Installing the BIRT Report Software

The report generator used in the PPS is based on the Birt software and uses additionally loadable report templates for it. This way, it is possible to generate new evaluations and make them usable in the PPS. In case you need further evaluations, you may install the optional installation package "Birt Designer" simultaneously or afterwards and use a supplied basic report as a basis for your new report. For the Birt Designer will be installed an Eclipse development environment with the Birt plug-in and Java. The generation of a report, however, is reserved for the IT expert who is already familiar with it. Therefore, it is recommended to install the Birt Designer only after having the required IT knowledge.

For the installation, select the Birt Designer package in the installation program. The software is then installed in the previously determined PPS directory.

In order not to endanger the safe operation of your PPS, install the complete PPS software including the Birt Designer components on a development PC and do not transfer your templates to the productive PPS until these are sufficiently tested. The software can also be installed on another PC than the PPS server.

Templates (*.rptdesign) for your own attempts can be found in the D:\PPS\ReportTemplates directory. There, you must save also your report template. In the PPS, under Reports, you can select Create Report Templates and load your report.

For selecting the secondary parameters for your report, under Primary parameters you can choose one of the available Report types.

  1. In your development instance, you can work with the data of your production system loading a backup (How to Restore the PPS and SKR3 or the SNS Database).
  2. In that case the development instance may not have a network access to the machines or the SNS, otherwise two PPS would work in a competitive way in the network and would hinder each other.
    1
    If this is not possible, unplug the network connection of the development PC before you create the data base.
    2
    After creating the database, call up the SKR machine administration program and deactivate all machines.
    3
    Start the StollPpsServer.
    4
    In the configuration switch the SNS back to the development PC.
    5
    In case you share the ERP Input/Output folder on the production system via the network, change this setting on the development PC to local share.
    6
    If the PPS is not installed on the same path as on your production system, you need to correct the path for loading the report templates.
    7
    In the PPS remove all machines from the administration.
    8
    Start the StollPpsServer, and reconnect the PC to your network.