Stop Fighting Your Data: Custom Reporting for Metalcasters

By Drew Hoesel, Information Analyst; Riley Reichert, Information Analyst; and Kevin Carlson, Senior Business Consultant

 

In metalcasting, having the right tool for the job is the difference between a quality pour and a scrap heap. The same is true for your data. Having the right reporting tool ensures you are seeing your operations clearly.

While standard data reports provide a baseline, your business isn't “standard.” If a report lacks the specific information you need or buries it under information you don’t need, it can slow your team down.

Through integration with Crystal Reports, Odyssey ERP gives you the flexibility to move beyond 'one-size-fits-all' reporting.

Here is how you can use these tools to gain more control over your operations.

 

Reports That Work For You

No two metalcasting operations are exactly alike. Yet many ERP systems lock you into fixed report formats. With Crystal Reports and Odyssey ERP, you have the power to define exactly how your data is presented.

• If you want data presented differently, you can change it.
• If certain fields are not useful, you can remove them.
• If there are additional insights your team needs to see, you can add them.

Crystal Reports can be customized to fit your operation at a company and customer level, as well as by user. That means planners, accounting, quality, and the shop floor can all see what matters most to them.

 

Reduce Manual Work

Time spent manually printing and routing individual documents is time wasted. Crystal Reports allows you to go beyond manual work and single reports with report series.

This is especially valuable for customer-specific requirements. For example, you can automatically print:

• Packing slips
• Labels
• Bills of Lading (BOLs)

All from a single action, based on a customer override. You can even control how many copies are printed and designate which printer in your facility handles them, down to a specific printer tray. This automation reduces manual handling, cuts down on errors, and keeps shipments moving.

 

Better Shop Cards, Better Shop Floor Execution

One of the most commonly customized reports in Odyssey ERP is the shop card—and for good reason.

With Crystal Reports, shop cards can be tailored to support how work actually happens on the floor:

• Add images or links directly from Odyssey ERP
• Customize routing steps with clear, step-by-step instructions
• Support both printed and digital versions in Shop Floor Manager

You can even customize content at the individual routing step level. This helps operators understand what to do, reduces training time, and ensures first-part-right quality across shifts.

 

Customization Beyond Reports

Crystal Reports is not limited to standard reports. It also supports customization of:

• Checks, including multi-currency setups and pre-printed signatures
• Labels, with flexibility to use Odyssey’s native label creator or Crystal Reports when advanced design is needed

This flexibility helps ensure your documents match your financial processes, customer expectations, and compliance needs.

 

A Tool That Grows with You

Crystal Reports is about control and adaptability. As your operation changes, your reports can change with it. You are not stuck reworking spreadsheets or relying on manual workarounds.

In an industry where every second and every pound of metal counts, having an ERP that bends to your specific workflow is a competitive advantage.

If you need reports that truly support your team—not slow them down—Crystal Reports with Odyssey ERP gives you the tools to make that happen.

Reach out to our team today to learn more!

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