Why Robert Ripp switched to Data Dynamics Reports and Spread

"I turned to GrapeCity products when competitive offerings did not work for us. Our product is a spreadsheet based application with heavy reporting features. We tried to use Crystal Reports but its user interface was terrible and support nonexistent. The moment we switched to Data Dynamics Reports, I knew we had a winner - it was 1000% better than Crystal Reports.

Similarly, we replaced Infragistics UltraGrid tool with Spread for Windows and had a similar experience: dramatic improvement in performance, features, and coding efficiency. In both cases, we've gotten timely feedback from the support forums.

I've been very pleased with these products and look forward to continued new releases."

Robert Ripp
Chief Executive Officer
Fintelligent, LLC
Full Case Study.

ActiveReports 6 and the GrapeCity Factor - A look back and what to expect in future

With the soon to be launched ActiveReports 6, this seems an appropriate time to take a step back and look at what the GrapeCity acquisition has meant for Data Dynamics and what it implies for the future.

The ActiveReports 6 launch marks a major milestone in two respects. Firstly, it is a reflection of the commitment to not only continue the product development and support but in fact, take ActiveReports, Data Dynamics Reports and Data Dynamics Analysis to the next level in terms of their strategic direction and overall product features, quality and support.

Read the full article on the ActiveReports Blog.

About GrapeCity and ActiveReports

When GrapeCity acquired Data Dynamics late last year and the GrapeCity name started appearing in all Data Dynamics promotions, it was a relatively unknown name for a number of customers who probably wondered who GrapeCity was.

As it turns out, GrapeCity's name is very familiar to a number of US and international Component and Developer Tool vendors.

Read the full article.

Microsoft Case Study on ActiveReports

Microsoft today released a new Case study highlighting Precision.BI's use of ActiveReports and other .NET reporting and Analysis tools from GrapeCity-Data Dynamics to speed the delivery of a new Healthcare Business Intelligence product to its customers.

Precision.BI needed powerful analysis and reporting components for its healthcare business intelligence solution. The company found what it needed in third-party components from GrapeCity, including functionality that enables users to explore huge quantities of data and to generate rich reports on an ad hoc basis. Precision.BI plans to continue taking advantage of GrapeCity’s rich components and excellent support as both companies migrate their software to Microsoft® Silverlight™ 3.
Read the full Case Study (PDF).

Win a Trip to Microsoft PDC!

INETA is sponsoring the INETA Component Code Challenge, with the winner receiving a scholarship to Microsoft PDC 2009 in Los Angeles, CA. All you need to do is build the best application using one of ActiveReports, Data Dynamics Reports or Analysis product and another component.

The Details:

Build a .NET Application (WinForms, ASP.NET, WPF, Silverlight, Compact Framework, etc.) using at least 2 components from at least 2 different approved vendors (yes, GrapeCity is an approved vendor) then make a 3-5 minute Camtasia video showing your entry and describing what components you used and why your application is cool. The INETA judges will review the submissions and the best two will win a scholarship to Microsoft PDC 2009 in Los Angeles, CA, including air fare, hotel, and conference pass.

The submission deadline is 08/25/2009 at Midnight Eastern and the winners will be announced on 09/14/2009.

Entries will be judged on four criteria:

1. Effective use of a component to solve a problem/display data
2. Innovative use of components
3. Impact using components (i.e. reduction in lines of code written, increased productivity, etc.)
4. Most creative use of a component

See the contest page on the INETA web site for more details and full rules.

That’s it. So what are you waiting for? Show them how you are using ActiveReports or other GrapeCity-Data Dynamics products today and possibly win a free trip to PDC. Good luck!

GrapeCity-Data Dynamics in Europe

New UK Office to Allow Easier Access to Data Dynamics Products and Solutions

KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BusinessWire)--Data Dynamics, now part of GrapeCity, the world’s largest component developer, today announced the opening of West Sussex, England offices to best serve developers and IT professionals in Europe. While Data Dynamics has been selling globally for years, adding offices and staff in England reflect GrapeCity’s commitment to excellence in customer service and support and delivering the highest quality developer tools and components across Europe.

Commenting on the new announcements, Naoyuki Baba, GrapeCity President, said, “This is an important step forward as we try to get closer to our international customers and providing them with even greater value. We are confident that Neil Slater and his team of Europe based professionals will continue GrapeCity’s 25 year old tradition of excellent customer service and commitment.”

About the Products

ActiveReports is the award-winning .NET reporting tool used by Microsoft Visual Studio.NET developers for over a decade. It has over 50,000 registered users worldwide, and its user base is steadily growing.

Data Dynamics Reports is a new business reporting tool for .NET that allows developers to embed dashboards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Microsoft Excel transformations, and new user tools for business reporting in their .NET applications. The product supports and enhances the Microsoft SQL Server Reporting format, helping customers to get more from their investments in Microsoft technologies.

Data Dynamics Analysis was the first free-form data visualization component for Microsoft Visual Studio.NET. It enables .NET developers to embed free-form visual analysis and business intelligence for both structured and unstructured data into their .NET applications.

About GrapeCity
GrapeCity is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, an international award-winning software firm, and the world’s largest component vendor, employing more than 850 worldwide. The company’s corporate headquarters are in Japan, with US headquarters in Kirkland, WA. For over 25 years, the company has provided enterprises around the world with state-of-the-art software tools, solutions, and services to help them turn ideas into marketable products. For more information, visit www.grapecity.com and www.datadynamics.com

ActiveReports .NET Reporting and BI Tools Get High Ratings from Customers

Survey Results Highlight Flexibility, Ease of Use, Time Savings

KIRKLAND, Wash. GrapeCity, an international software development firm that recently purchased Data Dynamics, a developer of .NET reporting and business intelligence (BI) tools, today announced the results of a survey it just completed of Data Dynamics customers. The company reports that more than three quarters of survey respondents had highly positive reactions. For example:

1. 75% said the .NET reporting features are above average or well above average in their helpfulness to developers.
2. 77% said the overall quality of the .NET reporting components is above average or well above average.
3. 80% said they are satisfied or highly satisfied with the company and its .NET developer tools.

For more information, read the press release.

ActiveReports, Data Dynamics and GrapeCity win ComponentSource Awards

Earlier this year, ActiveReports, Data Dynamics and GrapeCity won a number of awards from ComponentSource, the world's largest component marketplace for being a best-selling product, and best-selling component developers. Other products such as Data Dynamics Reports also featured among the Top 100 downloads.

The awards won by GrapeCity and Data Dynamics are:

2008 Bestselling Products Awards
ActiveReports for .NET—Ranked #2 in Top 5 Products
ActiveReports COM/ActiveX—Ranked #26 in Top 50 Products
Data Dynamics Reports—Ranked #100 in Top 100 Products

2008 Bestselling Publisher Awards
GrapeCity-Data Dynamics—Ranked #4 in Top 5 Publishers
GrapeCity (Japan)—Ranked #5 in Top 5 Publishers

Read the press release for more information.