Frequently Asked Questions about BrightWork Reporter

Have a question? See the answers to the questions our pre-sales professionals hear the most.

• What are the key functional differences between BrightWork Reporter and BrightWork pmPoint? [answer]
• Why did BrightWork release BrightWork Reporter?[answer]
• When would a single organization use both BrightWork Reporter and BrightWork pmPoint? [answer]
• Is it possible to upgrade a server from BrightWork Reporter to BrightWork pmPoint? [answer]
• If I want to upgrade from BrightWork Reporter to BrightWork pmPoint will I get a rebate? [answer]
• Can reports created for BrightWork Reporter run unchanged in BrightWork pmPoint, and vice versa? [answer]
• What are the differences in licensing models between BrightWork Reporter and BrightWork pmPoint? [answer]
• Can BrightWork Reporter roll-up information from multiple top-level WSS sites? [answer]
• Can I create my own reports? [answer]
• I have created my own list based on a heavily edited SharePoint list, will BrightWork Reporter be able to rollup list data from it? [answer]

What are the key functional differences between BrightWork Reporter and BrightWork pmPoint?

BrightWork Reporter is shipped as a separate product but is also a component of BrightWork pmPoint. It is a customizable SharePoint web part that rolls-up list data from multiple lists and webs into a single view-like report. BrightWork pmPoint is a work and project management environment that includes tailored project management templates, specially created SharePoint lists (for example, Risks, Phases, Milestones) and a host of features (including BrightWork Reporter), all designed to streamline the process of work and project management on SharePoint. BrightWork pmPoint also allows you build your own work and project management solutions.

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Why did BrightWork release BrightWork Reporter?

BrightWork released BrightWork Reporter because we realized that while a lot of our customers required the work and project management capabilities offered by BrightWork pmPoint, others did not and simply wanted to be able to extract list data from multiple lists and webs and display the results in a single report.

BrightWork has had a reporting solution bundled with its collaborative products for many years – first in the Lotus Notes product and then in the Exchange 2000 (Webstore) / SharePoint 2001 (Webstore) product and now in BrightWork pmPoint on SharePoint 2003. Customers and Partners alike have asked BrightWork to make this mature piece of functionality available as a stand-alone product.

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When would a single organization use both BrightWork Reporter and BrightWork pmPoint?

A single organization would use both BrightWork Reporter and BrightWork pmPoint when they required BrightWork Reporter functionality across the organization, but only needed a limited number of BrightWork pmPoint licenses – perhaps across the departments managing projects.

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Is it possible to upgrade a server from BrightWork Reporter to BrightWork pmPoint?

Yes, simply uninstall BrightWork Reporter and install BrightWork pmPoint. All existing reports will be as originally configured.

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If I want to upgrade from BrightWork Reporter to BrightWork pmPoint, will I get a rebate?

Yes, a partial to complete rebate will be available to customers of BrightWork Reporter who want to upgrade to BrightWork pmPoint. The level of the rebate will depend on the number of BrightWork pmPoint licenses being purchased.

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Can reports created for BrightWork Reporter run unchanged in BrightWork pmPoint, and vice versa?

Yes; however remember that BrightWork pmPoint includes a number of special SharePoint lists and other features created by BrightWork to manage work and projects. Reports created specifically for these lists and features will not return any results outside of BrightWork pmPoint.

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What are the differences in licensing models between BrightWork Reporter and BrightWork pmPoint?

The BrightWork Reporter licensing model is server-based – with an unlimited number of users, whereas the BrightWork pmPoint licensing model is user based (for organizations with low volume usage) or site licenses based (for organizations with high volume).

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Can BrightWork Reporter roll-up information from multiple WSS site collections?

Yes.

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Can I create my own reports?

Yes, detailed instructions are provided, as well as the ability to easily create a copy of any report, including the 50+ supplied reports. The advantage of this is that it is very likely that the report you want to create will be a variation on an existing report.

However, if you find the process of creating your own report too daunting, talk to us and we will do it for you.

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I have created my own list based on a heavily edited SharePoint list, will BrightWork Reporter be able to rollup list data from it?

Yes, but in order for BrightWork Reporter to see the columns you have added, you will need to create a new report using one of the 50+ supplied reports. This is relatively easy and detailed instructions are provided.

 

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