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Case Study: Choosing Reporting System

Choosing Reporting System

Computer system analysis is like child-rearing; you can do grievous damage, but you cannot ensure success.

Tom DeMarco

Pre-words

Once upon a time in a company far away… we needed to choose to either to re-use or build a new reporting system.

Despite hundreds of them available on the market choosing a right one is not easy. If you want to have powerful, configurable, inexpensive, reliable and slick-looking reporting you will struck with the fact you have no idea what to choose.

This excellent job was done by Alexander Kochegarenko. If you want to contact him, please let us know.

Feature Name

MS SSRS 2012

Crystal

DevExpress

Telerik

Active

Stimulsoft

Fast Reports

Highcharts

Data Regions

Tablewindows 7 tech supportonline payment gateway for tech supportsmart tech supportsteam tech supportverizon fios tech supportverifone tech support
Matrixbest buy tech support phone numberxfx tech supporttech support onlinetoshiba tech supporttech support helpacer tech support
Listphone tech supporttech support inctrend micro tech support

Report Items

Text Boxsamsung tech support canadaonline tech support servicesonline tech supportbook tech supportmicrosoft tech support phone numberadt tech supporttech support guy
Imagelive chat tech supportfree tech supporttech support numbernorton tech supportpayment gateway provider for tech supporttech support remotelinksys tech support number
Linepanasonic phone tech supportasus tech supporttech support softwareremote computer tech supportwindows tech supportubuntu tech supporttech support call center
Rectanglelive tech support chatcanon printer tech supportdragon naturally speaking tech supportblizzard tech supportcomputer tech supportoutsource tech supporttech support for dummies
Round Rectangletmobile tech supporttech support companytech support phone
Geometry (Ellipse, Triangle etc.)tech support calltech support centerit tech supportd link router tech support
Barcodeasus tech support chattech support jobsnikon tech supporttech support jobs from hometrend micro tech support phone numbertech support site
Rich Texttech support payment gatewayxbox tech supportgigabyte tech supportralink tech support
CheckBoxdaikin tech supportcaddx tech supporttoshiba tech support numberonline chat tech supportlg tech support
Zip Coded link tech supportfuruno tech supporttech support cat
Cellular Texttech support engineer
Custom Report Itemslive tech supporttech support websites
Subreport

qwest tech support

multiple

outsourced tech support

multiple

tech support website

tech support sites

multiple

computer online tech supportpayment gateways for tech supportgarmin tech support
Multiple Report Pageshp tech supporth20000 www2 bizsupport tech support home

Headers & Footers

Report

it outsourcing provider

multiple

why outsource it servicesleaders and visionoutsource meanit outsource services
Pagerisk security management

improving operational efficiency

multiple

outsourcing companiesincrease operational efficiencyit service outsourcingvirtualisedada computer systems

Programming Features

Using Script (code)global workingincreasing operational efficiencydynamics nav implementationbenefits of using sharepointdynamics nav certificationchestnut treehousemicrosoft navision certificationoutsourcing mean
Using External Code (dll)arrkbenefits of sharepointgartner magic quadrant itsmmgm advantage adviserit outsourcing news
Event Handlersdynamics nav trainingwhat is it outsourcingstreamline erpit outsourcing marketarrk europemicrosoft quality assurancedave hemmings

