Want to Learn SSRS

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Posted on by Bill Campbell

Had a client request and I wanted to get feed back from the community first.

Client question: I want to understand SSRS better and to be able to create some reports for our company. I do not want to be a programmer, I am a controller and as such have a pretty good grasp on how GP works.

1. Where can we learn how to create SSRS reports?

2. How much technical knowledge do we need to create SSRS reports?

3. Are there specific GP focused training sessions we should look for?

4. Is the training only 'general SSRS' processing and the we have to apply it to GP?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

Why doesn't this client use Management Reporter? Less technical/more user friendly and a lot more functional reports!

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Bill Campbell 12 on at

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

Great question. But the client is looking to do more than just financial data on the reports. They are looking at bringing data from an external SQL Server based application as well as Excel based tools that they have developed for their specific management needs.

So I think I could have pushed them to MR only if not for the external requirements.

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RogerRogerATX 1,515 on at

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

Hi Bill:

It's best to know SQL somewhat before embarking into SSRS. The biggest challenge is knowing how to get to the data/results you want before going into that realm. While Management Reporter is easier to learn, there are things you have to do outside MR.

SQL can handle AA better also, especially with temp tables and indexing of temp tables.

I thought at one point Microsoft HAD videos on SSRS with GP. I would look at general SQL training (W3Schools is good to start online) and then basic SSRS items on Technet (no subscription required).

I use Visual Studio rather than Report Writer for SSRS. The Wizard usually does most of the report for me, I just spend my time with the query or stored procedure in SSMS first, before going to SSRS to deploy to the users.

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Victoria Yudin 22,769 on at

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

My 2 cents: SSRS is more geared towards developers and thus requires more technical knowledge than some other reporting tools. IMO, without first knowing how to write SQL code, it is pretty impossible to effectively use SSRS. While there are many SSRS tutorials, books and classes available, I am not aware of any GP specific SSRS training; I have seen that typically offered by partners on a case by case basis.

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RogerRogerATX 1,515 on at

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

Victoria, MS *used* to have GP 10 and SSRS courses with their online learning academy (they are still in My Courses even though they have been retired, I have 2 listed still).... meanwhile MS is now only offering 3 courses in GP in total now.

So it used to exist. But I think they want to migrate to Power BI and Jet.

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George_YYC 175 on at

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

BI 360 might be a better tool for them - depending on their requirements...

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Heather Roggeveen 9,146 on at

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

Hi

Adding my 2 cents. I tried to teach myself SSRS years back and gave up. I had some experience with Crystal and by that stage a bit of SQL knowledge - but I couldn't figure it out.

BI360 gives some good options, but also just straight data queries from Excel goes a long way too. Haven't checked out Power BI as yet, but could also be a really good option.

I did have one of my clients recently want to do more reporting from across two independent SQL databases. From experience, it is easier to create views. So we set up a blank reporting database in SQL for the client that their windows user had full read / write access to. They could then read the data they wanted from the sources databases and save their views in the reporting database. It gives them the ability to test out different reporting and really play - without danger of destroying the operational databases.

Cheers

Heather

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

I took a 3-day SSRS class through a 3rd party training center (I forget the name, but it's the same place you go to take the GP certification exams). Most of it was devoted to report design, but we did spend time in Management Studio looking at a couple of queries. That said, this individual could probably buy themselves a "SQL Server 101" textbook, read thru the chapters related to T SQL and have enough knowledge to get through an SSRS training course.

I tend to agree with Heather's comment above that this person might be better served by checking out the various Excel reports within GP.

One word of caution: if this person starts writing SSRS reports they'd need to consider the impact on segregation of duties, especially if they're going to log directly in to management studio and have the ability to alter existing views and/or create new ones. I'm probably getting ahead of myself though.

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

We at Etelligent Solutions Inc. could arrange for the SSRS training. As mentioned by everyone, SQL script writing is a requirement to build any report in SSRS. You can contact support@esicanada.com for the training if interested.

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Derek Albaugh on at

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RE: Want to Learn SSRS

Hello Bill,

While there may not be any Dynamics GP training in regards to creating SQL SRS reports, there is information online related to this type of information, such as here:

technet.microsoft.com/.../ms159253(v=sql.105).aspx

The Dynamics GP Support doesn't actually support or troubleshoot custom SQL SRS reports, as you're using more the SQL Server functionality than anything with the Dynamics GP application.

My thinking is that there is probably more training/documentation/information in regards to building SQL SRS reports put out by the Microsoft SQL Server teams, so you may want to go that route.

It may not be a bad question to put in the Microsoft SQL Server forum either.

Thank you,

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