Pentaho: a strong open source BI suite
- The Pentaho Data Integration tool is extremely versatile. I find it easier to use than comparable tools like SSIS.
- The reporting engine delivers reports in multiple formats, including Excel and PDF.
- It is easy for users to subscribe to reports for delivery by email.
- The report parameterization is very flexible, and I find it easier to use and more versatile than parameterization in Crystal.
Cons
- If using the community edition, be prepared to invest some effort in learning the product. Documentation can be vague.
- The new pivot table viewer is part of the enterprise edition. Fortunately there is a nice open source plug in called Saiku that can replace the old, difficult to use jPivot pivot table interface.
- I wish there were easier ways to audit user activity, especially to see which items have not been accessed for a long time and could be retired.
- There are not as many people who know how to use Pentaho in the market as there are people proficient in other BI tools. There is a learning curve and design patterns are not necessarily the same from one BI tool to the next.