Features of SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)

Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most widely used platforms in the industry. It is one of the most powerful and cost effective tools available in the market. It comes packaged with an ETL, Reporting & Analysis (cubes) tools. SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is the ETL component, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is the Reporting Component & SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is the analysis (cubes) component of SQL Server.

This article explains some of the major features/advantages of SQL Server Reporting Services Reports. Apart from the various other features, the following are the major features of SQL Server Reporting Services:

1. Supports heterogeneous data sources

Different types of data sources can be used to build reports in Reporting Services. The data sources include Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, any OLEDB based source, ODBC, Flat file, excel and many more different data sources.

2. Supports ad hoc reporting

Reporting Services comes with another major component called "Report Builder". This component helps the business users build ad hoc reports as per their requirement during their analysis. These reports need a predefined model which can be designed in such a way that it can cater to almost any kind of requirement raised by the business users by including appropriate measures, dimensions and any other required data. This is a very effective tool since most of the business users are more comfortable with excel pivot table reports having drag and drop functionality, Report Builder also provides similar feature.

3. Seamless integration with SharePoint

SharePoint being one of the most powerful tool which can be used to share documents, sites etc and comes with a bunch of very effective features is used in almost every organization. Reporting Services Reports can be easily integrated with SharePoint (WSS/ MOSS).

4. Ease of integration with PerformancePoint

PerformancePoint Server is emerging as a very powerful performance management tool. PerformancePoint Server can be used to Monitor, Analyze and Plan the business. Reporting Services Reports can be easily integrated with PerformancePoint Dashboards.

5. Supports various popular exporting options

Many business users are comfortable using reports in various popular formats like Excel, PDF etc. Reporting Services offers various exporting options like Excel, PDF etc.

6. Scheduled & Emailing of Reports

Reporting Services supports various scheduling and emailing features. Reports can be emailed to the business users on a scheduled basis and in the required format. Reports can be scheduled to be sent to a printer & printed automatically.

7. Inbuilt User Interface – Report Manager

Reporting Services comes with an attractive inbuilt user interface which can be used to perform various operations apart from browsing and viewing reports. Various administration activities like managing permissions, scheduling etc. can be performed using Report Manager.

8. Easily customizable using .NET Code

Reporting Services reports can be easily customized using .NET code to make them in sync with the existing website/portal.

9. Various security features available

Various security options are available in Reporting Services. These security options can be managed using Report Manager.

10. Maintenance of Reports is simpler

Maintenance of reports is simpler and can be performed using the Report Manager.

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