Data Visualizations

Chart

Areamicrosoft dynamics navision certificationsega europe ltdit outsourcing firmsdynamics nav modulesit outsourcing providersoutsource it servicesmicrosoft dynamics nav add-onsmicrosoft dynamics nav support
Baroutsourcing of it servicesmicrosoft dynamics nav web clientit outsourcing market sizeimprove operational efficiencymicrosoft windows server supportbravado musicmicrosoft qaoutsourcing site
Bezierit outsourcing business
Bubblemicrosoft dynamics nav modulesbravado internationalwhat is meant by outsourcing companyscorpio businesschestnut hospicegartner itsm magic quadrant
Candlefinancial institutions m&aconsulting methodologieslob applicationsoutsourcing uklob applicationnavision certification
Columnit outsourcing services companymicrosoft dynamics nav 2013 featuresoutsourced it servicesit advisory servicespowerpanelstaskcentrelob softwareit outsourcing companies ukraine
Doughnutoutsource to ukrainedevelopment bluesoftware.combluebluesoftwareios applications development
Funnelandroid developmentandroid appios appit outsourcing ukrainesoftware development outsource
Ganttissues in software developmentsoftware development housemy movies softwareuser interface design servicesmy movie software
HiLoresponsive checker onlineit outsourcing companiestext comparepackaging designdigital asset management
HiLoOpenCloseschawkworkflow softwaredigital asset management softwareonline text comparekodak logo
Kagiwww.d2lworkflow management softwaremarketing processcpg brandsjarvis software
Linehormel foods corporationtext compare onlinesoftware implementationaccess asset managementjohnson and johnson vision caredigital assetprocess management softwaresaas products
Line XYone sheetersaas productschawk chicagohormel foods corpschawk incsafeway brands
Pieprivate brandshiring thingonline proofingcompare bluesoftware companies in chicagodigital marketing softwaresoftware design processonline review management
Plotdigital managementcopy softwaretext comparer
Pointhormel fooddigital asset management systemsworkflow tool
Point and Figurestay relevant
Polarbest consultingworkflow management toolspackaging software
Radarwork flow softwareonline compare textpackaging design softwarereview software
Renkowhat is digital asset management
Scatterchicago software companiesprivate equity softwaremarketing management processsystem validationcalculator softwarecalculator brandspharmaceutical softwarebrand management software
Shapesoftware best practicesonline proofing softwarevalidation servicesproduct performanceproduct management best practices
Spline (XY Chart)safeway private labelpackaging conferencesoftware validation templatevideo design software
Stock8430 w bryn mawrpackage design softwareimplementation servicesasset manager softwareprocesses food
3D Chartssoftware brandsretail software solutionswhat is a digital assetsoftware deployment best practicesdam digital asset management
Stacked Chartsproofing softwareproduct management systemconsumer softwareblue asset managementsaas product managementabout the fdareview management software

Gauge

Radial Gaugechicago software solutionswhat is workflow management
Linear Gaugetext compare software

Data Bar & Sparkline

Area Chartssoftware workflow
Bar Chartsartwork softwarepackaging process
Column Chartsunilever case study
Line Chartsprocess asset library
Pie Chartsbest product management software
Range Chartsblue capital management

Indicator

Directionalhormel foods productsdesign packaging online
Symbolsconsulting best practicesbrand asset management software
Shapesaas support modelvalidation software
Ratingsusg softwarejohnson and johnson vision
User definedsaas management

Map

good automated manufacturing practiceworkflow products

How to Read This

The first table is a feature review. Here you will find list of features provided by various reporting systems. This helps you to limit you list to thouse systems that have features you need.

The second table is criteria used when evaluating the systems. Every functionality has a “weight”, a number from 1 to 10, and this weight is used when calculating total rating (see below).

You will find multiple reporting systems below and total values at the end.

Note: Please take into account that this was 2012 and now results would be slightly different.

Feature Review

Here is a detailed list of features in some reporting systems. Just plain easy to read data.

Criteria & Weight

This is how we evaluated software. We provided list of features and a number, call it “weight”, that indicate how important this feature is. The bigger weight is the more important feature is.

