To be able to give users the possibility to create flexible reports from the data in the LCM database, we will need the following functionalities:

I. Selection of the information source(s)

User should be able to select the source of the information in the report. This could be implemented by making list of database tables fields.

When information from different tables is selected, the relation between them should be specified.

II. Create/select filters to apply on the information to select what sould be shown in the report

Filter will consist of list of conditions to be met to classify the information for the report. The list could be ’AND’ or ’OR’ type - demanding all or any of the conditions to be met.

Condition will consist of table field to check against a certain value or user supplied input, using pre-defined relations (greater than, less, between, consists, contains, begins/ends with, etc.)

Filters could be saved and reused in the reports, including nested in one another.

III. Grouping/(sub)totaling

User should be able to select fields, on which to apply grouping or total calculation.

IV. Formatting of the output

User should be able to modify the view of the report i.e.
 format of the date fields (date/time, long date, short date, etc.);
 length of the string fields;
 paper size and orientation;

V. Preview

User should be able to preview the result of the report, both to correct it as an author, or to decide wheather it is what s/he like as a user.