Business Objects provided a full copy of Crystal Vision Server which we installed and configured on our own Windows Server 2003 test server (Intel Pentium 1.6GHz with 2 GB of RAM.) We then created a number of reports off of the sample databases that ship with the product and used the same data set to create interactive dashboards.

For our review, we looked first at how information from a database or other data source can be represented, as well as the design tools and skills required to deliver reports or dashboards. We also looked at how easy it was to use the design tools and what training would be required to bring an end-user or IT professional up to speed.

And finally, we looked at how easy it is to install, configure and administer the software, including but not limited to setting up the server components, publishing reports and dashboards to the Web-based portal that it is included, organising portal content, adding users and security.