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April 2009

Welcome to our newsletter!
The Repository comes out every 6 - 10 weeks. You'll find Business Objects tools tips and tricks, news about Crystal Reports, Crystal Reports Server, Xcelsius and BusinessObjects Edge/Enterprise. Check our Promotions section for upgrades, implementations and training. This month's highlights:

I Didn't Know... - your Business Objects, and Crystal knowledge resource. Look for tips and tricks from Crystal Reports Professional Results.
The Global BusinessObjects Network Grows - The new independent Global BusinessObjects Network (GBN) continues to add new value with Special Interest Groups. See George's article in the News section.
Organizations turn to CIOs/IT for recession survival strategies - According to IT World, BI can significantly help critical decision making during tough economic times. Look for the link in our News section.
The Sweetness of Soaring Sales in a Sour Economy - The candy industry is thriving. Read about it in our News section.
Sweet Training and Consulting Deals - When you book The Ablaze Group training and/or consulting before April 30, 2009 we'll toss in an economycandy.com gift card. See our Promotions section.

Questions? Suggestions? email us - we look forward to hearing from you.
Visit our newsletter archive for past issues.

...I could control what can be typed in a parameter.
One of the challenges of developing parameter-based reports is providing some level of control over what the report viewer types in to a parameter field prompt. One way of controlling this is by providing default values that the viewer picks from a drop-down list. Another option is to still allow the viewer to type in "free form" values, but to control what the viewer can type in.

Depending on the data type of the parameter field (string, number, date, etc.) you are given several options for controlling what a viewer can type in. For example, string parameters allow length limits (minimum and maximum number of characters) to be imposed, as well as specification of an edit mask, and series of characters that limit the type of characters that can be typed and where. Numeric and date parameters allow range limits to be specified, limiting the lower and upper values that can be typed in.

Create or edit the parameter field that you'd like to control entry for.

If you are using Crystal Reports 10 or earlier, click the Set Default Values button on the Create Parameter Field dialog box. The Set Default Values dialog box will appear. Otherwise, make choices in the Value Options portion of the Parameter Field dialog box.

For numeric parameters, you may set minimum and maximum values that can be specified.
For date parameters, you may set beginning and ending date limits.
For string parameters, you may set minimum and maximum numbers of character that must be typed.
For string parameters, you may specify an edit mask to control specific characters in specific positions. For example, an uppercase L will require that a letter be supplied in that position. A greater-than sign will convert subsequent characters in the parameter field to uppercase. For a list of all edit mask characters, consult Crystal Reports online help, or look in Crystal Reports: The Complete Reference, also published by McGraw- Hill.

After specifying limiting options, click OK to close the Create Parameter Field dialog box.

Refresh the report, selecting the option to Prompt For New Parameter Values. Ensure that the limits you specified are properly limiting that can be entered into the parameter field.

Tips and tricks are brought to you by Crystal Reports Professional Results and you, our readers. You can win a copy of Crystal Reports Professional Results or Crystal Reports: The Complete Reference and see YOUR name here. How? Just email your favorite Crystal tip, trick or technique. If it's selected we'll include it and your name in the next release of The Repository and we'll send you a copy of either Crystal Reports Professional Results or Crystal Reports: The Complete Reference.

email your favorite Business Objects, or Crystal tip, trick or technique.

The Global BusinessObjects Network Grows
by George Peck
The new independent Global BusinessObjects Network (GBN) continues to add new value with the introduction of Special Interest Groups, or SIGs. Among the just-unveiled SIGs is the Crystal Reports SIG. I’ve been asked to participate in this SIG, as have other volunteers from organizations using Crystal Reports. We’re working to make the Crystal Reports SIG a valuable resource for user information and interaction with the Crystal Reports product.

Look for white papers, a regular newsletter, and periodic web casts as just a few of the benefits of GBN Crystal Reports SIG membership. In fact, I’ll be presenting the inaugural Crystal Reports SIG webcast, Advanced Charting with Crystal Reports, on April 28th at 12:00 noon Central time!

And, set aside October 18 - 21, 2009 for the SAP BusinessObjects User Conference in Dallas. Also run by GBN, this conference should have a more independent focus, after having been controlled by the Business Objects marketing department for the past several years prior to the SAP acquisition.

Information on all GBN events, including the April webcast, can be found at GOGBN.ORG.

Organizations turn to CIOs/IT for recession survival strategies.
Read in IT World how BI can significantly help critical decision making during tough economic times.

How sweet it is - candy sales soar during trying times.
“Sugar is comforting,” said Raymond Schneider. He's been out of work since December, but makes room in his dramatically reduced budget for sweets when he goes grocery shopping. (quote from The New York Times).

The New York Times featured a story (March 23, 2009) about the rise in candy consumption: "The recession seems to have a sweet tooth. As unemployment has risen and 401(k)’s have shrunk, Americans, particularly adults, have been consuming growing volumes of candy, from Mary Janes and Tootsie Rolls to Gummy Bears and cheap chocolates, say candy makers, store owners and industry experts.

Theories vary on exactly why. For many, sugar lifts spirits dragged low by the languishing economy. For others, candy also provides a nostalgic reminder of better times. And not insignificantly, it is relatively cheap."

In tough times many turn to food to feel better, and the candy industry is cashing in. Read the entire story and see photos and slide shows, too.

email us, what comforts you during stressful times? Go to our Promotions and read about our Sweet Deals.

Sweet Training and Consulting Deals
Book The Ablaze Group for training and/or consulting and we'll toss in an ecomonycandy.com gift card* for you and/or cards your co-workers.
Sugar-free? No problem, skip the candy and enjoy unlimited viewing of 9 archived Online Learning sessions over 3 months* when you engage The Ablaze Group for training and/or consultation during Q2 2009.
*Call 800 773 3472 to learn more about this exciting offer!
Agreements must be signed and returned to us before May 15, 2009, work completed during Q2 2009. Monthly Online Learning excluded from this offer.
Call 800 773 3472 now for details - sweet deals are available for a limited time.

Ablaze Group Monthly Online Learning 2009
2009 Q1 Topics:

January - Crystal Reports/Enterprise Repository archived

February - Ask Anything! archived

March - Dashboard Builder Overview archived

April - Creating Custom Functions

May - Advanced Functions/Arrays and Loops

June - Enterprise Family Scheduling Fine Points

Test-drive a demo session and check out the companion learning materials today. Call 800 773 3472 for details and to enroll. Become a subscriber before May 15, 2009 and we'll toss in an ecomonycandy.com gift card! Call for all the details.

Training - Onsite and Online
Look at our course outlines.

Consulting/Support - Buy It By the Block!
Onsite and Remote consulting packages.

Call 800 773 3472 or email for training and consulting information.