Skip Navigation LinksHome > SSW Standards > Developer .Net > SSW Guidelines for Report Solutions

What do you do reports in?

There are so many options for reporting. There are two main types of reports Some of the main options:

Web and Windows - SQL Server Reporting Services

Web - ASPX

Web Crystal Reports

Web Active Reports

Web - XML/XSL inside an ASPX page

Windows - Access

Windows - Excel

Windows Crystal Reports

Windows Active Reports

Windows - Data Analyzer

So which one when doing detail type reports? (usually printable ones e.g. an Invoice)

Because you can't control the report length and need strong layout control, a proper reporting solution is the best option. Hence Reporting Services and Crystal (although not naturally my second choice), but the fact is you just dont know if the report is going to be multiple pages so:

  1. Web and Windows - Reporting Services
  2. Web Crystal Reports
  3. Windows Crystal Reports
    Note: the same report can be used on both web and windows
  4. Web Active Reports
  5. Windows Active Reports
    Then
  6. Windows - Access
  7. Windows - Excel
  8. Web - ASPX
  9. Web - XML/XSL inside an ASPX page

So which one when doing summary type reports (usually business intelligence ones e.g. monthly sales with a chart)

For these reports, the important thing for me is development time, having drill down functionality and the ability to put the reports on the web. Also I really like having reports with a query string, so it can be emailed/Instant messaged. Below is a general guide as to the order I choose, based on these requirements:
BTW This is not in concrete and we use all the below options for different clients.

  1. Web and Windows - Reporting Services
  2. Web - ASPX
  3. Windows - Excel
  4. Web Crystal Reports
  5. Web Active Reports
  6. Windows Crystal Reports
  7. Windows Active Reports
  8. Windows - Access
  9. Web - XML/XSL inside an ASPX page

If OLAP is in the picture then

  1. Windows - Excel
  2. Windows - Data Analyzer

Rich Client and Web Client Options

Rich Client Options

Web Client Options