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Microsoft Reporting Services in Action - Chapter 1

by Teo Lachev

Introducing Microsoft Reporting Services
So much information, so little time ... the character “Poison Ivy” would likely say if the Batman saga was taking place in today’s enterprise.

We all know that the dot.com boom is history and so are the lavish IT budgets. In the doldrums of the economic recovery, organizations tend to spend their money on streamlining internal processes to gain a competitive advantage. According to Microsoft, today’s information workers spend as much as 80 percent of their time gathering information, with only 20 percent left to analyze it and make a decision. In many organizations, such requests consume significant IT and development resources. Too often, Excel spreadsheets are the prevalent reporting tools today and manual data entry or “pencil-pushing” is among the top reasons for inaccurate data and wrong decisions. Aware of these issues, Microsoft initiated the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services project at the beginning of the new millennium, with a bold vision to “enable employees at all levels of an organization to realize the promise of Business Intelligence to promote better decision making.”

This chapter provides a panoramic view of Reporting Services (RS). Throughout the rest of this book I will use the terms Reporting Services and RS interchangeably. You will see

Why RS is such a compelling choice for enterprise reporting
The main parts of the RS architecture
The report-generation process and report lifecycle
The steps for creating your first RS report

Monday, October 04, 2004

Chapters 4 & 6



Two sample chapters of Microsoft Reporting Services in Action are available in PDF format. You need Adobe's free Acrobat Reader software to view it. You may download Acrobat Reader here.

Chapter 1
Chapter 6

MSSQL Server 2000 Reporting Services: The Authoring Phase: Overview Part II


March 29, 2004
MSSQL Server 2000 Reporting Services: The Authoring Phase: Overview Part II
By William Pearson



About the Series ...
This is the third article of the series MSSQL Server 2000 Reporting Services. The series is designed to introduce MSSQL Server 2000 Reporting Services ("Reporting Services"), with the objective of giving a preview of its features, as well as sharing my conviction in its role as a new paradigm in enterprise reporting. As I advise clients on a more and more frequent basis these days, this is the future in a big way. I hope you will consider my input valuable, and that you will investigate closely the savings and advanced functionality that will soon be available to anyone with an MSSQL Server 2000 (and beyond) license.

Course 2030




Creating Reporting Solutions using Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Reporting Services
Course 2030—Two days—Instructor-led
Published: August 12, 2004
Take This Training
• Find training in a city near you.


On This Page
Prerequisites
Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
Course Materials
Course Outline
Take This Training



Top of page
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:

• MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) certification or equivalent knowledge.

• Exposure to Visual Studio .NET.

• Exposure to creating reports in Microsoft Access or third party reporting products.

• Experience navigating the Microsoft Windows Server™ environment.

• Experience with Microsoft Windows® services

• Starting and stopping services.

• Creating service accounts and permissions.



Top of page
Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
No Microsoft Certified Professional exams are associated with this course currently.



Top of page
Course Materials
The student kit includes a comprehensive workbook and other necessary materials for this class.



Top of page
Course Outline


Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

The information in this module introduces the role Reporting Services plays in an organization’s reporting lifecycle, the key features offered by Reporting Services, and the components that make up the Reporting Services architecture.

Lessons

• Overview of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

• Tour of Reporting Services

• Overview of Reporting Services Architecture


No Lab

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the scenarios in which Reporting Services can be used. This includes being able to:

• Describe the reporting lifecycle.

• Describe the key features of Reporting Services.

• Describe the process of scheduling a report. This includes being able to:

• Describe the process of report delivery.

• Describe the authoring process.

• Describe the process of managing reports.

• Describe the architecture of Reporting Services. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Reporting Services platform.

• Describe Reporting Services components and software prerequisites.

• Describe single server deployment.

• Describe Web farm deployment.


Module 2: Authoring Basic Reports

In this module, students learn about the fundamentals of report authoring, including how to configure data sources and data sets, create tabular reports, summarize data, and apply basic formatting.

Lessons

• Creating a Basic Table Report

• Formatting Report Pages

• Calculating Values


Lab 2: Designing a Simple Report

• Creating a Basic Table Report

• Formatting Report Pages

• Adding Calculated Values

• Referencing Global Values


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create a basic report. This includes being able to:

• Use Report Designer.

• Describe the options for creating a report.

• Describe the purpose of Report Definition Language.

• Access data using a data source and a data set.

• Create a table.

• Create groups.

• Apply basic report formatting. This includes being able to:

• Describe the report page structure.

• Add items to a report.

• Create report headers and footers.

• Use calculated values in a report. This includes being able to:

• Create new fields based on data set fields.

• Create expressions as the value of individual text boxes.

• Use aggregate functions.

• Describe the common aggregate functions.

• Use conditional expressions to create dynamic formatting.


Module 3: Enhancing Basic Reports

This module introduces some techniques for enhancing a basic report using document maps, actions, and data regions. Document maps provide navigation through a contents page, actions provide a mechanism for creating custom actions (jumping from one report to another for example), and data regions allow data to be displayed in formats such as a matrix or a list.

