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Why is there a $1 cost for the ReCrystallize Server evaluation license?

The evaluation license provides a fully functional installation of ReCrystallize Server for testing. 

The $1 fee paid via credit card helps to

If business policies or other concerns make it difficult to charge a credit card online, please contact us using your business email address and we'll provide an evaluation license to you at no cost.

How does ReCrystallize Server work and how will it help me to make my Crystal Reports available on the web?

ReCrystallize Server works with your existing Crystal Reports .rpt files.  After installing ReCrystallize Server on your IIS web server, you can set up a simple web link to view each report. 

If a report uses parameter prompts, it will prompt the user similarly to the parameter prompts in the Crystal Reports designer.  If you prefer to pre-set the parameter values so that users are not prompted, you can include the value in the web link or POST it from your own web form.  See the Installation and Administration guide for more details.

Who should use ReCrystallize Server?

ReCrystallize Server is for anyone who wants to make Crystal Reports available for viewing in a web browser.  Only a basic working knowledge of Crystal Reports and web (html) links are needed to set up reports links for end users to view.  A basic understanding of IIS web server administration is recommended for the initial installation and configuration of ReCrystallize Server.  End users will find the report viewing experience very intuitive and should require little or no training.

Will  ReCrystallize Server work with my database?

ReCrystallize Server is tested primarily with the SQL Server and Oracle databases but, like Crystal Reports, it can use data from most sources such as Access, FoxPro, or even your web server's file system or logs. You can use any ODBC data source or Crystal Reports' native database drivers.   Proprietary databases that use non-standard ODBC configurations or login details, or that require interactive logins, may require extra configuration and troubleshooting to work with ReCrystallize Pro.  Reports based on ADO recordsets are not yet supported.
 

Will users be able to see or override database login information?

Database passwords are configured and used entirely on the server. Login details never leave the server, so users will not be able to observe or override these values.

What are the system requirements for ReCrystallize Server?

Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10
Business, Enterprise, Professional, and Ultimate Editions with the IIS web server feature installed (recommended only for testing)
OR
Windows Server versions 2003, 2003 R2, 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, or 2016 (recommended for production use)

2 GB RAM minimum recommended
1 GB available disk space
Dual-core or better Intel or AMD processor

Will my web server need access to my database?

Yes, in order to run reports with "live" data, your web server PC will need to be configured for access to your database. To report from an ODBC data source, for example, you would create an ODBC System DSN from your web server's Control Panel. If your database requires client software such as the Oracle client, it will also need to be installed and configured on the web server.  If you only wish to run reports with saved data, no database connection is required on the web server.

 Why would I use ReCrystallize Server instead of or in addition to Crystal Reports Server?

ReCrystallize Server often provides a simpler, more cost-effective solution. You can customize your report web pages to blend seamlessly with the other content on your website.  Most users will know at a glance how to set report parameters and view a report.  Making your web reports easy to use avoids the need for costly end user training and support.

Crystal Reports Server is overkill for many applications in small to mid-size companies and departmental uses within large organizations.  ReCrystallize Server provides a less complex, more cost-effective option when you don't need all the capabilities that Crystal Reports Server provides. 

Please contact us if you are unsure whether you should use ReCrystallize Pro or Crystal Reports Server and we'll recommend the best option to meet your requirements.

Can I control access so that only certain users see reports?

Yes, simply turn on standard IIS web authentication from ReCrystallize Server's web.config file (see Administration PDF) or from IIS Manager.  Then allow or deny Read permission for your report files and folders through Windows Explorer.  Users will be logged in by IIS and will be able to see only those reports and files for which the user or group has Read access.

How many users can view reports on the web if I use ReCrystallize Server?

There is no licensing limitation on the number of users who can view reports on the web. The practical limit on simultaneous web users will vary depending on the speed of your web server and database, the complexity of your Crystal Reports, and how frequently users make requests. As a rule of thumb, it is reasonable to expect one server to support around 50 simultaneous users viewing reports. The actual number of users your server can practically support may be higher or lower.

The largest factor in determining overall performance and the number of web users you can support is the time required for your database to run the queries in your Crystal Reports, which will be about the same viewing reports on the web as when refreshing report data in Crystal Reports.

How is ReCrystallize Server licensed? How many ReCrystallize Server licenses do I need?

ReCrystallize Server is licensed on a per-machine basis.  One license is needed for each machine, virtual or physical, where you install and run ReCrystallize Server.

Do I need any additional licensing for web users with ReCrystallize Server?

ReCrystallize Server is licensed without regard to the number of web users who will view reports.

Which versions of Crystal Reports work with ReCrystallize Pro?

ReCrystallize Server is supported with reports created using Crystal Reports 10, XI, XI R2 / 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013, and 2016.
Reports created in Crystal Reports versions 7, 8.0, 8.5, 9 are likely to work fine with ReCrystallize Server, but we can provide only best-effort support for these older versoins.
 

Can ReCrystallize Server run reports automatically on a schedule?

ReCrystallize Server does not currently include report scheduling capabilities. We recommend CrystalKiwi Scheduler for report scheduling. If you have any questions about how best to meet your report distribution and/or scheduling requirements, please contact us for a recommendation.

Which web browsers does ReCrystallize Server support?

ReCrystallize Server works with most web browsers including Chrome, Internet Explorer, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera.  Reports may also be viewed on most mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Can I pass parameter values to my reports directly from a link or my own application?

Yes, the ReCrystallize Server accepts parameter values as part of the URL (HTTP GET) or from your own HTML form (HTTP POST).   Please see the Installation and Administration guide for details.

Can I view my Crystal Reports in SharePoint?

Yes, you can easily set up reports as Web Parts so that they are included in a SharePoint page.