Converting MSSQL Data into a PDF using ASP.NET

You would think converting MSSQL and formatting the data into a PDF would be easy, it's not if you don't have the right tools.

What is a PDF? PDF is a file format created by Adobe Systems in 1993 for document exchange. In 2008 Adobe make this a public standard. Meaning people could duplicate the standard to make documents.

The best thing for me about a PDF is the the user who downloads it will have a hard time making changes. This is good if you don't want the users to make changes and resend the document.

History
In 2007 I created my first PDF document using PDFLib. PDFLib is a free php technology that looked good as long as you didn't do any major formats to the data. At the time this was ok.

Today, we needed the PDF to look more professional and like our website.

Here is a list of our requirements

1. Less then $1000
2. Had to be a library
3. The library had to work with Vs Intellisense.
4. Good documentation.
5. Had to work with .Net 3.5 and VB.net
6. HTML Stream and use external CSS

Why a library? I don't want to install any 3rd party applications on the server that could cause problems. Plus I no longer need to. There are lots of ASP.net software that uses libraries.

Why work with VS Intellisense. I want to make sure the company put some effort into the library. Lots of smaller ones left it out the small details. The last thing I wanted is to purchase something and not have it supported in 6 months.

Here are a list of Vendors I came up with. I will leave the one I choose for last.

Here is a list of Vendors I looked at and tested
1) ABCpdf
- Websupergoo.com
- A colleague suggested this.
- First, customer support took 3 days to answer a simple question.
- My second problem is the documentation didn't work.
- The Cost started at $329.
- It worked good for simple text, but since the documentation didn't work I didn't go to far with this product.

2) iTextSharp
- http://itextsharp.sourceforge.net/tutorial/index.html
- Open Source, meaning free
- Did the job if you wanted something basic
- I knew this would be a long term solution
- Would work for receipts if that is all you wanted it for

3) Aspose
- $2396

4) Adobe
- Have to install 3rd party software
- Could not find a cost, assuming lots of money

5) Sautin Soft
- No talk of .net 3.5
- History not ongoing ( Start October 9th, 2008 finished May 15, 2008)
- $249

What did I choose?

My Pic) Winnovative HTML to PDF Converter v5.5 Files
- http://www.expertcomponents.com/
- Full working demo with water mark
- Single App Licence $350
- Single Server Licence $1050
- Took Minutes to get a demo working
- Used complex external CSS Style Sheets
- Good Documentation
- Better value for what some of the other products said they did
- What I thought would take me a day, took me 2 hours.

Google Apps Training

We are going to be doing a small training demonstration of Google Apps in Medicine Hat. We hope to show people how easy it is to convert or migrate from Microsoft to Google Apps for business. You won't believe how easy it is. Here are some of the advantage.

To learn more visit us at http://www.zebrule.com/services/googleapps.aspx

Here is a little about we are going to talk about.

Google Docs

• Google Docs
• Users can create documents, spreadsheets and presentations and then collaborate with each other in real-time right inside a web browser window.
• Replacement of Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel
• http://services.google.com/apps/resources/overviews/welcome/topicDocs/index.html
  
• Gmail ( 15 min )
• Business Enterprise Email
• http://services.google.com/apps/resources/overviews/welcome/topicMail/index.html
  
• Extras ( If we have time )
  
• Google Sites — User groups or teams can create websites quickly to share documents, videos, calendars, charts and other information all in one place
  http://services.google.com/apps/resources/overviews/welcome/topicSites/index.html
  
• Talk — Instant messaging and voice calling for free
  http://services.google.com/apps/resources/overviews/welcome/topicTalk/index.html
  
• Questions & Discussions

What can you do with your Windows Mobile Phone for free?

Want to do more with your G3 phone? With Windows Mobile G3 phones you can manage work and personal obligations easier when you’re on the move. In this session you will see how easy it is to setup your Microsoft phone to synchronize your work calendar, personal email and social media sites. This live demo will show how to get the news, mp3’s, watch movies and map your road trip. All on the same device!
In this session we will take a peek at Windows Mobile CE and some of the simple features you can do with a mobile data plan.

HTC Touch Demo
- http://www.htc.com/www/product/touch/overview.html
- Movies, Audio MP3’s & TV
- Take Pictures & Upload to your photo gallery
- Synchronize files
- Synchronize College Outlook Schedule
- Games
- Windows Mobile Office Suite
- Security & Encryption
Data Plan required ($7 unlimited data plan)
- Internet browsing
o Google News & CNN
- Mobile Bing Search Service - What about Microsoft Live Search?
- MicroSoft Mobile Live Services (New Services)
o Send Photo’s to Windows Live Spaces
o Send & Receive Email from Hotmail or use your ISP’s SMTP Services
o MSN Chat

o Virtual Earth Mapping Services with $69 key chain GPS ( other can also test within 10 Meters )
- Google / Yahoo Overview Similar Services
o Google Latitude Service – Privacy Alert. What are your children doing and who knows where they are?
- Keep in touch using Face Books API