APEX

This question is on two levels. I see this as an up and coming project at work, and even there I doubt we will be purchasing BI Publisher as we are in cutback mode. More inportantly, for my own clients who want an application on the cheap. I have seen posts about PLPDF. I would consider it, but then I am not sure who could host the application with the condition of needing plpdf as a requirement.

I have looked at FOP, and even installed it. Like many others, I don't have a lot of xslt formatting experience, and a cheap or free tool for creating a report format would be really helpful. Having to purchase a $600 tool really cuts into a $1000 dollar project.

What are available options? The key concept is I am trying to replicate other people's forms in PDF, such as W2's and Paychecks, so the look and feel has to be professional.

Way back in the day, I would write a Visual FoxPro app that used Crystal Reports to format the report. It wasn't too difficult to write applications for small companies that have a real business need and not lots of cash. I want to accomplish the same thing with a Web application using Oracle XE, APEX, and perhaps FOP or another tool. I just need suggestions from those that have already solved this problem!

Thanks!

Ken Lee