Third party report writer for BCM

[glen]

We are using BCM but are finding getting the reports we want
frustrating.....Is anyone using a third party report writer with success? I
noticed that BCM seems to be using Crystal reports.....Is the BCM data
accessable to Crystal reports to generate reports?

 

[Luther]

We are using BCM but are finding getting the reports we want
frustrating.....Is anyone using a third party report writer with success? I
noticed that BCM seems to be using Crystal reports.....Is the BCM data
accessable to Crystal reports to generate reports?

Yes. Crystal, and any other report writer that uses generic Windows
mechanism to access databases (e.g. ODBC, or OLD-DB) should have
access to all the BCM data--when run by the same login that has access
to BCM. When connecting to the BCM database I would recommmend first
trying to find the data you want in their database views, before going
directly to the tables. The views aggregate fields across several
tables to present records packaged by the entities you're familiar
with in BCM (e.g. Business Contacts).

 

[glen]

Thank you for the information..... One concern...Before I received your
response..I was able to get at some of the information via Access. The
information we are trying to get better reporting on is the product and
services table.....I wasn't able to link to this information using Access.
Can that infomation be linked to using Access...if not will I be able to open
the table in Crystal?

 

[Luther]

Thank you for the information..... One concern...Before I received your
response..I was able to get at some of the information via Access. The
information we are trying to get better reporting on is the product and
services table.....I wasn't able to link to this information using Access.
Can that infomation be linked to using Access...if not will I be able to open
the table in Crystal?
--
Thank you
Glen






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That should be one of the easier tables to access, given that all the
product fields are all columns there. What was the problem (or error
message) getting to table ProductsMasterList from Access?

 

[glen]

Thank you for responding.....I just don't seem to able to find the
table....could you be so kind as to give me a little more detail.....ie what
kind of table and the location. I have installed Crystal and when adding a
connection I see the outlook folder and it lists all the tables except for
productsmaster. I have also tried to find it in Access. A little more
detail is appreciated.

 

[Luther]

Thank you for responding.....I just don't seem to able to find the
table....could you be so kind as to give me a little more detail.....ie what
kind of table and the location. I have installed Crystal and when adding a
connection I see the outlook folder and it lists all the tables except for
productsmaster. I have also tried to find it in Access. A little more
detail is appreciated.
--
Thank you
Glen






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The table will be in the BCM sql server database.

This command line returns the product master list from the default bcm
database on my machine:
OSQL -E -S .\mssmlbiz -d mssmallbusiness -Q"SELECT * FROM
ProductsMasterList"

mssmlbiz is the name of the sql instance, and mssmallbusiness is the
name of my database.

You can check your installation's sql instance name in the Registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Business Solutions eCRM
\SQLInstanceName

In Access you will have to enter the sql instance name and the
database name, and then Access should be able to connect to the
database.

 

[glen]

Luther

Thanks!
Good....I've determined from your instuctions....that the the sql instance
name and the database name are (the same as yours). So you have directed me
to the right door...now if you don't mind helping me open the door.
I am using Access 2007 on a Vista machine.....I open a blank data
base....click on the external data tab.....click on the more button....select
the ODBC_database.....click on the radio button-Link to the data source by
creating a linked table....OK....Then I'm prompted for a DNS
Name.?????.....I'm not seeing where to enter the SQL instance name and
database name. Any suggestions to get me on the right path.

 

[glen]

Again thankyou for the previous information....however....I find it curious
that I am unable to finish this off......you have provided me a lot of should
do this ....should do that.....but when it comes down to finishing this...and
actually making BCM work for us.....nothing is given....from anyone including
support. Frustrated....and since I haven't heard back from anyone....I'm
assuming that any report writting outside of the quite limited canned reports
is not possible.

 

[Luther]

Luther

Thanks!
Good....I've determined from your instuctions....that the the sql instance
name and the database name are (the same as yours). So you have directed me
to the right door...now if you don't mind helping me open the door.
I am using Access 2007 on a Vista machine.....I open a blank data
base....click on the external data tab.....click on the more button....select
the ODBC_database.....click on the radio button-Link to the data source by
creating a linked table....OK....Then I'm prompted for a DNS
Name.?????.....I'm not seeing where to enter the SQL instance name and
database name. Any suggestions to get me on the right path.
--
Thank you
Glen










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DNS probably refers to the machine name. On the local machine a period
or localhost will probably work. Note the period in my earlier osql
example: .\mssmlbiz

I found that on Vista I had to run Access as an admin to connect to
sql. I found the MSACCESS.EXE file, and right-clicked "Run as admin".

 

[Luther]

DNS probably refers to the machine name. On the local machine a period
or localhost will probably work. Note the period in my earlier osql
example: .\mssmlbiz

I found that on Vista I had to run Access as an admin to connect to
sql. I found the MSACCESS.EXE file, and right-clicked "Run as admin".- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

This may help:
Connect to Business Contact Manager data from Access 2007
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb267994.aspx

 

[glen]

Luther

The last bit of information did the trick....THANKYOU!!! This will be very
valuable. FYI .... The MSDN article at "Connect to Business Contact Manager
data from Access 2007" combined with the information on how to obtain my SQL
instance and database worked. After I created the ODBC Database in Access I
was able to see all the tables. The two tables I used in Access were
AccountsFullView and OpportunityProductsFullView. I had to mess with the
link ....in this case I had to create a link between the "EntryGUID" field in
the "AccountsFullView" file and the "ParentEntryID" field in the
"OpportunityProductsFullView" file. This is allowing me to pull queries and
reports my way for accounts, oportunities and products. Also....I found
that I can use Crystal to open the ODBC .dsn file that I created in Access.
I find Crysal reports easier to create reports that Access.