Activant Prophet 21

Intro to Prophet 21 Form Package (Crystal)

This class is designed for…

Prophet 21 users responsible for the maintenance and design of their business formsUser’s with a basic knowledge of Crystal Reports 2008 who want to customize their forms

Objectives

Understanding of the Prophet 21/Crystal forms integrationForms Package RequirementsHow to set up a test environment for forms modificationsBasic components of a Crystal formBasic form modificationsHow to test and deploy a user modified form

This course will NOT cover…

How Crystal Reports 2008 worksUsing the custom DataStream toolBar-coding functionality

Overview of Forms Printing Process

Understand the basics of how the forms package works

Overview of Forms Printing Process

Print form from Prophet 21 system

Data stream is dropped in script path directory

P21 Parsing tool processes the data stream

.xml & .vbs are created via parsing tool

Overview of Forms Printing Process

Prophet 21 Crystal Viewer uses .xml, .vbs and

embedded OR customized report (form) to generate

form

Any issues?

Form prints

No Yes

Form DOES NOT print

Forms

Invoices (a) ChecksCustomer StatementsAcknowledgements (b)Packing Lists(c)Pick Tickets(c)Service Order formsManufacturer Rep OrderMerchandise CreditLabels

Production & Production Pick TicketTravelerPurchase OrderReturn Pick TicketRMA AcknowledgementTransfersVouchersInventory Returns

(a) Includes regular Invoice and Consolidated Invoices (Detail & Summary)

(b) Includes Order Acknowledgement, Quotation and RMA Acknowledgement

(c) Includes Priced & Unpriced versions of form

Definitions

.cfd file File sent out of Prophet 21 to be processed by P21 parsing tool

.xml file File created in an XML format once it’s passed through the P21 parsing tool

Definitions

.vbs file Script file to process .xml file and generate form

.rpt file Crystal Reports 2008 file (Actual form design)

.xsd file Schema

_USER.rpt User modified Crystal Report (form)

_USER.xsd User modified Crystal Report (schema)

Definitions

Script Path Folder where *.cfd files (data streams) are created.

Reports Path Folder where Crystal Reports exists as well as _USER forms

Forms Package Requirements

Prophet 21 version 11.5.1053 or higherCrystal Reports 2008 on the PC where you will be performing the forms modificationsPurchase the Forms Design Package from Activant which includes:

Licensing script (SQL Script)Report template files (.rpt)The data stream XML schema files (.xsd)

Setting Up a Test Environment

All testing should be done on user’s play (non production database)!Several steps:

1. Create new folder on local/shared drive (i.e. Crystal Forms Development) – no specific naming requirement

2. Set the “Reports Path” to folder created in step #13. Place a copy of the form (.rpt & .xsd file) in the folder

created in step #14. Rename the .rpt & .xsd to (_USER). For example, the

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.rpt and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.xsd would now be ACKNOWLEDGEMENT_USER.rpt and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT_USER.xsd

5. Modify your form, save, and test changes via the P21 application

System Settings – Files and Folders

System Setting – Customization Enabled

Basic Components of a Crystal Form

Each form (report) consists of multiple sectionsEach section has a specific purpose and specific fields associated with itLogic can be placed on each section for conditional suppression

Basic Sections of a Crystal Form

Page Header (PH)Group Header 1 (GH1)Detail (D)Group Footer 1 (GF1)Page Footer (PF)

Modifying a form – Basic guidelines

All modifications should be done in your test environment using your play (non production databaseUse “reprint” option to test form modification via the Prophet 21 applicationYou will need to “unlock” your form before it can be modified (Report Options – De-select “Read Only”)All fields on the form are “Text” data type

Modifying a form – Basic guidelines

Do not change sort order/grouping of the formDo not add groups to the form; you can add sections within an existing groupData fields in the HDRXXXDEF group can be added anywhere on the formYou can create formula to convert data field from text to other data types for additional formatting capabilities

Basic Forms Modifications

Adding text objects – header & footersMoving logos/adding graphics (See Solution #6755 for graphics requirements)Changing fonts/sizesAdding data fields to the header section of formAdding data fields to the detail section of a formFormulas to convert text to other data typesConditional text objects

Converting Text to Date Formula

Converting Text to Number Formula

Conditional Text Object

Conditional Text Object

Conditional Text Object

Deploying Your Form

Test, test, test your changes before deployment!Copy _USER.rpt and _USER.xsd files to the Crystal Reports Path specified in yourProduction databaseIf there are any issues with the new form, you can remove the _USER .rpt & .xsd from the Crystal Reports Path in order for the baseline forms to be used

Summary

Overview of forms printing processSetting up your test environmentBasic components of a Crystal FormsModifying your formsDeploying your modified forms

For More Information…

Prophet 21 Help FilesVisit Activant on the web: www.activant.com

View Educational Services course offeringsBrowse DocumentationSearch the Solutions databaseSubmit a Support case

Email Consulting Services consult-sales@activant.com

Email Professional Services Salespss@activant.com