Re: Creating Reports?

["Nathan M. Andelin" <nandelin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Norm,

I had never heard of CorVu, Impromptu, or CreatePrint.  That kind of
underscores the large number of reporting tools around.  For a vendor to
contemplate entering that market, they must wonder how to get their message
out in the midst of the many options available.  That was one of the reasons
for my original post.  I wondered what vendors would raise to the top of
peoples minds?

Thanks,

Nathan.
www.relational-data.com




----- Original Message -----
From: "Norm Dennis" <wmss@iinet.net.au>
To: <midrange-l@midrange.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 12:23 PM
Subject: Re: Creating Reports?


> Nathan,
> I find it difficult to identify specifically any tool which is better than
> another because my personal use is limited and such judgements are
subjective.
>
> In one site we used CorVu for some financial reporting which was adequate.
> In another site we used Impromptu to report over a data warehouse of
inventory,
> again it did the job.
> There was no specific requirement in either site for that tool, I believe
both
> tools were recommended by each sites respective BP.
>
> In another scenario data was requested in a format that could be loaded
into
> Excel for distribution.
> The easiest way at the time was to use Query to extract the data then
CPYTOIMPF
> (copy) the data to the IFS as a TAB delimited file.
> The user was then able to access the data from Excel directly within the
IFS,
> apply additional formatting, save and distribute accordingly.
>
> Another scenario a request was made for sales reports to be distributed to
> representatives nationally.
> RPG programs produced the reports within the application, however, using
Joe
> Pluta's CPYSPLFPDF (An excellent tool) to generate PDF files which were
then
> emailed accordingly.
>
> Most ERP type applications provide their own Statements, Invoices,
Purchase
> Order, Cheque and other print programs. Most of which end up being
modified for
> local requirements.
> There are products available which can capture the output then reformat
and
> print the output without modifying the application programs. I saw this
done
> with a product called CreatePrint and at the time I was quite impressed.
>
> HTH
>
> Norm