Reporting Services suggestions/wishes

So far, Microsoft has put out log of seminars, webcasts, conference
sessions, whitepapers, etc on Reporting Services. But they have been heavy
on using RS or developing with RS. I have not seen a lot focusing on
managing Reporting Services in an enterprise. The RS capacity planning and
performance tuning whitepaper is an exception. I think there is a real need
for much more coverage on topics such as the following (just a sample list):
* Monitoring Reporting Services
* Managing Reporing Services disaster and recovery
* RS.exe scripting for automation
LinchiAt the loadfest I attended, the suggest to send an e-mail - something
sqlwish@.microsoft.com - (not sure...).
Our company has been evaluting RS to replace Crystal - so far - it "ain't
gonna happen". RS isn't ready for complex reporting. For anyone that says
it is, you aren't righting complex reports. We have created many simple
reports - which is does very well (thank you).
Don't misunderstand me - I am looking forward to the next version - which I
will expect to see some big improvements. MS has been very "hush" about
what type of enhancements will be included (maybe they know - maybe they
don't). I don't want to beat up on MS too bad - this is a very good idea
with a lot of promise - but it isn't for eveyone (yet!).
My wish list:
- Aggregate functions on textbox values (a must!)
- Preview with edit/formatting ability (if you don't understand - look
at Crystal)
- Intellisense!!!
- Some type of interface to assist with coding (again - look at Crystal,
building functions/custom code)
- Ability to create variables at the report level that can be access by
functions (...Crystal...again)
OK - I am a Crystal user - so what?!? I am trying to use RS and will
actively support RS when it can compare to Crystal.
...take this as "constructive criticism". To be honest - I am anxious to
see Business Objects "whine" about MS monopolizing the report-writing
market!! Go MS!
-KB
"Linchi Shea" <linchi_shea@.NOSPAM.ml.com> wrote in message
news:%23ltaDWAhEHA.3236@.TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> So far, Microsoft has put out log of seminars, webcasts, conference
> sessions, whitepapers, etc on Reporting Services. But they have been heavy
> on using RS or developing with RS. I have not seen a lot focusing on
> managing Reporting Services in an enterprise. The RS capacity planning and
> performance tuning whitepaper is an exception. I think there is a real
need
> for much more coverage on topics such as the following (just a sample
list):
> * Monitoring Reporting Services
> * Managing Reporing Services disaster and recovery
> * RS.exe scripting for automation
> Linchi
>|||Kevin,
I am not trying to be a guardian angel but as they say "truth is born in
discussions", so please find my comments inline for whatever they are worth
for.
--
Hope this helps.
---
Teo Lachev, MCSD, MCT
Author: "Microsoft Reporting Services in Action"
http://www.prologika.com
"Kevin B" <kevin@.misnet.info> wrote in message
news:#AozSnAhEHA.3928@.TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> At the loadfest I attended, the suggest to send an e-mail - something
> sqlwish@.microsoft.com - (not sure...).
> Our company has been evaluting RS to replace Crystal - so far - it "ain't
> gonna happen". RS isn't ready for complex reporting. For anyone that
says
> it is, you aren't righting complex reports. We have created many simple
> reports - which is does very well (thank you).
> Don't misunderstand me - I am looking forward to the next version - which
I
> will expect to see some big improvements. MS has been very "hush" about
> what type of enhancements will be included (maybe they know - maybe they
> don't). I don't want to beat up on MS too bad - this is a very good idea
> with a lot of promise - but it isn't for eveyone (yet!).
> My wish list:
> - Aggregate functions on textbox values (a must!)
Teo: Not sure what you mean here, can you explain or better give an
example?
> - Preview with edit/formatting ability (if you don't understand - look
> at Crystal)
Teo: By definition, preview is read-only but again I don't know Crystal...
> - Intellisense!!!
Teo: Use external assemblies and you will have the whole VS.NET enchilada.
My recommendation is to use embedded functions for simple logic only.
> - Some type of interface to assist with coding (again - look at
Crystal,
> building functions/custom code)
Teo: Again use VS.NET again and external assemblies.
> - Ability to create variables at the report level that can be access
by
> functions (...Crystal...again)
Teo: Can you accomplish this by using class-level variables in instance
classes?
> OK - I am a Crystal user - so what?!? I am trying to use RS and will
> actively support RS when it can compare to Crystal.
> ...take this as "constructive criticism". To be honest - I am anxious to
> see Business Objects "whine" about MS monopolizing the report-writing
> market!! Go MS!
> -KB
>
> "Linchi Shea" <linchi_shea@.NOSPAM.ml.com> wrote in message
> news:%23ltaDWAhEHA.3236@.TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > So far, Microsoft has put out log of seminars, webcasts, conference
> > sessions, whitepapers, etc on Reporting Services. But they have been
heavy
> > on using RS or developing with RS. I have not seen a lot focusing on
> > managing Reporting Services in an enterprise. The RS capacity planning
and
> > performance tuning whitepaper is an exception. I think there is a real
> need
> > for much more coverage on topics such as the following (just a sample
> list):
> >
> > * Monitoring Reporting Services
> > * Managing Reporing Services disaster and recovery
> > * RS.exe scripting for automation
> >
> > Linchi
> >
> >
>sql