Introduction to Crystal Reports and Business Objects
In a world where data has become the lifeline of businesses, it is critical to have a software application that can help turn raw data into meaningful insights. Crystal Reports and Business Objects are two such software applications that provide businesses with the necessary tools to generate, publish, and share reports that can aid in decision-making processes.
Crystal Reports, developed by SAP, is a business intelligence software that allows organizations to connect to various data sources and generate custom reports. On the other hand, Business Objects, also developed by SAP, is an enterprise software that provides businesses with the necessary tools to design, develop, and publish reports that can be accessed across the organization.
In this article, we will explore the features and benefits of both Crystal reports and Business Objects and the various versions available.
Overview of Crystal Reports
Crystal Reports is a software application that allows organizations to create custom reports using data from multiple sources. The software can connect to various data sources such as databases, spreadsheets, and other applications, making it a versatile tool for generating reports.
One of the major benefits of Crystal Reports is that it allows businesses to create reports that are easy to read and understand. The software provides users with a wide range of formatting options that can be used to make reports more visually appealing.
Some of the formatting options include font selection, color schemes, and graphic elements. Another key feature of Crystal Reports is its ability to generate reports in various formats.
The software supports various file formats such as PDF, Excel, and CSV, making it easy to share reports across multiple platforms. Crystal Reports also comes with a software development kit (SDK) that allows developers to integrate reports with other applications.
This feature is particularly useful for businesses that need to incorporate reports in their web or desktop applications.
Overview of Business Objects
Business Objects is an enterprise software that provides businesses with the necessary tools to design, develop, and publish reports. The software is designed for enterprise-wide business intelligence (BI) deployments, and it supports various data sources, including databases, spreadsheets, and other applications.
Business Objects was the first software application to focus on enterprise-wide BI deployments, and this has made it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. The software has a long history, with the first version being released in 1990.
One of the significant benefits of Business Objects is its ability to provide real-time data visualization. The software allows businesses to create intuitive visualizations that help to better understand data.
These visualizations can be accessed on desktops, mobile devices, and other platforms, making it easy for employees to access reports from anywhere. Business Objects also comes with a suite of tools that enable businesses to create custom reports.
The software allows users to create ad-hoc reports, pixel-perfect reports, and interactive dashboards.
Product Features and Versions
Crystal Reports Tools and Features
Crystal Reports provides users with a wide range of tools and features that can be used to generate, publish, and share reports. Some of these features include:
Report Publishing: Crystal Reports makes it easy to create and publish reports in various formats, including PDFs, Excel files, and CSVs.
SDK: Crystal Reports comes with an SDK that allows developers to integrate reports with other applications.
This feature is particularly useful for businesses that need to incorporate reports in their web or desktop applications. XML Reporting: The software allows reports to be created using XML data, which makes it easier for developers to create custom reports.
Barcode Support: Crystal Reports supports barcode formats, which makes it easy to generate reports that contain barcode data. Web Services Data Drivers: The software supports web services data drivers, which means it can connect to web-based data sources and generate reports from the data.
Flash Integration: Crystal Reports can be integrated with Adobe Flash, which makes it easy to create reports that are visually appealing. Interactive Report Viewing: The software allows users to create interactive reports that can be viewed in real-time.
Multi-Lingual Reporting: Crystal Reports supports multiple languages, which makes it easy to generate reports that can be read by users from different countries. Dashboard Design Integration: The software can be integrated with dashboard design applications, which allows users to create interactive dashboards.
Adobe Flex Integration: Crystal Reports can be integrated with Adobe Flex, which makes it easy to create reports that are visually appealing. Viewer Control: Users can control how reports are viewed, with the ability to zoom in and out, move the report around, and even highlight specific sections of the report.
Report Access from Business Objects XI: Reports generated using Crystal Reports can be accessed from Business Objects XI, making it easy to share reports across the organization.
Business Objects Tools and Features
Business Objects provides businesses with a suite of tools that can be used to design, develop, and publish reports. Some of these tools include:
Local Report Running: Business Objects allows users to run reports locally, which means that reports can be accessed even when there is no network connection available.
Server-Based Data Source: The software provides a server-based data source, which makes it easier for businesses to manage data sources across the organization. Report Design: Business Objects allows users to design and develop custom reports that can be accessed across the organization.
Development: The software provides a development environment that allows developers to create custom applications and integrate them with Business Objects. Visualization: Business Objects provides a suite of visualization tools that allow businesses to create custom visualizations that are intuitive and easy to use.
