Crystal Reports...

• What is Crystal Reports (CR)? A report writer software package from Business Objects that allows users to create detailed reports from the data found in the Banner student information system, and from other data sources.
• Why use Crystal Reports? Crystal Reports is one of the most user-friendly report writer software packages available.
  • A CR user can create reports that can be viewed by others on the Crystal Enterprise Web-based application. Note: Contact the Registrar's Office/SIS area for more info on Crystal Enterprise.
  • Reports can be scheduled to run at times designated by the user.
  • Reports can also be saved within a library and run when needed.
  • Users can run one-time ad hoc reports or queries by using CR.
• How will it impact my job? Crystal Reports will allow you to create your own reports - you will not need to request a report from the Registrar's Office/SIS team or from OIT. CR will give you the ability to obtain the information you need in a timely manner.
• What is Crystal Explorer 10.5?
  • Crystal Explorer is an ad hoc tool which was made available when Crystal Enterprise was upgraded from version 8.5 to version 10. Tables and views are currently being developed (and will be available soon) for the user community to use with Crystal Reports.
  • Crystal Explorer allows a user to run some basic ad hoc reports (against the data in the Banner system) without having Crystal Reports installed on the user's PC.
  • There is no license fee to use Crystal Explorer.
  • The Registrar's Office and OIT are working to create views and tables for use with Crystal Explorer queries.
  • Much of the functionality and computing power of Crystal Reports can be found in Crystal Explorer.
  • The Registrar's Office will provide more information on Crystal Explorer as it becomes available.
• How is access or permission granted? Fill out the Student Information System Account Request Form to request access.
• How does Crystal Reports differ from Banner or Web for Faculty? Banner is a transaction-based system, used at the desktop to enter, modify or view data found in Banner using pre-designed forms. Web for Faculty allows faculty to view rosters, enter grades and access information on students enrolled in their classes via the Internet. Crystal Reports is an installed software package that can be used to access data from relational and other types of databases.

Crystal Software

• What version of Crystal do I need? Crystal Reports Professional (currently using version 10).
• What is the cost of the software? Licenses can be purchased at $400-500 per license. One way to obtain a license for CR 10 is to purchase the discounted version from SHI/Government Solutions, Inc. For pricing information, contact them at:
  
  SHI/Government Solutions, Inc.
  1250 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, Bldg 2, Suite 300
  Austin, TX 78746-6464
  1-800-845-6801 (voice) / (512) 732-0232 (fax)
  
  For more information on Crystal Reports v.10 Professional, please contact Joe DeCristoforo (ext 4548), or John Wallace (ext. 7717).
  
• How do I get access to Crystal Reports? Fill out the Student Information System Account Request Form to request access.

Contact

Technical Assistance with a Crystal Reports Installation - Help Desk (ext. 5538).

Report Design Question - Registrar's Office SIS team (ext. 4707)

BANNER Access to Crystal Reports - Banner Support (ext. 7801)