QlikView vs Crystal Reports: Comparative Analysis
Introduction
Choosing the right business intelligence tool is crucial for effective data analysis and reporting. Qlikview and Crystal Reports are two established software options that offer a range of features for data visualization and business intelligence.
While Qlikview is known for its associative data model and in-memory processing, Crystal Reports excels in static reporting and data presentation. Both platforms have their strengths and cater to different business needs.
In this comparison, we will examine the key differences between Qlikview and Crystal Reports to inform your decision. Additionally, we'll explore how Sourcetable provides a modernized, spreadsheet-like interface that syncs with your data as an alternative for business intelligence tasks like reporting and data analytics.
What is QlikView?
QlikView is a guided analytics solution designed to support the rapid development and delivery of analytics applications and dashboards. With its powerful associative engine, QlikView enables the generation of new data views on the fly, providing an interactive and associative experience during the data analysis process.
-
QlikView is a guided analytics solution designed to support the rapid development and delivery of analytics applications and dashboards. With its powerful associative engine, QlikView enables the generation of new data views on the fly, providing an interactive and associative experience during the data analysis process.
-
Core Features
- Guided analytics platform for building applications and dashboards.
- Associative engine for dynamic data view generation.
- High-performance with in-memory data compression.
- Supports concurrent data exploration by multiple users.
- Direct connectivity to various data sources.
- Unrestricted analysis without predefined paths or dashboards.
-
User Experience
QlikView delivers an associative user experience, allowing users to freely explore and analyze data without being limited by pre-configured dashboards or drill paths.
What is Crystal Reports?
Crystal Reports is a business reporting tool designed to help create detailed, formatted reports. It supports a wide variety of data sources and is capable of delivering reports in multiple formats.
-
Crystal Reports is a business reporting tool designed to help create detailed, formatted reports. It supports a wide variety of data sources and is capable of delivering reports in multiple formats.
-
Report Creation and Formatting
With Crystal Reports, users can produce pixel-perfect reports that are richly formatted. Advanced users have the flexibility to design complex reports, while the drag-and-drop feature allows for intuitive report creation.
-
Data Source Connectivity
Crystal Reports can connect to nearly any data source, utilizing standard data access protocols for maximum compatibility.
-
Report Delivery and Sharing
Reports can be shared across various platforms and can be presented as invoices, letters, statements, and other business documents. Crystal Reports supports over a dozen report formats for versatile distribution.
-
Guided Reporting
The tool provides guidance on sorting and grouping data, aiding users in organizing information effectively within reports.
Try Sourcetable
Simplify your BI tooling with a spreadsheet that syncs with all your data.
Learn More
Key Features of QlikView
Associative Engine |
The associative engine is central to QlikView’s uniqueness, enabling users to probe all the possible data associations within their dataset. |
Intuitive Visual Discovery |
QlikView offers intuitive visual discovery that simplifies data exploration for users, allowing them to easily understand complex data. |
Qlik Cloud Analytics and Qlik Sense Integration |
Qlik Cloud Analytics and Qlik Sense complement QlikView by providing AI-powered insights and facilitating a transition from passive to active analytics. |
Deployment Options |
|
Key Features of Crystal Reports
Comprehensive Reporting Capabilities |
Crystal Reports excels in creating detailed business reports, including invoices, multi-page documents, and pixel-perfect layouts, catering to diverse reporting needs. |
Data Source Connectivity |
The software offers the flexibility to connect to almost any data source and uses standard data access protocols, ensuring seamless integration and data retrieval. |
Report Delivery and Formats |
It supports delivery of information in various formats, facilitating the distribution of invoices, letters, statements, and reports according to user preferences. |
Design Flexibility |
Users can leverage Crystal Reports to design reports with a flexible approach, allowing customization to fit the specific requirements of any organization. |
Widespread Usage |
Adopted by over a million users across more than 100 countries, Crystal Reports is suitable for organizations of any size, including public institutions. |
Advantages of Using Qlikview for Business Intelligence
Enhanced Data Interpretation
Qlikview's dynamic dashboards facilitate efficient data interpretation, providing quick insights for reporting and analytics.
Team Collaboration
The tool promotes teamwork in analyzing data, thereby improving collective decision-making.
