SAP Crystal vs. Vizlib

Generation of templated reports is the strong suit of SAP Crystal. Allows users to change formats in templates bases on requirement with minimal effort. Automated report delivery requires the user to be aware of sql which cannot be expected from all users. Should support more document export formats and improve the UI for SAP B1 Users

Incentivized

I have read reviews where Vizlib is performing well. That was not our experience integrating Vizlib with Qlik Sense cloud as a write back capability. So, my experience is that integrating Vizlib with Qlik Sense cloud as a write back capability is probably not an area where they perform well

• Crystal Reports allows us to create a consistent template for all of our reports.
• Crystal Reports and Server allows us to house a repository for all of our reports to make them easy to find and update when necessary.
• Crystal Reports can connect to a wide variety of data sources.
• Crystal Reports can be a little daunting when first implementing. There are a lot of nuances in learning how to truly master this software and it can be frustrating at times.

Incentivized

• Visualizations
• Forecasting
• Storytelling

• The export of reports to Excel is very cumbersome and the results are difficult to format.
• The design of reports and the graphical features (e.g. charts) feel quite rigid.
• The learning curve for a non-programmer is incredibly steep, making Crystal a specialty tool.

Incentivized

• Vizlib promised a writeback capability that it just was not able to deliver. We bought additional developer licenses for QlikSense that were not planned in the initial Vizlib discussions, but even with they were not able to implement a writeback capability.
• I feel Support was horrible... very slow, and with inadequate expertise.

We have been using this product for so many years and it has truly become a cornerstone to our business processes when it comes to developing and distributing information via reports. We currently have over 500 reports developed to date over about 30 systems and that will continue to grow as user needs change.

Crystal is very robust, but not always easy to use. It create wonderful looking reports, and so deserves a high rating. However, I have to take a couple of points off for the simple fact that I cannot hand it to a user and expect them to be able to do development with it.

Incentivized

We have figured out how to use Vizlib features on our own on many occasions. Whenever we do run into questions, the support team is very helpful and able to help us figure out how to do things quickly. I feel features are more advanced, but we know the depth is there when we’re ready to use it

The support community can be difficult to navigate. I've also run into issues with my login. The SAP system has a bizarre mechanism for validating users that requires users to have what is called an S-ID. A basic ID may not give you access to all the features in the portal. The limitation may include not being able to perform a simple task like downloading patches and updates. This isn't a big deal for single user license but for teams it can be a pain.

Incentivized

Vizlib support is awesome! We have quick turnaround times and regular updates when we open cases. It’s so good we often ask them Qlik Sense questions, rather than going to Qlik support

Trainer was patient and thorough in going through the basics and willing to answer questions by email after the initial training

Incentivized

Just like any other implementation: When designing the differing reports, get end users' input, make sure to design the reports so that they display the information that the company requires, in the best and clearest way possible.

Test, test, test, revise when needed, and, particularly, do sufficient training so users are comfortable using Crystal Reports!

Incentivized

Crystal reports is useful in case we want to import data from data base . We can write queries in it but Google Charts require to be implemented in our application using code so crystal reports is better than Google Charts.

Incentivized

I selected Vizlib based on several positive Qlik community forum comments. It would seem that they had a different use case than we did

• It is a decent buy for specific departments in terms of reporting capabilities but updates and cost (frequent) demands are higher with the benefits offered.
• So long as the requirements are not ever changing, with scheduling functionality, it's a handsome tool.

Incentivized

• We have had a negative experience with Vizlib... we paid for a capability that wasn't delivered, and that cost us time that could have been better spend on other priorities. Negative ROI.