IDCriterionCategoryCriterion DescriptionScoresScore DescriptionWeight
1OLAP reportingReporting featuresSupporting OLAP features0The system does not support any OLAP reporting.10
1There are reports that display OLAP data. OLAP data is calculated by means of the reporting system.
21 + OLAP data is calculated by means of the DB.
32 + There is the possibility of the end user to specify the report generation parameters (add/delete measurements, etc.).
2Report types & chartsReporting featuresSupport for various types of reports (Tables, Lists, Guages, etc.)0There is no support for any types of reports and diagrams10
1There is support for a based-set of types of reports and diagrams (2-3 types)
2There is support for a big set of types of reports and diagrams.
32 + There is support for a interactive interaction with end-users (tooltips, sizing, navigation, etc.)
3Multiple exporting formatsReporting features0Export Is not supprted8
1There is support for a based-set of exportable formats (HTML, PDF)
2There is supprot for a big-set exportable formats (HTML, PDF, Images, CVS, MS Excel, MS Word)
32 + It is possible to customize the export.
4End-user designerReporting features0End-user reports designer is absent2
1Designer supports only modified an existing report without specifying a new data sources
2Designer support to change existing reports with the ability to specify the new data source.
32 + Users have the ability to save the report for future use.
43 + User have ability to save and use existing report parts
5Alerting subsystemAlerting0Is not supported by any notification alerts8
1generation of reports warning depending on predefined system events
21+ notifocation support
32 + sending report (email, etc.)
6Indicators & GaugesAlerting0possibility of creating indicators and gauges in reports8
1reports with indicators
21 + gauges
32 + large variety of types of indicators and meters circular, linear, digital gauges, indicators in the form of arrows, semaphores, etc.)
7Reusing current implementationReusing current implementationReusing MS RS0no way to use the old implementation reporting (MS Report Server)6
1It is possible to use the old part of the implementation (such as templates and reports)
2It is possible to use most of the old implementation. There is support for the migration of the old reports.
3It is possible to use the old implementation reports without any changes.
8Subscribe reportsSubscriptions & DeliverySubscription0No subscription reports10
1subscription reporting system by administrator.
2subscription reporting system by any user.
32 + Wide range of subscription options (such as one-time subscription, schedule, delayed reporting, and so on).
43 + it is possible to use custom subscription format
9Deliviring reportsSubscriptions & DeliveryAuto delivery0No support for automatic delivery of reports.10
1email
21 + a remote printer.
32 + It is possible to provide custom delivery method.
10Accessible from mobile OSMobile platformsiOS, Android (Windows Phone)0No mobile OS support.8
1iOS and Android. Missing an opportunity means a system customization of reports for different screen sizes of mobile devices.
2iOS and Android. There is the possibility of customization of reports for different screen sizes of mobile devices.
32 + There is a possibility of interaction with the user.
11Roles & PermissionsSecurityRoles0No support for multi-user interaction (all users of the system have full access to all records or requires its own implementation of the access)6
1Role-based. There is no possibility to add new roles. Scarce job opportunities permits.
2Role -based. There is possible to add new roles, delete existing ones.
3Role-based. There is possible to add new roles, delete existing ones. There is the possibility of replacing the subsystem roles and permissions of its implementation.
12ThemesUIThemes0No themes2
1A few themes (2..3)
2Many themes
3Many themes + customization
13End-user customizationUICustomer can change/edit reports0No customization8
1Only parameters are customizable
21 + sorting + show/hide columns
32 + filters
14Pre-load cachePerformanceCaching0No caching8
1Caching non-parametrized reports. Caching options are hardcoded at design time.
2Caching non-parametrized reports. Caching option are either hardcoded at design time or configured by admin.
3Система поддерживает кэширование параметризованных и непараметризованных отчетов. Опции кэширования (кэшировать или нет, сколько хранить в кэше и т.д.) определяются системой в зависимости от частоты обращения к отчетам и загрузки отчетной системы
15ScalingPerformanceScalability0No scaling10
1Client-side scalability
2Horisontal scalability; no load balancing.
3Horisontal scalability; load balancing.
16Ability using reporting system in multiple development technologies/frameworksDevelopmentMultiple dev technologies: WinForms, WPF, Silverlight, ASP.NET, Java etc0One technology4
1ASP.NET + one more
2ASP.NET, Silverligth, WPF, WinForms
32 + the same report can be rendered on many platforms
17DocumentationDevelopmentDocumentation0No documentation6
1Basic documentation
2Full documentation + samples.
32 +dev community (forums, stackoverflow, etc.).
18Automated UI testingDevelopmentAuto testing0No autotesting2
1Autotesting by external tools, Selenium, Microsoft Test Tools, etc.
21 + Auto tests integration tools.
3The system has internal autotesting tools.
19CostCost0more than $10 00010
1$2 000 .. $10 000
2$0 .. $2 000
3Reporting system with open source code

Details

MS SSRS 2012

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a server-based report generation software system from Microsoft. It is part of suite of Microsoft SQL Server services, including SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services) and SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services).

IDCriterionCategoryScoresPointsComments
1OLAP reportingReporting features220
2Report types & chartsReporting features2.525
3Multiple exporting formatsReporting features324
4End-user designerReporting features48
5Alerting subsystemAlerting324
6Indicators & GaugesAlerting216
7Reusing current implementationReusing current implementation16
8Subscribe reportsSubscriptions & Delivery440
9Deliviring reportsSubscriptions & Delivery330
10Accessible from mobile OSMobile platforms18BI support for mobile devices from other providers (for example see http://www.mobiweave.com/Products/BI/SSRS.aspx). Microsoft plans to soon implement support for mobile devices (see http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/bi/capabilities.aspx and http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_business_intelligence1/archive/2011/10/14/sql-pass-recap.aspx)
11Roles & PermissionsSecurity2.515
12ThemesUI00
13End-user customizationUI1.512
14Pre-load cachePerformance216
15ScalingPerformance220
16Ability using reporting system in multiple development technologies/frameworksDevelopment312Microsoft Reporting Services 2005/2008/2012 in Silverlight Applications is Possible:
http://www.perpetuumsoft.com/Silverlight-Viewer-for-Reporting-Services.aspxUsing Report Viewer Control in WPF:
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/wpf/thread/4bbb9baf-6b0c-4a9f-a81e-6597a275338e
17DocumentationDevelopment318
18Automated UI testingDevelopment12
19CostCost2.525
20PricePrice$0

Crystal Reports

Crystal Reports is a business intelligence application, currently marketed to small businesses by SAP.

