Report File Viewer

We've known for some time that there is a need for our customers to be able to electronically distribute reports. The need ranges from a repair facility sharing reports with their customers through internal department distribution.

Distributing Databases and using Spy Glass or Avert / Valv-Keep is the preferred method BUT if all that is required is an electronic or physical transmission of file-based copies of a report, it couldn't be done.

We've toyed with HTML and RTF formats. We've even briefly looked at pure text. Because of a combination of problems ranging from the format didn't work to the format produced even more problems, we decided to generate a report file format that would keep all the visual appearance of our original reports and be much smaller and easier to share then the database. As well, having a much simpler program to generate a report would lead to better adoption by users whose sole purpose was to print reports.

Enter the new product: the Report File Viewer.

Here's the idea. Inside the program (Avert or Valv-Keep) when printing full-page reports, there is a new option: Report To .RPT File. This .RPT file can then be transmitted to anyone. As long as the person has the Report Viewer, they can read in the file and preview or print the reports.

The "home page" of the Report Viewer can be easily customized with a bitmap image. This way, repair shop customers (or anyone) can "insert" their logo on the main Report File Viewer page. All you need is a file named CustomLogo.bmp in the installation folder. This 125x100 pixel color BMP file will be displayed, if it is present. If not, then nothing will be displayed.

The Report Viewer is a fast, simple solution to the problem of sharing reports. There is no:

· BDE (Borland Database Engine)

· Avert or Valv-Keep Database and associated installation issues

· Hardware dependencies (ie. the final printer doesn't have to be the same as the printer the person had installed when the report was generated)

· Large EXE size like there is with Avert / Valv-Keep (750K vs. 7+Megs!)

To use the Report File Viewer, download the appropriate version below:

Download Valv-Keep II Report File Viewer
Download Valv-Keep II Report File Viewer (VKRpVInstall.EXE approx. 0.5 MB) Updated Mar 25 , 2001

Download Avert II Report File Viewer
Download Avert II Report File Viewer (AvRpVInstall.EXE approx. 0.5 MB) Updated Mar 25 , 2001

Once the program is downloaded and installed, you'll find the Start - Program - Avert (or Valv-Keep) group has a Report File Viewer icon in it. Clicking it launches the program. Two sample .RPT files install with the program so you can try out the viewer.

Screen captures:

1) The main screen of the Valv-Keep II Viewer with a sample logo (BASF - DMC):

2) the preview screen: