Creating a Dataset (Report Framework)

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With a little bit of technical expertise, your company can extend the RMS Custom Reports with datasets that provide answers to specific questions that your company needs. No changes to the RMS application are required. You will need the assistance of a database administrator or database programmer that is familiar with creating Microsoft SQL Server views or user defined functions.

The RMS Report Framework is designed to work with loosely coupled datasets. A dataset that is based on a view or user defined function that returns a table may be created by you and then saved in the RMS database in Microsoft SQL Server. The newly created dataset will then appear as one of the datasets to use in the Custom Reports Editor and Creator in the RMS application. All reporting capabilities normally available will be available to these datasets. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own dataset.

1. Create a view or user defined function (UDF) that returns a table in Microsoft SQL Server in the RMS database file. The field names must have no spaces. The owner of the object should be dbo.

2. Open the T_RPT_TEMPLATE table.

Enter the view or UDF name in the TemplateName field. All UDF names should be prefaced by dbo (dbo.myUDFname).

Enter the view or UDF name as it should appear to users in the TemplateDesc field.

Enter "NotUsed" in the TemplateFields field - it is not used at this time.

Enter VW or FN in the TemplateType field for views and UDFs respectively.

Enter an extended description of the view or UDF so that users will know what kind of data it provides.

Enter the Filter Theme (check with RTC Tech Support for guidance or enter "NONE") in the FilterTheme field.

3. Open the T_RPT_TEMPLATE_FIELDS table.

Enter the view or UDF name in the TemplateName field.
Enter the first field name in the FieldName field.
Enter the Lookup List constant in the LookupList field (you may check with RTC Tech Support for guidance here or you may leave this field blank).
Enter either Text, Numeric or DateTime in the DataType field.

Repeat the above steps for each field in the view or UDF.