IDCriterionCategoryScoresPointsComments
1OLAP reportingReporting features220
2Report types & chartsReporting features2.525
3Multiple exporting formatsReporting features216
4End-user designerReporting features36
5Alerting subsystemAlerting324
6Indicators & GaugesAlerting216
7Reusing current implementationReusing current implementation00
8Subscribe reportsSubscriptions & Delivery330
9Deliviring reportsSubscriptions & Delivery220
10Accessible from mobile OSMobile platforms1.512
11Roles & PermissionsSecurity212
12ThemesUI1.53
13End-user customizationUI18
14Pre-load cachePerformance216
15ScalingPerformance220
16Ability using reporting system in multiple development technologies/frameworksDevelopment28
17DocumentationDevelopment2.515
18Automated UI testingDevelopment12
19CostCost110
20PricePrice$9,994

DevExpress Reporting

Server-based report generation software system provided by DevExpress.

IDCriterionCategoryScoresPointsComments
1OLAP reportingReporting features220
2Report types & chartsReporting features330
3Multiple exporting formatsReporting features216
4End-user designerReporting features24only in silverlight
5Alerting subsystemAlerting00
6Indicators & GaugesAlerting2.520the gauges controls are not part of reporting
7Reusing current implementationReusing current implementation00
8Subscribe reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
9Deliviring reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
10Accessible from mobile OSMobile platforms18only in asp.net & asp.net mvc reports
11Roles & PermissionsSecurity00
12ThemesUI2.55
13End-user customizationUI1.512sorting, show/hide columns, filtering is accessible in grid reports
14Pre-load cachePerformance0.54
15ScalingPerformance0.55
16Ability using reporting system in multiple development technologies/frameworksDevelopment2.510
17DocumentationDevelopment2.515
18Automated UI testingDevelopment12
19CostCost220
20PricePrice$1,800WinForms Subscription = 900 + Web (ASP.NET/Silverlight) Subscription = 900

Telerik Reporting

Interactive ad-hoc reporting for mobile, web and desktop applications.

IDCriterionCategoryScoresPointsComments
1OLAP reportingReporting features220
2Report types & chartsReporting features330
3Multiple exporting formatsReporting features216
4End-user designerReporting features0.51end-user designer is implemeted as rich-tool
5Alerting subsystemAlerting00
6Indicators & GaugesAlerting0.54gauges is accessible only in silverlight
7Reusing current implementationReusing current implementation00
8Subscribe reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
9Deliviring reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
10Accessible from mobile OSMobile platforms18
11Roles & PermissionsSecurity00
12ThemesUI2.55
13End-user customizationUI18
14Pre-load cachePerformance0.54
15ScalingPerformance0.55
16Ability using reporting system in multiple development technologies/frameworksDevelopment2.510
17DocumentationDevelopment212
18Automated UI testingDevelopment12
19CostCost220
20PricePrice$600

Active Reports

ActiveReports is a .NET reporting tool used by developers of WinForms and ASP.NET applications.

IDCriterionCategoryScoresPoints
1OLAP reportingReporting features220
2Report types & chartsReporting features220
3Multiple exporting formatsReporting features216
4End-user designerReporting features00
5Alerting subsystemAlerting00
6Indicators & GaugesAlerting00
7Reusing current implementationReusing current implementation00
8Subscribe reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
9Deliviring reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
10Accessible from mobile OSMobile platforms0.54
11Roles & PermissionsSecurity00
12ThemesUI1.53
13End-user customizationUI18
14Pre-load cachePerformance00
15ScalingPerformance0.55
16Ability using reporting system in multiple development technologies/frameworksDevelopment28
17DocumentationDevelopment1.59
18Automated UI testingDevelopment12
19CostCost220
20PricePrice$1,600

Stimulsoft Reports

Stimulsoft Reports is an application used to design and generate reports from a wide range of data sources.

IDCriterionCategoryScoresPoints
1OLAP reportingReporting features1.515
2Report types & chartsReporting features330
3Multiple exporting formatsReporting features216
4End-user designerReporting features24
5Alerting subsystemAlerting00
6Indicators & GaugesAlerting1.512
7Reusing current implementationReusing current implementation00
8Subscribe reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
9Deliviring reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
10Accessible from mobile OSMobile platforms18
11Roles & PermissionsSecurity00
12ThemesUI00
13End-user customizationUI1.512
14Pre-load cachePerformance18
15ScalingPerformance0.55
16Ability using reporting system in multiple development technologies/frameworksDevelopment2.510
17DocumentationDevelopment212
18Automated UI testingDevelopment12
19CostCost00
20PricePrice$28,000

Fast Reports

Fast Reports is a European enterprise software company, which develops business intelligence and Reporting tools since 1998.