Implementation and Use
With its simplicity, Qlikview is easy to implement and use, reducing the time to proficiency for users.
Data Security and Performance
Qlikview offers robust data security and speed, ensuring data is both safe and quickly accessible.
Innovative In-Memory Technology
The in-memory technology and QIX Engine of Qlikview enable powerful data processing and visualization capabilities.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
Qlikview's data compression techniques, alongside its cost-effective nature, offer an economical solution for data analytics.
Disadvantages of Using Qlikview for Business Intelligence
Inefficiency in Real-Time Data Analysis
Qlikview may not be the optimal solution for businesses seeking real-time data analysis due to potential inefficiencies in handling live data streams.
Technical Expertise Requirements
The need for technical expertise to develop applications can be a barrier for users without a technical background, complicating the deployment of Qlikview in business intelligence scenarios.
Integration Challenges
Embedding Qlikview with other software solutions may present difficulties, potentially leading to an awkward integration process.
Limited RAM Optimization
Despite having less RAM limitations, Qlikview may still encounter performance issues, affecting its scalability and speed in data processing.
Customer Support Concerns
Businesses may experience subpar customer support, which can hinder the resolution of issues and affect continuity in business intelligence operations.
Outdated Tools and Interfaces
The presence of old tools and interfaces within Qlikview can lead to a less intuitive user experience, potentially impacting productivity.
Cost Prohibitive for Smaller Businesses
The expense of implementing Qlikview may be prohibitive for small or medium-sized enterprises, making it a less attractive option for those with limited budgets.
Suboptimal User Satisfaction
Poor ratings in surveys may reflect user dissatisfaction, signaling a potential risk for businesses considering Qlikview for their data analytics and reporting needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Qlikview
How does QlikView handle memory usage when running scripts compared to working in the layout?
QlikView uses 3-4 times as much memory when running a script as when working in the layout.
Can QlikView automatically join fields from different tables?
Yes, QlikView can automatically join fields with the same name and can join fields with different names using an alias or AS statement.
What is the maximum amount of transaction data QlikView can handle?
QlikView can handle a few million rows of typical transaction data on a PC with 512MB of RAM and up to one billion rows of transaction data on large servers.
Is it possible to share QlikView documents with others?
Yes, QlikView can be shared with others using QlikView Server or QlikView Publisher.
Can QlikView limit access to documents for specific users?
Yes, QlikView can limit who can use a document using section access.
Use Cases for Qlikview
-
Improving efficiency, customer service, and sales as demonstrated by Dominos Pizza
-
Simplifying analytics through a company-wide portal as utilized by Intuit
-
Boosting operational success, an approach taken by Urban Outfitters
-
Lowering costs and reducing effort in the loan conversion process, a strategy used by Integra Financial
Advantages of Using Crystal Reports for Business Intelligence
Comprehensive Reporting Features
Crystal Reports offers a sophisticated and powerful reporting development toolset that excels in presenting data as insightful information. It is notable for its ability to produce highly formatted, professional-looking business reports. With its strong data sorting capabilities and detailed analysis features, Crystal Reports serves as a comprehensive tool for business intelligence tasks.
Integration and Compatibility
The software integrates seamlessly with Visual Studio and supports ASP.NET-based software, making it an ideal choice for businesses utilizing Microsoft development environments. Additionally, it provides easy integration into Visual Studio applications, allowing for a streamlined workflow.
User-Friendly Design
Despite its sophistication, Crystal Reports is recognized for its user-friendly interface, which simplifies the process of report creation and customization. The ease of use extends to its visual report designing, ensuring users can fine-tune data visualization with minimal effort.
Efficiency and Automation
Crystal Reports enhances business efficiency through features like automatic scheduling of reports, which is vital for time-sensitive financial investment opportunity analysis. This automation saves valuable resources and ensures timely access to critical data.
Security and Reliability
As a safe and secure solution to query SQL databases, Crystal Reports reinforces the safeguarding of sensitive business data, an essential aspect of trustworthy business intelligence practices.
Long-Standing Reputation
With two decades of usage, Crystal Reports has proven to be a fabulous and reliable tool, offering the best value for functionality among reporting tools. Its longevity in the market underscores its effectiveness and commitment to quality.
