Different Versions of SSRS and What Fits Better for Businesses

SQL Server Reporting Services or SSRS comes with great many features to meet the reporting needs of complex businesses. So far as creation of reports is concerned, SSRS is a full-fledged report engine. The reports can be generated against any data source which consists of OLE DB, ODBC data source or any managed code provider. This implies that data can easily be retrieved by a SQL database developer or by a user versed with SSRS from Oracle, SQL Server, Access, Essbase, Analysis Services or lots of other databases. The data can be brought forth in a number of ways.

Taking feedback from SSRS 2005, Microsoft enhanced SSRS 2008 with new Chart as well as Gauge controls, along with a brand new Tablix control, that is in fact a blend of the Matrix and the Table controls from the prior release. Collectively, these fresh presentation formats offer a completely new experience that is also something innovative. Additional enhancements consist of new formats of output presentation, including Excel and Word, as well as straightaway assimilation with SharePoint. Before discussing the different version of SSRS, let us have a look at the main features of SSRS.

Prime features of SSRS

• Data Retrieval from managed providers, ODBC and OLE DB connections
• Display of Data in a number of modes, including charts, free form and tabular
• Export to a number of formats, such as PDF, HTML, CSV, XML, Word reports, TIFF and Excel
• Summarization and Aggregation of Data
• Add in report navigation
• Creation of ad-hoc reports and saving the same to the server
• Embedding images, graphics as well as external content
• Integration with SharePoint
• Offering a SOAP or Simple Object Access Protocol API (application programming interface) along with pluggable architecture
• Generation of on-demand reports and subscription-based reports
• Facilitating management and storage of custom reports by users, generated with Report Builder 2.0 of SSRS.
• URL-oriented access of report
• Availability of Gauge as well as Chart controls for the display of KPI data

As is obvious, SSRS offers an all-inclusive list of innovative features. Again, another striking aspect of SSRS is its extensible nature. This kind of extensibility empowers developers to make use of SSRS in a variety of ways, from tailor-made reporting solutions to embedded reports.

Versions of SQL Server Reporting Services

As far as SSRS is concerned, there are four versions or editions, which tend to mirror those of Visual Studio and SQL Server. These versions incorporate free starter editions as well as full-fledged Enterprise versions. Let us have a quick overview of the different editions:

• Express: This edition provides a lightweight version of SSRS for those developers who intend to understand the procedures of using SSRS.
• Workgroup: This version is meant for use within small branch offices or departmental organizations. In case there is any need, up gradation of the Workgroup Edition to the Enterprise or Standard Editions can be done.
• Standard: The edition is utilized in medium to small sized enterprises or within a single server ambience. The Standard Edition renders supports to all the available features of SSRS, with the exception of extremely specialized data-oriented subscriptions and Report Builder driven infinite drill down.
• Enterprise: The Enterprise edition is highly suitable for large organizations which work with complicated reporting needs and databases. This version is completely functional and renders support to scale-out functionality across the web farm.
• Developer: Generally speaking, the Developer version is almost similar to the Enterprise edition, but possesses distinct licensing requirements to facilitate the development of enterprise applications by people. In fact, this edition is licensed with regard to each developer within non-production or development environments.

Thus we have seen the prime features of SSRS and understood how the different editions suit organizational purposes. Each version has its own specialties that attend to particular business needs.

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Top 12 Features of SQL Server 2012

The SQL server 2012, launched by Microsoft in April 2012, has become a favorite amongst IT professionals. Let’s discuss here some of the exclusive features of this highly anticipated version.

1. AlwaysOn Availability Groups: Users can experience an entirely new level of database mirroring with this particular feature. Instead of individual use, it is possible to utilize manifold databases in groups with the help of AlwaysOn. Moreover, users can have access to secondary copies which are readable and are capable of being leveraged for database backups. One of the crucial aspects is that the DR environment does not have to sit idle.

2. Support by Windows Server Core: Core refers to the version of Windows that is GUI less and utilizes PowerShell and DOS for user interaction. The footprint is much lower with 50% less disk space as well as memory utilization. Fewer patches are required and in terms of the security quotient, it is more efficient than the full install. Starting from SQL 2012, the SQL Server renders support to Windows Server Core.

3. Columnstore Indexes: This particular feature is totally unique. The Columnstore Indexes constitute a special category of read-only index created to be utilized along with Data warehouse queries. On the whole, it involves grouping of data along with storage within a compressed, flat column index, reducing memory as well as I/O utilization for large queries to a great extent.

4. User-Defined Server Roles: Custom database roles can always be created by DBAs, but it is usually not possible to create the same server wide. For instance, in case the DBA intends to render read or write access to the development team for each database across a shared server, conventionally it is done manually or through procedures that are not documented. Both of these are poor solutions. Presently, the DBA is empowered with the capability of role creation, thereby enabling read or write access to all databases present over the server. Other customized server wide roles are also possible.

5. Superior Auditing Features: Presently, every edition of SQL server comes with the audit feature. In addition to this, custom audit specifications can be defined by the users for composing custom events within the audit log. Increased flexibility is attained through new filtering features which enable one to choose the proper event for writing into the log.

6. BI Semantic Model: Unified Dimensional Model is being replaced by this. The BI Semantic Model is in fact a hybrid model which facilitates the support of all BI experiences within the SQL Server through one data model. Moreover, this makes room for some clean text Infographics.

7. Sequence Objects: For users who have experience in working with Oracle, this one is a much sought after feature. A sequence refers to an object that serves well as a counter for activities such as augmenting values within a table. SQL has always maintained functionality similar with identity columns, however presently this is a distinct object.

8. Increased PowerShell Support: PowerShell scripting skills are indeed essential for SQL Server and Windows admin. Microsoft is taking lots of initiatives in order to instrument all the server based offerings with PowerShell.

9. Distributed Replay: This feature facilitates the capturing of a workload across a production server and replaying the same on a different machine. In this way, changes within hardware, support packs or underlying schemas can be conveniently evaluated under production conditions.

10. PowerView: This refers to a potent BI self-service toolkit that enables users to build mash ups of BI reports across the Enterprise.

11. SQL Azure Enhancements: Microsoft is considering certain key enhancements within SQL Azure. The Reporting Services pertaining to Azure would be available in addition to a backup for the data store of Windows Azure, which serves for a great enhancement. The Azure database comes with a maximum size of 150G. Moreover, Azure data sync makes room for a superior hybrid model of on-premise and cloud solutions.

12. Big Data Support: Microsoft’s venture with Hadoop provider Cloudera involves release of an SQL Server ODBC driver capable of running on a Linux platform. In addition to this, Microsoft is coming up with connectors for Hadoop, which serves as a highly acclaimed NoSQL platform. This declaration of Microsoft marks the company’s clear move towards a swiftly growing space.

For Microsoft, SQL 2012 marks a big step towards becoming a leader in the ever increasing space for big data. Web and database development professionals can always rely on this version to deliver innovative solutions to their clients.

We provide SQL server development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert database application developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.