The requirements to be met were:

1. Reports must be independent of the program yet able to be easily integrated into any application.
2. The report engine must have the capability providing dynamic PDF reports over the internet.
3. The report engine must support all relevant OS environments (Windows, Linux, Unix, Solaris, AIX, etc.).
4. Report parameters must be able to be provided programmatically as well as manually entered.
5. A visual development interface or designer must accompany the report system.
6. Report must be able to link with multiple database types on multiple operating systems to consolidate information.
7. A report file must be able to function without being recompiled after modifications are made to a database structure or index.
8. Reports layout scripts must be able to contain native SQL code as well as make calls to a stored procedure or exchange information via XML.
9. The Internet report server must be able to dynamically adjust the aspect ratio of information presented to accommodate the varying sizes of Internet-enabled wireless devices.

After having developed and tested the engine in over 2000 business operations for 6 years it was felt that the benefit UForms would deliver to programmers worldwide was undeniable. However, this development took place well ahead of the cell phone / wireless device boom. One of the peripheral functions that UForms performs very well is image manipulation and delivery. So the benefit provided is a spin-off much the same as Teflon is a spin-off of the Space Program. As wireless technology evolved, a new use for UForms was identified. This spin-off will likely become more important than the original vision of UForms’ reporting capabilities when it was developed.

Universal Objects Inc. is a satellite company of the Digital Rez International Group of companies Digital Rez International