I need a report writer in which I can create some standard reports and also let end user create their own against an SQL Server 2005 database. The writer must have a web interface for users to create and run reports. Crystal Reports was considered too complex for end users.
I've been trying with Reporting Services and MS's Report Builder, but it's been crashing on large data sets.
Can anyone recommend an alternative that I could look at?
Thanks,
Frank
I understand that the concept of allowing end-users to design reports is a popular one in the industry. However, there is a problem, end-users don't know squat about designing databases, data, or reports in general. There are end-user tools that allow them to do this, but if they want something more than a simple list of data from a single table they are all still difficult to use, not to mention dangerous. Imagine the impact on server based reports if an ignorant user tries to pull out large sums of data to create a gigantic report (because they dont have a clue). I can just a imagine a user trying to create a sales report by loading every invoice or general ledger item out the business database. Meanwhile, no one else can work because everything has slowed to a crawl while the server is trying to process their 50 million row report! I think you ought create reports for users and make sure to enable interactive sorting so they can see the data the way they want. Unleasing users into the database is just a bad idea if you ask me.
Any way, I guess you really didnt ask for my opinion, you asked for an application to make it possible. Nearly all versions of SQL Server 2005 (Workgroup, Standard, Enterprise) ship with a program called 'Report Builder'. It is a ClickOnce deployed Winforms app that allows end-user to build their own reports. If I were you I would simply tell your users that no such product exists and save your self from the fiery hell you are sure to enter once they begin meddling with your database.
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