Success with Crystal Reports?

We need to build custom reports as the default ESC reports are missing important fields / details, but ESC doesn't have a custom report builder.  I've been looking at Crystal Reports as it's listed as an external integration, but I'd like to hear what experience have others had with Crystal.

I'd like to hear the good / bad / otherwise... or is there another program you use for custom reporting that's relatively easy to set up?

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  • I agree.  Customizing reports is a necessity.

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  • Lance, we have been using crystal for 5 years or so, for the same reason.  The key is to have someone who knows how the tables interact and has a decent understanding of coding, in order to make it work.  It is truly freeform in that you can create anything you want.  You just need to have the patience to write the report.  Let me know if you have any questions.

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  • Checking out Crystal reports has been on my list of things to look into for a few years now.  The lists in ESC have  reduced the demand, but there are reports I'd like to do that I can't.

    I'll be watching for input, but it'll be awhile before I get anything done on my end.

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  • We use SQL Server Reporting Studio (SSRS), it's very similar to Crystal reports in the way that you create database queries and then put them into fun charts and graphs with your own layout. I love creating custom queries to help others out, so if you ever get it kicked off be sure to let me know what info you would like to extract and I can see how I can help.

    We have used it to create our own project management portal that utilizes data from ESC and other databases from other programs. This way we can join all our data silos together and create a more homogeneous environment. One of my favorite parts of ESC is that they allow you access to the backend like this and leverage great tools like SSRS and Crystal Reports

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  • I'll second using SSRS.   We use it in a similar way to combine data from different source or for report that we can automate sending out on a nightly basis.  Another nice thing is SSRS comes with SQL Server and has a web portal to run the reports from.

    The hardest part with SSRS or Crystal is knowing the table layouts and where everything can be found.

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  • Luke/Jason

    Did you hire a 3rd party to help you get SSRS connected and some basic reporting set up?  Is this something that someone with some decent IT skill can accomplish?  I have to have more than ESC gives me.  The lack of automation alone is a source of frustration.

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  • For SSRS it helps if you have someone that is familiar with writing SQL queries.  If you have an IT person with SQL experience it will make it much easier and they will just need to find the tables and fields you are looking to report on.  This group has been helpful with queries.

    Crystal reports is a little more user friendly from a non SQL person. 

    If you decide to try to it yourself go ahead and post some questions here and we can help out.  Also there are  lot of information resources online for SSRS and Crystal just not ESC specific.

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  • Thank you Jason...be careful what you offer :)

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  • @Lance

    There are actually 2 reasons why I'm needing better reporting:

    1.  Automation:  I need to be able to automate reports to have them delivered periodically to our managers.  For example, I'd like for our Sales/Service Manager to have a Quote Report and Sales Report delivered to him every week to review the previous week's activity.  I also need financial, AR, etc delivered periodically.  It's just too manual with ESC reports.

    2.  Customizing:  I need to be able to fully customize reports to look at different lines of business and different markets.  We offer HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, and Construction...we have 2 distinct markets....and we do Residential and Commercial.  As you can see, doing this in ESC is a task...and I need it to be point/click.

    Ultimately, I envision build a webpage with different categories of dashboards for different managers to access and get data in near-real time.

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  • @Luke

    I think I've settled on SSRS over CR because it appears that CR will require another server or application to add the scheduling functionality...and that feature is my phase 1.  With SSRS, is there a particular version that works best with ESC's database...given that I want to schedule reports and eventually create a dashboard for KPIs?

    Thank you

    JJ

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  • This discussion re: CR & SSRS has been very helpful. Thanks to all for your willingness to invest your time to help!

    We have used ESC for 8 years for customer information and dispatch scheduling (QuickBooks for the rest). In 2017, we implemented invoicing, mobile technician & ESC Accounting. I have been surprised at our struggles to get access to information (reporting) and the lack of "drill down" functionality in the reports.   

    A few questions for the group:

    1. With more reporting experience in ESC, have you found it adequate or is a 3rd party reporting package a must. I know that this thread is for those that have found a need to use CR or SSRS but I am trying to determine if the problem is ESC or me. :-)
    2. Have you found limitations to data access with CR or SSRS, or is the entire database open for query? Any problems that could not be overcome?
    3. Without database query experience, how much time should I expect to invest to get up and running?

    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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  • With more reporting experience in ESC, have you found it adequate or is a 3rd party reporting package a must. I know that this thread is for those that have found a need to use CR or SSRS but I am trying to determine if the problem is ESC or me. :-)
    - A 3rd party package was a must for me.  The reporting within ESC just offered too little flexibility for what I wanted to see...or it took way too long to filter for it.  Others may have found it good enough, but I want the data the way I want the data.  Plus, we access ESC via RDP, so I didn't have flexibility on when or where to view reports.

    Have you found limitations to data access with CR or SSRS, or is the entire database open for query? Any problems that could not be overcome?
    - I haven't yet.  The only thing has been learning how ESC stores the data.  If it's in there, you can query it.
     
    Without database query experience, how much time should I expect to invest to get up and running?
    - It took me a couple of months to feel comfortable with the data in my reports.  I have some familiarity with SQL, but a lot of that time was figuring our table structure and interactions within SQL.
     
    I really wanted to set up my reporting to deliver reports to me, but I've yet to pony up for the full version of SSRS...just using the Express version.
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  • @JJ or @Jason W,

    Do you have any resources that out IT department could use to download SSRS and link the tables? I have had Access experience 10 years ago and understand how tables work. I am having our third party IT company help install and link the tables.

    Have either of you been quoted for SSRS pricing - I'm curious how much it was? Automation of reporting would be huge for our project managers and sales force.

    Any and all information would be greatly appreciated!!

    Thank you,

    Clint Boatman

    cboatman@fredsheatingandair.com

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  • Hi Clint,

    SSRS should be included in your SQL Server license as long as it is ran on the same server.  Depending on what version of SQL Server you have it will either be with the media and part of the SQL Server install method or a separate download.  There is a SSRS Report Builder that is part of it, you don't have to use visual studio to design.  In SSRS you create a data source that contains all the connection information for the database.  Then within the report you reference that Data Source and you will have access to the tables. 

    As long as you have SQL Standard or above you can setup subscriptions to reports for emailing out.  The draw back last time I used them is that you have to specify the list and can't easily do something like email the Sale Rep only their info without setting up a subscription for everyone. There are tools to get around that and more are customizable.  If you want more info on that part let me know and I can send over a link.

    Jason

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  • Clint

    We just use the SQL Express that comes with ESC and loaded SRSS.  Like Jason said, Report Builder gives you a Visual Basice interface to build your queries and link your tables.  It's not too bad once you learn the structure of the ESC database.  I've kicked around the idea of upgrading from Express to Standard so I can have some automation...just haven't gotten to it.

    If you have any other questions, please let me know.  I had to learn it from scratch and will help you any way I can.

    JJ

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