Heavy users of SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) haven’t had much incentive to upgrade since the 2008 R2 rollout – until now. The release of SQL Server 2016 changes everything.
Microsoft has made major improvements to the latest version of its report-generating software. Here are three great reasons to consider upgrading:
1) Behind-the-scenes improvements
The background investments in SSRS 2016 have created a truly modern reporting tool. Boasting a new HTML5 renderer, Reporting Services now displays consistently and correctly across modern browsers including Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. The new rendering engine no longer relies on quirks mode, used by a few older browsers, and now also supports the current version of Microsoft .NET Framework 4. Microsoft’s modern makeover of the report builder interface gives it a streamlined look. SSRS 2016 now supports high DPI (dots per inch) helping to present content in an easily readable way, reducing eye fatigue and thereby allowing for increased productivity. Printing is also easier, since SSRS replaced the former ActiveX experience with a modern, PDF-based capability that works across a matrix of supported browsers, including Microsoft Edge.
2) A superior roadmap and well-defined tool integration
Though other vendors may offer tools for reporting or data work, Microsoft continues its tradition as an end-to-end Business Intelligence leader. Microsoft offers a wide range of tools for Extract, Transform and Load (ETL), Analytics, and Reporting, from enterprise as well as self-service perspectives. Previously, the wide range of tools raised questions and confusion in users, and clear use directions weren’t officially provided. With SQL 2016, Microsoft has posted a strong reporting roadmap (read about it in detail here).
The many improved abilities of the newly integrated tools include the option to pin a Reporting Services or Excel visual to a Power BI dashboard, and to store Power BI and Excel files in the new SSRS web portal.
To summarize, the path forward focuses on the four main report types:
- Paginated reports built with SQL Server Report Builder or SQL Server Data Tools
- Interactive reports built with Power BI Desktop
- Mobile reports built with Mobile Report Publisher
- Analytical reports and charts created with Excel
Check out the following video from Yaroslav Lukomskiy to learn how to create mobile reports using SQL Server 2016 Mobile Report Publisher:
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You can also read more about Power BI from BlueGranite’s team here.
3) New features
There are also a ton of new features in SQL Server 2016, including:
- Subscription improvements in SSRS, including enable/disable/pause subscriptions, changing subscription owners, adding subscription descriptions, etc.
- New chart types – Tree Map and Sunburst
- Custom parameters panel to add rows and columns to change the panel layout
- PowerPoint rendering and Export
- Support of SharePoint 2016 (however, note that some of the new features might not be available in SharePoint integrated mode. This article is a good read if you are interested in learning more about the tradeoffs between native mode and SharePoint integrated mode)
- Reporting Services web portal – an updated, modern portal that incorporates KPIs, Mobile Reports and Paginated Reports. This portal can be customized with an organization’s logo and colors by using a branding pack. You can also search for KPIs and connect them to another view to see details.
- Report embedding – embed mobile and paginated reports in other web pages, and applications, by using an iframe along with URL parameters.
The vast improvements in the latest version of SSRS haven’t gone unnoticed. Gartner has positioned Microsoft as a leader in the BI and Analytics platform.
SQL Server 2016 Release Candidate (RC2) came out Friday. Take it for a spin by downloading from the link below:
When you’re ready to upgrade/migrate and experience the magic of SSRS 2016, have a look at the following article for best practices.
We’d love to help you explore the many ways SSRS 2016 can benefit your organization. Contact us today to schedule a call with our team.
