MetaReport is a report building tool that can use multiple data sources of various formats (Access, dBase, Paradox, MS SQL, Oracle, InterBase and others) to create reports. Since most companies use different databases (Access for office, SQL for web and Oracle for inventory tracking, for example), the usefulness of this software is apparent to any person who worked in the database management field.
First, the program uses ADO and BDE to build reports, but does not requires having BDE installed.
Second, the program can be used inside third-party applications by using a built-in ActiveX object.
Third, various data parameters can be specified without having to alter the report itself.
And last, user can choose from several popular report formats - from simple TXT or CSV to WMF, XLS, HTML, RTF, PDF.
MetaReport Developer Kit contains MetaReport - powerful report designer, and MetaReportRuntime - redistributable runtime module. Software developers can include MetaReportRuntime into own projects as a report module.
MetaReportRuntime uses the same report engine as MetaReport and serves for launching existing database reports. Installation copy contain examples on VB and Delphi.
All in all, MetaReport is a budget solution that is a fortunate combination of straightforwardness, added value and functionality.
