Conversion from Crystal 8.5 to V9

[StefBiz]

Hi, I'm not an expert in Crystal Reports and I would like to get some advice on a job that I will apply. They want to convert 50 reports from version 8.5 to 9.0. Do you think that I might have a lot of job to do to convert them? I don't have any clue of how long it might take me to convert them. What kind of problem I might encouter?. I don't want to tell them that it will take me 20 days when it might be 40 days...

Thanks a lot for any input

Stephane

 

[IdoMillet]

In most cases, it shouldn't take long at all unless they have formulas that Crystal 9 "doesn't like". For example, Crystal 9 has stricter syntax checking when it comes to IF THEN ELSE expressions.

The fact that they are asking you to do this means that they either never tried to do the conversion themselves (just open the report in Crystal 9 and save -- 15 minutes for 50 reports should do it -- or tried and ran into difficulties.

Note that Crystal 9 is also not compatible with some older data sources.

Cheers,
- Ido

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http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[FVTrainer]

I've not had to do any conversions yet from an earlier version to 9, but my experience has been that just about every major update (e.g., 6 to 7, 7 to 8) has had subtle issues with the display/layout of the report. (For example, an item that was printing fine in 7 was getting truncated vertically in 8). None of the items I've dealt with have been of a "fatal" nature, meaning the report no longer works, but rather just subtle changes in the visual presentation of the report objects.

Here's how I'd approach the process:

1) Obtain a baseline set of reports in the old version.
2) Convert (which should just be Ido's open and save process)
3) Print out and compare each report to the baseline and assess changes in results or layout.
4) Address changes.
5) Obtain client buy-off.

(You might want to do a pilot conversion of a couple representative reports to see what layout changes may occur. That would give you a better feel for quoting time.)

I'd also make sure that the client doesn't have any hidden requirements, like "oh, we want this field added and a new subtotal placed here," before quoting time.

In regards to Ido's comment about older datasources, if your client's reports are based on SQL Server and are using a native connection (as opposed to ODBC), note that the native connection will be automatically converted to odbc. CR 9 doesn't support a native connection to SQL Server. Depending on how they are running the reports (i.e., what app is running the reports), they may need to change their logon methodology.

 

[StefBiz]

Thanks a lot Ido and FV. I studied a bit version 9.0 and it appears for me that they have made a big change in the way that you can store your images, sql's, commands, etc. into the repository. The logo of the company is only store at one place. Of course if the company ask me to make that change, I will have to them that it will cost more.

Thanks again

StefBiz