First off, there are three reporting tools with JDEdwards - DREAMWriter,
FASTR, and WorldWriter.
A little description on each:
Dream Writer reports are canned reports found throughout Edwards. The
report layout is predetermined. In many cases, sequencing is also
predetermined. I have tried to manipulate the sequence but in some cases
it produced incorrect information. Edwards recommends not changing
sequencing on Dream Writers. Dream Writers report from one "based on file"
for example the F0411. I don't find it a versatile tool due to limitations
in layout and sequencing and primarily I use it only as a quick way to
extract information from the system with little or no setup.
FASTR's I find similar to DreamWriters but there is more flexibility in
format. You can determine the layout including column size, headings,
sequence of the data and data selection. You can also define rows and
cells and perform calculations. One limitation of FASTR is that it only
reports based on the Account Balances file but you can use it to create
monthly journal entries, analyze actual amounts vs budget amounts, create
financials and download them to a pc spreadsheet application, analyze
accounts with subledgers, analyze monthly or annual variances and review
clearing accounts.
Now WorldWriter is a completely user defined tool in Edwards. The user
selects the "based on files", the fields, that are used for selection,
printing, totalling and sequencing. When you do totalling you can indicate
sum, average, minimum value, maximum value, or a count of occurrences. Any
file can be reported from using World Writer including non Edwards files.
Up to a maximum of 32 files can be joined but Edwards recommends no more
than a five file join. You can also use World Writer to update fields
within a file. For example: lets say you wanted to update fields for a
vendor or customer limit by a set percentage. The report will first create
a calculation field to increase the limit by a percentage, then update the
limit from the calculation field. This tool is the most versatile report
writing tool.
From my own experience when I first started using the Edwards reporting
tools I wasn't sure which report writer to use. Now I know that if I want
account balance information I use FASTR. If I need a report from any other
file or combination of files I use World Writer. Some information that can
be retrieved from World Writer can be processed with a DreamWriter, but the
report is limited to one layout and sequencing. I personally feel a lot of
DreamWriters are cluttered reports so I prefer WorldWriter so I can control
the layout and still have the flexibility to select the information I need.
Hope this has been some help
vasansrini
<vasansrini@hotmai To:
[email protected]
l.com> cc:
Sent by: Subject: Is FASTR Good?
owner-jdeworldml@j
delist.com
05/23/2001 08:31
AM
Please respond to
jdeworld
Hi ,
We are evaluating a reporting tool to be used with JDE. Few people in our
company beleive that FASTR is not flexible enough etc.
I just want your opinion, how good is FASTR ? In terms of flexibly and
efficiency. I beleive DREAM Writer and FASTR are the only reporting tools
available with JDE.
Do you build data mart/warehouse from JDE data? What kind of options are
available ?
Your help is appreciated.
Thanks
Srini
A7.3 Cum 11
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