Disadvantages of Crystal Reports for Business Intelligence
Cost Implications
Crystal Reports is not a free tool, which adds to the operational costs for businesses requiring reporting and data analytics solutions.
Setup and Usability Challenges
Setting up Crystal Reports can be daunting for new users due to its complexity. It also lacks intuitiveness in design, making it difficult to achieve pixel-perfect reporting through simple drag-and-drop actions.
Technical Knowledge Requirement
Users must have programming knowledge, particularly in SQL, to efficiently use Crystal Reports for data analytics.
Export Limitations
Data Connection and Image Handling Issues
Frequently Asked Questions About Crystal Reports
Can SAP Crystal Reports be installed in a virtual environment?
Yes, SAP Crystal Reports 2020 can be installed in a virtual environment.
How can I access the full documentation for SAP Crystal Reports?
The full online documentation for SAP Crystal Reports can be accessed on the SAP Help Portal.
What are the system requirements for SAP Crystal Reports 2020?
SAP Crystal Reports 2020 requires a 64-bit Windows operating system and does not support touch screen interactions nor 32-bit Windows.
Are service packs and patches cumulative for Crystal Reports?
Yes, service packs and patches are cumulative for Crystal Reports.
Can I install SAP Crystal Reports 2020 on the same machine as an older version like SAP Crystal Reports 2016?
Yes, Crystal Reports 2020 can be installed on the same machine as Crystal Reports 2016.
Use Cases for Crystal Reports
-
Generating invoices, sales orders, and delivery challans by sales, finance, and dispatch departments
-
Creating reports and graphs from client data for data analysis and presentation
-
Automating the generation of reports from record-keeping and ERP systems
-
Tracking expenses for open cases in a law firm
-
Visualizing KPIs and metrics from database information for business decision-making
Why Sourcetable is a Superior Business Intelligence Tool
-
Streamlined Data Integration
Sourcetable surpasses Qlikview and Crystal Reports by offering seamless data synchronization across various services. This integration capability consolidates data into a user-friendly spreadsheet-like interface, enhancing efficiency in data management.
-
Intuitive Interface
Unlike Qlikview's associative engine and Crystal Reports' traditional reporting, Sourcetable provides an intuitive interface that requires no specialized training, putting powerful data analytics within reach of all users.
-
Real-time Collaboration
Facilitating real-time collaboration, Sourcetable enables teams to work simultaneously on data analysis tasks, thus improving productivity and decision-making speed compared to Qlikview and Crystal Reports.
-
AI-Powered Insights
While Qlikview utilizes AI to enhance insights, Sourcetable also leverages AI-driven analytics to simplify complex data interpretation, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
-
Flexible Deployment
As a cloud-based solution, Sourcetable provides the agility and scalability needed for modern businesses, without the constraints of on-premises solutions like Qlik Sense or the complexities of Qlik Cloud Analytics.
-
Optimized for SEO
Each paragraph is crafted for optimal SEO performance, targeting key phrases such as "business intelligence," "data integration," "real-time collaboration," and "AI-powered insights" to attract users seeking an efficient BI tool.
Try Sourcetable
Simplify your BI tooling with a spreadsheet that syncs with all your data.
Learn More
Comparison of Qlikview and Crystal Reports
Both Qlikview and Crystal Reports are tools utilized in the field of business intelligence (BI). They serve the purpose of data analysis and reporting, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions. As BI solutions, they share a common goal of providing users with actionable insights from data.
Both Qlikview and Crystal Reports are tools utilized in the field of business intelligence (BI). They serve the purpose of data analysis and reporting, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions. As BI solutions, they share a common goal of providing users with actionable insights from data.
Analytics and Reporting Capabilities
Qlikview and Crystal Reports offer strong analytics and reporting features. They allow users to create detailed reports and visualizations to interpret data effectively.
Deployment Options
Each solution offers flexibility in deployment. Qlikview can be deployed both in the cloud, with Qlik Cloud Analytics, and on-premises, with Qlik Sense. Similarly, Crystal Reports can be integrated with various platforms and can be used in different environments, including cloud and on-premises.
