When it comes to reporting in almost any ERP, there is a world of choices.  Any report tool that can speak ODBC, can communicate with any database that speaks ODBC, which is most of databases today.

When I am asked about reporting in Dynamics NAV, I usually rattle off: SSRS, JetReports, Crystal Reports, FRx and Targit.  I also emphasize the fact that Dynamics NAV reduces the need for regular reports by making the data easier to access through forms and filters.

 

SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) is Microsofts reporting engine for SQL server, running in Visual Studio.  It has been greatly improved over the years and is a very viable reporting tool.  It is also comes packaged with SQL Server.  The downside of SSRS is that you can not directly access the calcfields which make Dynamics NAV a wonderful product.

 

JetReports is a fine product that focuses on reporting into Excel.  Calcfields are visible, and the product is specifically designed for Dynamics NAV.

 

Targit is a BI suite using OLAP technology which is native to SQL Server.  Since the OLAP cubes need to be built, the data warehouse needs to be refreshed at night and the user is always looking at least day old data.  The benefit comes from the users ability to quickly calculate totals from any axis.  The OLAP cubes handle the totaling so there is not need to access the calcfields.

 

Crystal Reports is widely recognized across many ERPs.  Since it is relatively ERP independent, it does not take advantage of the calcfields within NAV.

 

FRx is a specialized package for preparing financial statements.  It is a package that has survived the ever changing landscape of technology and serves it’s purpose pretty well.  Dynamics NAV, has built in financial statement report writer which comes pretty close in functionality.  A data warehouse needs to be generated for FRx, so works similar to an OLAP tool.

 

…. Last but not least is the Dynamics NAV report writer, which has been the trusted friend of veteran Navision developers.  It is definitely the most robust report writer you can use with Dynamics NAV.  It might not be as fancy and user friendly as the aforementioned products, but it makes it up in versatility and straight down to business engineering.  I am probably biased since I have been working with it forever, but I encourage you not to disqualify it too quickly.  You might just find yourself liking it.