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. MetaReport offers several advantages. First, the program uses ADO (ActiveX Data Objects) and BDE (Borland Database Engine) to build reports, but does not requires having BDE installed. Second, the program can be used inside third-party applications as a built-in ActiveX object ? the only program in its class that offers this feature. Third, various data parameters can be specified without having to alter the report itself. Program owner can choose from several popular report formats ? from simple TXT or CSV to WMF, XLS, HTML, RTF, PDF. It means that reports built with MetaReport can be processed later in Excel or other applications, placed on the web, e-mailed or made a part of presentation. The report building process itself is a very simple one and is based on using a visual report builder module. The report templates can be not only saved, but also ?locked? to prevent anyone from altering them. All in all, MetaReport is a budget solution that is a fortunate combination of straightforwardness, added value and functionality.

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