Lessons

• Interactive Navigation

• Displaying Data


Lab 3: Enhancing a Simple Report

• Using Dynamic Visibility

• Using Document Maps

• Initiating Actions

• Using a List Data Region


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create interactive navigation using report links. This includes being able to:

• Allow the user to navigate to an appropriate level of detail.

• Create a document map.

• Create links and custom report actions.

• Display data using data regions. This includes being able to:

• Describe the data regions available within the Report Designer.

• Create a table data region.

• Create a chart data region.

• Create a list data region.

• Create a matrix data region.

• Choose data regions for a particular report.

• Create a subreport data region.


Module 4: Manipulating Data Sets

In this module, data sets are covered in greater depth, including the use of alternative data sources and interacting with a data set through parameters. Student will learn how to dynamically modify the data set underlying a data region allowing parameters to be sent to the underlying query. This module presents various best practices for dealing with static and dynamic parameter lists when interacting with stored procedures.

Lessons

• Defining Report Data

• Using Parameters and Filters

• Using Parameter Lists


Lab 4: Manipulating Data Sets

• Using Parameters to Restrict Query Results

• Using Parameters to Filter Report Data

• Creating Dynamic Parameter Lists

• Using Parameters with a Stored Procedure

• Displaying All Categories in a Parameter List

• Simulating a Multi-select Parameter List


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the features of a data set. This includes being able to:

• Connect to a data source.

• Query a data source using a data set.

• Use parameters to restrict query results. This includes being able to:

• Describe why report parameters are used.

• Use report parameters.

• Use query parameters.

• Describe the use of filters.

• Create a data filter.

• Use parameter lists with a report. This includes being able to:

• Pass parameters to a stored procedure.

• Create a dynamic parameter list.

• Allow the user to display all items in a data set.

• Simulate the effect of a multi-select parameter list.


Module 5: Managing Content

This module introduces the management of content in the Reporting Services database. The module discusses the process of deploying reports together with the various mechanisms that can be used in deployment. Students learn about the report execution models supported by Reporting Services, including the caching of report instances. Finally, students learn about using subscriptions for report delivery.

Lessons

• Publishing Content

• Executing Reports

• Creating Cached Instances

• Creating Snapshots and Report History

• Creating Report Subscriptions


Lab 5: Managing Content

• Publishing Reports

• Executing Reports

• Creating Subscriptions


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Publish content to the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Publish a report using the Report Designer.

• Publish a report using Report Manager.

• Update a data source.

• Update a report.

• Configure report properties.

• Execute reports on-demand. This includes being able to:

• Describe the process of report execution.

• Describe how a report on-demand is executed.

• Describe how session caching works.

• Create a linked report.

• Created cached instances of reports. This includes being able to:

• Describe the processing steps when executing a cached report.

• Describe the use of query parameters on a cached instance.

• Describe the use of filters on a cached instance.

• Configure a cached instance of a report.

• Create snapshot reports and report history. This includes being able to:

• Describe how a snapshot report is executed.

• Use query parameters on a snapshot report.

• Use filters on a snapshot report.

• Configure a snapshot report.

• Describe the purpose of report history.

• Configure report history.

• Deliver reports using subscriptions. This includes being able to:

• Describe the purpose of subscriptions.

• Create a standard subscription.

• Create a data-driven subscription.


Module 6: Administering Reporting Services

This module introduces the administration of the Reporting Services server, the administration of individual jobs, and the administration of the database. In this module, students will learn how to administer the Reporting Services server, monitor and optimize the performance of the Report Server, maintain the Reporting Services databases, and keep the system secure.

Lessons

• Server Administration

• Performance and Reliability Monitoring

• Database Administration

• Security Administration


Lab 6: Administering Reporting Services

• Deploying the Demonstration Reports

• Securing the Site

• Securing Items


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Use configuration files to administer the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Report Server configuration files.

• Assign security accounts for the Report Server.

• Monitor the performance and reliability of the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Describe the purpose of the Report Server trace files.

• Configure the level of tracing.

• View report execution log information.

• Utilize Report Server performance counters.

• Apply timeouts to long-running queries or reports.

• Suspend jobs.

• Administer the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases. This includes being able to:

• Describe how Report Server stores information.

• Estimate required disk space for a Report Server installation.

• Define a backup and restore strategy.

• Administer the Reporting Services security model. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Report Server authorization model.

• Assign roles.

• Modify and create item-level roles.

• Secure individual items using roles.

• Modify and create system-level roles.

• Secure the Report Server site.


Module 7: Programming Reporting Services

This module introduces the programmatic control of Reporting Services. In this module, students will learn how to query Reporting Services information programmatically and how to automate their report management tasks. They will also learn how to render reports without relying on Report Manager and how to create custom code to extend the feature set of the Report Server.

Lessons

• Querying Server Information

• Automating Report Management

• Rendering Reports

• Creating Custom Code


Lab 7: Programming Reporting Services

• Viewing Report Server Management Information

• Managing a New Report Using the Report Server Web Service


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Retrieve information about the server. This includes being able to:

• Describe Web services.

• Describe what information is available using the Report Server Web service.

• Retrieve server information using the Report Server Web service.

• Automate report management tasks. This includes being able to:

• Describe report management automation.

