Re: Crystal Reporting against JDE file

prumschlag

Active Member
Re: Crystal Reporting against JDE file

We download Sales History in summarized form to a SQL database running on an NT
server. Marketing then uses Crystal to generate various reports from the SQL
server. Our other reporting tool is standard World Writer.

Phil







"Muzaffar Ahmad" <[email protected]> on 04/20/2001 12:08:13 PM

Please respond to [email protected]








To: [email protected]

cc: (bcc: Phil Rumschlag/PHD)



Subject: Re: Crystal Reporting against JDE file








We are trying to see if we can use a report writing tool to reduce the time
and efforts involved in developing and changing RPG report programs.

Here are some questions that I have

1. Is it possible to have some thing like JDE processing options in a
crystal report running on JDE data residing on the AS/400?

2. Has any one used any other PC based report writing tool to access JDE
data.

3. What about the report writing tool in One World. Can we just install the
One World report writer and use it with World?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Muzaffar Ahmad
Harlan Inc, Indianapolis.
 
RE: Crystal Reporting against JDE file

Have you taken a look at some of the resources available at
http://www.jdelist.com/resource1.shtml ?

Something using WW selection within DW and sending to an outfile, then a
trigger to copy the file (in CSV format?) to the IFS might be an answer.

We use MS Access and ODBC to present reports to non AS400 users using
customized databases created from Query and WW's. But that probably does not
meet your flexibility requirements.

For simple one use reports, we also use Excel query to automatically
download and format WW outfiles into a report format. Once an Excel query
and formatting is done, save as an .XLT (template) Each time the xlt file is
opened it will refresh the data.
 
RE: Crystal Reporting against JDE file

Well ODBC objects in office work. in link tables. Crystal never heard of
that, so no comment on that one. OW is for C+++ not RPG databases. So not
much to say except contact your sales rep with JDE and see what they come
up with.

Don Bryant, MIS Director, mailto:[email protected]
Amalie Oil Company
1601 McCloskey Blvd.
Tampa Fl, 33605



Don Bryant, MIS Director
Phone 813-248-1988 ext 124
Fax 813-248-1488
 
Re: Crystal Reporting against JDE file

We use Crystal on another DB so I've recently been in touch with Crystal
Decisions (their new name)
and you can connect to DB2 via Crystal. As far as processing options are
concerned it depends on
what you're talking about. This is completely different animal than RPG. You
can write an entire
program without ever touching the keyboard - all with mouse clicks and click &
drag. The speed is
phenomenal but you do lose some control and must find alternate ways of doing
things sometimes.
We're looking at some of the same things you are as well as a data warehousing
project where
Crystal may come into play. Note that Crystal can also be used as an end user
tool.

Another option is Cognos Powerhouse Quiz (a 4th GL) which we have installed on
our 400 and have
even integrated the Dream Writer with it and you can work with the processing
options as well. We run
these programs off standard JDE menus. It works quite well for us.




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We are trying to see if we can use a report writing tool to reduce the time
and efforts involved in developing and changing RPG report programs.

Here are some questions that I have

1. Is it possible to have some thing like JDE processing options in a
crystal report running on JDE data residing on the AS/400?

2. Has any one used any other PC based report writing tool to access JDE
data.

3. What about the report writing tool in One World. Can we just install the
One World report writer and use it with World?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Muzaffar Ahmad
Harlan Inc, Indianapolis.
 
RE: Crystal Reporting against JDE file

We use both Crystal Reports and Seagate Info to generate reports against
JDE.

1. We use parameter fields in the reports to emulate "Processing Option"
type functionality. These parameter fields allow users to enter specific
data or leave them blank, similar to *ALL in JDE. The parameter fields can
be setup to allow any data to be entered or the data can be limited by using
pick lists.

2. We have done an extensive search for report writers against the AS400 and
JDE. We found that Crystal Reports, though it does have some limitations,
was the most flexible as we can also use it to report off of any other
databases through ODBC, it will also allow you to report off of multiple
databases in one report. There are other report writers that are specific to
the AS400, with a PC interface to them i.e. SEQUEL and Showcase. There are
also report writers that are used in some of the Data Warehouse products
that can write reports against JDE.

Another option is to use Microsoft Access to report against JDE either by
queries or linked tables. With this you can also manipulate some of the data
by using pass thru queries. This will enable you to also interface the
reports with any other Microsoft Program i.e. Word, Excel., or any other
Microsoft Office Product. See "The AS/400 & Microsoft Office Integration
Handbook" by Brian Singleton from Midrange Computing.

3. The report writing tool in OW is so close to Crystal Reports that we
think the engine is the Crystal Engine. We have asked both JDE and Crystal
Decisions this questions and though neither said it was neither denied it
either. The ODBC tool used in the OW report Writer was written exclusively
for OW/C++ databases and unless you are in Coexistence it will not work. The
ODBC for Client Access or other IBM clients work fine with Crystal Reports.
There is also a native ODBC for crystal reports against the AS400, 'CR DB2'
but certain options have to be loaded and turned on, on the AS400 for this
ODBC to work.

Andrew Harrison
MIS Project Manager
VPI, LLC
1389 School House Road
Delaware City, DE 19706
Tel: (302) 836-7539
Fax: (302) 836-7622
mailto:[email protected]
Web Page: HTTP:\\WWW.VPICORP.COM
 
RE: Crystal Reporting against JDE file

Thank you very much for such a detailed reply. It is really helpful.

Muzaffar
 
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