One of Microsoft’s Most Powerful Applications - SSRS

SSRS isn’t just an abbreviation; it may be one of Microsoft’s greatest applications. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a report writer that comes with the Microsoft SQL Server Database. According to Microsoft, “SQL Server Reporting Services is a comprehensive, highly scalable solution providing operational reporting for pixel-perfect printing and browser-based viewing, as well as ad hoc data exploration and visualization.”

At The TM Group, we make sure that our clients understand SSRS is FREE and is included in Express, Workgroup, Standard and Enterprise editions of Microsoft SQL Server as an install option. SQL Server 2014 uses a common set of tools to deploy and manage databases both on premises and in the cloud, which makes it easier for our clients to take advantage of the cloud with existing skills.

Unlike with most report writers such as Crystal, with SSRS you first build the dataset and then you format the report. This makes SSRS reports easier to compare with originating data and easier to audit for validity, because you can directly see the dataset being returned by the report. With traditional reporting tools, you have to dissect the report and drill into the individual calculations to try to validate the report’s data. SSRS is also more secure because the reports are stored in the SQL database and protected by the database’s standard security model.

Users can either access reports from a secure webpage or use the included SSRS Report Manager. With Report Manager, users can view, manage and even subscribe to reports as well as manage and maintain data sources and security settings. Reports can be scheduled and delivered directly to the users via email or run on demand. IT professionals can create reports seamlessly with Report Builder, a fully featured authoring tool with the familiar Microsoft Office look and feel.

Specifically skillful configured reports can be created and extracted to a variety of formats, including the new Office format for Word and Excel, as well as PDF, TIFF and HTML. Formatted reports permit sharing of objects for faster, more agile report development with Report Parts. Balance your company’s position from a few reports to a corporate-wide deployment. Reports can be built with the included Report Builder or designed using recent versions of Microsoft Visual Studio with the included Business Intelligence Projects plug-in installed.

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 includes more than 70 standard SSRS reports. The TM Group has also written many custom SRS reports for clients. A few of our distribution and manufacturing clients had full-time people who managed Access reporting databases and sent reports weekly to their sales team. With our expertise, we have fully automated this process with SSRS, which allows these clients to save on staff time while also eliminating possible reporting errors from the previously highly manual reporting process.

The TM Group can assist your company with your technology reporting, providing robust controlling and scalability. You can also manage your reporting environment with SharePoint integration and execute scheduled reports, manage report subscriptions and regulate access to generated reports. Looking to advance your reporting capabilities? Please visit our website at www.tmgroupinc.com or contact The TM Group today at 888.482.2864. We have been providing CRM and ERP Solutions since 1984, and we are looking forward to helping you!

Authored by: Jennifer Swiderski - Marketing Manager,  The TM Group