• Automate tasks using Web services.

• Automate tasks using scripting.

• Render reports programmatically. This includes being able to:

• Render reports from a Web page.

• Render reports programmatically using the Report Server Web service.

• Create custom code and call the custom functionality from reports. This includes being able to:

• Describe Reporting Services extensions.

• Describe the uses for custom assemblies.

Course 2030




Creating Reporting Solutions using Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Reporting Services
Course 2030—Two days—Instructor-led
Published: August 12, 2004
Take This Training
• Find training in a city near you.


On This Page
Prerequisites
Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
Course Materials
Course Outline
Take This Training



Top of page
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:

• MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) certification or equivalent knowledge.

• Exposure to Visual Studio .NET.

• Exposure to creating reports in Microsoft Access or third party reporting products.

• Experience navigating the Microsoft Windows Server™ environment.

• Experience with Microsoft Windows® services

• Starting and stopping services.

• Creating service accounts and permissions.



Top of page
Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
No Microsoft Certified Professional exams are associated with this course currently.



Top of page
Course Materials
The student kit includes a comprehensive workbook and other necessary materials for this class.



Top of page
Course Outline


Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

The information in this module introduces the role Reporting Services plays in an organization’s reporting lifecycle, the key features offered by Reporting Services, and the components that make up the Reporting Services architecture.

Lessons

• Overview of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

• Tour of Reporting Services

• Overview of Reporting Services Architecture


No Lab

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the scenarios in which Reporting Services can be used. This includes being able to:

• Describe the reporting lifecycle.

• Describe the key features of Reporting Services.

• Describe the process of scheduling a report. This includes being able to:

• Describe the process of report delivery.

• Describe the authoring process.

• Describe the process of managing reports.

• Describe the architecture of Reporting Services. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Reporting Services platform.

• Describe Reporting Services components and software prerequisites.

• Describe single server deployment.

• Describe Web farm deployment.


Module 2: Authoring Basic Reports

In this module, students learn about the fundamentals of report authoring, including how to configure data sources and data sets, create tabular reports, summarize data, and apply basic formatting.

Lessons

• Creating a Basic Table Report

• Formatting Report Pages

• Calculating Values


Lab 2: Designing a Simple Report

• Creating a Basic Table Report

• Formatting Report Pages

• Adding Calculated Values

• Referencing Global Values


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create a basic report. This includes being able to:

• Use Report Designer.

• Describe the options for creating a report.

• Describe the purpose of Report Definition Language.

• Access data using a data source and a data set.

• Create a table.

• Create groups.

• Apply basic report formatting. This includes being able to:

• Describe the report page structure.

• Add items to a report.

• Create report headers and footers.

• Use calculated values in a report. This includes being able to:

• Create new fields based on data set fields.

• Create expressions as the value of individual text boxes.

• Use aggregate functions.

• Describe the common aggregate functions.

• Use conditional expressions to create dynamic formatting.


Module 3: Enhancing Basic Reports

This module introduces some techniques for enhancing a basic report using document maps, actions, and data regions. Document maps provide navigation through a contents page, actions provide a mechanism for creating custom actions (jumping from one report to another for example), and data regions allow data to be displayed in formats such as a matrix or a list.

Lessons

• Interactive Navigation

• Displaying Data


Lab 3: Enhancing a Simple Report

• Using Dynamic Visibility

• Using Document Maps

• Initiating Actions

• Using a List Data Region


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create interactive navigation using report links. This includes being able to:

• Allow the user to navigate to an appropriate level of detail.

• Create a document map.

• Create links and custom report actions.

• Display data using data regions. This includes being able to:

• Describe the data regions available within the Report Designer.

• Create a table data region.

• Create a chart data region.

• Create a list data region.

• Create a matrix data region.

• Choose data regions for a particular report.

• Create a subreport data region.


Module 4: Manipulating Data Sets

In this module, data sets are covered in greater depth, including the use of alternative data sources and interacting with a data set through parameters. Student will learn how to dynamically modify the data set underlying a data region allowing parameters to be sent to the underlying query. This module presents various best practices for dealing with static and dynamic parameter lists when interacting with stored procedures.

Lessons

• Defining Report Data

• Using Parameters and Filters

• Using Parameter Lists


Lab 4: Manipulating Data Sets

• Using Parameters to Restrict Query Results

• Using Parameters to Filter Report Data

• Creating Dynamic Parameter Lists

• Using Parameters with a Stored Procedure

• Displaying All Categories in a Parameter List

• Simulating a Multi-select Parameter List


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the features of a data set. This includes being able to:

• Connect to a data source.

• Query a data source using a data set.

• Use parameters to restrict query results. This includes being able to:

• Describe why report parameters are used.

• Use report parameters.

• Use query parameters.

• Describe the use of filters.

• Create a data filter.

• Use parameter lists with a report. This includes being able to:

• Pass parameters to a stored procedure.

• Create a dynamic parameter list.

• Allow the user to display all items in a data set.

• Simulate the effect of a multi-select parameter list.


Module 5: Managing Content

This module introduces the management of content in the Reporting Services database. The module discusses the process of deploying reports together with the various mechanisms that can be used in deployment. Students learn about the report execution models supported by Reporting Services, including the caching of report instances. Finally, students learn about using subscriptions for report delivery.

