Q. Why do Software Vendors need Self-Service reporting?

Customers chose web-based SaaS solutions over traditional solutions because they an be accessed anytime, anywhere and by anyone without involvement from IT or third-party consultants. In contrast, traditional reporting does not work this way. Using and administering SasS or web-based applications can be done by members of the user community. In contrast, traditional reporting or BI, requires involving highly technical experts that must make changes to the server environment in order to make even minor change to the report. This process can often take weeks or months when the user needs the right report right now. Software vendors can seldom charge enough to or deliver the level of responsiveness from professional services that users demand. Self-service reporting makes it possible for the user community to make the small changes to the reports that they need by themselves.

Q. How can software vendors embed self-service reporting into their applications?

Vendors have two options, build or buy. Building your own capabilities can take many man-years, is frought with risk and will often result in a system that is obsolete by the time it is deployed. Unfortuantely, developers do not have a crystal ball that lets them foresee what kinds of reports or use cases customers will want months or years into the future. Fortunately, vendors can embed a self-service reporting platform like Izenda Reports into their application in a manner of days. As the solution has proven successful for tens of thousands of users, vendors cover their needs today while offering capabilities for needs that will arise over time. As new needs arise from many customers, Izenda is constantly adding new features and capabilities.

Q. So vendors have OEM an off-the-shelf solution?

Yes, Izenda reports can be integrated into an application in a manner of days while reducing cost and risk. In fact, there is a free trial available which you can evaluate today.

Q. Doesn't Microsoft Reporting Services and Crystal Reports already do this?

No, existing report writers are excellent tools for developers who need to create individual static reports that get inserted into an application. Unfortunately, these reports can not be changed. If the user needs something that is even slightly different (perhaps with an extra field), they are out of luck and have to wait for development to provide a new report with the next release. In contrast, a self-service reporting solution will empower the user community to make the many simple changes that they need and even create new ad hoc reports from scratch.

Q. What about security?

Izenda support full multi-role, multi-tenant security. Best of all, it inherits your existing security model rather than introducing something new.

See security.

Q. How long does it take to integrate?

Integrating core security, applying headers and connecting it to your database can take as little as a few days.

Q. How much does it cost?

See pricing.