Crystal Reports Distribution

So, you've designed Crystal Reports that meet all user requirements. Is the "hard part" over with? Not necessarily!

You may still face the daunting task of reports distribution. After all, the reports are useless if nobody sees them. How can you actually distribute your Crystal Reports? You have several options, and we'll discuss each of these in turn:

• Non-electronic report distribution
• Manual electronic report distribution
• Automated report distribution

Non-electronic report distribution. This involves printing and distributing atoms. It's often the most expensive method of report distribution. And, it's not very practical if you are at the point where you are already using Crystal Reports.

Manual electronic report distribution. This is the default method, and the one most people use. It's very time-consuming, but the main drawback is in the timing. How do you get 20 different reports out at the start of each business day? The answer: Not manually.

Automated report distribution. This is where you have the greatest potential for efficiency, and it's where most Crystal Reports administrators should be. In essence, you are going to use a scheduler. Let's look at the automated report choices you have.

• Crystal Decisions' Web-based product. This product is CD's answer to reports distribution. But, it's not for everyone in terms of functionality. And, it's very expensive. Still, you should take a look at it and see what you think.
• A scheduler that runs as a Windows application. The star in this field is a product called cViewMANAGER. It dominates this arena, because it does everything a scheduler should do. Read more about it, here.
• A scheduler that runs as a Windows service. The only product that does this is cViewSERVER. A service gives you some automation advantages. And cViewSERVER is built on the .net platform, which makes it a product of the future. But it's here now. Read more about it, here.

Another aspect of Crystal Reports distribution is having a CR license or a viewer for each report recipient. A windows-based report viewer is a very cost-effective approach. The best of all such viewers is cVIEW. Read more about it, here.