Publishing: The software allows businesses to publish reports across the organization, making it easy for employees to access reports from anywhere. Business Intelligence Modeling: Business Objects provides businesses with the necessary tools to model business intelligence data, making it easier to understand trends and patterns in data.
Conclusion
Crystal Reports and Business Objects are powerful software applications that provide businesses with the necessary tools to generate, publish, and share reports. Their ability to connect to various data sources and generate reports in various formats makes them versatile tools for businesses of all sizes.
By exploring the different tools and features provided by both applications, businesses can make an informed decision on which software to use for their specific needs.
Comparison of Crystal Reports and Business Objects
Crystal Reports and Business Objects are two popular software applications that provide businesses with the necessary tools to generate reports from various data sources. Both applications have their strengths and weaknesses, and each can be used for different types of reporting.
In this article, we will compare and contrast both applications in terms of their development history, focus, strengths, company structure, and their relationship to each other.
Development History
Crystal Reports was first developed by Crystal Services Inc. in 1984.
In 1995, Crystal Services was acquired by Seagate Technology, and Crystal Reports became a part of Seagate Software. In 2000, Seagate Software was acquired by Business Objects, and Crystal Reports became a part of Business Objects.
Business Objects was later acquired by SAP in 2007, and Crystal Reports remains a part of SAP today. Business Objects, on the other hand, has its origin from a French company named Business Objects SA.
The company was founded in 1990, and it focused on developing business intelligence tools that could be used for enterprise-wide deployments. Business Objects grew in popularity and eventually acquired Crystal Reports in 2000, making it a part of its suite of software solutions.
Focus and Strengths
Crystal Reports’ main focus is on report design and publishing. The software is designed to allow users to connect to various data sources and generate reports that are easy to read and understand.
Crystal Reports provides a rich set of formatting options that can be used to make reports visually appealing. The software also comes with an SDK that allows developers to integrate reports with other applications.
Business Objects, on the other hand, is designed for enterprise-wide BI deployments. The software provides tools for designing, developing, and publishing reports that can be accessed by employees across the organization.
Business Objects supports various data sources and provides a suite of visualization tools that allow businesses to create intuitive visualizations that can be used to understand trends and patterns in data. One of the strengths of Business Objects is its ability to run reports locally without depending on a server-based data source.
This makes it easier for businesses to manage data sources across the organization and for employees to access reports even when there is no network connection available.
Company Structure
Business Objects is currently a division of SAP Company. It is not a separate company, but rather a part of SAP’s portfolio of software solutions.
SAP is focused on providing businesses with the technology to optimize their operations and make informed decisions based on data insights.
Relationship Between Crystal Reports and Business Objects
Both Crystal Reports and Business Objects were developed by different divisions of the same company. While there is some overlap in terms of functionality, each software application is designed for different types of reporting.
Crystal Reports is designed for smaller reports that focus on specific data sets, while Business Objects is designed for enterprise-wide BI deployments that require access to large amounts of data. Crystal Reports can be used as a standalone application or in combination with other SAP solutions such as Business Objects.
However, Business Objects provides a more comprehensive solution for businesses that require enterprise-wide BI deployments. Businesses that require both report design and enterprise-wide BI capabilities can use both applications in conjunction with each other.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Crystal Reports and Business Objects are powerful software applications that provide businesses with the necessary tools to generate reports from various data sources. While there is some overlap in terms of functionality, each software application is designed for different types of reporting.
By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each application, businesses can make an informed decision on which software to use for their specific needs. The relationship between Crystal Reports and Business Objects is one of cooperation, and businesses that require both types of reporting can use both applications in conjunction with each other.
In conclusion, Crystal Reports and Business Objects are powerful software applications that offer businesses the tools they need to generate reports from various data sources. Crystal Reports focuses on report design and publishing, while Business Objects is geared towards enterprise-wide business intelligence deployments.
Each application has its strengths and can be used for different types of reporting. Understanding the differences between these applications can help businesses make informed decisions about which solution best suits their needs.
Whether it is creating visually appealing reports or analyzing data at an enterprise level, Crystal Reports and Business Objects offer valuable features to help organizations turn data into actionable insights. By utilizing these tools effectively, businesses can optimize their decision-making processes and unleash the full potential of their data.
Remember, choosing the right software can make all the difference in unlocking the power of your data.