JobBOSS Custom Reports: Building and Editing Crystal Reports

Create or edit a custom report

1. 1Find the standard report file (.rpt) used by the JobBOSS screen or menu, and copy it with a new name. Never edit the original.
2. 2Open the copy in a compatible version of Crystal Reports on a workstation that can reach the JobBOSS database.
3. 3Use Database, Set Datasource Location to point the report at your SQL Server and JobBOSS database, then Verify Database.
4. 4Add or remove fields from the tables and views the report already uses, or add a table and define the join, usually on the job number or customer.
5. 5Add parameters or selection formulas for date range, customer or status so users can filter at run time.
6. 6Preview with real data, compare totals to a known JobBOSS screen or report, and fix grouping issues.
7. 7Save the report in the folder JobBOSS uses for custom reports (or the location your reseller configured) and register it if the application requires it.
8. 8Keep a copy and a change note, since upgrades can overwrite the standard reports folder.

Deploying and maintaining reports

Common pitfalls

• !Editing the standard report in place and losing the change at the next upgrade.
• !Crystal Reports version or database driver mismatch causing blank or failing reports.
• !Joins that duplicate rows and inflate totals.
• !Hard-coded server names or credentials in the report that fail on other workstations.
• !Running large reports against the production database at peak times.