SQL ReportingSQL ReportingAnother tool in our IT toolbox.It may not be the sharpest, but it’s free with msSQL and it empowers the users, some.

By Bryan Yates - bryan@nmmi.eduProgrammer

New Mexico Military InstituteNovember 1, 2011

AgendaWhat can it do for me?Pre-Req’sServer componentsWorkstation componentsUser empowermentSubscriptionsData sourcesPros/ConsLive Demo and Questions

Microsoft SQL ReportingMicrosoft SQL ReportingWeb based delivery of SQLReportedly works with Oracle, SharePoint

Lists, and several other SQL databasesWorks on Microsoft SQL 2008, including

multiple Databases in a single reportUsers have many export format optionsUsers can have nice filter and sort options“Subscriptions” will send emails of reports

in any format on a schedule, even to non-users

ExampleExample

Pre-RequisitesPre-RequisitesSSRS ships with SQL server

(Enterprise or Standard)◦Server to support SSRS◦SQL license(s) (licensed by CPU)◦Optionally a cluster of servers

A Windows workstation for development (optional)

StrategyStrategyInstall server componentsInstall the right client building toolsBuild the right SQL queriesPut the queries into a reportTweak the report to allow user

empowerment◦Add Filters, sorting, sub-reports

Add/verify permissions to allow user access

Testing, tweaking, testing, testing

Server installServer installInstall from msSQL 2008 CD, with

SQL or after “SQL reporting services”“Report services configuration manager”

guides through simple setup (DB location, credentials)

Can use default web serverNot Cluster Aware

Install SQL first Install SSRS on each cluster node

“Join scaled out deployment” option May require second DB instance

Both nodes up and running web services

Client Tool 1Client Tool 1BIDSBIDSPlugin to Visual Studio 2008 (not

2010) called Business Intelligence Development Studio

Tricky install graphically, from the msSQL CD

setup.exe /qs /ACTION=Install /PID=long-key-## /FEATURES=BIDS

Adds VS2008 if you didn’t have it, and allows new project type of “Report Server Project”

Client Tool 2Client Tool 2SQL Server Management StudioSQL Server Management StudioSQL building and troubleshooting toolThis is a mature development tool On msSQL CD, install all management

toolsWorks on any Windows® workstationImpersonation of users is pretty simple

execute as login = 'domain\otherguy'select top 10 * from server.database.dbo.tablerevert

Video of the development Video of the development lifecyclelifecycleVideo link

◦My local link for today’s presentation

Download it yourself later◦http://wordpress.nmmi.edu/computer

training/◦This link includes the video and this

PowerPoint presentation

ResultsResultsCommon look and feel for all

reportsHeader area includes filtering

itemsExport list consistent with all

reports

ExampleExample

““JustJustsendsendmemethe the report”report”

SubscriptionsSubscriptionsFeatures ability to send a report to

any email address, even if they have no permissions or even credentials. Board of Directors, big boss, etc, may not have any SQL permissions◦Create Data Source using SQL user and

pw◦Can develop report with Windows Auth,

then switch live report to use other Data Source

◦Power Users can be allowed to switch Data Source, but no overwrite any sources

ProsProsPower users and IT experts can use tools

to quickly develop and modify SQL reportsReuse of existing SQL queriesUsers better enabled to filter data to their

likingMany Output formats (Excel, PDF, etc),

which do not have to be updated with new releases

SharePoint Web parts allow easy inclusion in SP

SharePoint list support allows some power users to have the ultimate power

ConsConsAverage user cannot develop SQLLimited reports, without Report

Builder 3Poor Report searching, multiple

page issuesNot easy to see number of results

returnedIf using SQL on Microsoft Cluster,

setup tricky

SummarySummaryGood product for the costStandardizes report output

choices to allow easy adoption, common look and feel

Enables user empowerment Can use SQL you’ve probably

already createdDevelopment not for average JoeQuestions before live demo?