to key settings.

graphics/31fig02.jpg


The default report location along with other RAS server settings can be accessed by stopping the RAS service in the CCM and then selecting Properties through the Properties button or the right-click menu on the service.

Setting Database Parameters

After having accessed the Crystal RAS Properties dialog box, click on the Parameters tab and ensure the Option Type drop-down box has the Database option selected as shown in Figure 31.3. In this dialog, you can set the number of records that are brought back in reports by default or the number of records accessed in one batch. You can also set how many records are accessed and brought back when you expose the Browse Field functionality in your applicaton(s).

Figure 31.3. Setting the RAS Database options.

graphics/31fig03.jpg


Setting Server Parameters

On the same Parameters dialog, after choosing Server for the option type you are shown the dialog displayed in Figure 31.4. Here you can set the location of your reports, the number of simultaneous jobs, and a number of minutes before an idle job is closed. Keep in mind as you change these settings you need to restart the RAS service for them to take effect.

Figure 31.4. The Parameters tab of the RAS properties dialog enables you to set key RAS options such as report location, simultaneous job maximums, and user timeout.

graphics/31fig04.jpg


NOTE

The RAS also exposes caching capabilities that enable multiple users to view the same copy of a cached report. This ultimately increases the number jobs the RAS can handle at any given point. Keep in mind however that if your reports contain subreports these are not cached.



Part I. Crystal Reports Design

Creating and Designing Basic Reports

Selecting and Grouping Data

Filtering, Sorting, and Summarizing Data

Understanding and Implementing Formulas

Implementing Parameters for Dynamic Reporting

Part II. Formatting Crystal Reports

Fundamentals of Report Formatting

Working with Report Sections

Visualizing Your Data with Charts and Maps

Custom Formatting Techniques

Part III. Advanced Crystal Reports Design

Using Cross-Tabs for Summarized Reporting

Using Record Selections and Alerts for Interactive Reporting

Using Subreports and Multi-Pass Reporting

Using Formulas and Custom Functions

Designing Effective Report Templates

Additional Data Sources for Crystal Reports

Multidimensional Reporting Against OLAP Data with Crystal Reports

Part IV. Enterprise Report Design Analytic, Web-based, and Excel Report Design

Introduction to Crystal Repository

Crystal Reports Semantic Layer Business Views

Creating Crystal Analysis Reports

Advanced Crystal Analysis Report Design

Ad-Hoc Application and Excel Plug-in for Ad-Hoc and Analytic Reporting

Part V. Web Report Distribution Using Crystal Enterprise

Introduction to Crystal Enterprise

Using Crystal Enterprise with Web Desktop

Crystal Enterprise Architecture

Planning Considerations When Deploying Crystal Enterprise

Deploying Crystal Enterprise in a Complex Network Environment

Administering and Configuring Crystal Enterprise

Part VI. Customized Report Distribution Using Crystal Reports Components

Java Reporting Components

Crystal Reports .NET Components

COM Reporting Components

Part VII. Customized Report Distribution Using Crystal Enterprise Embedded Edition

Introduction to Crystal Enterprise Embedded Edition

Crystal Enterprise Viewing Reports

Crystal Enterprise Embedded Report Modification and Creation

Part VIII. Customized Report Distribution Using Crystal Enterprise Professional

Introduction to the Crystal Enterprise Professional Object Model

Creating Enterprise Reports Applications with Crystal Enterprise Part I

Creating Enterprise Reporting Applications with Crystal Enterprise Part II

Appendix A. Using Sql Queries In Crystal Reports

Creating Enterprise Reporting Applications with Crystal Enterprise Part II



Special Edition Using Crystal Reports 10
Special Edition Using Crystal Reports 10
ISBN: 0789731134
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 341

Flylib.com © 2008-2020.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net