Crystal Reports Server is a complete reporting solution that helps small and mid-sized businesses create, manage, and deliver reports -- via the web or embedded in enterprise applications. It addresses all steps in the reporting process, from data access and report design, to report management and delivery, to report integration with portals and applications.

KEY FEATURES

• Report Publishing Wizard - Easily publish multiple Crystal reports to the Web; provides a step-by-step guide to configuring and uploading Crystal reports to the Web.
• Zero-Client User Interface - Give end-users instant, secure access to corporate reports over the Web with a single URL. Deploy the out-of-the-box portal or customize it using a portal integration kit.
• Report Scheduler - Set up reports to run at specific times or based on specific events. Plus, schedule reports to generate in specific formats such as Excel, PDF, and RTF.
• Integration with Microsoft Office Suite - Provides support for the major recent versions of Office including Microsoft Office 2000, 2003, XP, and 2007. Also, it allows for easily embedding accurate, refreshable corporate data within Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word documents.

Data Access
Access almost any kind of data with more than 35 data drivers, custom data access, and tight control over database connectivity.

• More than 35 data drivers - Access virtually any data with native, ODBC, OLE DB, and JDBC connectivity to relational, OLAP, XML, legacy, and enterprise data sources, including Oracle, IBM DB2, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, and Informix. In Crystal Reports XI, XML, JDBC, IBM DB2, and Exchange data drivers have been updated to give you an incredible range of data access options.
• Custom data - Access user-defined (in-memory) application data by connecting to JavaBeans, ADO.NET, and COM Data Providers.
• Tight control over database connectivity - Write your own SQL commands or use the proven query generation capabilities of Crystal Reports for flexible control over database connectivity.
• Multi-data source access - Connect to a unique data source or combine multiple data sources in one report.

Formatting and Design

• Dynamic and cascading prompts - Base report prompts on dynamic values. You will no longer need to maintain static prompt value lists within individual reports because you can reuse existing prompts stored in the repository.
• Dynamic image location - Pictures and graphics can be placed in a report through a link in the database so that you no longer need to store images within the database.
• Charting and mapping - Increase the graphical impact of your reports by choosing from a wide variety of map and chart types, including bar/3D bar, pie/doughnut, line, gantt, gauge, funnel, XY scatter, ranged map, dot density map, and more.
• Designer improvements - Designing reports is easier with the start page that appears each time you open Crystal Reports. The updated visual report designer allows you to point and click so you can create reports without the need for intensive coding.

Report Viewing and Interaction

• N Value for Top N Style Reports - Parameterized control for N value for top N style reports means that a single report will meet the needs of multiple users. This will reduce the total number of reports that are created and supported. (available in Server, Developer, Professional)
• Multiple export formats - Provide end users with reports in the format they prefer. Export reports to popular formats, including Excel, PDF, XML, HTML, RTF, and more.
• Guided navigation - Define specific navigation paths between report objects within the same or different reports for easier end user navigation.
• Drill-down - Without additional coding, create reports that allow end users to drill down on relational and OLAP data to uncover details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Application Integration

• Reporting components - Embed the powerful Java, .NET, and COM reporting components in Crystal Reports within your application for powerful report processing and rendering.
• IDE integration - Use a custom bundled edition of Crystal Reports from within leading Java and .NET IDEs for report integration from within a familiar environment. You can currently access Crystal Reports technology from within Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, BEA WebLogic Workshop, Borland JBuilder, and Borland C#Builder. Upgrade from these bundles to Crystal Reports 10 for additional functionality and scalability.
• Royalty-free runtime - Integrate hundreds of royalty-free runtime properties, methods, and events into thick-client applications for deployment at no extra cost.

Security, Support, and Maintenance

• Single sign-on - Reports can be integrated into an existing security infrastructure so users only have to sign on once
• Business Objects universes - Support for Business Objects universes (the semantic layer for BusinessObjects business intelligence tools like Web Intelligence) includes universe view time security and union queries.
• Complete integration with BusinessObjects Enterprise architecture - Enjoy seamless continuity between all of the applications within your business intelligence technology suite. Scalability is easier when everything is integrated.

WHY CRYSTAL REPORTS SERVER XI?

• Access virtually any data source and design professional-looking reports
• Provide your users with secure report access with minimal IT overhead
• Save time by scheduling reports automatically
• Deliver the right information to the right people at the right time
• Embed refreshable report data in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word documents
• Drive your business with proven technology
• Test drive it in only 10 minutes with our" href="http://www.businessobjects.com/product/catalog/crystalreports_server/trial.asp" target=_blank>Virtual Appliance

Crystal Reports Server : Features

Crystal Reports Server : System Requirements