Formerly a standalone software tool for business information database developers, Crystal Reports is now part of the multinational business software giant SAP. When Microsoft made Crystal Reports an integrated default part of its Visual Studio software development program suite, Crystal application reporting became the standard tool for business database software developers, who use it for analyzing and debugging database software and analyzing business performance by database indicators.

Features and attributes of Crystal Reports products may include:

1. Windows application support
2. Mobile device support
3. Crystal Reporting templates
4. Flash and other graphics tools for presentations

Besides Crystal Reports for Microsoft Visual Studio, other Crystal Reports products include:

1. Crystal Reports 2008
2. Crystalreports.com
3. Crystal Reports Server
4. Crystal Reports for Eclipse
5. Crystal Reports Viewer
6. Crystal Reports Visual Advantage
7. Crystal Xcelsius
8. BusinessObjects Enterprise

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take courses or get advice on how to use Crystal Reports

Find Crystal Reports trainers, educators and consultants.

I recommend: To learn how Crystal reporting works, SAP offers Crystal Reports training classes. SAP Business Objects also offers a diverse list of Crystal Reports Authorized Education Partners, including consultants for onsite learning. Webucator is a Crystal application reporting training service in a variety of locations nationwide. Reporting Guru, Inc. offers self-paced online Crystal Report courses.

Read about the features of Crystal Reports for Visual Studio

Learn how Crystal Reports works as a development tool for Microsoft's Visual Studio.

I recommend: Devhood.com offers a brief, easy-to-understand Crystal Reports tutorials overview of Crystal Reports for Visual Studio. Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), the prime information resource for Microsoft developers, offers extensive information for developers on getting started with Crystal Reports for Visual Studio. MSDN also offers a checklist of features included in versions of Crystal Reports for Visual Studio, as well as SQL Crystal Reports Migration tips.

Read about Crystal Reports features

Learn how Crystal Reports works as a standalone business database development tool.

I recommend: See online demos of features included in Crystal Reports. For a more hands-on experience of the product, download a 30-day free trial of Crystal Reports. Note that personal contact information is required for the free trial.

Visit Crystalreports.com for Crystal report sharing information for business

Learn how Crystal Reports works as Web based Crystal reporting service.

I recommend: To learn about the Crystalreports.com online business report sharing service, try the Starter Edition for free unlimited use. Note that personal contact information is required. For more information on how Crystalreports.com might help your business, read a case study or view a Crystalreports.com demo (personal contact information required).

Read about the features of Crystal Reports for Eclipse

Crystal Reports works as a plug-in for Eclipse, an open source database programming environment originally developed by IBM.

I recommend: IBM offers Crystal Reports tutorials on formatting a Crystal Report using the Crystal Reports Designer feature for Eclipse. SAP Business Objects offers Crystal Reports for Eclipse video tutorials aimed at beginning users.

Read about the features of Crystal Reports Server

Learn how Crystal Reports Server works with different server operating systems, such as Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, Solaris, Linux, AIX and HP-UX.

I recommend: Read about the features of Crystal Reports Server and see accompanying screenshots of each feature. To learn more about Crystal Reports Server, read a customer case study. For hands-on learning, download a 60-day free evaluation copy of Crystal Reports Server (personal contact information required).

Learn how Crystal Xcelsius works with other Crystal Reports products

Xcelsius integrates as a graphic user interface (or 'dashboard') with Crystal Reports 2008.

I recommend: SAP Business Objects offers an easily understandable explanation (PDF) of how to embed an Xcelsius visualization into Crystal Reports. See a Flash overview of Crystal Xcelsius. Learn more about Crystal Xcelsius in an online course from SAP Business Objects, or you can watch Crystal Xcelsius online video tutorials.

Read about the features of Crystal Reports Visual Advantage

Crystal Reports Visual Advantage is a bundled software graphic visualization product that includes Crystal Reports and Xcelsius Engage.

I recommend: See online demos of features included in Crystal Reports Visual Advantage. To learn more about Crystal Reports Visual Advantage, download a free 30-day trial.

Find sellers and resellers of Crystal Reports software products

Crystal Reports reseller partners also offer consultant services, as does SAP/Business Objects, the mother company of Crystal Reports.

I recommend: SAP Business Objects Solutions offers a long list of Crystal Reports resellers worldwide. Also, see the Business Objects Solutions list of recommended online reseller partners, or you can buy Crystal Reports software directly from Business Objects.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Crystalreports.com is available as a free service or as a professional service for a monthly fee.
• •  Crystal Xcelsius also integrates with BusinessObjects Enterprise, a database programming environment developed by SAP.
• •  Eclipse, Microsoft Visual Studio and SQL Crystal Reports provide database development tools.