When the user enters the URL or clicks on a hyperlink containing the URL for the report, a request is sent to your HTTP Web server, which then makes a request to the Crystal Web Report Server. The Crystal server retrieves the report and the data and returns it to the Web server. The report and the data are then displayed in the Smart Viewer in the browser. As an added measure of security, each user can be required to log in to the database ensuring that the data is visible only to those with the appropriate access level. To improve the report design process, Seagate has revamped the user interface, rounded out the formatting and query functionality, and provided a Smart Runtime Preview Window.
Developers can customize the Preview Window to control which features are enabled for users.
For new report designers, Crystal Reports 6.0 provides helpful Report and Connectivity Experts that guide you through the creation process. For more advanced designers, Crystal now provides the ability to add report parameters and conditional formatting. Advanced Development Features Seagate has also added advanced features for application developers who use Microsoft Visual Basic and Visual InterDev. The Automation Server Support exposes more than 500 properties, methods, and events for accessing and controlling the entire Crystal Report Engine from Microsoft Visual Basic applications and Office97 projects. Before I review the usability of Crystal Reports 6.0 it s important to note that Seagate has added support for some additional data sources to an already substantial list.