ClearQuest versions earlier than 7.1 use a data-push model to run reports. In the Crystal Reports data-push model, you define a report by specifying a query and a report format, both of which are stored in the ClearQuest user database. When you run a report, the ClearQuest client runs a query and pushes the results to the Crystal Reports runtime engine for rendering. The data-push model precludes reporting on multiple data sources and multiple result sets.
ClearQuest version 7.1 introduces support for the data-pull reporting model. The data-pull model allows reporting systems like BIRT and Crystal Reports to configure data sources and pull data from these sources when the report is run. This approach provides significant flexibility by letting you create reports that use multiple data sources and multiple data sets, and by letting you store and manage reports by using an enterprise reporting server. A new Web application, the Report Server for ClearQuest, is included as an optional subcomponent when you install ClearQuest Web. The Report Server for ClearQuest supports management and running of data-pull reports by using the ClearQuest Reporting Driver.