Microsoft Project Server Demo
Microsoft Project Server Demo
Crystal Reports and Microsoft SQL Server or where to Start
Crystal Reports are so widespread and popular due to the fact that they could connect to virtually every database via ODBC or Native Drivers. Currently Business Objects are owned by SAP as we are writing this paper in August of 2011. SAP is now recommending CR as preferred design tool is such application as SAP Business One for example. Such Corporate ERP family of products as Microsoft Dynamics is based in Microsoft SQL Server (former Great Plains, Solomon, Navision, Axapta). Plus there is known fact that MS SQL Server is very popular in custom DB programming from scratch where reporting needs might be covered in Crystal. Let's begin with discourses:
1. Crystal Reports Designer is the solution that could do the whole job. And at the same time it is perfect report design tool. It has table linking functionality and report creation wizard. However if you have your database hosted in Microsoft SQL Server we would rather recommend you to separate data query from the layout design itself. Structured Query Language is more powerful comparing to CR wizard and user interface in its tables linking part. And if you are pulling record set from SQL Server we recommend you the following approaches
2. SQL View or Stored Procedure. Before opening Crystal Designer it is good idea to test your Select statement directly in SQL Server Management Studio. Why do you recommend me to do it in reverse engineering order? The reason is simple – how do you change your report in the future if data pulling logic changes? If you do it in SQL SP or View all you need to do is change the SQL custom object and report should continue to work without changes. If you do the link in Crystal directly (or with Report creation wizard) then the chances are high that report will need to be redone from scratches
3. Cross Platform SQL Queries. There might be scenarios where your SQL accounting database requires table joins with alien DB platform, maybe MySQL, Oracle, FoxPro, Pervasive SQL or Ctree/Faircom. In order to enable these links in Crystal Reports you need to create the View or Stored Procedures based on heterogeneous link. Please review Linked Server construction and Open Query and Open Row Set statements
4. SQL Server Tables Structure. This is one of the primary questions. Here each accounting system is different. Let's take a look at SAP Business One first. Login and in menu follow View and mark System Information. Keep going and open the form where you would like to discover the table and the field name. Place your cursor over the field and the table and field name should be displayed at the bottom left corner. If your report is connected to Great Plains Dynamics GP again login user workstation and follow the path: Tools -> Resource Descriptions -> Tables
5. Reporting against accounting application developed in-house on Microsoft SQL Server. This is popular route where you develop your CRM, Invoicing or the whole accounting system from scratches in SQL Server. If you are original developer we recommend you to take CR training and consider SQL Selection logic separation from report layout
6. Java Sun Systems and IBM DB 2. Here you have Native Drivers as well as ODBC/JDBC bridge where performance might be a bit degraded but still doing the job. Similar story about Linux operating system where MS SQL Server Linked Server has to do cross-platform queries
7. Text Files as cross platform compromise. For Linux and PHP platforms it might be feasible option to export ecommerce shopping cart into tab or comma delimited text file versus opening MySQL database via ODBC connection. We had multiple projects where customer initially decided to open Linux and MySQL via cross-platform ODBC and later on made a decision to communicate via text files with Microsoft SQL Server based accounting
8. Peach Tree and Crystal Reports design. In Enterprise version you have the option to connect to ODBC database. We respect your small business ERP platform and we are ready to review your Crystal Reports design needs, possibly custom invoice with Adobe Flash mailed via internet or advanced graphics with BMP, JPG, GIF logos and banners
9. Dynamics Solomon or Navision (SL and NAV). Table structure is pretty much self-explanatory. In NAV you have nuances as all the companies are hosted in the same SQL Server database and table name prefixes are deployed to support naming convention
10. Support via web session or remote desktop connection. Nowadays there is no need to travel onsite for initial sales or kick off meeting. Web session with Skype of phone/VOIP conference do wonderful job in sales demo and executive presentation
About the Author
Andrew Karasev is Great Plains Certified Master, MVP, [email protected] 1-866-304-3265, 1-269-605-4904. He is also the initiator of eFaru project http://www.efaru.com and founder of Alba Spectrum information space. Local service is available in Chicago metro from Naperville and Villa Park locations. By the nature of our service we are available USA and Canada nationwide via web sessions and phone and Skype conferences
connectin string for an access database set up as DSN?
I have uploaded a vb.net web project onto a host webserver. I am trying to chagne my connection string so that it wil connect to my Access database that is now on the host server in under the webroot/data/demo.mdb. The problem is they set it up as a DNS. I don't know how to set up my connection string to access the database the connection string they gave me has DNS = dgfmed.demo and my connection string now looks like
add name="DemoConnectionString" connectionString="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=dgfmed.demo;Database=Demo.mdb;Persist Security Info=False;" providerName="System.Data.OleDb" />
There servers only support asp 1.3 and i cant just load up the database in my app_data folder and access it directly I have to keep it as a DNS. How can I make this connection string work I am totally lost on this issue.