Lessons

• Publishing Content

• Executing Reports

• Creating Cached Instances

• Creating Snapshots and Report History

• Creating Report Subscriptions


Lab 5: Managing Content

• Publishing Reports

• Executing Reports

• Creating Subscriptions


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Publish content to the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Publish a report using the Report Designer.

• Publish a report using Report Manager.

• Update a data source.

• Update a report.

• Configure report properties.

• Execute reports on-demand. This includes being able to:

• Describe the process of report execution.

• Describe how a report on-demand is executed.

• Describe how session caching works.

• Create a linked report.

• Created cached instances of reports. This includes being able to:

• Describe the processing steps when executing a cached report.

• Describe the use of query parameters on a cached instance.

• Describe the use of filters on a cached instance.

• Configure a cached instance of a report.

• Create snapshot reports and report history. This includes being able to:

• Describe how a snapshot report is executed.

• Use query parameters on a snapshot report.

• Use filters on a snapshot report.

• Configure a snapshot report.

• Describe the purpose of report history.

• Configure report history.

• Deliver reports using subscriptions. This includes being able to:

• Describe the purpose of subscriptions.

• Create a standard subscription.

• Create a data-driven subscription.


Module 6: Administering Reporting Services

This module introduces the administration of the Reporting Services server, the administration of individual jobs, and the administration of the database. In this module, students will learn how to administer the Reporting Services server, monitor and optimize the performance of the Report Server, maintain the Reporting Services databases, and keep the system secure.

Lessons

• Server Administration

• Performance and Reliability Monitoring

• Database Administration

• Security Administration


Lab 6: Administering Reporting Services

• Deploying the Demonstration Reports

• Securing the Site

• Securing Items


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Use configuration files to administer the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Report Server configuration files.

• Assign security accounts for the Report Server.

• Monitor the performance and reliability of the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Describe the purpose of the Report Server trace files.

• Configure the level of tracing.

• View report execution log information.

• Utilize Report Server performance counters.

• Apply timeouts to long-running queries or reports.

• Suspend jobs.

• Administer the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases. This includes being able to:

• Describe how Report Server stores information.

• Estimate required disk space for a Report Server installation.

• Define a backup and restore strategy.

• Administer the Reporting Services security model. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Report Server authorization model.

• Assign roles.

• Modify and create item-level roles.

• Secure individual items using roles.

• Modify and create system-level roles.

• Secure the Report Server site.


Module 7: Programming Reporting Services

This module introduces the programmatic control of Reporting Services. In this module, students will learn how to query Reporting Services information programmatically and how to automate their report management tasks. They will also learn how to render reports without relying on Report Manager and how to create custom code to extend the feature set of the Report Server.

Lessons

• Querying Server Information

• Automating Report Management

• Rendering Reports

• Creating Custom Code


Lab 7: Programming Reporting Services

• Viewing Report Server Management Information

• Managing a New Report Using the Report Server Web Service


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Retrieve information about the server. This includes being able to:

• Describe Web services.

• Describe what information is available using the Report Server Web service.

• Retrieve server information using the Report Server Web service.

• Automate report management tasks. This includes being able to:

• Describe report management automation.

• Automate tasks using Web services.

• Automate tasks using scripting.

• Render reports programmatically. This includes being able to:

• Render reports from a Web page.

• Render reports programmatically using the Report Server Web service.

• Create custom code and call the custom functionality from reports. This includes being able to:

• Describe Reporting Services extensions.

• Describe the uses for custom assemblies.


Creating Reporting Solutions using Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Reporting Services
Course 2030—Two days—Instructor-led
Published: August 12, 2004
Take This Training
• Find training in a city near you.


On This Page
Prerequisites
Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
Course Materials
Course Outline
Take This Training



Top of page
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:

• MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) certification or equivalent knowledge.

• Exposure to Visual Studio .NET.

• Exposure to creating reports in Microsoft Access or third party reporting products.

• Experience navigating the Microsoft Windows Server™ environment.

• Experience with Microsoft Windows® services

• Starting and stopping services.

• Creating service accounts and permissions.



Top of page
Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
No Microsoft Certified Professional exams are associated with this course currently.



Top of page
Course Materials
The student kit includes a comprehensive workbook and other necessary materials for this class.



Top of page
Course Outline


Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

The information in this module introduces the role Reporting Services plays in an organization’s reporting lifecycle, the key features offered by Reporting Services, and the components that make up the Reporting Services architecture.

Lessons

• Overview of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

• Tour of Reporting Services

• Overview of Reporting Services Architecture


No Lab

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the scenarios in which Reporting Services can be used. This includes being able to:

• Describe the reporting lifecycle.

• Describe the key features of Reporting Services.

• Describe the process of scheduling a report. This includes being able to:

• Describe the process of report delivery.

• Describe the authoring process.

• Describe the process of managing reports.

• Describe the architecture of Reporting Services. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Reporting Services platform.

• Describe Reporting Services components and software prerequisites.

• Describe single server deployment.

• Describe Web farm deployment.


