Page 204 - DCAP606_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE

Unit 14: Reporting Tools

Notes
Reports run daily and are easily available to users who are travelling for them to
down load and view
Timing of the extracts takes into account when updates are posted to ensure the data
is as up to date as possible
Reports can be exported in multiple file formats to provide accessibility for further
analysis offline
Optimized data extract procedures and schedules to ensure reporting does not impact
on other accounting system functions
Deliverables:
SQL Server Integration Service components to manage the data extracts and
scheduling from multiple disparate systems
SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) components providing a foundation for Online
Analytical Processing (OLAP) analysis and data mining. Used to create data-cubes of
summarised, pre-calculated data for complex reporting solutions

SQL Server Reporting Services components for report generation based upon data
gathered from the data-cubes. This is the means by which users select, parameterise
and run pre-defined reports
Question:
Analyse the case and provide any other solution to the problem.

Source: http://www.bmn.ltd.uk/CaseStudy_SQL_Reporting.aspx
14.4 Summary

Following are the reporting tool functionalities: front end, data source connection
capabilities, scheduling and distribution capabilities, security features, customization and
export capabilities.
There are two types of data sources: The relationship database and The OLAP
multidimensional data source.
Microsoft has come up with its own reporting service, in conjunction with SQL server
database to insert the Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services [SSRS].
SSRS is a comprehensive reporting platform whereby accounts are retained on a centralized
web server (or set of servers).

After using SSRS, the architecture is just like a small operating system. The Report Manager
is the central person who acts as a manager to decide when the reports will be scheduled
to run along with maintaining the user profiles on the report server.
Report Designer is a graphical tool that is hosted within the Microsoft Visual Studio IDE.
It provides tabbed windows for Data, Layout, and Preview that allow you to design a
report interactively.
After installing SQL server reporting services on your system, start the Visual studio IDE.
Go to File -> New Project, and you will be shown a prompt with ‘New project’.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 199