Why use cView rather than compiled reports?
To save time. With compiled reports, the Report Designer has to complete the compiled report process for each report.  While this takes only 5 minutes or so for one report, some applications can have hundred or even thousands of reports.

The compile process may need to be repeated for each version of the report. cView works with the existing rpt file, so no additional processing of the report is needed. Your 2,000 reports are all available immediately for cView to process.

Why use cView rather than Web-delivered reports?
Simplicity, flexibility and choice. Which of these appeals to you the most?

While the Web is a wonderful technology, it is not the answer to all user requirements.  You don’t do your word processing or spreadsheet development on a Web page, so why should you deliver all your reports that way?

 cView is a Windows application that opens a *.rpt file and processes it.  Why complicate things with Web browsers when you don’t need to?

Why use cView rather than Seagate Info?
Simplicity and an upgrade path.

Seagate Info is an application from Crystal Decisions that allows companies to schedule and distribute reports.

To run a report immediately requires you to complete several steps to connect to the Info Desktop.  You then have to schedule the report immediately, and then wait for the processing to complete before viewing the report in another application. cView is a one-step easy and fast alternative to this "hurry up and wait" laborious process.

In addition, there will be no new releases of Seagate Info: Version 7.5 is the last release. This means if you want to use the features of later versions of Crystal Reports, you cannot use Seagate Info. cView supports reports developed in Crystal Reports 9, while Seagate Info will not.

Why use cView rather than the free Report Viewer that comes with the developer edition of Crystal Reports v9?
More functionality. For example: more up-to-date data, parameter input and processing on-demand subreports.

The Report Viewer Application can view reports which have been saved with data by the Report Designer. cView can view those reports, as can other viewers. What is so awesome about cView is it can also process reports live against the database.

So, you can think of the free Report Viewer as suitable for passive viewers who look at what they have been given. By contrast, cView is an active viewer--where the user controls when to process the report, and what parameters are used to select the data the user wants. Think of all the complaints this can put to rest!

Why not give Users their own copy of the Crystal Reports software?
Higher cost and the need for expertise.

Crystal Reports is a tool for skilled Report Designers.  While it can create reports very quickly using a simple expert, it is really a complex application with many powerful features. To use it effectively, users needs a high level of skill and training. cView is as easy as “File/Open” and answer a few questions. Crystal Reports also has a cost for each license that makes it much more expensive than cView.

What about Report Security?
cView uses existing security mechanisms.  To secure reports, place the *.rpt files in different folders and use normal file and network security to control who can run which reports.

What about Database Security?
The database security settings are stored in one of cView’s configuration files, so you can hide DB passwords when reports are run. This file can be locked so the users cannot access the password information.

What if I want to Schedule Reports automatically?
cViewMANAGER is our report scheduler. It also distributes reports in various formats to various destinations.

Many companies find a combination of one cViewMANAGER license to schedule and distribute reports and a cView license on each of their Users' PCs delivers the simplest, most cost-effective solution to report distribution.

What if I want cView on more than one PC?
We have volume pricing that starts if you want five or more people to view your reports. You can also buy a site license for all the users at your company site.

Can users viewing reports enter their own parameters?

Yes. cView allows users to input parameters before they view the report.

Can you tie all of this together for me?

Sure. You have to separate the concepts of report design of report delivery, and report viewing. 

• Report design is a skilled task. A two day intro course will take care of 80% of your requirements, while another 2-3 days cover the more advanced techniques.
• Report delivery is the final step the report designer takes so that others can view the report.
• Report viewing is a simple as selecting the report, and (maybe) answering a couple of questions built in the report (e.g., which dept, what date range)

While cViewMANAGER addresses report delivery, cView addresses report viewing. So here, we are primarily concerned with the difference between report design and report viewing.

• All CR  versions allow you to do report design. Start with a blank page, and lay out the elements in different sections and produce some output. The report designer can use a great tool to get all those lovely data out of the DB, and come up with something that looks pretty.
• But there are also people in each company who just want the report output. Older versions of CR let the report designer compile the RPT file into an EXE, so they could give that to others in their organization. The benefit to the report designer is those who view the report can’t change the report layout.

Then Internet euphoria misled the CR development team. Yes, it is great to view a report from your Web server. All the designer needs to do is to put the RPT file in a Web folder and it will process live against the DB. With CR7 onwards you get a free license for 1-5 concurrent/active viewers (different rules for each edition and version). But, "1-5" sounds what a judge might say at a prison sentencing. Unfortunately for many CR users, this is what it turns out to be--their reports are "locked up" in this tight licensing requirement.

With such a tight limit on the number of people allowed to view a report, how does anyone with even moderate viewing requirements provide a means for all the right people to view the necessary reports? If you start looking at the costs, you are likely to realize  your company simply cannot afford adapting CR's Web-based approach across a wide audience of viewers. So, a powerful but inexpensive report viewer is just what you are looking for. Fortunately, cView fits the bill well.

With cView, you have a Windows approach rather than browser approach, and a better volume pricing rule.