Business Objects Crystal Reports Visual Advantage

Editor's Review

Crystal Reports Visual Advantage offers the best of both worlds, combining the incredible visualization features of Xcelsius with the detailed reporting capabilities of Crystal Reports 2008. The software lets users create in-depth graphs, interactive virtual reports, and highly informative dashboards that enhance the productivity of the business by outlining clear goals and highlighting areas that need improvement. Users can even create what-if scenarios that further assist in the process of decision making and planning.

Utilizing the comprehensive report design and data gathering features, users can paint a clear picture of their company status by bringing all important data together in one all-inclusive, visually appealing condensed report. Using these reports, employees and business partners can base their decisions on a wealth of information instead of assumptions and extensive lists that are difficult to learn from.

Using various report editing features such as filtering, sorting, reformatting, and interactive parameters users can create reports that answer more questions within less pages. Users can even combine portrait and landscape oriented reports, adjust the page size and breaks, and execute other customization tasks that pack each report with quality information in the most usable fashion possible.

Instead of printing out reports and wasting time and paper, users can now bring their reports to life with interactive graphs, charts, maps, sliders and gauges that convert otherwise ordinary reports into responsive data files capable of providing detailed insight based on a plethora of factors. Among these interactive features is the ability to embed what-if scenarios without any coding experience.

The software also lets users create business dashboards that summarize company statistics on user-friendly interfaces complete with a multitude of analytical models, interactive calculators and maps, integrated responsive charts and much more. All of the aforementioned features make Crystal Reports Visual Advantage the premiere product on the Crystal Reports software line.

Crystal Reports 2008 Visual Advantage: What We Liked

Combines the features of two incredible programs into one powerful software that can fulfill any business reporting need.

User-friendly interfaces make the learning curve nearly non existent.

The interactive charts are highly responsive and react quickly when adjustments are made. The integrated calculators are also very useful in calculating possible outcomes, sales percentages and other financial calculations.

The software has the unmatched ability to gather a massive amount of information into a condensed report with very little effort on the users behalf.

Crystal Reports 2008 Visual Advantage: What We Didn't Like

Creating the interactive graphs is a bit of a steep learning curve.

Business Objects Support

Support for this software can be found at the Business Objects support center for Crystal Reports, Xcelsius, and Interactive Analysis. There users can find a variety of helpful resources including troubleshooting tips, service packs and other downloads, tutorials, user forums, and technical support.

About Business Objects

SAP Business Objects is a software publisher that specializes in the development, production and distribution of project management , database software, and other forms of business productivity software. Business Objects has built its reputation with flagship products such as Crystal Reports, Xcelsius, and Visual Advantage, with customers in over 120 countries around the world. Since its inception in 1972, SAP has established development locations in over 50 countries, and is listed in several stock exchanges. SAP is headquartered in Walldorf, Germany.