The Reports window provides commands for displaying lists of reports that exist for the selected module. This window provides extensive reporting capabilities. At the broadest level, it supports the following types of reports:
- Tabular reports: An ad-hoc report displays data (either detailed or aggregate) in rows and columns
- Graph reports: An ad-hoc report displays data in a graphical format
- GIS reports: An ad-hoc report displays data via a color-coded map
- GIS Maps: A map composed of various layers assembled by a user
- Jasper reports: A pre-made report built using open source software and then available for use within the Reports window
This window organizes access to reports through a user-modifiable "folder" hierarchy that categorizes reports into:
- Private folders: contain reports that are available only to the creator of the report
- Shared folders: contain reports that are available to those users that were provided access by the report's creator
- Public folders: contain reports that are available to all authorized users
Reports are each created from a "view" of the database. These views are essentially various ways of organizing and relating the parameters and variables of the database, and serve as the basis for reports. A report may be thought of as an excerpt of a particular view — certain columns of data are extracted from the view, sorted or filtered (or otherwise manipulated) as needed, and then displayed on your computer. Any number of report views can be added to the system without software modification.
