SYSPRO Reporting Services > SRS User-defined Reports

SRS User-defined Reports

Using SYSPRO Reporting Services and Crystal Reports, you can create new user-defined SRS reports. These can be based on SYSPRO business objects, Crystal drivers, the GL Report Writer and SYSPRO Workflow Services.

New SRS Report

This screen is displayed when you select the New SRS Report option from the File menu.

Field Description
New SRS Report  
Save

This generates and saves a control file for the report in the \Base\ReportingCustomized\ReportControl folder and opens the report in Crystal Reports (Crystal Reports).
Report based on  
Business object Adds a report based on a SYSPRO business object. You can design a form and pass/validate values business objects. All the data returned is correctly linked between the databases. Business objects generally reduce the amount of data transmitted across the network.

The form includes controls (e.g. radio buttons, check buttons, drop down lists, and browse fields) and values can be retrieved because the XML and XSD files are used to retrieve and validate the parameters to-and-from the form which is passed to the business object when the report is generated.

These reports can be run by any operator, but the business object applies the security settings defined in SYSPRO and also takes account of SYSPRO installation options when generating the report.
Crystal driver Adds a report based on a Crystal driver that uses other data sources (e.g. ODBC or ADO) to access the database directly.

SRS cannot pass or validate values to-and-from the form which is passed to the Crystal report.

If parameter fields are used, then they cannot be dynamically updated.

This type of report is restricted to the workstation on which it was created (a data source must be created and configured on the workstation of each operator who needs to run the report).

If you are using a SQL server, then the appropriate security must also be configured.
GL report writer Adds a GL Financial Report Writer report (see GL Financial Report Writer reports in SRS).
Workflow report

Adds a SYSPRO Workflow Services report. Only deployed workflows that contain transactions can be selected.

Types of workflow reports include:

Type Description
Workflow instance report Data is reported off each instance of a specific workflow with the current variable values of the instance.
Workflow instance detail report Data is reported off each instance of a specific workflow, including all of the steps that workflow instance has executed so far, as well as the corresponding variable values.
Generic workflow report Best suited for summaries of all workflow activity, data from all workflow tracking tables is available, but in a less accessible format than the workflow instance reports.
Report code For GL report writer reports, indicate the code of the report you want to add. The report must already have been created using the GL Define Financial Reports program.
Report name Indicate the name you want to display for the report within the Available Reports menu.
Business object For Business object reports, indicate the business object to use to generate the report.
XML out to use For Business object reports, indicate the XML file containing the sample output from the business object.
Module to add to Indicate the module name under which you want to add the report to the Available Reports menu.

Add Other Menu Item

This is displayed when you select the Add Other Menu Item option from the Setup menu (or the Add Other Menu Item icon or the Available Reports pane).

To prevent an externally-written report from being overwritten when next SYSPRO is upgraded, you should save the report to the \Base\ReportingCustomized\ReportTemplate folder.

Field Description
Add

This adds the report and displays the Report Control window (see SRS Report Control).
Report based on  
Business object Adds a report based on a SYSPRO business object. You can design a form and pass/validate values business objects. All the data returned is correctly linked between the databases. Business objects generally reduce the amount of data transmitted across the network.

The form includes controls (e.g. radio buttons, check buttons, drop down lists, and browse fields) and values can be retrieved because the XML and XSD files are used to retrieve and validate the parameters to-and-from the form which is passed to the business object when the report is generated.

These reports can be run by any operator, but the business object applies the security settings defined in SYSPRO and also takes account of SYSPRO installation options when generating the report.
GL report writer Adds a GL Financial Report Writer report (see GL Financial Report Writer reports in SRS).
Workflow report

Adds a SYSPRO Workflow Services report. Only deployed workflows that contain transactions can be selected.

Types of workflow reports include:

Type Description
Workflow instance report Data is reported off each instance of a specific workflow with the current variable values of the instance.
Workflow instance detail report Data is reported off each instance of a specific workflow, including all of the steps that workflow instance has executed so far, as well as the corresponding variable values.
Generic workflow report Best suited for summaries of all workflow activity, data from all workflow tracking tables is available, but in a less accessible format than the workflow instance reports.
Menu item name The name you enter here is displayed on the menu for this report.

SYSPRO Business Objects

You create a report based on a business object if you want to design a report starting with a blank template.

Benefits

  • SYSPRO security and business logic apply.

  • Automatically cater for any changes that are made to the SYSPRO data dictionary.

  • Generally reduce the amount of data transmitted across the network.

  • Does not require you to install and configure additional drivers on the client workstations.

  • Does not require additional licensing.

Limitations

  • You can only access fields in the database that are returned by the business objects.

  • You can only use one business object per report.

Prerequisites

Before you create a report based on a business object, you need to know:

  • which query business object you want to use for the report. You can use the Business Object Configuration program in SYSPRO Reporting Services to see a list of all the query business objects you can use for reporting. You can also use the System Information program in SYSPRO for the business object program names and details.

  • the name of the XML file defining the business object output. This file must be a *_out.xml and must exist in the \Base\Schemas folder.

  • the name of the XML and XSD files that you are going to use as the data source in Crystal Reports.

[Note]

  • When you are designing reports based on SYSPRO business objects, you need to ensure that you understand the XML structure and hierarchy. You should not link other data sources to the business object's XML data source, as unexpected or no results may be returned.

  • We recommend that you use the XML and XSD files specifically developed for reporting and form design. You can use the Business Object Configuration program to display the query business objects and the report item's XML/XSD files they are associated with.

Crystal drivers

Crystal Reports have a variety of data sources available for reporting. Some of the popular choices for data sources include:

  • Access/Excel (DAO)

  • ODBC (RDO)

  • OLAP

  • OLE DB (ADO)

  • XML and Web Services

You can create reports based on these data sources, using the full functionality of Crystal Reports.

Benefits

  • You can access a wide range of databases, not just SYSPRO data (as long as there is a supported Crystal driver to connect to the type of data).

  • You can access any field in any table within the database.

  • You can maintain table links and use different types of joins and links.

Limitations

  • Additional database security needs to be configured.

  • The Crystal drivers must be installed and configured on all the client workstations.

  • Some of the drivers may require licensing.

Prerequisites

Before you create a report based on a Crystal driver, you need to understand what is required for the selected data source. Different information is required for each data source.

The following table indicates the basic information required for the data sources listed above:

Data Source/Crystal Driver Information required

Access/Excel

  • Database Name/Spreadsheet name and location
  • Secure Logon information

ODBC (RDO)

  • Data source name
  • User ID and password
[Note]

You must create a data source name using the Windows ODBC Data Source Administrator program on every client workstation before you can use an ODBC data source in Crystal Reports.

OLAP

OLAP Cubes

OLE DB (ADO)

You can select different OLE DB Providers, and you need the following information:

  • Data Source
  • User ID
  • Password
  • Database.

XML and Web Services

  • Local XML File or HTTP data source
  • Local schema file or HTTP schema

Notes and warnings

Restrictions and limits

  • You cannot add a new SRS report if the Crystal Designer is not installed on the operator's client workstation and the Report Designer option is not enabled against the operator.

Hints and tips

Adding to Favorites

  • Because user-defined reports are unique to each organisation, they are not listed as part of the SRS reports on SYSPRO's Program List. However, you can add these reports to the SYSPRO Favorites pane.