Visual Report Writer - a new reporting tool for Windows development- Visual Report Writer Released

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Visual Report Writer is a new report generator for use by end-users as well as software developers.

It is developed in Visual DataFlex, the state-of-art software development tool from Data Access Worldwide.

For stand-alone (end-user) report building, the ‘Report Creation Wizard’ easily steps through the process of creating a report. Starting with selecting data sources it takes you all the way through grouping, filtering, summarizing and sorting, with a visual drag & drop design interface for pixel perfect report design.

At this level the end-user has full control over designing and programming functionality, within the Visual Report Writer product. The language used for creating functions will be familiar as a VB-Like script-language.

For developers, the Visual Report Writer Developer Edition offers seamless integration with the Visual DataFlex development environment. When installing Visual Report Writer Developer Edition, an integration wizard is automatically installed in Visual DataFlex Studio and a Visual Report Writer library workspace is created.

The deployment of reports integrated into a Visual DataFlex Windows application only require the installation of an OCX and two DLL’s. Distribution is royalty-free when the Developer Edition of Visual Report Writer is used.

The embedded DataFlex database system is supported with no need for extra connectivity kits. Any database that is accessible via ODBC can be used as a data source, for example Microsoft Microsoft SQL Server, Pervasive.SQL, Oracle, etc, again with no extra connectivity kits required. Access to MS Excel and MS Access are also possible..

Developer Edition specifics.

The Developer Edition offers full report design capabilities. Additionally, the Developer Edition supports the following:

Integration capabilities with Visual DataFlex Studio.
Developers are entitled to use the integration library that comes with the Visual Report Writer license, to develop integrated reports in their Visual DataFlex applications.
Distribution of integrated reports is royalty free. For deployment, the developer can distribute and install the OCX for viewing reports in a Visual DataFlex application at no additional runtime costs.
This means that application end-users can view the report, but cannot change the reports. If an end-user needs report editing capability purchase of a Visual Report Writer license is needed.
Developers can lock a report with the serial-number of the license of the developer. This will exclude an end-user from opening the report in Visual Report Writer. They cannot look into the logic of a locked report and they cannot change the report.

Technical Details

Supported Environments:

Visual DataFlex 2009/V15

This version of Visual Report Writer 2010 is developed with, and for Visual DataFlex Studio 2009 (15.1).

Support for VDF 2010/v16 is scheduled as soon as VDF16 is released, from which time Windows 7 will also be supported.

Other VDF Versions

VRW will not currently work in the Versions prior to VDF 2010/V15. A future version will allow the integration library to work with older versions of Visual DataFlex, but the oldest supportable version will be VDF12.1. This is due to the limitations of the OCX support that erlier versions can offer.

VRW will work with the data for all VDF versions.

Operating Systems

Microsoft Windows XP SP2 (32 bit)
Microsoft Windows XP SP2 Professional (32 bit)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (32 bit)
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or higher (32/64 bit)
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (32/64 bit)

Note: Microsoft Windows 2000 SP 4 is not supported

Installation and Licensing

A Visual Report Writer Developer Edition license is needed for installation on a PC or laptop (referred to as a workstation). Each license is a single-user version.

Initial installation will result in an evaluation version of the product (fuly operational for 60 days from the date of installation on that computer). Entering a registration-code removes the evaluation version time restriction. Installation of Visual Report Writer is monitored by means of an activation-mechanism.

Licensed to you, not to a PC!
A developer is entitled to install the license on one or more workstations, as long as he or she is the only user of that workstation. That enables a developer to have the license installed simultaneously on a laptop and desktop.

NB: The number of activations is monitored and Data Access Worldwide preserves the right to disable further activations, if circumstances may indicate illegal use of the license. In such cases, actions will be taken to investigate and if applicable, take legal actions.

Visual Report Writer Future Editions

This is the first of a line of products which will include

Visual Report Writer Query
Visual Report Writer Standard Edition
This will have its own Client Licenses built in. You will be able to create and run reports with it but not integrate reports in applications with it.
Visual Report Writer Enterprise Edition

Did you know?

VRW is entirely written in Visual DataFlex!

Cost
The Visual Rreport Writer developer edition licence is is £555 (exchange rate dependant, subject to change without notice.)

If you develop database applications with Visual DataFlex, Visual Report Writer is a must-have. If you have already purchased a license, simply download the final release and register using the details that you have received upon your order. If you wish to evaluate the product first, also download Visual Report Writer. You will be able to use the product without technical limitation for a period of 60 days.

Download Visual Report Writer, the full product for licensees, or for 60 day evaluation
Download the Quick Start, a tutorial style paper to help you get started quickly
Download examples that will answer most frequently asked questions

Ordering
Call 0845 2707747 or email sales@asckey.com to place your order

Visual Report Writer - Full Release