This is another in a series of articles dedicated to helping you prepare for the upcoming release of Microsoft Dynamics SL 7.0. Do your customers want more from a report writer? Do they want the ability to export data to other tools, such as Microsoft Excel, to further analyze their data? Do you get requests to produce graphs from your report data? If any of these sound familiar, Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) might be the tool you need.

SSRS allows you to access data directly from a SQL Server database and export it in a variety of formats, including Excel, so you can analyze your business performance from a number of perspectives. Once the information is in Excel, think of the graphs you can create to present your business performance and trend analysis. SSRS flexibility enables you to develop simple lists or very complex reports. You can also link data from multiple databases into a single report. And it leverages the security defined for your database, protecting your data from being accessed by individuals who do not have the proper privileges.

When you create a SSRS report, you can publish it on a Report Server or embed it in a local application. You can embed reports in Windows applications or Web-based (ASP.NET) applications. The Report Designer functionality includes a wizard that helps you create a new report with ease. More complicated reports require additional effort to complete.

Microsoft Dynamics SL 7.0 ships with several reports that were created using SSRS. You can use them to model your own custom reports. Some of these reports match existing Crystal reports, while others are completely new.

Plumbline has had several inquiries about whether SSRS is intended to replace any of the existing Microsoft Dynamics SL reporting options. After evaluating the reporting tools, we have concluded that they are intended to complement each other. As you identify your reporting requirements, we recommend that you select the option that best meets your needs.

If you would like to find out more about using Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services to create custom reports, contact us today at sales@plumblinesolutions.com and take the next step toward creating the solution. Together, we can help you solve customer needs more quickly and provide the necessary training that allows you to focus on growing your business.