MS SQL reporting Services

[goofaholix]

I've had 2 years experience with Crystal and one with Impromptu.

It has been suggested to me that I should use MS SQL Reporting Services for my current project, and I want to get an idea of how this is similar or different from the other two packages.

Can anyone point me to an article or review from a report developers point of view, or give me some first hand knowledge on this?

The reporting component of my current task is pretty small so probably won't jusitify if there is a big learning curve with a new product. Though it's good to add something new to my CV.

Thanks.

 

[ukflix]

Could you explain what you mean by SQL Reporting. We use SQL Server but use Impromptu (via ODBC connection) as the front-end and the saving as IQD to provide datasources for the models.

 

[goofaholix]

MS SQL Reporting Services" is a reporting tool produced by Microsoft.

 

[johnherman]

You might have better luck in the Microsoft forum
forum1462

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The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was - Steven Wright

 

[goofaholix]

What I'm wanting is an idea from people who have had similar experience, and world view on reporting, to me (ie Impromptu and Crystal) for a comparison.

 

[AlexJanssen]

When you compare MS SQL Reporting services, you need to compare it with ReportNet I think because MS SQL Reporting services is web based. and also a tool that is less then 2 years old.

as MS SQL Reporting services comes standard with SQL Server 2000 you still need an IDE to build your reports. Therefor Visual Studio.net is needed.

Of course Reporting services is a lot cheaper then ReportNet, it lacks an certain amount of features that might be useful:
- Lack of good portal, Microsoft advices to use sharepoint which is not standard.
- Lack of good Adhoc facilitiy like query studio
- Lack of a framework or other form of metadata
- Only supports MS AD Authentication and no other LDAP sources.

Where Cognos pushes users towards self service, Microsoft Reporting services is still a load on the ICT department.