BusinessReportingSoftware.net

So What Exactly IS a Business Report?

You think you don't use reporting. After all, you're not responsible for inventory lists, financial statements, distribution tallies or other typical reports. Then again...

Have you ever generated a letter? Created a business card? Produced a certificate?

If so, you've probably used reporting at some point. When you generate documents by extracting data and inserting it into a template, that's a form of reporting.

For medium-sized and larger companies, reporting software typically is used to generate reports. The software takes data stored somewhere (database, data file, etc.) formats it in such a way that we can easily grasp it. When you get down to it, a report is simply a representation of data.

Until now, most businesses have stuck to a traditional way of thinking about reporting. But we could expand this definition to encompass a much broader category of reports. Doing so gives a company more freedom. You can now represent your data with greater ease, as well as see major cost and time savings.

For example, consider this letter:

Sample Report

At first glance, you might not think of this letter as a report. But let's look a little closer.

  • The letter template mirrors a typical report template. It carries a standard format with default text and places for holding data (the date, employee's name, salary, terms, etc.) Create 200 offer letters, and they will all look the same with the exception of the individual personal data and offer details.
  • Since the data is stored in the company's database, all the manager needs to do is run the "report" for the appropriate individuals, and the data is automatically inserted into the "report template" (the letter).

Smart HR departments are realizing that they can simply:

  1. Create one letter template in Microsoft Word
  2. Insert placeholders for data and,
  3. Watch as hundreds or thousands of offer letters are generated accurately and efficiently

No more typing individual “Offer of Employment” letters. No more relying on cut and paste.

Okay, now consider the following sample certificate...

You can get the full version of the What Is Reporting white paper from our sponsor Windward Reports.

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