SAP Crystal Server

[techead]

Apologies I posted this in the Software thread instead of this one...

Hi there

We have been quoted on a software solution, but it needs SAP Crystal Server which is not included in the quote.

Does have anyone have any idea what this would set our company back?

Looking at a license for about 10 people to access the reporting from the software solution.

Cheers

 

[Messugga]

Going to set you back a bit. Will have a look tomorrow to see whether I can find a price.
Crystal Reports is dreadful (coming from someone using it daily).

 

[DukeofHouse]

This will vary wildly as SAP usually give you some discount, but it's pretty expensive.

Why Crystal though? It's pretty crap. This is coming from a SAP consultant that specializes in analytics.

Take a look at http://saplumira.com/ as it can sit on top of any database/file, and is very easy to setup.

PM if you need more details.

 

[techead]

Going to set you back a bit. Will have a look tomorrow to see whether I can find a price.
Crystal Reports is dreadful (coming from someone using it daily).

This will vary wildly as SAP usually give you some discount, but it's pretty expensive.

Why Crystal though? It's pretty crap. This is coming from a SAP consultant that specializes in analytics.

Take a look at http://saplumira.com/ as it can sit on top of any database/file, and is very easy to setup.

PM if you need more details.

thanks guys I really appreciate the feedback. We were just informed that SAP Crystal Server was required.

The software package is from a company called Adra, and its basically trade recon/matching software. I wasnt aware that one could simply use another reporting packing on a server?? Like one can basically choose?

 

[Messugga]

thanks guys I really appreciate the feedback. We were just informed that SAP Crystal Server was required.

The software package is from a company called Adra, and its basically trade recon/matching software. I wasnt aware that one could simply use another reporting packing on a server?? Like one can basically choose?

Well you can and you can't. Reporting services like SARS or similar, generally can connect to most database backends (MySQL, Oracle, SQL, etc.) but we don't know how this software integrates Crystal into its processes. For all we know, they rely on something unique to Crystal, in order to perform their functions. I'm willing to take a bet that their scheduling system integrates with Crystal for scheduled report generation. This won't work for the other reporting packages unless they're also supported. Something to look into. Crystal was purchased by SAP which caused the price to skyrocket. You don't want to carry that sort of risk unless you have solid contracts in place with your vendor to cover those costs.
What you'll also find is that these software packages come with a standard set of reports, which will be written for a specific reporting package. They normally don't transfer between various reporting tools, so a Crystal Reports report won't work on SSRS and the reports would need to be developed from scratch.

 

[techead]

Ok, that does make sense. I appreciate the help man.

Would really appreciate it if you could give me a ball-park figure for the SAP Crystal Server. You can PM me if you dont want it on the open forum.

We have a quote for the integration and solution, but excl the SAP Crystal Server. I just need to know if its going to push up the price significantly lol

 

[Messugga]

Ok, that does make sense. I appreciate the help man.

Would really appreciate it if you could give me a ball-park figure for the SAP Crystal Server. You can PM me if you dont want it on the open forum.

We have a quote for the integration and solution, but excl the SAP Crystal Server. I just need to know if its going to push up the price significantly lol

Almost guaranteed. We're talking 6 or 7 figures if memory aerves.
SAP offers discounts to clients and whatnot. I'll see if I can get a ballpark licensing fee during the morning.
The US price for 5 users is around US$12k. They have a yearly license fee here I think, but let me get back to you.

 

[techead]

Almost guaranteed. We're talking 6 or 7 figures if memory aerves.
SAP offers discounts to clients and whatnot. I'll see if I can get a ballpark licensing fee during the morning.
The US price for 5 users is around US$12k. They have a yearly license fee here I think, but let me get back to you.

Thanks man, will wait to hear back from you! +rep

 

[Messugga]

Thanks man, will wait to hear back from you! +rep

No go I'm afraid, what's being run here is included in a suite's cost so it isn't clear how much it is.
I'd go on the US price as a bare minimum. Keep in mind that that license fee is for 5 users only, which isn't terribly many.
You'll likely need some form of data warehouse for historic report storage, to circumvent the user license fees for additional users. Unless your users need to run ad hoc reports, in which case you'll be somewhat stuck.

Have you tried giving SAP SA a call?

 

[techead]

No go I'm afraid, what's being run here is included in a suite's cost so it isn't clear how much it is.
I'd go on the US price as a bare minimum. Keep in mind that that license fee is for 5 users only, which isn't terribly many.
You'll likely need some form of data warehouse for historic report storage, to circumvent the user license fees for additional users. Unless your users need to run ad hoc reports, in which case you'll be somewhat stuck.

Have you tried giving SAP SA a call?

ok well thanks for the effort anyway. I think I am going to give SAP SA a call and see what they say.

It's starting to sound more and more like a mission for us to have to deal with this kind of thing, while other providers are giving us an entire solution.

 

[Messugga]

ok well thanks for the effort anyway. I think I am going to give SAP SA a call and see what they say.

It's starting to sound more and more like a mission for us to have to deal with this kind of thing, while other providers are giving us an entire solution.

Yeah, I'm struggling to validate the need for something like this. Doesn't sound like great design work, especially considering the alternatives available.

 

[techead]

Yeah, I'm struggling to validate the need for something like this. Doesn't sound like great design work, especially considering the alternatives available.

Call SAP SA office in Cape Town

"I'd like to speak to someone about licensing costs for SAP Crystal Server please?"

"hello?"

"Yes, hi, I'd like to speak to someone about SAP Crystal Server please?"

"..."

"hello? Do you know what I'm talking about? Do you know what Crystal Server is?"

"no, I'm sorry I don't"

 

[Messugga]

Really confidence inspiring...

 

[techead]

called the SAP JHB office and had more luck there. Directed me to someone who knew what she was talking about. Costing to arrive shortly.

 

[Pho3nix]

Yeah, I'm struggling to validate the need for something like this. Doesn't sound like great design work, especially considering the alternatives available.

Thinking the same..
Probably trying to lock them into a system only they can maintain.

 

[Messugga]

Thinking the same..
Probably trying to lock them into a system only they can maintain.

Par for the course for a lot of these off the shelf systems. They love prescribing to clients what they are and aren't allowed to do with their own data. Pet peeve of mine.