What are Reporting Services (SSRS)
SQL Server Reporting Services (AKA SSRS) is a solution that customers deploy on their own premises for creating, publishing, and managing reports,
Then delivering them to the right users in different ways, whether that’s viewing them in web browser, on their mobile device, or as an email in their in-box.
Microsoft BI SSRS has the ability to simplify development and is flexible to changes.
A simple report requires no more than a few minutes, including upload to the server.
Some of the main microsoft BI ssrs feature:
- Report Builder: Report Builder is a standalone tool for developing SSRS reports outside of visual studio.
Given the fact that microsoft SSRS BI is easy to learn, it can make companies become very independent while using this tool.
In report builder, the end user is given permissions to alter the report as they pleased and save it on the Web Portal, instead of the existing report.
It is also possible to make changes and export the report without saving it.
It is important to mention that in the SSRS 2016 version (and up) it is possible to export the report to Power Point, aside all the exporting possibilities that exist. - Web Portal: so much to say about this amazing SSRS's online website solution. Permissions, control, subscription, use of Data Driven, folder and files, managing and more, are only a drop in the ocean in terms of the qualities this site has.
Moreover, in the SSRS 2016 version, it is possible to add the company's logo and it may look exactly like the company's report's site. - Developers: you are not alone! Microsoft always thinks about the developers of the reports, and not only the End users. For example, Shared Data Source and Shared Data Set, both facilitate the process for developers which work in an organized method.
It is possible to define the Data Set/ Source just once and then to reuse it in another project.
Microsoft SSRS Implementations:
SSRS adapts itself to the market in many aspects, one of which is the Data Source.
Recent projects that we, here at DataCube did have shown that it is possible to connect with many data connections, such as, Oracle, Sap, TeraData, OLE DB, ODBC, etc.
In a project I just had for at the apparel industry, I've worked with Data Base DB2 of IBM.
Thanks to the data connection of OLE DB, the development went smoothly and all the functions in the tool worked wonderfully, such as, Call Procedure, Cascading Parameter, Query Designer, Sub Report, Parameter with Multiple Value, etc.
SSRS also possess important analytical abilities of data analysis. In another project I had for a broker company, it was essential for me to implement numerous calculation reports.
Thanks to the “Expressions” the entire process was very user friendly, easy and helpful; every requirement was fulfilled.
Furthermore, by using Dashboards, I had the ability to summarizing reports for the administration to look at.
This enabled them to have a total overview of the complete clients' data.
So, when and where is it recommended to use Microsoft SSRS?
Nowadays, every existing company which has data (even if they don’t have Data Mart/ Data Warehouse/ etc.) should have an efficient report tool that can show the data in a quick, approachable and easy to read manner. Even if the company hadn’t gone through an ETL process, SSRS has the ability to do it, big time!
Want to see for yourself how microsoft tools can take your business to the next level?
Here at DataCube it's our missing to help improve other businesses by putting your data to use.
Contact now and see for yourself.
Bentzi Megido,
BI Senior Developer