Module 2: Authoring Basic Reports

In this module, students learn about the fundamentals of report authoring, including how to configure data sources and data sets, create tabular reports, summarize data, and apply basic formatting.

Lessons

• Creating a Basic Table Report

• Formatting Report Pages

• Calculating Values


Lab 2: Designing a Simple Report

• Creating a Basic Table Report

• Formatting Report Pages

• Adding Calculated Values

• Referencing Global Values


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create a basic report. This includes being able to:

• Use Report Designer.

• Describe the options for creating a report.

• Describe the purpose of Report Definition Language.

• Access data using a data source and a data set.

• Create a table.

• Create groups.

• Apply basic report formatting. This includes being able to:

• Describe the report page structure.

• Add items to a report.

• Create report headers and footers.

• Use calculated values in a report. This includes being able to:

• Create new fields based on data set fields.

• Create expressions as the value of individual text boxes.

• Use aggregate functions.

• Describe the common aggregate functions.

• Use conditional expressions to create dynamic formatting.


Module 3: Enhancing Basic Reports

This module introduces some techniques for enhancing a basic report using document maps, actions, and data regions. Document maps provide navigation through a contents page, actions provide a mechanism for creating custom actions (jumping from one report to another for example), and data regions allow data to be displayed in formats such as a matrix or a list.

Lessons

• Interactive Navigation

• Displaying Data


Lab 3: Enhancing a Simple Report

• Using Dynamic Visibility

• Using Document Maps

• Initiating Actions

• Using a List Data Region


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create interactive navigation using report links. This includes being able to:

• Allow the user to navigate to an appropriate level of detail.

• Create a document map.

• Create links and custom report actions.

• Display data using data regions. This includes being able to:

• Describe the data regions available within the Report Designer.

• Create a table data region.

• Create a chart data region.

• Create a list data region.

• Create a matrix data region.

• Choose data regions for a particular report.

• Create a subreport data region.


Module 4: Manipulating Data Sets

In this module, data sets are covered in greater depth, including the use of alternative data sources and interacting with a data set through parameters. Student will learn how to dynamically modify the data set underlying a data region allowing parameters to be sent to the underlying query. This module presents various best practices for dealing with static and dynamic parameter lists when interacting with stored procedures.

Lessons

• Defining Report Data

• Using Parameters and Filters

• Using Parameter Lists


Lab 4: Manipulating Data Sets

• Using Parameters to Restrict Query Results

• Using Parameters to Filter Report Data

• Creating Dynamic Parameter Lists

• Using Parameters with a Stored Procedure

• Displaying All Categories in a Parameter List

• Simulating a Multi-select Parameter List


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the features of a data set. This includes being able to:

• Connect to a data source.

• Query a data source using a data set.

• Use parameters to restrict query results. This includes being able to:

• Describe why report parameters are used.

• Use report parameters.

• Use query parameters.

• Describe the use of filters.

• Create a data filter.

• Use parameter lists with a report. This includes being able to:

• Pass parameters to a stored procedure.

• Create a dynamic parameter list.

• Allow the user to display all items in a data set.

• Simulate the effect of a multi-select parameter list.


Module 5: Managing Content

This module introduces the management of content in the Reporting Services database. The module discusses the process of deploying reports together with the various mechanisms that can be used in deployment. Students learn about the report execution models supported by Reporting Services, including the caching of report instances. Finally, students learn about using subscriptions for report delivery.

Lessons

• Publishing Content

• Executing Reports

• Creating Cached Instances

• Creating Snapshots and Report History

• Creating Report Subscriptions


Lab 5: Managing Content

• Publishing Reports

• Executing Reports

• Creating Subscriptions


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Publish content to the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Publish a report using the Report Designer.

• Publish a report using Report Manager.

• Update a data source.

• Update a report.

• Configure report properties.

• Execute reports on-demand. This includes being able to:

• Describe the process of report execution.

• Describe how a report on-demand is executed.

• Describe how session caching works.

• Create a linked report.

• Created cached instances of reports. This includes being able to:

• Describe the processing steps when executing a cached report.

• Describe the use of query parameters on a cached instance.

• Describe the use of filters on a cached instance.

• Configure a cached instance of a report.

• Create snapshot reports and report history. This includes being able to:

• Describe how a snapshot report is executed.

• Use query parameters on a snapshot report.

• Use filters on a snapshot report.

• Configure a snapshot report.

• Describe the purpose of report history.

• Configure report history.

• Deliver reports using subscriptions. This includes being able to:

• Describe the purpose of subscriptions.

• Create a standard subscription.

• Create a data-driven subscription.


Module 6: Administering Reporting Services

This module introduces the administration of the Reporting Services server, the administration of individual jobs, and the administration of the database. In this module, students will learn how to administer the Reporting Services server, monitor and optimize the performance of the Report Server, maintain the Reporting Services databases, and keep the system secure.

Lessons

• Server Administration

• Performance and Reliability Monitoring

• Database Administration

• Security Administration


Lab 6: Administering Reporting Services

• Deploying the Demonstration Reports

• Securing the Site

• Securing Items


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Use configuration files to administer the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Report Server configuration files.

• Assign security accounts for the Report Server.

