What is the best tool for reporting?

I am a total newbie when it comes to reporting, so any advice would be appreciated!

We have an Intranet application built in VB. I usually build the reports using Visual Studio's Report Builder. This works fine, but when our users make changes to our data source (we have a database, which has an ASP.net data access library), or when they make changes to the report itself, then I don't really know how to update the report automatically without asking them to do it.

They should be able to update the report, because we use the VS Report Builder (in a separate project) to build the report in order to view it. In the database, we only store the most recent version of each report, and they always download the latest version when they open the report. The problem is that whenever they make changes to the database, or to the report, we would need to have another round-trip to their PC. This is annoying and we would prefer that they just receive the latest report in a timely manner without any further changes.

We are considering changing our method of building reports to something like XAML. I am not sure how much this will speed up things though, as I still think the reports can be saved with a report builder (ie as a .rdl file), and then just be displayed by Visual Studio. If the application is built in VB.net, will a XAML based application still work? Is it the best tool for what we are trying to do? We already have the VB.net software.

Is there any good way to update an existing rdl file (or maybe just the report)? When we build our report (and save it to a .rdl file), can we just change the date and time of the rdl file? What does VS do when you run a report from an rdl file? Thanks in advance for any help! Edit: Sorry, it appears I didn't word my question properly. When we build the report (which should happen before the user opens the report), we would change the time and date to the current time and date. This way, when the user opens the report, it shows the most recent version, rather than waiting for them to open the file to see the most recent version of the report.

Thanks for your reply.

How to anonymously report to HR?

I recently resigned from a job in order to move abroad.

However, I was only able to get a one-month extension for the notice period and my HR department did not inform me of my next steps until after I had already left the company.

How can I go about reporting to HR without being identified? I have tried to make a report anonymously on a web form (and also by emailing them) but I am always told that they cannot take any action until the 90 days is over. How can I deal with this situation, especially if my previous company has a confidentiality clause in their employment contract? What kind of repercussions could I expect? Thank you for your help. Answer. If you want to make a report, without being identified, then you need to go through the HR manager, or a member of senior management. If you are not sure who that is, then look at the org chart on their intranet.

What you are doing is essentially a whistleblowing action. That means you are not breaking any law, but you are going against the interests of your company.

How can you go about doing this? The first thing is to be clear that you do not want to be identified. The reason for this is that you are going against the interests of your company. If you are identified, then you will be treated differently, as you are no longer an employee.

So you need to make your report as anonymous as possible. I would suggest that you use the name of a dead person, and write it as if you were sending a letter to a dead person. That is the easiest way to avoid being identified.

As for the company, they have a confidentiality clause, but you can always claim that you were acting in the public interest, and that you wanted to save the company money. That might not be enough to stop the company taking action against you. I would think that you should write to your MP, and explain the situation.

A final thought. You might also want to consider what the purpose of the action is. Why do you want to report this? Do you want to save other people from being caught out? Is there something that you know is going to happen and that you want to prevent? Or is it just a general action?