Hi
I have come across options that utilizes Crystal Reports, e.g. in ALV and at HR queries. However, I am curious whether Crystal Reports can be utilized in place of SAP SmartForms? I have never seen the development environment of Crystal Reports; is it possible, like in SAP SmartForms, to develop the layout and define the data sources at Crystal Reports and integrate this to an ABAP program sending its data? Or is there some other way to utilize it?
*--Serdar
P.S.:I am not concerned with the usage of Crystal Reports at BW.
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Hi again
I've found somethings. I mean the Open SQL Data Access which is provided through "The Open SQL Driver" developed by Crystal Decisions. I guess I can make use of Crystal Reports even not in relation with BW, is that true?
OK! So, my question is how much the trade-off is beyond the ROI? Does it shorten the time spent for development, and so on...? I would like to hear your experience with it. To draw the context, I am involved in a huge project implementing with <b>4.6D</b> within the context of almost all SAP modules and having lots of customer developments.
*--Serdar
Hi,
You asked:
1. "whether Crystal Reports can be utilized in place of SAP SmartForms?"
Ans: YES
2. "I have never seen the development environment of Crystal Reports".
Ans: There is an environment for report layout designing. For a list of possible data sources, take a look at http://support.businessobjects.com/library/kbase/articles/c2001031.asp
3. "I am involved in a huge project implementing with 4.6D within the context of almost all SAP modules and having lots of customer developments"
Ans: Saudi Aramco, one of the biggest implementations of SAP, used Crystal Reports extensively. You can quote that as a reference for your project.
4. "Does it shorten the time spent for development, and so on...?".
Ans: I think one of the factors that affects time taken for development is your proficiency level with the tools. Crystal Reports has been a niche player in the Reporting segment for some time. So it seems to be a safe bet for an organization's reporting needs.
Additionally, you can refer to
http://www.symmetrics.net/resources/html/whitepprs/SAP-OpenSQLDriver.pdf for further details.
Regards
Message was edited by: Shehryar Khan
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