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.NET enabled insurance software products for a US-based insurance ISV

Conversion of Crystal to SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) 2005 for a US based ISV

In a quest to deliver more value to its customers and widen the market reach, a leading Electronic Business Communication and Services company decided to transition reports developed using Crystal 8.x to SSRS. The move resulted in higher administrative efficiencies, increased cost savings and better control to the end-users (retailers, sales agents and vendors).

They partnered with Sonata, considering Sonata's deep expertise and understanding of both Crystal and SSRS platforms. Leveraging upon its long-standing partnership with Microsoft, Sonata delivered SSRS reports with reduced conversion time and higher efficiency.

Situation

The client, who is a leading electronic business communication and services provider, supports trade promotion to the CPG industry. They acquired a company and bought over its products as a result. The reports for these applications were developed using Crystal Reports 8.x. and the client decided to standardize the existing reports to SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 is a mature reporting platform, having rich features, great integration with the database and enhanced end-user experience.

The client was looking to:

Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of promotion processes for their manufacturers, brokers, and retailers.
Convert Crystal reports 8.x that did not fit their IT framework, to SSRS 2005
Reduce associated license fees, thereby lowering costs

The client needed a partner with multi-platform expertise and significant integration, analysis and reporting capabilities in both the host as well as target platforms.

The solution

Sonata undertook to transition the existing reports, developed in Crystal enterprise, to SQL Server Reporting Services 2005, using its 'CRèMe' methodology. CRèMe is Sonata's framework-based conversion methodology, aimed at reducing the time for conversion and to ensure error free SSRS output

Overview of Sonata's conversion Methodology

Sonata conducted a full complexity analysis on the 34 reports that needed to be converted and classified the reports as simple, medium, complex and very complex, based on a fixed set of rules. Sonata then did the basic setup for the project which requires installation of the sample database provided by the client.

This was followed by the conversion, formatting and testing of the reports through Sonata's automated methodology

Business Benefits

Unified reporting framework across organization
Lower TCO for the client and their customers, since separate licensing fee for Crystal Reports is eliminated
No compatibility issues with future database upgrades

Customer Success