SSRS Managed Services

A couple months back, we wrote a blog about ‘Which is better the SQL Server Reporting service or Crystal reports?’ Both have their benefits, as well as disadvantages. Today, I would like to go into more detail about the SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services that are offered by Quantix.

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Quantix provide Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Service (SSRS) managed services. SSRS is a comprehensive server based solution which enables the creation and delivery of reports tailored to the customers exact needs.

Being part of the Microsoft Business Intelligence suite, SSRS can be integrated with other Microsoft applications, making it easier to report on the overall Microsoft infrastructure. Quantix have taken the SQL Server Reporting Service and started to offer it as a managed service solution enabling clients to get the most out their Microsoft investments.

Quantix SSRS Managed Service

Quantix, a leading IT managed service provider, has been able to develop a service using the SSRS business intelligence tool. The managed service is focused around giving the end user/client the ability to completely focus on their core business activities, whilst Quantix and its team of fully qualified Microsoft consultants, maintain their business intelligence tools.

The key benefits of the SSRS Managed services include reduced operational costs, utilising Quantix’s specialist SSRS skills, improved flexibility in timely reporting, delivery of services via a dedicated SLA and the option to have on demand report creations.

As with other managed services offered by Quantix (SQL Server Support, SQL Server Managed Services), the client can expect to benefit from a high R.O.I, increased productivity and business/staff efficiency, on demand access to a pool of SQL Server skills and methods of delivery which suit the client.

To learn more about the SQL Server Reporting Services or other Business Intelligence tools, please visit the Quantix website or please do not hesitate to contact one of our SQL Server consultants on: 0115 983 6200

SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services or Crystal Report?

SQL Server Reporting Services competes with Crystal Reports and other business intelligence tools, and is included free in Express, Workgroup, Standard, and Enterprise editions of Microsoft SQL Server as an install option.

Over the last 12 months SQL Server Reporting Services has started to make its mark in the Business Intelligence market place. Not only does SQL Server Reporting Services deliver a new reporting tool, but it’s free as well. Suddenly everyone’s looking to ditch Crystal Reports - the report designer which comes bundled with VB and has been since VB 3 and integrated into Visual Studio .Net, but is SQL Server Reporting Service better?

What are the key differences between SQL Server Reporting Services and Crystal Reports, (Crystal Reports version 11). They both have strengths and weaknesses and these are the ones I’ve found, after working with both products, I compared them on what they say they can do and what I found on day one...

So Far...

1. 
   Although Microssoft say it’s free, they don’t recommend the "free" configuration and you will need additional SQL Server licensing before you get started.
2. 
   SQL Server Reporting Service handles less that 80% of the most common reporting scenarios I could come up with and some obvious features expected from a reporting tool are missing and some still have bugs in (these need to be fixed).
3. 
   SQL 2005 reporting services does support ad hoc reports (the designer develops a report schema and deploys it on the reporting server).

I'll keep updating as I complete my testing on SQL Server Reporting Services and Crystal Reports.

In the mean time, if you wish to learn more on SQL Server Reporting Services and how it can benefit your organisation, please visit the Quantix website.