• Monitor the performance and reliability of the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Describe the purpose of the Report Server trace files.

• Configure the level of tracing.

• View report execution log information.

• Utilize Report Server performance counters.

• Apply timeouts to long-running queries or reports.

• Suspend jobs.

• Administer the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases. This includes being able to:

• Describe how Report Server stores information.

• Estimate required disk space for a Report Server installation.

• Define a backup and restore strategy.

• Administer the Reporting Services security model. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Report Server authorization model.

• Assign roles.

• Modify and create item-level roles.

• Secure individual items using roles.

• Modify and create system-level roles.

• Secure the Report Server site.


Module 7: Programming Reporting Services

This module introduces the programmatic control of Reporting Services. In this module, students will learn how to query Reporting Services information programmatically and how to automate their report management tasks. They will also learn how to render reports without relying on Report Manager and how to create custom code to extend the feature set of the Report Server.

Lessons

• Querying Server Information

• Automating Report Management

• Rendering Reports

• Creating Custom Code


Lab 7: Programming Reporting Services

• Viewing Report Server Management Information

• Managing a New Report Using the Report Server Web Service


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Retrieve information about the server. This includes being able to:

• Describe Web services.

• Describe what information is available using the Report Server Web service.

• Retrieve server information using the Report Server Web service.

• Automate report management tasks. This includes being able to:

• Describe report management automation.

• Automate tasks using Web services.

• Automate tasks using scripting.

• Render reports programmatically. This includes being able to:

• Render reports from a Web page.

• Render reports programmatically using the Report Server Web service.

• Create custom code and call the custom functionality from reports. This includes being able to:

• Describe Reporting Services extensions.

• Describe the uses for custom assemblies.



Creating Reporting Solutions using Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Reporting Services
Course 2030—Two days—Instructor-led
Published: August 12, 2004
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Prerequisites
Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
Course Materials
Course Outline
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Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:

• MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) certification or equivalent knowledge.

• Exposure to Visual Studio .NET.

• Exposure to creating reports in Microsoft Access or third party reporting products.

• Experience navigating the Microsoft Windows Server™ environment.

• Experience with Microsoft Windows® services

• Starting and stopping services.

• Creating service accounts and permissions.



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Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
No Microsoft Certified Professional exams are associated with this course currently.



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Course Materials
The student kit includes a comprehensive workbook and other necessary materials for this class.



Top of page
Course Outline


Module 1: Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

The information in this module introduces the role Reporting Services plays in an organization’s reporting lifecycle, the key features offered by Reporting Services, and the components that make up the Reporting Services architecture.

Lessons

• Overview of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services

• Tour of Reporting Services

• Overview of Reporting Services Architecture


No Lab

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the scenarios in which Reporting Services can be used. This includes being able to:

• Describe the reporting lifecycle.

• Describe the key features of Reporting Services.

• Describe the process of scheduling a report. This includes being able to:

• Describe the process of report delivery.

• Describe the authoring process.

• Describe the process of managing reports.

• Describe the architecture of Reporting Services. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Reporting Services platform.

• Describe Reporting Services components and software prerequisites.

• Describe single server deployment.

• Describe Web farm deployment.


Module 2: Authoring Basic Reports

In this module, students learn about the fundamentals of report authoring, including how to configure data sources and data sets, create tabular reports, summarize data, and apply basic formatting.

Lessons

• Creating a Basic Table Report

• Formatting Report Pages

• Calculating Values


Lab 2: Designing a Simple Report

• Creating a Basic Table Report

• Formatting Report Pages

• Adding Calculated Values

• Referencing Global Values


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create a basic report. This includes being able to:

• Use Report Designer.

• Describe the options for creating a report.

• Describe the purpose of Report Definition Language.

• Access data using a data source and a data set.

• Create a table.

• Create groups.

• Apply basic report formatting. This includes being able to:

• Describe the report page structure.

• Add items to a report.

• Create report headers and footers.

• Use calculated values in a report. This includes being able to:

• Create new fields based on data set fields.

• Create expressions as the value of individual text boxes.

• Use aggregate functions.

• Describe the common aggregate functions.

• Use conditional expressions to create dynamic formatting.


Module 3: Enhancing Basic Reports

This module introduces some techniques for enhancing a basic report using document maps, actions, and data regions. Document maps provide navigation through a contents page, actions provide a mechanism for creating custom actions (jumping from one report to another for example), and data regions allow data to be displayed in formats such as a matrix or a list.

Lessons

• Interactive Navigation

• Displaying Data


Lab 3: Enhancing a Simple Report

• Using Dynamic Visibility

• Using Document Maps

• Initiating Actions

• Using a List Data Region


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create interactive navigation using report links. This includes being able to:

• Allow the user to navigate to an appropriate level of detail.

• Create a document map.

• Create links and custom report actions.

• Display data using data regions. This includes being able to:

• Describe the data regions available within the Report Designer.

• Create a table data region.

• Create a chart data region.

• Create a list data region.

• Create a matrix data region.

• Choose data regions for a particular report.

• Create a subreport data region.


