A hardware-based reporting module (250) and a system are provided for utilizing re-usable and re-configurable reporter modules in welding-type setups. A hardware-based reporting module (250) is used to handle reporting function. The hardware-based reporting module (250) is configured to interface with a welding-type setup, to obtain welding-type data associated with the welding-type setup; and to interface with a remote central repository (260) for communicating the obtained welding-type data, based on a predefined reporting format. The hardware-based reporting module (250) is configured to process the welding-type data for communication to the remote central repository (260).