Share your experience using SAP Crystal Reports

We use SAP Crystal Reports for operational reporting. We have two types of operational reporting. Commercial documents like quotations, order confirmations, delivery notes, and invoices are made in SAP Crystal Reports. We also have listings and operational reports used in our company's commercial or logistic part.

SAP Crystal Reports should provide better support for dynamic connectors. The solution should export reports to Excel in a real Excel format and not in a paper-oriented way. The solution should include an easier multi source integration. It would be nice for the main report to have access to multiple sources.

The solution’s technical support could be improved.

I have been using SAP Crystal Reports since 1998.

Sometimes, the system gets blocked, and we need to restart.

I rate the solution a seven out of ten for stability.

SAP Crystal Reports is more suited for medium and enterprise businesses. I would not really recommend the solution for small businesses. We have a license for 130 users.

I rate the solution an eight or nine out of ten for scalability.

We have hired consultants because the direct support was not good. The solution's technical support's response time and quality must be improved. The solution's technical support should also improve its front end because it's very complex to ask a question and escalate it.

Neutral

We worked with an external consultant to set up the solution.

SAP Crystal Reports is a very expensive solution.

On a scale from one to ten, where one is expensive and ten is cheap, I rate the solution's pricing a two or three out of ten.

Since it's a visual tool, what you design on your screen is what you get on your paper. The solution is really paper-oriented. SAP Crystal Reports is really a tool where the output is either a PDF or a printout.

We have two steps. The first step is to send all commercial documents to customers, including quotations, order confirmation, invoices, and credit notes based on SAP Crystal Reports. The second step is to use SAP Crystal Reports to generate all delivery listings for the commercial division or the logistics department.

We used to have some backloading reporting, but that has been removed. Integrating SAP Crystal Reports with other systems in our environment is quite easy.

Overall, I rate SAP Crystal Reports an eight out of ten.

We were dedicated to Crystal Reports, and now they have shifted to SAP reports. While both functionalities are similar, there might be some enhancements or additional features to look forward to in the SAP version. However, I haven't encountered any issues. I've consistently used SAP Crystal Reports in my role at an enterprise infrastructure company named NJESM for the past ten years. During this time, I've downloaded numerous applications that utilize SAP Crystal Reports for creating fixed and interactive reports.

SAP Crystal Reports offers a plethora of features, many of which were available much earlier than in the Crystal Reports we previously used. We extensively use its capabilities for generating general reports, working with Kaspersky data, and even incorporating images into our reports. The range of functions available in SAP Crystal Reports is diverse, and we leverage them across various systems for our needs.                

It has significantly enhanced security features, especially when compared to the standard security features of the earlier PeerSpot version I purchased. I've observed improvements in security, and overall, it's quite commendable.

Regarding potential enhancements for the next release of this solution, I haven't closely examined SAP Crystal Reports 53. I've only encountered it briefly, perhaps once or twice. However, I anticipate that it likely offers advanced features distinct from its predecessor. I believe there may be notable improvements and additions in the latest version, and I look forward to exploring them further.

I've been exclusively using SAP Crystal Reports for the past two decades, and I've stuck with the same version for the entire period. The version I've been using may be an older release, possibly an initial version or an MVP edition. 

I have utilized the system extensively. In the past, I personally generated reports using SAP Crystal Reports, particularly for various databases. The data integration was facilitated through SAP HANA, making it a standard and efficient process.

There is no issue with that. Additionally, it provides flexibility, especially in the context of business intelligence, where dashboards play a crucial role. Typically, users transition from Crystal Reports 53 to later versions, like SAP Crystal Reports 7 and 8, which introduce additional features such as PIN security for enhanced security purposes.We currently utilize on-premises solutions. However, it appears that the trend is shifting towards cloud-based platforms, where many processes are now handled automatically. 

I have solely worked with older versions of SAP Crystal Reports, and as for support, it is limited to on-premises solutions. Regarding deployment, it was handled internally, and there was no involvement of third parties such as integrators, resellers, or consultants.

The cost of licensing can be a significant factor to consider when upgrading or transitioning to a new version of SAP Crystal Reports. It's important to evaluate the benefits and features offered by the new version against the associated costs to ensure it aligns with your organization's needs and budget.

If someone inquires about it, I would unequivocally recommend SAP Crystal Reports. It is the ultimate ERP solution, and there's no better alternative. On a scale from one to ten, I would rate SAP Crystal Reports a perfect 10.