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Reporting tools? (for management reporting, financial reporting, controlling reporting)? a suggestion?

Hi, I would like to have some info about the most used reporting program/software/tools (for management reporting, financial reporting, controlling reporting). Which one of the following is the most requested by companies? - SAS - Business Objects - Microstrategy - Crystal Reports - Hyperion - Cognos Which one of those do you think it's the most complete, or giving such an "added value" to be more qualified in the job market? More and more often I see companies looking for people who knows such reporting software. As far as me, I don't know anyone of them, but if I had to attend a course, which one would you suggest me? I already know SAP R/3, AS 400, and JDE so I do not need to know generic ERP Thanks to everybody for your precious suggestions

Public Comments

1. As with most things - it depends. In my experience, for straightforward reporting, at a relatively basic level, Business Objects is the most popular with employers. Also, I found it really easy to pick up (though it had a few quirks, but then what doesn't). SAS is also very popular with employers, but it's a much more advanced package. It can take years to properly get to grips with SAS. Traditionally, it's been used by way of a sort of scripting language, though a few years ago they bought out a graphical interface which i believe has become quite popular - with beginners. (Employers often ask for "SAS programmers", which might give you a clue how technical it is to use.) If you know how to use it properly, SAS is a fantastically productive tool, but like i say, it's difficult to start with. Both Business Objects and SAS will give you a lot of "added value", as you put it, to employers. SPSS is also a popular one; a more recent entrant is Alterian, though this is more of a data engine rather than the full tool (people put their own front ends on top). You can actually go a long way reporting-wise with just MS Access and Excel. In my last job we used Business Objects for data extraction, and then did the reporting / analysis in Access / Excel. But if I had to pick one which looks best on your CV, while not taking years to learn... Business Objects.
2. All the tools you have mentioned are equally good in financial reporting ie. they are reporting tools for business intelligence. The popular ones I have seen in the market are - Hyperion - Cognos SAP will be replacing the BEX Analyser in their Business Intelligence to Crystal Reports in year 2010. So watch the space