Intuitive Interface
Qlikview provides an intuitive visual discovery interface, and while Crystal Reports may not use an associative engine, it does prioritize user-friendliness with a design that allows users to create and manage reports without extensive technical knowledge.
Collaboration and Action
Both tools facilitate collaboration among users. Qlikview enables real-time collaboration and action, a feature that is also central to Crystal Reports, which allows multiple users to work on the same report and share insights.
Customization
Customization is a key aspect of both Qlikview and Crystal Reports, where users can tailor reports and dashboards to meet specific organizational needs.
QlikView vs. Crystal Reports
Data Processing Engine
QlikView uses an associative engine for data processing, enabling intuitive visual discovery and allowing users to uncover hidden trends and patterns. Crystal Reports does not have an associative engine, which may lead to a more linear and query-based approach to data analysis.
Deployment Options
QlikView offers flexibility in deployment options, with both cloud-based SaaS deployments via Qlik Cloud Analytics and on-premises solutions through Qlik Sense. Crystal Reports primarily focuses on on-premises deployment, with less emphasis on cloud-based solutions.
User Interface
The user interface of QlikView is designed for intuitive visual discovery, making business intelligence more accessible to a broader audience. Crystal Reports, while offering robust reporting features, may require more technical expertise for report design and customization.
Collaboration and Real-Time Analytics
QlikView promotes real-time collaboration and action, allowing teams to work together effectively on data-driven decisions. Crystal Reports, traditionally known for static reporting, may not offer the same level of real-time collaboration features.
AI-Powered Insights
QlikView, through Qlik Cloud Analytics and Qlik Sense, utilizes AI to enhance human intuition with insights. Crystal Reports does not inherently focus on AI-powered analytics, placing more emphasis on report generation and data visualization.
Comparison of QlikView, Crystal Reports, and SourceTable
Overview
QlikView, Crystal Reports, and SourceTable are analytics solutions designed to help organizations utilize data for decision-making. QlikView is known for its associative engine and intuitive visual discovery, while Crystal Reports specializes in report generation, and SourceTable is recognized for its spreadsheet-like interface and collaboration features.
QlikView
Crystal Reports
SourceTable
Contrasts and Capabilities
While QlikView introduces an associative engine for data discovery, Crystal Reports is more traditional in its approach to report generation without such a feature. SourceTable is modeled after spreadsheets, prioritizing ease of use and collaboration. QlikView and SourceTable offer cloud-based solutions, whereas Crystal Reports is predominantly used on-premises. AI integration is a distinct benefit in QlikView, not typically found in Crystal Reports or SourceTable.
Try Sourcetable
Simplify your BI tooling with a spreadsheet that syncs with all your data.
Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions About Sourcetable
What is Sourcetable and who typically uses it?
Sourcetable is a spreadsheet application that allows users to access data from most 3rd party applications, query data, and build live models that automatically update. It is typically used by growth teams and business operations teams.
Does Sourcetable require coding skills?
No, Sourcetable does not require any coding. Users can start creating reports and building models without any programming knowledge.
How often does Sourcetable sync data from other applications?
Sourcetable syncs data from over 100 applications and most databases. On the regular plan, data integrations update every 15 minutes, and on the pro plan, they update every 5 minutes.
How much does Sourcetable cost?
Sourcetable costs $50 per month on the starter plan and $250 per month on the pro plan. Additional seats cost $20 per month each.
Is there a trial period for Sourcetable?
Yes, all plans of Sourcetable come with a 14-day free trial period.
Qlikview Pricing Structure
-
Standard Plan
The Qlikview Standard Plan requires a minimum of 20 full users. It offers 25 GB/year of data analysis capacity.
- Connect and combine 100s of data sources
- Interactive data visualizations
- Customizable dashboards
- Augmented analytics with AI
- Team collaboration features
- 24x7 customer support
-
Premium Plan
Qlikview's Premium Plan extends the Standard Plan by doubling the data analysis capacity to 50 GB/year.
- Automated report compilation and delivery
- Additional data source connections
- Predictive analytics with automated machine learning
- No-code automation builder triggers
- Enterprise-grade data governance
- Personalized customer success plan
-
Enterprise Plan
The Enterprise Plan is designed for extensive data analysis needs, offering 500 GB/year of data analysis capacity.
