Re: Reporting Tool

["Lopez, Andrew" <alopez@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I give pretty high marks to ASC's Sequel/Viewpoint.  The product starts as a
more powerful SQL.  Additional modules exist to create tables/ print
reports/ send results as Excel spreadsheets /display the results on PCs in
graphical format.  

My favorite uses:
- replacing OPNQRYF foolishness (was that '"'"" or ''"'"?) with something
much more comprehensible,
- giving users the ability to receive any of my reports as Excel
spreadsheets,
- using the run-time variables to quickly create a configurable report that
can use parameters when present, or omit them when not provided,
- using the ability of Viewpoint (the PC graphical interface) to provide
sales reports that users can drill down to lower levels (this one has caused
a huge reduction in ad hoc sales reports).

My only caveat is on Viewpoint, which doesn't seem to have quite the level
of quality control as the green screen.  If you roll it out in production,
I'd advise pulling each version from the website, testing and then
installing from known good versions under your control.  Disable the
"Automatically check for Viewpoint updates" on all installs.

Don't let the last part throw you off:  it's an excellent product and one of
the main reasons our department has no backlog/pending requests on reports.