Compare Stonefield Query to Crystal Reports

Can reports be created without needing to understand joins and define relationships?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Stonefield Query already knows how to join tables, so the user doesn’t have to know what a join is, let alone when to use or how to create one.	No. The report designer must select the tables that are to be reported on, and then define the type of join to be used for each table relationship. Defining the join incorrectly can cause unexpected results.

 

Can reports be created without knowing database table and field names?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Stonefield Query displays the descriptive name (captions) for all tables and fields an end-user can report on. Stonefield Query also controls whether or not a table or field is available for reporting.	No. The report designer must know the exact name of the field and table which a field belongs to in order to use the field in a report.

 

Can calculated or formula fields be used without knowing how to create them?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Stonefield Query stores calculated and formula fields in its data dictionary. The end-user only needs to select the field for the report. They do not have to know why or how it was created.	No. In order to create calculated or formula fields for a report you must be a report designer and know formula concepts and the appropriate syntax to create them.

Can users easily change report filters by selecting which values to include or exclude?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Reports can be designed to prompt the user for values used in a particular condition (“ask-at-runtime” conditions). Users can also specify their own query conditions by filtering on any field they wish.	No. Reports can be designed to prompt the user for the value used in a particular condition, but does not allow the user to easily change the conditions, such as filtering on a different field.

Can users filter on a keyword in a memo field?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Filtering on a keyword in a memo field is as easy as filtering on any other condition. The Begins With, Does Not Begin With, Contains, or Does Not Contain operators provide great flexibility in filtering.	No. Not possible.

Is there a built-in setup generator?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Stonefield Query has a built-in setup generator that makes it easy for you to deploy Stonefield Query to your end-users.	No. A developer must create their own program to distribute reports to end-users.

Does it support joins across different data sources?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Simply define how the two data sources are related and Stonefield Query will take care of the rest.	Yes, however it’s very complicated.

Is there a built-in HTML Help File generator?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Create customized help documentation for your users that is specific to your data.	No.

Does it support 100% branding?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Create your own branded version of Stonefield Query. We allow you to remove all references to Stonefield from the application. Distribute and profit from Stonefield Query as your own product.	No. Crystal Reports name cannot be removed from product.

Does is support data security?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Control access to information at the field, table, group, user, folder and report level.	Yes. Control access to group, user, folder and reports.

What output types are supported?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
PDF, Word, Excel, HTML, CSV, Text, XML, DBF, and RTF	PDF, Word, Excel, HTML, CSV, RTF, Tab Delimited

What data access methods are supported?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
ODBC, OLE DB, SQL Server over HTTP using SQLXML, Data from a Web Server (ie. ASP.net), and data through proprietary means (ie. API or SDK)	ODBC, OLE DB, JDBC, OLAP, XML, COM data providers and ADO .NET

Can reports be scheduled to run at a specific date, time and format?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes.	Yes, but reports must be scheduled to run by a Report Designer. Runtime users cannot schedule their own reports

Can it create PDF files without a PDF print driver?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes.	Yes.

Does it support label printing
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes. Supports 87 Avery Label formats.	Yes.

Is software required on the user’s computer?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes.	Yes.

Does it offer multi-lingual support?
Stonefield Query	Crystal Reports
Yes.	Yes.

Stonefield Query lets you produce row and column reports, cross-tab reports, charts/graphs, labels, etc. in minutes. It works with virtually any database including: Oracle, SQL, DB2, MySql, Sybase, Pervasive, and more. It also comes with built-in scheduling and the ability to automatically email reports. Stonefield Query can even run Crystal Reports.

Bottom line: give a end user a reporting tool designed for them.