Crystal Reports to Jaspersoft Transition for a Leading Workplace Solutions Provider

In an increasingly digital world, the importance of agile and scalable reporting solutions cannot be overstated. A UK-based European affiliate of a leading workplace solutions provider has faced the challenges of serving its diverse global clientele with increasing complexity and efficiency. With over 86,000 product lines stocked across 14+ European countries, this company offers a wide range of products and services, from office supplies to integrated business services such as facility management.

As the company expanded its wallet share through various products and services, it needed a robust reporting and Business Intelligence (BI) system to manage various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) efficiently. Clients required visibility into their global spend, performance reporting, and actionable insights to drive operational improvements. However, the company’s legacy reporting solution, Crystal Reports, was becoming outdated, facing challenges such as lack of support, scalability issues, and difficulties in customization.

Why Transition from Crystal Reports?

The decision to migrate from Crystal Reports to Jaspersoft stemmed from several compelling factors:

1. End of Support: Crystal Reports was approaching its end-of-support date, leaving the company vulnerable to potential security risks and technical limitations.
2. Scalability: As the organization expanded its client base and data volume, Crystal Reports struggled to maintain performance, particularly with complex reporting needs.
3. Customization Needs: Jaspersoft offers a flexible, open-source architecture, allowing for tailored reporting solutions that meet the diverse needs of clients across various industries.
4. Cost-Effectiveness: Jaspersoft's licensing model helps in reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), allowing for more budget-friendly solutions as the user base grows.

To address these needs, the company enlisted DataTerrain, known for its expertise in automated report conversions, to manage the transition. The partnership was critical as time was of the essence; the reports needed conversion while Crystal Reports was still supported.

DataTerrain’s Automated Remote Transition Approach

DataTerrain implemented a structured, remote transition approach emphasizing automation and minimizing disruptions. The project was broken down into several key phases to ensure efficiency and effectiveness:

1. Current State Assessment and Requirements Detailing

DataTerrain began the project by setting up a dedicated environment on its servers, allowing for seamless remote transition. Crystal Report files from the client were imported into this environment for a comprehensive analysis using DataTerrain’s automated utility. This included:

• Complexity Analysis: A thorough examination of existing reports assessed the number and types of components, such as total blocks, charts, pivot tables, and conditional formatting.
• Identifying Transition Challenges: Unique Crystal Report features that needed translation to Jaspersoft were highlighted, enabling DataTerrain to plan the necessary adjustments and manual interventions.
• Project Plan Creation: Using the insights from the assessment, DataTerrain created a detailed project plan, outlining timelines, necessary resources, and potential challenges. Key stakeholders reviewed and signed off on this plan before moving forward, ensuring everyone was aligned on the migration strategy.

2. Automated Transition and Validation

The core of DataTerrain's methodology lies in its proprietary Crystal to Jaspersoft converter, which enabled a streamlined migration process. Key activities included:

• Mapping Crystal Reports to .ttx Files: DataTerrain ensured all necessary changes were made to field names, preparing suitable configuration XML files for each report.
• Executing the Transition: Each report was meticulously migrated from Crystal Reports to Jaspersoft using automated tools, maintaining the integrity of the original reports.
• Leveraging Jaspersoft Features: The DataTerrain team employed Jaspersoft’s native features, optimizing the reports for performance and adherence to best practices. For example, the implementation of a background band approach for report borders and the integration of barcode components with Barcode4J libraries were instrumental in enhancing report functionality.
• Automated Validation: To ensure accuracy, DataTerrain conducted pixel-perfect validation, comparing outputs from Crystal Reports and Jaspersoft to verify data integrity, format consistency, and visual alignment, particularly for critical documents like invoices.

3. Customer Acceptance and Final Deployment

After the automated transition and validation processes, the converted reports were onboarded into the customer’s environment. DataTerrain’s technical team facilitated validation and acceptance by relevant stakeholders. The engagement of customer associates from the outset ensured that any concerns were addressed promptly, resulting in a smooth and quick acceptance process.

The DataTerrain Difference

The successful transition to Jaspersoft was completed on schedule, allowing the company to retire Crystal Reports before its support ended. Feedback from the client highlighted several key differentiators that set DataTerrain apart:

1. Deep Technical Skills: The expertise of DataTerrain's subject matter experts (SMEs) proved invaluable throughout the migration process. Their deep understanding of both Crystal Reports and Jaspersoft allowed them to address complex issues seamlessly. For example, DataTerrain devised a solution to implement Java expressions as a substitute for unsupported Jasper expressions in the client environment.
2. Global Delivery Model: DataTerrain employed a follow-the-sun model, leveraging global teams to maintain momentum on the project. This ensured that project activities continued around the clock, accelerating the overall timeline.
3. Remote Transition to Save Time: By executing the transition remotely, DataTerrain minimized setup time and resource requirements for the customer, allowing for a more efficient migration.

Conclusion

The successful transition from Crystal Reports to Jaspersoft positioned the workplace solutions provider to enhance its service delivery and meet the evolving needs of its global clientele. With a feature-rich, customizable, and scalable solution now in place, the company is well-equipped to help clients improve their operational KPIs and achieve their business objectives more effectively.

DataTerrain’s expertise in automated migration not only mitigated risks associated with the end of support for Crystal Reports but also laid the foundation for future growth and adaptability in a rapidly changing market. This strategic move empowers the company to continue delivering exceptional value to its clients, solidifying its position as a leader in workplace solutions.