Business Objects/ Crystal Report Contracting

**partimer** · 23 June 2004, 14:44

If you're thinking of contracting with just writing reports then think again.

You're having a laugh if you expect people to pay you to write a few reports using a tool.

It's the other stuff that goes with it that makes you the money. Are you good at getting requirements from users, handling business needs, etc.

Any monkey can write a report. It's to make sure the reports are what the business needs and how the reports highlight problems within the business, that will keep you employed.

I'm not trying to put you off (go for it !). It's just that being good technically isn't enough these days since you can get a cheap technical FTV at half the price.

Make you can speak the language of the business.
Good luck.

Cue MarillionFan and "the art of pushy BullSh1t"

**funkzig** · 23 June 2004, 16:03

BO & Crystal

I am well aware of that and have all the experience you mention and some.

Notwithstanding that, I've written hundreds of reports in my time and believe you me, a monkey could not have written alot of them!

Anyway, the jobs are generally advertised as "Business Objects Developer" or "Crystal Report Writer" hence why I said I was considering becoming a Business Objects or Crystal reports contractor. Which part of that didn't you understand??!!

So, with all that understood, is there anyone with experience of such contracts got any *valuable* advice.

Cheers

**partimer** · 23 June 2004, 17:13

Re: BO & Crystal

LOL.
Touch a nerve there ...

Lighten up (or grow a thicker skin) it's only a public forum and I'm not psychic.

Seriously, MF is the guy you want to speak to since he was after a one week trainer to take his place.

Hope that was valuable enough for you.

Like I said on another thread, if you haven't made your million after 3 years you can always go back to being a permie

Just do it.
If you think I'm wasting time posting you should meet the others ...

PS - I do VB and crystal

**funkzig** · 23 June 2004, 17:22

Re: BO & Crystal

Ok Ok, so I admit, I did get a bit pissed off

I'm calm again now

Do you find Crystal rates good enough when compared to BO rates? They seem to be lower and as I know both I always lean towards BO as the best way to go.

cheers

**mikee** · 23 June 2004, 17:38

Re: BO & Crystal

I been contracting for 5 years, most roles these days arent really pure reporting, but I've had a couple of decent contracts in the past where thats all I've been doing.

You really need solid all round BusinessObjects skills -designer / supervisor / BCA / Webi plus Oracle / PLSQL to have any chance.

Dont know about Crystal, never used it, dont intend to particularly.

**partimer** · 23 June 2004, 17:41

Re: BO & Crystal

>Do you find Crystal rates good enough when compared to BO rates

Unfortunately, crystal for some reason has been tagged as the dumb mans version of BO.
A bit like people comparing C++ to VB.

This means BO rates are higher than crystal by far.
Personally I think you're right to stick with BO for rates. There's also less people that know BO in my opinion (since I meet more crystal people than BO in my travels).

Then there are rumours about Hyperion (but I don't know that well enough). Rates are suppose to be even higher ...
Always remember the market supply and demand.

**MarillionFan** · 23 June 2004, 18:11

Re: BO & Crystal

"Cue MarillionFan and "the art of pushy BullSh1t" - as if my magic.

As you will be aware the 'real contractors :lol ' and "hardcore developers" :lol of this board are against the idea of using tools like BO or CR.

As someone said, it's not actually being able to write reports using these tools, ( it doesnt pay well) you need to be able to bring the additional Value Adding skills. Business Analysis, business engineering, deployment, consultancy really adds value and allows you to get good rates.

That said.

Basic Crystal Reports skills at the mo is about £20-£25 p/h £30 at a push.

BO - £30-£35. £40/£45 at a push. ie. More expensive product, therefore 'harder' to learn.

If you are available at the end of next week I can probably get you a Crystal contract immediately. Basically you can have mine, based in Leeds, as I have given my notice for a 1 Year contract closer to home.

PS : There are many losers on this board who will shout you down. Partimer isnt one though.

**sappatz** · 23 June 2004, 21:26

Krystal

everything that ends with reports sucks.( screen painters and all that stuff also)
I dont even know what it has to do with IT.

**funkzig** · 24 June 2004, 08:06

BO & Crystal

Luckily for me, most of the developers I know have nothing to do with MIS so I dont get much grief

I'd love to hear their point of view though to see what they've got to say

I have to say that alot of the BI products are overated and under used. I find that a lot of users just want an automated report in Excel format delivered to their mailbox! Adhoc analysis does come into it but that can only be achieved once you've established a fool proof way of presenting the data for self service. I only use BO or Crystal as an 'end of a process' delivery mechanism. The real hard work comes before that as you say in the requirements/definition gathering stage plus the data analysis of systems. I generally spend alot more time writing SQL and analysing tables etc before finally whacking out a report/universe.

Thanks for the offer but I'm not moving over just yet, plus I will probably work in London. Incidentally, I saw a BO contract right up my street yesterday for 450 a day (very tempting but I am going to bide my time and do some research).

Thanks all for your comments

Business Objects/ Crystal Report Contracting