IDCriterionCategoryScoresPoints
1OLAP reportingReporting features220
2Report types & chartsReporting features2.525
3Multiple exporting formatsReporting features216
4End-user designerReporting features36
5Alerting subsystemAlerting00
6Indicators & GaugesAlerting00
7Reusing current implementationReusing current implementation212
8Subscribe reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
9Deliviring reportsSubscriptions & Delivery00
10Accessible from mobile OSMobile platforms0.54
11Roles & PermissionsSecurity00
12ThemesUI00
13End-user customizationUI18
14Pre-load cachePerformance00
15ScalingPerformance0.55
16Ability using reporting system in multiple development technologies/frameworksDevelopment14
17DocumentationDevelopment212
18Automated UI testingDevelopment00
19CostCost220
20PricePrice$1,225

MS SSRS 2012

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a server-based report generation software system from Microsoft. It is part of suite of Microsoft SQL Server services, including SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services) and SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services).

 

Crystal Reports

Crystal Reports is a business intelligence application, currently marketed to small businesses by SAP.

 

DevExpress Reporting

Server-based report generation software system provided by DevExpress.

 

Telerik Reporting

Interactive ad-hoc reporting for mobile, web and desktop applications.

 

Active Reports

ActiveReports is a .NET reporting tool used by developers of WinForms and ASP.NET applications.

 

Stimulsoft Reports

Stimulsoft Reports is an application used to design and generate reports from a wide range of data sources.

 

Fast Reports

Fast Reports is a European enterprise software company, which develops business intelligence and Reporting tools since 1998.

Summarize

MS SSRS 2012Crystal ReportsDevExpress ReportigTelerik ReportingActive ReportsStimulsoft ReportsFast Reports
CategoryIDCriterionScoresPointsScoresPointsScoresPointsScoresPointsScoresPointsScoresPointsScoresPoints
Reporting features1OLAP reporting2202202202202201.515220
Reporting features2Report types & charts2.5252.5253303302203302.525
Reporting features3Multiple exporting formats324216216216216216216
Reporting features4End-user designer4836240.51002436
Reporting features Total11.5779.5679707.5676568.5659.567
Alerting5Alerting subsystem3243240000000000
Alerting6Indicators & Gauges2162162.5200.54001.51200
Alerting Total5405402.5200.54001.51200
Reusing current implementation7Reusing current implementation160000000000212
Reusing current implementation Total160000000000212
Subscriptions & Delivery8Subscribe reports4403300000000000
Subscriptions & Delivery9Deliviring reports3302200000000000
Subscriptions & Delivery Total7705500000000000
Mobile platforms10Accessible from mobile OS181.51218180.54180.54
Mobile platforms Total181.51218180.54180.54
Security11Roles & Permissions2.5152120000000000
Security Total2.5152120000000000
UI12Themes001.532.552.551.530000
UI13End-user customization1.512181.51218181.51218
UI Total1.5122.5114173.5132.5111.51218
Performance14Pre-load cache2162160.540.54001800
Performance15Scaling2202200.550.550.550.550.55
Performance Total43643619190.551.5130.55
Development16Ability using reporting system in multiple development technologies/frameworks312282.5102.510282.51014
Development17Documentation3182.5152.5152121.59212212
Development18Automated UI testing12121212121200
Development Total7325.5256275.5244.5195.524316
Cost19Cost2.52511022022022000220
Cost Total2.52511022022022000220
Grand Total433213626325.5171211451611519.513418.5132

Summarize

Total & Visualization

CategoryMS SSRS 2012Crystal ReportsDevExpress ReportigTelerik ReportingActive ReportsStimulsoft ReportsFast Reports
PointsPercentPointsPercentPointsPercentPointsPercentPointsPercentPointsPercentPointsPercent
Reporting features771006787.017090.916787.015672.736584.426787.01
Alerting4010040100205041000123000
Reusing current implementation650000000000012100
Subscriptions & Delivery701005071.430000000000
Mobile platforms866.6712100866.67866.67433.33866.67433.33
Security1510012800000000000
UI1270.591164.71171001376.471164.711270.59847.06
Performance3610036100925925513.891336.11513.89
Development321002578.132784.3824751959.3824751650
Cost251001040208020802080002080
Total29625317112595134112
Total with cost321263171145115134132
Price$0$9,994$1,800$600$1,600$28,000$1,225

Total & Visualization

Possibilities

Cost