Feedback on 3rd party charting tools

[Rachael]

Hi All,

I would like to hear anyones experiences with charts/graphs. I find the Access charts not powerful enough and unreliable. I distribute my databases so need also something that is not complicated for the end user.

I have looked into a couple so far and here is my feedback to date.

TeeChart Pro from Steema;~$350 US

Seems good and will do what I want but how to get the componenets needed to run it onto clients machines. You need to distribute an ocx and help file and have them register in the clients registry (haven'e a clue how to make this happen easily for clients who barely know where the start button is)

Flipper Graph Control;~$550 US

Looks complicated, requires a lot of coding from what I can gather, haven't tested thoroughly, woull.d have the same probs with distributing components I'm guessing

TeeChart Office; Free but won't work with Access, only Borland (Delphi etc)

There are a few others but more directed towards web stuff.

I would really love to hear what others use and how things all work. I like TeeChart Pro but don't want distribution to existing client headaches and any other headaches, I have enough already.

Thankyou for any feedback I appreciate it.

Rachael

 

[Pat Hartman]

Do your clients know how to create charts/graphs with Excel? Excel can easily use Access data.

 

[Rachael]

Hi Pat,

Thank you for your reply, most of my clients are farmers so they know the ins and outs of tractors and how to grow things but mostly don't have a clue about computers, some are flat out finding the Start button, so everything has to be very easy and simple. I agree that excel is a good alternative but I must also not assume that everyone has excel either. I have about 300 clients at this stage and four different agricultural software products for vineyard, tablegrape, olive and general horticulture record keeping. I update via my website where the client goes and downloads the update.

Kind regards,

Rachael