Monday, August 01, 2011

Drawing a logo or diagram using SQL spatial data | Purple Frog Systems

Spatial data in SQL 2008 R2 allows you to create freeform diagrams in your Reporting Services Reports.  Some interesting possibilities here with data-driven diagrams.  For instance, what stores on a mall map generate the most traffic?  What part of an automobile has the most frequent damage replacements?  What part of the body is most affected by a lab test? 

The ability to flag these shapes with red/yellow/green traffic lighting makes it a cool proposition for some deep visual reporting.

My session is about using SSRS, SQL spatial data and DMVs to visualise SSAS OLAP cube structures and generate real-time automated cube documentation (blog post here if you want to know more…).

This shows an unusual use for spatial data, drawing diagrams instead of the usual demonstrations which are pretty much always displaying sales by region on a map etc. Whilst writing my demos, it got me thinking – why not use spatial data to draw even more complex pictures, diagrams or logos…

Drawing a logo or diagram using SQL spatial data | Purple Frog Systems

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