Reporting with Microsoft Access ?

[JohnDoe]

Hello,

since EA technically stores its models in Microsoft MDB files naming them *.EAP, I wonder if anyone already has created any reports or dialogs using Microsoft Access (setting up a second MDB, linking back to the original EAP file with the EA project data) ?

( This could be a very nice way to create own reports or data entry dialogs, which are not available inside the EA application and you wouldn't need Sparx to add a reporting feature that only your project needs )

Is this a strange idea or best practice to add Access Reports and Forms in a second MDB and get some additional reports ?

Regards
Bernd

[dbax]

I have done something like that. However, I linked tables from MS SQL server (where my EA models reside) into MS Access and then produced reports from there. It works good and it really is a cheap reporting tool. BTW, I use MS Access 2003 and right now I'm experimenting with MS Access 2007.
Regards,

D  

[JohnDoe]

I have the problem, that my customers don't want to engage with EA (too complex in their opinion). Instead, they want to see the requirement list, test list and the status of open/closed issues and maybe the release content list.

If possible, they would like to add bug reports into a database table, but since they don't use EA I would need an extra issue tracker, and I would have to synchronize everything with the EAP model.

So, would you suggest creating these forms and reports using Access ?

Regards
Bernd

[dbax]

Well, I do not see why not. I was in the same situation and that is why a resorted to same solution. You have to be careful though, a little error on behalf of your data entry guys via Access front end and you can mess up your whole model. Make sure you setup frequent backups - just in case.

[JohnDoe]

Since we have a number of business users spread around the globe (about 500 !), I am thinking of another option: I would like to offer a webserver to the business user audience, showing them their open issues, ticket status and release content. Since most of the users arent interested in technical details, this drives the need for a limited view to the EAP project content using a browser.

a) Is there a way to set a webserver facade in front of an Access database (EAP) file ?
b) Sparx is storing all data in EAP files. Could sparx save data instead in a MYSQL / Oracle or whatever database ?

(I know, there would be the option to generate a HTML report in EA. But since many issues are entered and changed permanently, I would like to generate these reports based on online data instead of offline HTML pages.)

Regards
Bernd

[«Midnight»]

Bernd,

Check out the corporate edition of EA. Look up DBMS repositories.

David

[dbax]

Yes, do what Midnight said. Corporate edition allows you to create your models within the DBMS (Oracle, MSSQL 2K-2005, etc..). That is what I have done within my company and had Access as a front end for reporting and simple data entry. You can certainly put some kind of web front end to the repository itself and through EA's automation interface manipulate the model itself.

[JohnDoe]

Thanks a lot. These MySQL features are unbelievable !!

Are there any turn key server applications available for a Sparx based MySQL database ?

Regards
Bernd