SQL Server Reporting Services

“using SSRS with Maximizer”by Paul Battaini

Agenda

• What are Reporting Services?• Pros & Cons• Requirements and Setup• Report Creation Methods• Deployment Options• Report Examples - Demo• General Q&A

What are Reporting Services?Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Reporting Services accelerates report creation, facilitates sharing and collaboration, and provides a complete platform to enable organizations to deliver relevant information across the entire enterprise.

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a server-based report generation software system. It can be used to prepare and deliver a variety of interactive and printed reports. It is accessible and administered via a web interface.

• Included in Developer, Standard, and Enterprise editions of MS SQL Server• Reports are created in RDL (and XML based format)• Reports can be generated out to many MS document formats or directly to a

browser screen, PDF and Image formatDesign Tools are included with SQL install or licenced under the SQL EULA• Report Builder 3.0 (downloadable)• SQL Server BI Development Studio

SSRS Integration

Maximizer Web AccessThis integration creates a number of default reports that users can access from the Reports page in Maximizer Web Access.

Maximizer DesktopReporting Services is installed with Maximizer, allowing users to access reports hosted by SQL Server Reporting Services through the Reports menu in Maximizer.

SSRS – The good and the bad

Pros• Easy to use design tools but can

also develop complex reports• Advanced data layouts such as

combined table and graphical view (Tablix)

• User level report subscriptions• User access to report design

using Models and Part Gallery• Integrate with SharePoint

Services

Cons• Additional install steps for

SQL and Maximizer• Cannot run a report against

the current list – better for analytical style reports or when using user prompts

• Less pre-created reports than Crystal Reports

Requirements - SSRS

• SQL Server– Standard Edition or above can have Report

Services on a separate service/instance to the databases

– Express Edition must run Advanced Services version and existing on the same server as the databases

RequirementsMaximizer SSRS Integration

Maximizer Web AccessIntegration with SQL Server Reporting Services works only with SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 2 or later.

Maximizer DesktopIntegration with SQL Server Reporting Services works with SQL Server 2005. A Microsoft Report Viewer for SQL Server

Setup

SSRS• Choose the Reporting

feature within the instance install/update screen for SQL Server

• Choose the SSMSE BI add-on from the Shared Components screen

• OR• Download and install Report

Builder 3.0 from MS website

RS Integration• Choose the “Install SQL

Reporting Services Integration” from the CRM12 Server DVD

• Confirm RS URL and Web Access URL are correct and accessible

Creation Methods• Open prefered Design Tool• Create a DSN connection• Create a DataSet• In RB

– Use the Wizards to bring in various fields to the desired report element– Drop fields onto the Report surface

• In BI for VS– Create a new Report object– Use the Toolbox to place objects into Design View– Associate the objects to your Dataset– Use Object and Dataset properties to add functionality such as filters,

grouping, sorting and parameters

Deployment Methods

BI for VS• Can Publish the entire

project to the Report Server or just selected elements

• Shared DataSource and DataSets will be Published to their default locations on the Server

Report Builder• Will be aware of your

Report Server• Choosing to Save your

Report will save it to the Server

Report Examples

live demo …