reporting - I need to generate a report from a WCF service what are my options? -

i’ve created “winform” application communicates wcf service.

the winform displays datagridview many rows. user able select (checkbox) rows wishes print, clicks print button.

the selected rows sent method in wcf service in turn, returns collection of binary data (the documents printed). once returned, create pdf file on disk each binary data in returned collection.

once done, newly created documents sent printer…

note: before creating these pdf documents, need create “summary” report document printed before of pdf documents.

to so, call method in wcf service return binary data. binary , create summary pdf document it…

here question: best approach in order create “summary report”?

so far, i’ve been trying design summary report using reporting services, i’m grasping @ straws of things wish in report (ie: trying add checkbox column , make “selected” or not depending on rule and/or make report bilingual…). i’m thinking maybe rs not flexible/intuitive thought would…

my wcf service invoke reporting services web service, call appropriate report , return binary data i’ll send winform application.

i though of using crystal report since i’ve never used it, counter productive…

the last alternative can think of calling web page within wcf service passing along necessary parameters. web page render , i’d try convert web page binary data returned wcf service method…

although haven’t tried last alternative, think might give me more flexibility can/can’t do.

does have suggestion or alternative can me out? thanks

i didn’t realize post still open…

if cares know, solution came with:

after obtain collection of binary data , loop through collection generate physical pdf files on user’s disk, needed way call (a second time) wcf generate summary report. once rendered, idea obtain generated result (binary) , send data winform application can create nice little summary.pdf file (on user’s disk).

once done, programmatically send generated pdf files printer using 3rd party component.

now…because summary report take while render itself, increasing chances of getting timeout. increasing timeout not appropriate alternative…

so solution was, instead of calling/creating summary report on server, decided incorporate inside winform application client report definition file (.rdlc).

basically, when winform application installed, incorporates summary.rdlc file. when appropriate time comes, data needed report wcf service , feed data .rdlc file renders locally on user’s computer in turn, creates summary.pdf file on user’s disk.

so that’s it!