SQL Server Reporting Service

Now this is the first tool to view the things, like cubes or even a relational database.

the new version of SQL Reporting service 2005, they added in it 2 features:

1- the report can connect on a cube to build a report in it.
2- the report model concept.

the first one is logical, because they are now building a BI solution. but the second one is fantastic. Although you have a cube in your application or not, Although you meet all the reporting requirements or not. The Client can do his report by him self. and can store it in warehouse to view it multiple times!!!!

The report model make this task easy.

How?

First you generate the Model, from either cube or RDB. Then deploy it. then link the client to the report server. He will find a link named "Report Builder". The wizard will come now.

The Client will open the report builder, selecting the appropriate model. then tada.. he will build a report of huge functionality like navigate through, complex calculations, grouping, ...etc without even writing any minor script. Just drag and drop.

the report model is the business representation of your entities. whether it is cube or RDB. it will generate a business entities that you can change their names to logical names example: instead of "PRODUCT_CATEGORY", you will rename it to: "Product Category".

The Client will generate all his reports and then deploy it in the report server. Then you can link to it from the report you are doing or from your application.

try it by your self, it is cute....

the next time we will apply security on the report and show some troubleshoots.