Best Way for Non-Programmers to Make Forms/Reports that interface with an SQL Database over the Intranet?
Hi there, Network! I hope this finds you well.
We're a small company, but have several servers with SQL databases. We have a couple of business processes we would like to create that interact with the data in our timekeeping database, but our IT guys are swamped with requirements to customers, so the indrect projects are delayed. To allievate the pressure on IT, I am looking for a solution that will allow some computer savvy, non-programmers to create a report (like a graph of hours billed to a certain customer over time) for their use. Some sort of workflow functionality would also be desired, but not required. I would like the non-programmer to be able to send some notifications to go out when certain data needed to be or has been updated. After we are comfortable with the system, I might desire to use this software to have departments fill out and submit budgets, and then have a report automatically send them actuals every month so they can see how they're doing against budget.
Specific questions:
1) What solution(s) could offer this functionality? If there are multiple options, are there obvious pros/cons to each (e.g. I should only use software x if I'm going to do y)?
2) In other endeavors, I've been burned on installation/setup/training of enterprise systems. What is a realistic timeline to set up the software, configure it, and train the non-programmers to a base level of understanding?
3) What is a ballpark cost for the software, configuration, and training?
4) Assuming my IT guys are needed during setup due to their knowledge of the network and databases, how much of their time do I need to carve out?
Thanks Network! I know I've asked alot of questions, so if you've only got the time or inclination to answer part of it, I'd still appreciate the input. Thanks alot guys.
First time caller! Stay LinkedIn...
Answers (7)
Take a look at Grand Central Solutions. They have an Enterprise Social Software engine that will do just what you are looking for.
Links:
Hello Rob,
You are trying to create an online, web-based reporting system. I would be happy to help you anyway I can, even if I just give you some advice. First, you want to look at using Pentaho. Pentaho is a commercial open source business intelligence suite. I am a certified partner and am very evangelical about small and medium size businesses using a solution like Pentaho.
Your needs require a web based solution and an easy to use report designer. Pentaho offers both at a fraction of the cost of commercial offerings. You can download it, install it, and begin using it. Pentaho sells subscriptions which gets you technical support from the developers of the software, management services which accelerates installation and includes many value added services, and IP protection.
You can have world class reporting system in six weeks. The goal should be to empower your staff to create the reports so you shouldn't spend money on a developer to create your reports. A subscription to the Pentaho BI Suite is ~$15,000. Costs for configuratin and training depends on the entire scope, but I would guesstimate another $10,000. So let's start with a price tag of $25,000. You also might need a server which your IT department can help you with, but I would say no more than another $10,000 but I am not a hardware provider so would have to do more research.
If your IT guys are willing to trust the consultant with VPN access, server access, and native database connectivity, they only need to be involved for hours, not days. At the most, 8 hours to configure accesses and support. Probably much less time, but I would need more information on your environment.
Try out Pentaho at www.pentaho.com. If you need help installing, please give me a call. Sometimes the install isn't as easy as we think it should be. We could also do a proof of concept using the open source versions, which I would bill you for, but if you went with the solution, that amount would be credited toward the final project costs.
Good luck and I hope you join the Pentaho community and we are able to help you and your company.
Links:
You started with a reporting need. Then you added work flow, data entry and what sounds like a small to medium sized development project.
If you can get direct (Ex. ODBC) access to the SQL Server databases and have Microsoft Office then Excel and Access are a quick and powerful ways to extract and analyze data. Crystal Reports (www.businessobjects.com) provides a quick way of displaying data in a formatted form. These may be a good way to address your initial needs.
I am hesitant to suggest anything for your additional needs with out knowing a lot more about your environment. Even though your IT staff is swamped you should still involve them in the addressing the advanced requirements you mentioned. You will eventually need their help and it is better to have them on your side when you do.
We use Cognos as a frontend for our users to create reports, that can be delivered via email as pdf or excel, etc. These reports can also be scheduled to run automatically.
As a super user who is part of the business, I can put together most reports and only need assistance from IT now and then. This frees up IT's time to continue with development and maintenance. IT would have to set up the initial structure, or Cognos can provide the solution as well.
David
Greg P
VP - Innovations & Applications Group at iDynaTECH, inc and Owner, idynaTECH, inc
at iDynaTECH, inc, we have a Dynamic Report Generator utility that allows non-technical people to create database views, reports, and tables in any of 22 different SQL databases. Our system operates through any web browser.
We also have the ability to do intense data mining by creating database queries across independent RDBMS's -- in other words -- we can query tables in your SQL Server, your Oracle and your DB2 simultaneously and generate a single report.
In addition to beaing able to generate reports, the system also dynamically creates data entry forms with absolutely ZERO programming required.
If your business process requires it, the DEJA.Technology Platform also supports loadable class logic. Loadable logic is developed by a programmer.
If you need an innovative, capable, feature packed solution, I'd invite you to take a look at our DEJA.Techology Platform.
Links:
Robert D
interim management, Consultancy Microsoft Dynamics NAV, IT management,freelance, mind mapping, problem diagnosis,
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Rob, the easiest and probably most cost efficient way is to use Microsoft Office. There are several tools available, but for what you would like to do, Excel and Access seem the most evident.
Excel needs a read-only connection to the database. If navigation through the databases and tables is too complex, your technical people could prepare a few things in advance (views, or even a specific copy of all relevant data into a single database so that interference with production data is reduced). Queries will be defined using MsQuery from within Excel. Interpretation is possible using pivot table and the like. It is even possible to add some parameters to all this.
when using Access, you simply create links to tables from your databases. Be careful though that no changes can be performed to your production databases. Consider making a separate copy of your data into a reporting database.
The rest of reporting is standard Access, including graphics.
As you know, the integration between Access and Excel is seamless. If you provide an access path to the data via Ms Access, interpretation of the data in Excel is a snap.
Have you considered using SQL Reporting Services to distribute certain reports to the people concerned?
Ajay O
Researcher
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Micro soft office with ODBC connections
At the most Visual Basic apps for front end forms and ODBC to connect
Pros- Low cost low maintainance..gets the job done..low complexity..
use outsourcing with multiple vendors to cut down costs and test demos.
Other Ways- Cognos is a good tool
SAS Enterprise is a good and expensive analytical tool that needs more training
SPSS Clementine
Regards,
ajayohri@yahoo.com
another way is to use SQL Server Reports itself