Module 4: Manipulating Data Sets

In this module, data sets are covered in greater depth, including the use of alternative data sources and interacting with a data set through parameters. Student will learn how to dynamically modify the data set underlying a data region allowing parameters to be sent to the underlying query. This module presents various best practices for dealing with static and dynamic parameter lists when interacting with stored procedures.

Lessons

• Defining Report Data

• Using Parameters and Filters

• Using Parameter Lists


Lab 4: Manipulating Data Sets

• Using Parameters to Restrict Query Results

• Using Parameters to Filter Report Data

• Creating Dynamic Parameter Lists

• Using Parameters with a Stored Procedure

• Displaying All Categories in a Parameter List

• Simulating a Multi-select Parameter List


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the features of a data set. This includes being able to:

• Connect to a data source.

• Query a data source using a data set.

• Use parameters to restrict query results. This includes being able to:

• Describe why report parameters are used.

• Use report parameters.

• Use query parameters.

• Describe the use of filters.

• Create a data filter.

• Use parameter lists with a report. This includes being able to:

• Pass parameters to a stored procedure.

• Create a dynamic parameter list.

• Allow the user to display all items in a data set.

• Simulate the effect of a multi-select parameter list.


Module 5: Managing Content

This module introduces the management of content in the Reporting Services database. The module discusses the process of deploying reports together with the various mechanisms that can be used in deployment. Students learn about the report execution models supported by Reporting Services, including the caching of report instances. Finally, students learn about using subscriptions for report delivery.

Lessons

• Publishing Content

• Executing Reports

• Creating Cached Instances

• Creating Snapshots and Report History

• Creating Report Subscriptions


Lab 5: Managing Content

• Publishing Reports

• Executing Reports

• Creating Subscriptions


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Publish content to the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Publish a report using the Report Designer.

• Publish a report using Report Manager.

• Update a data source.

• Update a report.

• Configure report properties.

• Execute reports on-demand. This includes being able to:

• Describe the process of report execution.

• Describe how a report on-demand is executed.

• Describe how session caching works.

• Create a linked report.

• Created cached instances of reports. This includes being able to:

• Describe the processing steps when executing a cached report.

• Describe the use of query parameters on a cached instance.

• Describe the use of filters on a cached instance.

• Configure a cached instance of a report.

• Create snapshot reports and report history. This includes being able to:

• Describe how a snapshot report is executed.

• Use query parameters on a snapshot report.

• Use filters on a snapshot report.

• Configure a snapshot report.

• Describe the purpose of report history.

• Configure report history.

• Deliver reports using subscriptions. This includes being able to:

• Describe the purpose of subscriptions.

• Create a standard subscription.

• Create a data-driven subscription.


Module 6: Administering Reporting Services

This module introduces the administration of the Reporting Services server, the administration of individual jobs, and the administration of the database. In this module, students will learn how to administer the Reporting Services server, monitor and optimize the performance of the Report Server, maintain the Reporting Services databases, and keep the system secure.

Lessons

• Server Administration

• Performance and Reliability Monitoring

• Database Administration

• Security Administration


Lab 6: Administering Reporting Services

• Deploying the Demonstration Reports

• Securing the Site

• Securing Items


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Use configuration files to administer the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Report Server configuration files.

• Assign security accounts for the Report Server.

• Monitor the performance and reliability of the Report Server. This includes being able to:

• Describe the purpose of the Report Server trace files.

• Configure the level of tracing.

• View report execution log information.

• Utilize Report Server performance counters.

• Apply timeouts to long-running queries or reports.

• Suspend jobs.

• Administer the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases. This includes being able to:

• Describe how Report Server stores information.

• Estimate required disk space for a Report Server installation.

• Define a backup and restore strategy.

• Administer the Reporting Services security model. This includes being able to:

• Describe the Report Server authorization model.

• Assign roles.

• Modify and create item-level roles.

• Secure individual items using roles.

• Modify and create system-level roles.

• Secure the Report Server site.


Module 7: Programming Reporting Services

This module introduces the programmatic control of Reporting Services. In this module, students will learn how to query Reporting Services information programmatically and how to automate their report management tasks. They will also learn how to render reports without relying on Report Manager and how to create custom code to extend the feature set of the Report Server.

Lessons

• Querying Server Information

• Automating Report Management

• Rendering Reports

• Creating Custom Code


Lab 7: Programming Reporting Services

• Viewing Report Server Management Information

• Managing a New Report Using the Report Server Web Service


After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Retrieve information about the server. This includes being able to:

• Describe Web services.

• Describe what information is available using the Report Server Web service.

• Retrieve server information using the Report Server Web service.

• Automate report management tasks. This includes being able to:

• Describe report management automation.

• Automate tasks using Web services.

• Automate tasks using scripting.

• Render reports programmatically. This includes being able to:

• Render reports from a Web page.

• Render reports programmatically using the Report Server Web service.

• Create custom code and call the custom functionality from reports. This includes being able to:

• Describe Reporting Services extensions.

• Describe the uses for custom assemblies.

Microsoft Resources






Integrate Analysis Services with Reporting Services



Deliver enhanced business intelligence solutions with the integration of Analysis Services and Reporting Services for SQL Server 2000.
  









