SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a powerful platform that enables organizations to construct, manage and deliver custom reports with ease. SSRS provides an extensive selection of tools which are integrated into Microsoft SQL Server Database technology—making it the most effective way for businesses to generate actionable insights from their data. This database technology allows you to create and manage various types of reports, such as tabular, matrix, and graphical reports, as well as ad-hoc reports. Reports can be viewed and exported to various formats such as HTML, PDF, Excel, and CSV.
SSRS can connect to various types of data sources including SQL Server, Oracle, and other relational databases, and can also be used to generate reports from OLAP cubes. It allows you to design and create reports using a drag-and-drop interface, and also includes features such as parameters, filters, and sorting to customize the report's data. SSRS also includes a web-based report viewer, which allows users to view and interact with reports via a web browser, and also has a scheduling feature which enables automatic delivery of reports to specified recipients at specified intervals. Additionally, it supports both on-premise and cloud-based deployment and it can be integrated with Sharepoint and Power BI.
You can download Reporting Services From Here:
The Report Server Configuration Manager:
The Report Server Configuration Manager is a tool in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) that is used to manage the configuration settings for a report server. It allows you to perform a wide range of tasks, including:
Configuring the report server database:
You can use the Report Server Configuration Manager to connect to the report server database and configure the database connection settings.
Setting up SMTP settings:
You can use the Report Server Configuration Manager to configure the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) settings for the report server, which is used to send email notifications when reports are delivered or when errors occur.
Managing report server security:
You can use the Report Server Configuration Manager to configure security settings for the report server, including authentication and authorization settings, and to manage roles and users.
Managing report server execution:
You can use the Report Server Configuration Manager to configure the execution settings for the report server, such as the maximum number of concurrent connections, the maximum number of running jobs, and the history settings.
Managing subscriptions and delivery:
You can use the Report Server Configuration Manager to manage the subscriptions and delivery settings for the report server, such as the schedule and delivery options for reports, and to manage the recipients of the reports.
Managing the Web service and web portal URLs:
You can use the Report Server Configuration Manager to configure the URLs for the web service and web portal of the report server, as well as to configure the virtual directories for the report server.
Managing the encryption key:
You can use the Report Server Configuration Manager to manage the encryption key that is used to encrypt sensitive data in the report server.
Monitoring the report server:
You can use the Report Server Configuration Manager to monitor the status of the report server and to view the server logs for troubleshooting purposes.
What Tools Do I Use To Create SSRS Reports?
There are several tools that can be used to create SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports:
Report Designer:
This is a visual tool that is included with the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) and allows you to create, design, and test SSRS reports.
Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS):
This is the older version of the Report Designer tool and is included with SQL Server 2008 and earlier versions.
Report Builder:
This is a stand-alone application that can be used to create ad-hoc reports. It is designed for business users and does not require advanced technical skills.
Visual Studio:
You can also use Visual Studio to create SSRS reports by installing the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) extension. This allows you to use the Report Designer and other tools within Visual Studio to create and test SSRS reports.
Power BI:
Power BI is a Business Intelligence tool that allows you to create interactive and visual reports, you can also publish Power BI reports to SSRS and use them as a data source for other reports.
Third-Party Tools:
There are also third-party report design tools available such as Crystal Reports, DevExpress, and Telerik that can be used to create SSRS reports.
It's important to note that the tools available to you may depend on the version of SSRS that you are using, and some of them may require additional licenses or subscriptions.
You can download SSRS Report Builder Here:
How Is SSRS Different Than Power BI?
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and Power BI are both Microsoft products, but they are designed for different purposes and have different features. SSRS is a server-based reporting platform that is primarily used for creating and delivering traditional, pre-defined reports. It is designed for enterprise-level reporting and is often used in large organizations to generate reports from large data sets and to deliver them to a wide range of users. SSRS allows IT departments to create, manage, and deliver reports centrally, and it also includes advanced features such as scheduling, security, and data visualization. Power BI, on the other hand, is a cloud-based business intelligence platform that is designed for self-service business intelligence. It is geared towards individual business users and smaller teams who need to analyze and visualize data in an interactive and intuitive way. Power BI allows users to connect to various types of data sources, including SQL Server, and create interactive dashboards, reports, and visualizations with minimal IT support. Power BI also offers a range of collaborative features, such as the ability to share and publish reports and dashboards, as well as integration with other Microsoft products such as Excel and SharePoint. In summary, SSRS is a more robust and enterprise-level reporting platform, while Power BI is a more flexible and user-friendly business intelligence platform. They can also be integrated together to provide a comprehensive reporting and analytics solution.
You Can Downloads Power BI Here:
What are the differences between SSRS 2016 and 2019?
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) 2016 and SSRS 2019 are both versions of the Microsoft reporting platform, but there are some key differences between the two versions:
Modern UI Experience:
SSRS 2016 has a classic mode user interface (UI) while SSRS 2019 has a modern UI experience, which is similar to the Power BI service.
Mobile Reports:
SSRS 2016 has limited mobile report capabilities while SSRS 2019 includes a new mobile report publisher tool that allows you to create and view mobile-optimized reports.
KPI:
SSRS 2016 supports KPI (Key Performance Indicator) but it was limited, SSRS 2019 has more capabilities for creating and displaying KPIs.
Paginated Reports:
SSRS 2016 supports paginated reports which are formatted, print-ready reports, SSRS 2019 also supports paginated reports and added new features such as the ability to create and edit reports using the web portal, improved data visualization and new data connectors.
Power BI Integration:
SSRS 2016 has a limited integration with Power BI while SSRS 2019 has a deeper integration, allowing you to embed Power BI reports within SSRS reports, and schedule and deliver Power BI reports to a wider range of recipients.
Cloud-Ready:
SSRS 2019 is designed for cloud deployment, which means that you can deploy SSRS 2019 in Azure and take advantage of the scalability and cost-effectiveness of the cloud.
Security Improvements:
SSRS 2019 has improved security features such as Always Encrypted, Row-level Security, and Dynamic Data Masking.
Support:
SSRS 2016 support ended on April 2022, SSRS 2019 is the latest version of SQL Server Reporting Services and will be supported by Microsoft.
When Will SSRS 2019 Be Out Of Support By Microsoft
The end of support date for SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) 2019 has not been announced by Microsoft yet. However, it is important to note that the support timeline for SSRS 2019 will follow the same pattern as previous versions of SSRS.
**Screenshot from https://sqlserverbuilds.blogspot.com/
Typically, Microsoft provides Mainstream Support for a new version of SSRS for 5 years after its initial release, and provides Extended Support for an additional 5 years. This means that SSRS 2019 will be in Mainstream Support until the end of its 5 years period, and will be in Extended Support for an additional 5 years after that. It's also important to note that the end of support date for SSRS 2019 will be aligned with the end of support date for the underlying version of SQL Server. As the end of support date for SQL Server 2019 is October 14, 2029, SSRS 2019 will also be out of support on this date. It's recommended to plan and budget for an upgrade to a newer version of SSRS before the end of support date to continue receiving updates, security patches, and support from Microsoft.