SQL Server Reporting Services

[Weltchy]

Regarding the schedules - it's not difficult to write an app that can schedule reports for you in a more definable manner, including the ability to pass parameters to reports which require them.

This is actually one of the things I like about it, the URL access gives plenty of flexibility.

I've had to do this a few times already. Its not actually the scheduler which is at fault. That part works fine. We use BizTalk to generate business events, and if someone has subscribed a report to that event and the event says to email the report to a group of different email addresses each time, then you either have to manipulate SQL's job queue and Reporting Services underlying tables using ReportingService2005.asmx, or write your own PDF rendering service and implement that in conjuction with Reporting Services. Now, both are fairly easy, arbeit time consuming, but its still functionality that I'd rather have out of the box.

[Spacecadet]

Reporting Services is still a long way off from being a mature product. You still have to do alot of work to provide the same level of functionality for it to compare favourably against either BO/Crystal or Cognos. The report scheduling needs alot of work IMO.

However, that said, its free, incredibly extensible and integrates well with the whole Microsoft family of products and I choose it every time!!!!

Regarding the schedules - it's not difficult to write an app that can schedule reports for you in a more definable manner, including the ability to pass parameters to reports which require them.

This is actually one of the things I like about it, the URL access gives plenty of flexibility.

[darmstadt]

I do it all in COBOL VS II 'cos I is a MAN

[MarillionFan]

Im still using DTS with my Active X, VBA, Pivot Tabling.

Its the nuts.

[Weltchy]

Reporting Services is still a long way off from being a mature product. You still have to do alot of work to provide the same level of functionality for it to compare favourably against either BO/Crystal or Cognos. The report scheduling needs alot of work IMO.

However, that said, its free, incredibly extensible and integrates well with the whole Microsoft family of products and I choose it every time!!!!

[expat]

Agree 100%

Wouldn't touch Crystal or whatever it's called with a bargepole. Bug-ridden, expensive bloatware.

This is no bar to success.

[MarillionFan]

"Now i'm doubly glad I told them to stick the crystal reports demo CD in the bin "

As it happens I am the Crystal Man. Other Developers call me the God of Crystal Gods (among other names).

SQL Reporting Services is the way forward. How long will it remain free though????? Hey??? Hey??????

[Spacecadet]

Now i'm doubly glad I told them to stick the crystal reports demo CD in the bin

[DimPrawn]

Has been in my book since it's early beta, crystal is shyte. Active Reports, now your talking

Agree 100%

Wouldn't touch Crystal or whatever it's called with a bargepole. Bug-ridden, expensive bloatware.

[HankWangford]

This seems to be taking off in a big way

I'm currently implementing it for a client, despite never using it myself i decided to save them some money seeing as how it comes bundled with SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition and does everything they need and more.

Anyone else think it will soon be a serious contender for crystal reports?

Has been in my book since it's early beta, crystal is shyte. Active Reports, now your talking

[Spacecadet]

This seems to be taking off in a big way

I'm currently implementing it for a client, despite never using it myself i decided to save them some money seeing as how it comes bundled with SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition and does everything they need and more.

Anyone else think it will soon be a serious contender for crystal reports?