Try using something like this (assuming no password needed):
Provider=MSDASQL.1;Persist Security Info=False;Data Source=
Microsoft Project Server Demo
Microsoft Dynamics SL Demo -- Connector for Project Server Introduction
Dynamics GP Demo Version Download and Deployment Notes
If you are evaluating candidates for future Corporate ERP system, we would like to share with you the way to download Dynamics GP, install it for evaluation period of 90 days and review the functionality. This application was in the past also known as Great Plains Dynamics, eEnterprise, please do note that its predecessor - Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows and Mac had different code base and its logic differs, so you may need some training to begin intuitively recognize new screens in Dynamics GP, if you are planning GPA to Dynamics GP upgrade path:
1. Download current version Dynamics GP 10.0 CDs from MSDN subscription website. As GP is recommended as mid-market Corporate ERP, if you are doing evaluation, please check with your IT department if your organization has MSDN subscription. If you do not have MSDN subscription, please email us or give us a call, we will send you instructions
2. Install Dynamics GP evaluation version. We recommend you to install evaluation on Windows XP or Vista workstation, where you preliminary install Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition. In order to install on Vista, please disable User Account Control. If you are installing on XP Pro Service Pack 3 with Microsoft Office 2007 loaded, there are known issues. Please, read about DexSkipDotNetCheck.mst and skipdotnetcheck.ms methods. You will need to download these files, give as a call or email. When you have GP installation in progress, please do not enter registration key - this will put you in evaluation mode for 90 days automatically
3. Evaluation recommendations. When you run Dynamics GP Utilities, please select number of Segments 3 or more and first, second and third segment respectively 3 characters or more, 4 characters or more and 2 characters or more. If you choose these settings, you should be able to install Fabrikam Lesson Company (TWO database in MS SQL Server). In Fabrikam you could see most of the GP modules, you can even load Manufacturing, Field Services, Fixed Assets, Human Resources, Project Accounting sample data. Plus major Dynamics GP ISV Partners Add-ons have sample data loading utility for evaluation. Plus you can download and install such integration tools as eConnect SDK, in case if you have ecommerce integration needs and would like your programmers to try it as well
4. What you cannot do in evaluation version. You cannot install and try FRx Financial Reporting, Integration Manager. However for most of these technologies, you can use Microsoft Business Solutions demo presentations, just make internet search and you should be able to find web demos or movies from Microsoft associated sites or from Dynamics GP Partners
5. If you are migrating away from Small Business Accounting applications, such as QuickBooks, PeachTree, or if you are downgrading from full features Corporate ERP, such as Oracle eBusiness Suite, Epicor, PeopleSoft, you will likely need data conversion phase. If your legacy accounting doesn't have migration tool to Microsoft Dynamics GP, please try to figure out data export options, in this case you can use Dynamics GP Integration Manager for Data Migration and Conversion
6. Upgrade from Archaic Great Plains versions: 7.5, 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.0, also from Great Plains for Pervasive SQL or Ctree (version 7.5 and lower), Great Plains Accounting for DOS, Windows and Macintosh: 9.5, 9.2, 9.1 or earlier. If this is your plan - please note that you have to be current in Dynamics GP annual enhancement program to have access to recent GP version 10.0 (we are writing these lines in October 2009, if this time is too historical, check with Microsoft which version of Dynamics GP is current at the time). If you are not current in the program, then you may expect some discounts in reenrollment or software licenses repurchase
7. If you are looking for Dynamics GP implementation for multinational corporation. Please, note, that GP is localized in English speaking countries: USA, Canada, UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South East Asia, plus in Spanish Speaking Latin America, Caribbean, in French it is available in Quebec in Canada. GP doesn't support Unicode (this is limitation for Hieroglyph based languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean). Great Plains has support from local Dynamics GP Partner in Poland. It is also technically possible to translate some GP screens to Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Brazilian Portuguese and other ASCII compliant languages of East Europe and the World, however we do not recommend this approach, as Corporate ERP localization typically goes beyond screen translations and includes local tax legislation compliance. In the case if GP is not localized for proposed country, we recommend you to consider Dynamics AX Axapta first (especially if you are committed to Microsoft Business Solutions and Microsoft Windows platform) and then SAP Business One does wonderful job and both of these (AX and SB1) are localized for larger number of countries and support Unicode. Axapta is good option is your overseas subsidiary is upper mid-size or large organization. SAP B1 in its turn is good fit if your international branch is smaller
8. How to get help? Please, feel free to call us: 1-866-528-0577, outside of USA: 1-630-961-5918 or email us [email protected] We are very technical and real Dynamics GP Dexterity, SAP Business One SDK programming gurus. We have Great Plains Software Development Factory and could support unlimited Dynamics GP Customization and Programming needs. Plus we speak English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and not only as native speaking sales folks, but as real technical consultants. If you prefer skype: albaspectrum
About the Author
Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum , [email protected] 1-866-528-0577 http://www.albaspectrum.com Serving ERP and MRP community since 1994, local service in Chicago, Houston, San Diego, Atlanta, Los Angeles. Information portal: http://www.pegasplanet.com We serve you USA and Canada nationwide from our Dynamics GP and SAP Business One call center: California, Illinois, New York, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Ontario, Quebec, Washington, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Oregon, New York, New England. International clients welcome from Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South Africa, UK, Brazil, Caribbean, Russia, Central America: Honduras, Costa Rica, San Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala
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Microsoft Project Server Demo
