SQL Reporting Another 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 - Programmer New Mexico Military Institute November 1, 2011

Agenda What can it do for me? Pre-Req’s Server components Workstation components User empowerment Subscriptions Data sources Pros/Cons Live Demo and Questions

Microsoft SQL Reporting Web based delivery of SQL Reportedly works with Oracle, SharePoint Lists, and several other SQL databases Works on Microsoft SQL 2008, including multiple Databases in a single report Users have many export format options Users can have nice filter and sort options “Subscriptions” will send s of reports in any format on a schedule, even to non-users

Example

Pre-Requisites SSRS 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)

Strategy Install server components Install the right client building tools Build the right SQL queries Put the queries into a report Tweak the report to allow user empowerment ◦ Add Filters, sorting, sub-reports Add/verify permissions to allow user access Testing, tweaking, testing, testing

Server install Install 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 server Not 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 1 BIDS Plugin 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”

Visual Studio 2008, new templates

Client Tool 2 SQL Server Management Studio SQL building and troubleshooting tool This is a mature development tool On msSQL CD, install all management tools Works on any Windows® workstation Impersonation of users is pretty simple execute as login = 'domain\otherguy' select top 10 * from server.database.dbo.table revert

Video of the development lifecycle Video link ◦ My local link for today’s presentation My local link for today’s presentation Download it yourself later ◦ ◦ This link includes the video and this PowerPoint presentation

Results Common look and feel for all reports Header area includes filtering items Export list consistent with all reports

Example

“Just send me the report”

Subscriptions Features ability to send a report to any 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

Pros Power users and IT experts can use tools to quickly develop and modify SQL reports Reuse of existing SQL queries Users better enabled to filter data to their liking Many 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

Cons Average user cannot develop SQL Limited reports, without Report Builder 3 Poor Report searching, multiple page issues Not easy to see number of results returned If using SQL on Microsoft Cluster, setup tricky

Summary Good product for the cost Standardizes report output choices to allow easy adoption, common look and feel Enables user empowerment Can use SQL you’ve probably already created Development not for average Joe Questions before live demo?