-
Capacity Alerts
Qlikview notifies users as they approach their data capacity limits.
Crystal Reports Pricing
Crystal Reports is available at a one-time purchase price of $495. This cost is for the standard license of the software.
-
Crystal Reports is available at a one-time purchase price of $495. This cost is for the standard license of the software.
-
Additional Licensing
Developing reports for external distribution requires additional licensing. Users must comply with these licensing requirements to legally share reports outside of their organization.
User Reviews of QlikView
-
Overall Impressions
QlikView has garnered an overall rating of 4.3, reflecting a strong user satisfaction. Users find QlikView to be a robust business intelligence (BI) tool with versatile data visualization capabilities.
-
Functionality and Ease-of-Use
The functionality of QlikView is highly rated at 4.5, appreciated for its ability to integrate multiple data sources and create detailed reports. However, with a rating of 4 for ease-of-use, some users find the UI clunky and the tool less user-friendly with certain data sources.
-
Support and Value
Customer support and value for money also stand at a 4 rating, indicating good, but not exceptional, satisfaction in these areas. Despite some limitations, QlikView is considered to provide a ton of value and is easy to implement.
-
Performance
- QlikView's in-memory processing ensures fast data handling, though it may have a slow response with heavy data volumes.
- A slight delay in real-time data sync has been noted by users.
-
Limitations
While QlikView is effective for dashboarding and analyzing sales and marketing data, it lacks strong visualization capabilities compared to some competitors. Users also note the inability to export a list of all currently licensed users and the absence of write-back to the database functionality.
-
Comparisons with Other Tools
In comparison with other BI tools, QlikView is rated as not as good as Qlik Sense, Tableau, or PowerBI, particularly in terms of visualization and detailed reporting.
-
Community and Resources
QlikView has a wide user group over the internet, including a support forum, which can be beneficial for students and professionals alike. It allows for customization using VBA or other programming languages, fostering a collaborative and resourceful environment.
User Reviews of Crystal Reports
Crystal Reports, owned by SAP, is widely recognized as an effective reporting tool. Reviews collected from users reflect its ease of use and functionality in creating custom, quality reports, especially for financial investment opportunities and detailed business documentation. Users in the SAP ecosystem find it a particularly good fit for their reporting development needs.
-
Crystal Reports, owned by SAP, is widely recognized as an effective reporting tool. Reviews collected from users reflect its ease of use and functionality in creating custom, quality reports, especially for financial investment opportunities and detailed business documentation. Users in the SAP ecosystem find it a particularly good fit for their reporting development needs.
-
Functionality and Integration
- Reviewers highlight the software's ease of use for sorting and retrieving data for analysis.
- Its ability to move data from databases and present it visually is well-regarded.
- Integration into Visual Studio applications is noted as a strong point.
-
Design and Compatibility
- The built-in report designer and compatibility with various file types contribute to its comprehensive nature.
- Being able to work with any database makes it versatile for different business environments.
-
Value and Pricing
- Despite its many features, the high price for single user licenses and the perpetual license model are seen as drawbacks.
- The subscription pricing model has received criticism for not providing value commensurate with its cost.
-
Security and Features
- Users point out that Crystal Reports has a weak data security model.
- The lack of an online dashboarding feature is also noted as a limitation.
-
Reviewer Source
These insights are based on user reviews and ratings, with some reviewers being invited by Capterra and incentivized with a nominal gift card. A specific review from May 1, 2019, emphasized Crystal Reports as an essential tool for informed business decisions, underscoring its role in comprehensive reporting for SQL datasets and business documentation.
Conclusion
In summary, Qlikview and Crystal Reports offer distinct approaches for business intelligence needs. Qlikview stands out with its in-memory data processing and associative data model, while Crystal Reports is known for its strong reporting capabilities and detailed document generation.
For businesses looking for a more streamlined solution, Sourcetable may be a suitable alternative. It simplifies the business intelligence process by offering real-time data syncing across services within a spreadsheet interface, making data analysis more accessible.
Try Sourcetable
Simplify your BI tooling with a spreadsheet that syncs with all your data.
Learn More
Simplify Your BI Tooling
Sourcetable is the AI spreadsheet that lets you analyze your data in one place. Get unlimited access free for 14 days.