Brian,
I have used only the stand alone version of CR 11 (Professional edition)in the past and not very much familiar with server edition. Now I have to decide which one to choose to suit our needs.

We are planning to move the reports that are currently in our system (straight JAVA code) to CR. The question is whether to go with stand alone or Server version of CR.

With the stand-alone version I believe each user needs to have a copy of CR on their machine to run the reports and how about the Server version? Once the reports are published on the server, can they use their browser alone to run reports by inputting parameters?

thanks.

Hi Brian,

Actually it will NOT be run from within a JAVA program. I am planning to move all the complex queries to stored procedures and create reports using those. The question is, once I create the .rpt file, which version would be better when it comes to allowing a non-IT end user to run the report whenever they need basis?

Do they need individual copy of Crystal reports on their machine in order to run the reports?

thanks


Edited by mxr561 - 29 Mar 2008 at 6:55pm

>>If you want the user to have access to the reports without doing any report design, you can download the CR Viewer from the Business Objects website. This is a free download and users can view reports with live data for no cost.

Yes, this is what I am looking for. I will design the report, but the users should be able to input parameters and view the reports with live data.

In that case I will use the CR 2008 stand-alone version to design the report. Each user can use that copy of .rpt along with Crystal Viewer on their machine to input parameters and view the reports with live data.

It would be nice if there is a way for the user to also change the db dynamically along with other report parameters. Is it possible?


I just checked the CR Viewer features on BusinessObjects site, it doesn't say anything about running the report via the viewer. Does it mean the user can only view the saved report with data?

WHAT DOES IT DO?
Open and view Crystal reports
Drill down into charts and summary tables
Navigate around the report (just like the full application)
Save your report in formats such as .pdf, .rtf and .xls
Share .rpt report files instantaneously via email or online.




Edited by mxr561 - 30 Mar 2008 at 3:00pm