Deliver Rich Reports from Your Apps with Reporting Services



Use SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services and Visual Studio to integrate rich, user-friendly reports into your Web applications.
  









Use Forms Authentication in Reporting Services



Get overview of security extensions in Reporting Services, and put to use a downloadable sample Forms Authentication extension.
  









Learn Code Access Security in SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services



SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services enables users to execute code through an ASP.NET application. See how code access security enables you to control permissions for such code.
  









Using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services



Experiment with the security solutions presented here using SSL for SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services before implementing security on your network.
  









MSDN TV: Developing Applications Using SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services



Get an an overview of on how to add Reporting Services to your applications, including how to design reports using Report Designer, call SOAP methods using Visual Studio.NET 2003 against the Report Server Web service, and integrate reports into Win Forms applications.
  









Using SQL Server 2000 Technologies to Deliver Data



Use Notification Services and Reporting Services in SQL Server 2000 to generate and deliver data to your users when they want it.
  



Same course, different price?

http://www.homnick.com/ReportingServices/

Learn Reporting Services in a unique "Hands-on Seminar" environment using Microsoft Courseware #2391. Presented by Homnick Systems Seminars http://homnick.com.

Questions Please Contact:

marketing@homnick.com or 561.988.0567



Boca Raton, Florida
621 NW 53rd St
Boca Raton Fl 33487
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Microsoft Office
6750 North Andrews Ave., Suite 400
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

November 22-23
December 16-17
$499
October 21-22
$499


Asipirity Training

Aspirity has some good courses worth looking at if you're in the U.S. or will travel.








RS200: Fast Track to Reporting Services

Overview

This three-day course provides students with the skills needed to implement reporting solutions using Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services.

Reporting Services is a new enterprise-ready reporting platform that supports end-to-end report development, management, and delivery.

By learning the details behind data sources, data sets, parameters, management, security, and working with the more advanced features of Reporting Services, students will achieve a complete and correct understanding of how to use Reporting Services to create and manage reports.

At the end of this class, students should be able to build real-world applications for their businesses that give users useful reports and analysis information.



Course Outline


This three-day, instructor-led course introduces students to the full range of Reporting Services roles and capabilities. Beginning with an overview of Reporting Services, the course takes students through authoring and managing reports, deployment considerations and programming capabilities with Reporting Services:




  • Reporting Services from 500 Feet
    - Begin the course with a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft Reporting Services that follows the stages of the reporting lifecycle - authoring, management, and delivery. Learn how to design reports with Report Designer and administer reports with Report Manager.


  • Authoring Reports
    - Learn the basics of report design with table reports. Find out how to set up a data source and dataset. Make reports easy to navigate by adding drill down, document maps, actions. Find out how and when to create page, report, and table headers and footers. Use expressions in a variety of report design situations: aggregating data, creating conditional formatting, and adding custom fields.


  • Exploring Data Regions
    - Learn how to use table, matrix, list, subreport, and chart data regions as well as the practical application of each.


  • Manipulating Datasets
    - Build parameterized reports using query parameters and filters. Discover how to use stored procedures and user defined functions to build dynamic reports. Find out how to build a report that displays recursive hierarchies. Create a report from an Analysis Services cube.


  • Managing Content
    - Learn how to use Report Manager to publish content to the report server for public consumption, organize content into folders, and configure data settings. Learn techniques for setting up report execution settings - on demand, cached instances and snapshots. Deliver reports via standard and data driven subscriptions using file share and email.



  • Administering Security
    - Secure Reporting Services using item security, system security, and data security features.


  • Administering Reporting Services Components
    - Learn how to administer and monitor report executions and subscriptions. Find out how and when to manipulate the server configuration files. Identify the key components of database administration.


  • Programming Reporting Services
    - Extend the functionality of Reporting Services by understanding how to use the Reporting Services web service to build custom browsing and management applications. Learn how to automate report management using the rs utility. Find out how to access reports via a URL.


Audience and Prerequisites

This course is intended for all types of reporting users including server and content managers, designers, and developers who are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of reporting solutions.

Before attending this course, students should have:




  • An understanding of basic relational database concepts.


  • Experience with Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Visual Studio.

Some knowledge of the following is helpful:



  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000.


  • Basic Transact-SQL syntax.

  • Microsoft Visual Basic.

  • Windows Script programming principles.

  • Basic XML.



BI Best Practices

This blog will try and aggregate as much information about SQL Reporting Services as I can find out there.

Starting with the BI Best Practices Blog:

http://blogs.msdn.com/bi_systems/category/4412.aspx
Reporting Services
How to cache report data for multiple parameter values?
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 11:53 PM
An error occurred while reading the query schema to generate the list of fields for the query
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 7:02 PM
OLAP Support in Reporting Services
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 7:00 PM
Using stored procedures to populate a report
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:56 PM
Renaming an Reporting Services machine
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:55 PM
How do I use Cascading Parameters?
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:54 PM
How to Use MDX in Reporting Services 2000
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:53 PM
How do I give alternating rows a different color?
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:53 PM
Reporting Services Training
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:50 PM
RS2K MDX Query That Passes Parm
posted @ Thursday, July 15, 2004 6:35 PM